Page 115 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

I flinch. I don’t know what the Fae did to her or the prince.

“So you are getting closer to him and will be getting married to him instead of me?” Hope fills my body.

“No, he has his eyes set on you. There is nothing I can do about that, sorry.” She looks at me apologetically. “I have tried, but he really has his eyes set on you. I don’t know why. No offense, but you don’t want him, which shows. I do, and it’s like I’m invisible to him as an option.”

“Maybe it’s because you want it so much. I wonder if I change to wanting it badly, he’ll change his mind and go for someone else,” I mutter to myself at the end.

Skylar chuckles and shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s it, but whatever helps you sleep at night. I’ve got to head back to work, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye,” I shout after her and pick up my bucket.

I shake my head and carry on my journey. I was not expecting her to follow me and accuse me. She isn’t wrong with her theory, but she can’t know about Kieran.

“This is such a big mess,” I whisper to myself as I stop in front of the stream.

There aren’t any blocks of ice on the side of the bank this time. My eyebrows furrow as I search the area, trying to see if I missed them.

“He got called away for something and hasn’t been able to come here recently. I was just about to do it, thinking you would be coming in the next couple of days.” Elias walks from behind the tree.

“He isn’t here?” I ask.

No.

I need to see Kieran and let him know what is happening. How I won’t be able to see him as much since several people are becoming suspicious about my behavior.

“No, he isn’t. Why do you ask?” Elias takes several steps closer to me.

“I need to see him.” My words come out desperate, but I don’t care. “I need to see him now. I need to warn him.”

“Warn him about what?” Elias searches my face.

I shake my head. “I have to know he’s is okay.”

What if something has happened to him? What if Skylar and the prince knew about Kieran this whole time and were seeing if I was going to lie.

“I need to see him. Right. Now,” I demand.

Panic starts to form in my stomach as Elias stares at me. Frantically, I look around the forest, making sure no one is watching us. What if they are hiding behind the bushes right now?

“What’s going on?” Elias asks. “What has you all worked up?”

“They might be watching.” My voice is very high pitched. “I need to see him. Please.”

I grab the bucket and start walking in a random direction, hoping to find Kieran. He has to be somewhere in the forest, I can feel it in my bones.

“High Lady,” Elias calls after me.

“Shhh!” I forcefully say, turning to look at him. My heart is racing as I search the forest, making sure no one is near. What does Elias think he is doing? Does he want us to get caught? “They could be anywhere. I’m not going crazy, I promise, but they are here somewhere. They are listening. We need to be careful.”

His eyebrows pinch together. “No one is in the forest. We have people stationed to make sure no one disturbs you with Kieran or anyone else. We make sure you are safe.”

I shake my head. That can’t be possible. Skylar knew I was meeting up with someone.

“I still need to talk with Kieran,” I tell Elias before I start to walk again.

“Sweets.” Kieran runs up to me and cups my face. “What’s wrong, Sweets? I felt your panic and got here as soon as I could.”

“They have been watching me,” I whisper, tears pooling in my eyes. “They are getting suspicious.”