Page 54 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“I’m going to pick you up,” Kieran says before I feel his arms around me.

He holds me close to him, not letting go once he is standing. My legs wrap around him, arms around his neck as I try to keep myself up.

“I’m not going to drop you,” he gently says. “I would never dream of it.”

“Sorry,” I whisper.

“Elias and Zayden are going to fill your bucket with ice,” Kieran instructs before turning to me. “And you are going to stay right where you are so you can warm up,” Kieran firmly says, almost like he knows I am going to argue with him about it.

Sighing, I nod and relax into his embrace, letting his warmth engulf me. I don’t know how he is so warm in this terrible weather. But whatever he has, I want.

“We are sorry for scaring you,” a familiar voice apologizes.

Where have I heard his voice before? Why do their names sound so familiar and yet like I don’t know them at all?

“They were with us when I carried you to my tent. When you almost died that night,” Kieran quietly tells me.

I gasp and pull away from his chest to look at Elias and Zayden. I remember hearing them talk with Kieran about me. I never got to see what they look like, but before I can take them in, Kieran pushes my head back to his chest.

“No,” I mumble.

“Yes, you need to stay warm. I know you want to look around, but you need to stay warm, or you are going to get even more sick,” Kieran chastises me.

I want to sass back at him, but he’s right. I know I’m going to get sick from this. Being out in the cold the whole time and getting wet is not good for me.

“We were there that night. We were pretty worried about you,” Elias chimes in, or I think it’s Elias from the little I remember that night. “We are part of Kieran’s inner circle. She does know you are High Lord, right?”

“Well, if she didn’t know then she does now.” Zayden chuckles. “There are more of us, but they are making sure that nothing happens to us while we are here. Especially since you technically aren’t supposed to be in a Fae’s arms. We don’t want either of you to get into trouble.”

Right. How thoughtful of them for looking out for us. But how will they know if someone is trying to get to us?

“We can talk in our minds. Not a lot of people can do it, but Kieran still has a little power left and has opened a channel for us to talk through,” Elias explains.

“That’s how you knew I was in trouble?” I ask, looking at Kieran.

“You called out to me. Opened up the bond when you didn’t even know what it was,” he replies.

“Bond?” I look at him, puzzled.

Kieran kisses my forehead. “Later.”

I huff out a breath. It’s always later. Am I going to learn anything with him? Or is he going to always keep me at arm’s length? Frustration builds inside of me.

“Actually later?” I ask.

“Yes, we will talk about it later, but right now we need to focus on keeping you warm while they break up the ice and fill your bucket,” Kieran replies.

“She isn’t going to let you forget it.” Zayden chuckles as I hear some ice breaking. “You can hear the fire in her voice.”

“If I ever find my mate, I won’t be trying to infuriate her.” Elias whistles. “That is one sure way of sleeping outside.”

“Hopefully, when you find your mate, we won’t be in this same situation,” Kieran retorts. “Hopefully, we’ll be free of the curse and you can freely court her and not have to sneak around. Hopefully, when you find her, you will be able to hold her at night, every night.”

Silence fills the forest. It really would be terrible if you couldn’t openly be with the person you loved in fear of getting punished. That must feel awful.

“Sorry, High Lord,” Elias quietly says. “I did not mean to throw that in your face.”

Kieran sighs, and I lean my head on his chest. “It’s okay, Elias. While we all want to find our mates, and I have, just know it will be hard, no matter what. Some information has to be told over time, right now since we can’t spend a lot of time together. Is it my first choice? No, but it is the way it has to be right now.”