Page 69 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“Okay?” I hesitantly say, looking at him.

I continue to walk toward the stream, needing ice once more. There has to be a better system than this, but I can’t think of anything better. I’m not sure if I really want to, because it gets me out of the house.

“The prince should never have threatened you like that. If you want to learn how to hunt, then you should be able to. I encourage it. You should know how to survive and take care of yourself,” Kieran says.

Sighing, I stop walking and look up at him. “He’s the prince. I can’t do anything against him.”

“That is not how a prince should act,” Kieran forcefully says. “He should not be telling people what they can and cannot do.”

“I completely agree, but I’ve caught his eye. He wants me to be something to him. I don’t know what yet, but he said something about a princess,” I ramble. “But don’t worry, my father is teaching me when he has time.”

I can’t wait until he starts teaching me. I’ve thought about asking for years now, but I have been so busy helping Mother out around the house.

He nods. “Good. As you should. I wish I could teach you, but I cannot. Maybe I can teach you some knife moves when you come for ice or water.”

A smile blossoms on my face. “I would love that very much.”

“Good. Next time we see each other, I will teach you one thing and we will build on it.” He starts walking again, my bucket in his hand.

How did he get my bucket without me knowing?

“Come along,” he says.

“What is the ring you gave me?” I ask. “Does it have some type of magic on it? Why did you give it to me?”

I can’t help but ask all the questions. It has been on my mind since he gave it to me, and I wanted to ask earlier.

“It was my mother’s,” he replies.

I cock my head to the side. “Your mother’s? Doesn’t she still want it?”

Sadness fills his face, making me falter. Did I say something wrong?

“She’s no longer alive, and my father soon followed after her.” Kieran looks away from me. “My mother was human, and before my dad could turn her, his powers were gone. So he watched her get old and die. Soon after, he died from a broken heart.”

My heart aches, and I blink several times, trying to get myself not to cry in front of him. So cruel. She should still be living, watching her son grow up.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“Why?” he asks. “Why are you sorry when you had nothing to do with it?”

“I feel bad that it happened to you. It wasn’t fair, but it happened. Your parents should have been able to live a long life together,” I tell him. “I’m sorry it got cut short. I wish there were something I could have done.”

Kieran smiles and cups my cheek with his right hand. “It’s okay. It’s been hundreds of years.”

“Doesn’t make it any easier,” I mumble.

I don’t know what it’s like to lose someone important in my life, but I know I would be devastated, no matter how many years went by. There wouldn’t be a day that I wouldn’t think about my parents if they died. Maybe the memories of them have started to fade, but that couldn’t be possible, right? Not when he showed me memories from back then by touching my temples.

“I don’t deserve you.” he whispers. “You are too good for me. You are too good for anyone, yet you are mine.”

“Why did you give me the ring then if it belonged to your mother?” I ask. “Wouldn’t you want to keep it to remember her?”

Kieran gives me another small smile as he looks into my eyes. “No.” He takes a shallow breath. “No, I want you to have it. You are my soulmate, the love of my life.”

I shake my head and take a step back. “That isn’t possible.”

There is no way I’m the love of his life. I’m a commoner and a human. He’s Fae. There is no way we could be together.