Page 21 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“That’s okay,” I softly reply, trying to come up with something to say. “I’ll leave immediately after the market is done, so I don’t get caught in the snow.”

A shiver makes its way up my spine as I think about the last time I went to the town before the snow fell. Last year, during the last hour of my walk, it started to snow, and with the freezing temperature, it wasn’t a good combination. I almost froze to death, and I don’t want to experience that again. My mother was terrified, trying to warm me up slowly so I didn’t lose any fingers or toes.

It was some of the worst pain I’ve ever felt.

“I have a jacket I can give you. The one I’ve been working on for the past couple of days to bring you more warmth,” my mother says.

I shake my head. “No, it’s okay. You should sell it, someone will pay good money for it.”

“We don’t need the money from that,” she quietly says.

“You don’t know that. I just…” I sigh. “I don’t need it. I’ll be fine. I’ll be back before the snow even starts. I have my jacket.”

There are several holes in it, but I’m not going to tell her that. It’s over six years old, and I desperately need a new one, but she’s about to give birth. It can wait a little longer.

“Don’t try to pull that on me.” Her voice hardens. “I’m your mother. I was your age at some point.”

I wince. “Sorry, mother. I really didn’t mean to insult you… I just didn’t want you to worry. If I leave right after the market and walk a little faster than normal, I should make it to the town by the time the store is closing, and I’ll leave right after to head back home.”

Normally, I leave before the market, but this year is different for various reasons.

“Everything is going to be fine,” I try to reassure my mother. “Trust me? I don’t need another jacket because I won’t get caught in the snow. I’ll be fine.”

My mother doesn’t say anything as she rinses the clothes in the now-soapy water.

“I need to get some more water,” I quietly say. “For you. I’ll be back in thirty minutes max.”

“Can you take two buckets?” my mother asks. “So we can finish faster and move on to something else.”

I nod and pick up the two empty buckets near the end of her station. My father built a washing station for my mother before my older sister was born, and it had withstood over thirty-five years with minimal damage. The only problem is it doesn’t have running water so I have to go to a stream in the forest to collect it.

Water from the well isn’t to be used for washing clothes. It is one of the rules the higher-ups in the town made years and years ago. If we all use the water for cleaning clothes, baths, washing dishes, drinking, and so many other things, we will be without it soon enough. Some people go to a different stream closer to the town, but it was always so busy and you had to wait in line.

Why would I do that when I could easily walk to another stream and not wait? It gives me time to be in nature and think about things.

“Be careful. I’ll start washing the next batch and hanging up the clean ones while you’re gone,” my mother offers, slowly walking to where the clean clothes are.

“Don’t tire yourself out too much,” I reply.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I look around, trying to find Kieran’s eyes. It has to be him. I only ever feel this way when I find his eyes. But as I search I can’t find Kieran but that doesn’t mean he isn’t there, hiding.

Brushing off the giddiness inside me, I continue to walk to the stream. Normally, I only carry one bucket at a time since they get so heavy but my mom didn’t want that. I could have argued, I probably should have, but I didn’t. It is getting harder for her to stand on her feet for long periods of time. No matter how much I tell her I can do the wash by myself so she can do something sitting down, she tells me no every time.

Sighing, I make my way through the forest and stop when I get in front of the stream, but I don’t bend down. I take a second to breathe in the fresh air without any prying eyes. There is something special about being alone for a couple of seconds, away from all the chatter of the townspeople. A time when it’s just me and nature, no one else.

“It’s dangerous for you to be out in the forest alone, Sweets.” His voice is smooth and right next to my ear.

Gasping, I drop the buckets and turn around, but he is five feet away from me. How did his voice sound right next to my ear?

“Don’t be afraid,” he gently tells me. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’ve already told you that in many different ways, and I think me not harming you last time just shows that I’m truthful.”

“But you did threaten me.” I can’t help but say.

He tsks. “I didn’t threaten you. I merely told you it was dangerous to be out in the forest alone. What if you didn’t have me to protect you?”

“I didn’t have you several months ago or even years ago. What difference does it make now? I haven’t gotten hurt,” I point out, picking up both buckets, but I keep my eyes on him.

Kieran smiles. “Things are changing, Sweets.”