Page 46 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“But staring at me for several hours is creepy and you didn’t deny that.” I pick my bag up from the ground.

He shrugs but doesn’t say anything. “You may think it’s creepy, but I don’t. I’m looking at my mate. I could stare at you for hours, days, and never get bored. You are my life.”

Blushing, I look away. My heart flutters with his words, and I can’t help but smile and want more. Kieran knows the right things to say to make me melt.

“I wish I could walk you home, but the guards will be patrolling right now and I don’t want them to spot us together.” Kieran bends down in front of me. “I will keep watch of you, though, to make sure you get home safely.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. “Thank you for everything. For saving me. I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you.”

Kieran leans forward, kissing my forehead. “You don’t have to repay me. It was my honor.”

Tears pool in my eyes as I look at him.

“Shh, it’s okay,” he whispers, cupping my face.

“I’m worried I’m never going to see you again, and I don’t know how to feel about it,” I reply, choking up.

“We are going to see each other again, I promise.” He kisses my nose. “Nothing is going to keep me away from you.”

“Promise?” I ask.

“I promise, Sweets. Nothing is going to keep me away from you.”

Sighing, I nod and pull away from his touch. Kieran leads me to the front of his tent and helps me out. Wrapping my arms around myself, my teeth start to chatter as the cold seeps into me, taking any of the warmth I had.

“I found you when you were walking,” Kieran says as he takes several steps with me. “I will find you again.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

I stop and stand in front of him, not caring that other Fae watching us. I crane my head back, trying to get a good look at Kieran. He bends down in front of me.

“I was worried about you yesterday,” he informs me. “I couldn’t find you all day.”

“I told you I was going to the store after I saw you at the market,” I mumble.

“I know, but I was worried about you. I was hoping you hadn’t gone since the snow was coming. I was hoping you would postpone it until later and be safer,” he says honestly as he looks into my eyes.

I shake my head. “I always knew I was going, I had to. There was no other time. The longer I waited, the more snow was going to fall.”

He sighs. “I know but I was hopeful. Now, go walk home so you don’t get sick. When you get home, drink something warm and stand next to the fire to warm up. Understand?”

“I will, I promise.”

Kieran kisses me on the forehead before standing to his full height and taking several steps back.

“Everett is going to follow you from a distance until you get to the edge of the forest to make sure you get home safely. I’ll be watching, but I’m needed at the roll call,” Kieran explains. “Be good.”

I give him one last smile before turning and making my way home. My body shakes the more I walk.

“You need better clothes,” Everett tells me.

“T-thought you were just following m-me,” I stutter.

“I am, but Kieran didn’t say anything about not talking,” he points out.

I stay silent. I know I need better winter clothes but I wanted all the new clothes to go to the market so people could buy them.

“You need better clothes,” he reiterates. “Ones that will keep you warm in weather like this,” Everett says. “You could have died last night.”