Page 80 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

That all made sense, but how does me joining the equation help push things along? Unless he thinks… No.

“Are you expecting me to find out how to break the curse?” I ask, taking another step back.

“No, I would never ask you to put yourself in danger. We are working on it daily, trying to hear the conversation and read what the witch said all those years ago. I don’t want you to go after it and put yourself in danger,” he says. “I want you safe and sound so that when we do find out how to break it, we can spend the rest of our lives together.”

My shoulders relax once more. As much as I want to help them out, I can’t risk my life like that. Not when my mother needs me. Well, I actually would and kind of have. Asking my sister questions wasn’t smart.

“If I hear anything about the curse, I can let you know,” I offer. “I won’t go asking around, but if I happen to hear anything when I go to the palace for my lessons, I’ll let you know after.”

It’s the least I can do for him. Kieran has been nothing but nice to me, and this is the least I can do for him, right?

“You don’t have to do that, but we would appreciate it,” he replies, taking a step toward me. “But do not put yourself in danger, no matter how much you want to at the time.”

“I won’t, I promise,” I honestly reply.

At the time. It may change if I find myself in a situation where they are discussing it. I may need to get closer to hear better or follow them, and I would. It might put me in danger, but it would help them out.

“I have,” but I stop myself.

No. I can’t ask that. It’s been on my mind for a while, but I haven’t had the courage to ask about it yet.

“Ask,” he encourages me.

“Can wings be removed, and after a time, can they be replaced and work, or once they are off they cannot be used anymore?” I rush out but wince when I hear what I just said. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that. It wasn’t okay.”

Realization crosses his face. “You saw the wings on the wall.”

I nod and look away. I have seen them on the wall, and it pains me. I can still remember the dried blood on the wall from where it looked like they placed the freshly cut wings. How cruel.

“We’ve never tried to reattach wings before to know if they would work again or if the healer could even do it,” Kieran softly says. “Only one of those people is still alive, but they are very old and probably wouldn’t be able to fly even if they had wings.”

My heart breaks at his words. The last one living, and they wouldn’t be able to fly even if they were able to get the wings back on him somehow.

“Has he.” I clear my throat and let out a shaky breath. “Has he been mistreated?”

I hope for his sake he hasn’t. He didn’t have a choice in whether he wanted his wings cut off.

“No, he hasn’t,” Kieran replies. “Everyone knows he didn’t have a choice, and no one blames him for it or treats him badly. Even though he is old, he still lives his life.”

“But he knew that he would never get them back,” I mumble, feeling even more sad than before.

“Yes, he did, but he is grateful to be alive. I hope one day to be able to have the healers reattach them so he can feel them move before he dies,” Kieran gently says. “Whether that will happen, I do not know.”

I want to help make it happen, but I know I can’t really do anything. They are far too high for me to get by myself, and I know they will weigh a lot. And who’s to say he will actually be able to feel them move since the curse is still in place. Maybe they’ll disappear once they are attached, like everyone else’s.

“Are your father’s wings up there?” I can’t help but ask.

Kieran shakes his head. “No. The king at the time wanted my father’s wings, but several people kept the guards from getting to him which resulted in them losing theirs.”

They sacrificed themselves to save their High Lord’s wings.

“Now, come here.” He holds his arms open. “Let me hold you. Let me hold you like I held you that night in the tent.”

Without thinking, I take several steps forward and wrap my arms around his waist. His arms cocoon me, making me feel safe and relaxed.

“Why does this feel so good?” I mumble into him. “Why does it feel like I belong here, in your arms? It felt like this the night you rescued me from the snowstorm. I can’t explain it. I haven’t felt this way with anyone. Not even my dad who I feel safe with.”

“Because I am your mate. You crave being in my arms and will always feel like you belong,” he gently replies. “Do you feel any other way?”