Page 32 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“Yes, please tell me. The guards will be back soon to grab the basket and blanket.” I lean forward, waiting for him to tell me the rest of the story.

I don’t want our time to be cut short, but I know it’s going to. Time has already passed since Prince Archie left, and I know we don’t have much more left. I wish they weren’t slaves so I could talk to him freely, but if they weren’t, we wouldn’t be in this situation.

“Well, the witch loved her sister so much,” Kieran explains. “So much that when she died, the witch wanted revenge, and she got it. She plotted hard and got the king to fall for her spell. Masked herself as his mate, and when he was there, he stepped into her hold and she cast a spell on him to take away all the Fae magic. Didn’t tell anyone how to break the curse.”

My heart breaks as I look at him. “Mate?” I ask.

Kieran has said it several times, and I don’t know what it means. I tried going to the library one night to see if there was a description of it written in the dictionary, but there was nothing of the sort. Is there another name for it that I don’t know? Is it just a made-up word he’s using to confuse me?

“If you don’t believe what I said, go to the library. They should be keeping a detailed account of what really happened. While they won’t want the public to know, they have to keep a detailed account for the kings.” Kieran ignores my question.

“I wish, but they keep that section under lock and key,” I sadly say. “No one is allowed to get near it or ask for anything.”

I haven’t asked to see it, but the year before, someone did, and they ended up getting banished to Tarravega. That had set everything in place to prevent people from asking about anything relating to it. Everyone just went on with their days and pretended like nothing happened.

Creepy.

Something is definitely wrong with what they are telling us, but I already knew that. Anyone with ears or eyes could hear or see that the authorities are keeping something from us.

“Come see me again and I’ll show you more.” Kieran stands. “We better get going or else the guard is going to ask questions and lock me up.”

Rising, I crane my neck to see his face. “Mate. What does that mean?” I ask. “And how do you still have power and are able to show me everything?”

He smiles. “The witch took almost everything, but she didn’t take away all of it. She did make our wings disappear. I can feel them, but I can’t use them.”

I grow frustrated as he continues to not answer my question. Kieran turns to leave, but I grab his wrist, keeping him from fully turning. He’d have no problem getting out of it, but he stops and looks at me.

“Mate. What does it mean?” I ask.

He cups my face with his hands, and I lean into his right one, loving how his skin feels against mine. “We are mates. We share a bond with each other,” is all he says before he walks away, leaving me in the forest by myself.

CHAPTER 8

“Come on, Adeline.” Mother raises her voice. “We need to get to our booth so we can set up.”

I plaster a smile on my face and look at her. “Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts.”

I’ve been doing that recently. Ever since I last saw Kieran, my mind has been wandering to him at all moments. He never gave me the real definition of what a mate is. I know we have a bond, I can feel it when I’m near him, but what could it be?

I want to walk into the forest and somehow demand to speak with him so I can make him answer. But I haven’t been able to get away to go there. The walks I’ve managed to take are small and just in the square. Every second is spent prepping for this big market before the first snow comes.

I also want to know how he still has some magical ability. I haven’t seen any of the Fae display their magic, yet he’s done it several times with me. We are taught that all their magic was taken away.

“Bring the basket of clothes, and I’ll grab some spices,” my mother yells. “Then we’ll have a talk about you zoning out so much while we set up.”

Holding my groan in, I walk over to the basket of clothes and lift it. Hopefully, I can get out of the talk because I don’t know what to say that she will believe. I take a deep breath and walk out of the house and to our stand. Today is going to be a long day, and I’m not looking forward to it.

“Come on, Adeline. We don’t have all day,” my mother scolds me. “What has gotten into you?”

“Sorry, Mother. I don’t mean to be in my head. I’ve just missed being out in the forest,” I lie a little. I do miss the forest, but that isn’t the whole reason.

She sighs and places her hand on my shoulder. “I know you do, and I know it’s going to be hard during the winter, but you can’t be in your head today. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us. You can think about it later when we are done and you are on your way to Hellhollow.”

I help with the stand in record time, trying to make up for the time we have lost with me thinking about Kieran. I need to get a hold on myself and not think about him so much, but it’s hard when he makes me feel so many things.

“I’m going to go look around the market and inform the people about our spices and clothes.” I look at my mother. “Is that okay?”

“Yes, go,” she dismisses me.