Page 27 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

I bite my tongue as mother gets closer to us.

“Adeline always thinks about everyone,” she gently says, smiling at Avira. “This is no different, but maybe she should think about herself this one time. It is her life after all.”

Looking at my mom in shock, I don’t know what to say to that. I figured, with how excited she was that the prince took interest in me becoming the future queen, she wouldn’t have responded like that.

“Of course.” My sister smiles. “I just want her prepared for every eventuality.”

I hand Mother the last of the clothes and drain the water, letting it run down the side of the cobblestone road to who knows where.

“Have any of the Fae bothered you?” Avira asks after several minutes of silence. “Have any of them done anything to anyone that the guards don’t know about?”

My whole body freezes as I look at her, trying to figure out whether she knows about Kieran or not. No one has seen us at any point. I looked around before I left the stream. Not that anyone would suspect anything when I walk in and out of the forest. Everyone knows I love being in nature, and they often leave me to it, paying no attention.

“Adeline?” Avira takes a step closer to me. “Are you okay?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” I snap back.

She studies my face, and I hope I don’t give anything away. “You froze when I asked about the Fae. Have any of them done anything to you or Mother?”

I shake my head. “They haven’t done anything to either of us. We don’t interact with them,” I lie.

I feel no remorse in not being truthful to Avira. All I feel is happiness that she isn’t getting what she wants. I like knowing I have something she so desperately wants but won’t ever get.

“Are you sure?” She takes another step closer to me, cocking her head to the side. “Because I can let the prince know if they are bothering you, and he’ll take care of them.”

“I promise, they aren’t. I don’t interact with them. They do their job and I do mine.” I sigh at the end. “They stay away from us.”

All but one stay away from me, and I have no idea why he wants to be close to me. He called me his mate, but I have no idea what that means.

“Promise me you’ll contact me or one of the guards if they do bother you.” She gives me a pointed look.

“The guards will be alerted if they bother me or anyone in the town, like it will always be,” I say, clearly annoyed. “Now, can I get back to work?”

CHAPTER 7

Itake a deep breath as I walk down the cobblestone road. I just finished my afternoon chores, and Mother told me it was a good time to go for a walk. Things have been a little tense since my sister visited a couple of days ago. I got a small tongue lashing about being respectful and loving her.

It seems like every time she visits, I get the same talk. I don’t know why mother continues to give it when she knows I won’t change. Avira may be my sister, but she doesn’t act like one. I would be fine if she decided never to visit or contact us again. I know it would break my mother’s heart, but Avira doesn’t do anything positive other than the occasional check in.

Pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind, I look around to try to find Kieran’s gaze. It’s been several days since I last saw him, and I long to get lost in his cobalt blues. I long to feel at ease when I’m around him.

But the only eyes I make contact with are Prince Archie’s. I quickly look away and rush away, hoping and praying he doesn’t realize it’s me. I walk over to a group of people, but before I get behind them, he calls my name.

“Adeline!” he yells. “Adeline Duvall!”

The whole town square goes silent, and their eyes land on me. I stop in my tracks, slowly turning around and putting a smile on my face. Prince Archie and some guards are making their way toward me, and dread fills my stomach.

I haven’t seen him since he broke his arm, and I was hoping he would have forgotten about me. I have a feeling Avira may have said something to get me back on his radar, knowing it would make me angry. If she did, she’s right. I feel anger bubbling inside of me as he gets closer.

I bow as he approaches, showing respect I don’t have for him. He’s an egotistical male who gets everything handed to him. I’ve seen the way he walks around our town, his head held high, expecting everyone to move to the side so he isn’t inconvenienced.

If he lost his title and had to live like us common folk, he wouldn’t survive a minute. That’s one of the many reasons I hate him.

“You may rise,” he says.

Standing, I can’t help but scan the area. Everyone is still looking at us, but quickly goes back to what they were doing. I know for a fact they’re still listening in, wanting to know what’s happening so they can spread the rumors to whoever’s not here.

“How’s your arm?” I politely ask.