Page 39 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“No,” Kieran growls.

I flinch right into his chest. No?

“You are going to live. I won’t have you thinking like that,” he says gentler this time.

Something soft wraps around me, blocking some of the wind from hitting my skin, and I sigh in relief.

“Wh-who else is he-here?” I manage to get out.

It feels like my vocal cords are frozen with how painful it is to talk. Am I dying slowly? I’ve never felt this way before. Last year, when this almost happened, I never once felt like this.

“You’re okay. Just stay calm for me as we walk back to camp, where I can keep you warm,” Kieran coos. “I’ve got you. Just worry about staying in my arms and warming up.”

“How did you know she was there?” another male voice asks.

“This is Zayden, he’s another of my friends,” Kieran whispers. “She’s my mate. She pulled the mate bond and led me to where she was without even knowing it. Adeline knew she was in trouble and was calling out to me, and I came.”

“She doesn’t know?” Everett asks. “That she is your mate?”

“She knows, but she doesn’t fully understand what it means,” Kieran explains.

I grumble against his skin. “Tell me,” I weakly demand.

“Not right now, Adeline.” Kieran looks down at me. “You are far too weak, and I want you to remember when I tell you everything.”

I open my mouth to argue, but stop myself. I don’t know what I’m going to remember when I wake up again. What if I’m so close to death that I don’t remember Kieran and who he is to me?

Who he is to me.

I don’t even know that right now. I feel the attraction toward him, but I have no idea why. Is he ever going to tell me? He said we are meant to be together, but that could mean so many different things.

“I will tell you soon,” Kieran reassures me. “Don’t worry about that at the moment. Things are going to change.”

“How do you know she’ll remember this?” Elias inquires.

“I will keep my promise whether she remembers or not,” he snaps at his friends.

I place my cold hand against his chest, trying to calm him. I don’t know what compelled me to do it, but it feels like the right thing to do. He hisses, and I snatch my hand off him.

“Put that hand back.” His voice is gravelly and low. “But keep it under the blanket so it warms up.”

I hesitate, but with one pointed look from him, I set it back on him, feeling the warmth from him start to slowly creep up my hands. I grit my teeth as pins and needles surface, and it takes everything in me to keep my hand there.

“Rest.” Kieran looks down at me. “And keep your hands tucked in. I don’t want to have to remind you again.”

I glare at him but don’t close my eyes. I don’t want to sleep right now, even if my body is begging me to rest. I’m safe in his arms, but I’m afraid that if I fall asleep now, I won’t see him again when I wake up or that death will take me away.

“Adeline, rest. I have you,” he tries to reassure me.

“No,” I weakly reply. “I’m not going to sleep.”

A collective chuckle fills the air, but I don’t tense up this time. They are Kieran’s friends, and he wouldn’t let anyone near me if they were going to harm me, right?

He wouldn’t show me to his friends and tell me who they are if he didn’t trust them. I may not know Kieran that well, but from the little he has explained to me, I know he wouldn’t put me in danger.

“You are going to have your hands full with her.” Zayden laughs.

“Good luck,” Everett calls out. “You’re going to need it when you guys get closer.”