Page 87 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

Kieran turns back around and puts his shirt back on before cupping my face with his hands. “They are healing. A lot of them have scabs forming, and soon after that, they will be all healed. It takes time, but it’s happening. The healer has done everything she can without her magic to help them heal faster.”

“But why do they look so raw?” I ask, tears still streaming down my face.

“They lace the whip with a poison that makes it take longer to heal,” Kieran replies before pulling me into his embrace. “Everything is going to be okay. I’m going to be okay.”

I desperately want to wrap my arms around him and hold on for dear life, but I don’t want to hurt him.

“I’ve got you,” he gently says.

I let his arms stay around me, making me feel safe and comforted.

CHAPTER 24

The prince has once again left for some unknown business in a nearby town. I’m happy, excited that he’s once again gone because it means his guards are as well. The town is so much quieter and more peaceful. It also allows me to go out to the forest more often without fearing that he will show up at random when I’m trying to talk to Kieran.

“I’ll be gone for a couple of days,” Father says as he walks over to the door. “I won’t be far in case the baby arrives, but winter is when some of the animals are out that normally aren’t. I want to hunt a few so we can sell the pelts and meat if we want.”

Placing the last pot to dry on the cloth, I nod. Father is never around much. There is always something out there that he could be hunting. It helps keep us alive, but growing up, I wished he were around more so I got to know who he really was.

“And when you come back, you’ll teach me some more?” I ask, looking at him hopefully.

We went out the other day in the forest to practice with the bow and arrow. I was terrible at it, but everyone has to start somewhere. Father bought me my own bow and a couple of arrows to practice with while he is gone.

“Yes, we will. Practice while I’m gone. It’ll give you an excuse to go outside.” He chuckles and walks out the door.

“Not that you need an excuse,” Mother mutters. “You are just like your father, always wanting to be outside. Maybe this child will be more like me.”

Guilt festers inside of me. Even though he wasn’t around much when I grew up, I have a connection to the forest like he does.

“Sorry, Mother. I can stay inside more if you want,” I offer, but deep down I hope she doesn’t say yes.

I don’t think I will be able to stay inside any more than I already am. I get maybe thirty minutes to an hour outside and I want more. I’ve always wanted more.

Mother waves her hand in the air. “No. You spend the majority of your time in here. Being outside for an hour won’t hurt you. Now, I bet you want to go outside now?”

I give her a small smile. “I finished all my morning chores,” I tell her. “And I would like to try and spend time outside as the prince isn’t in town,” I whisper the last part.

She knows that I don’t like the prince, and this is the perfect opportunity for me to enjoy nature while I can.

“Go, I’ll be fine. Agnes is close enough that if I yell, she’ll hear me. But nothing is going to happen. Have fun walking in the forest.” Mother chuckles.

I skip over to her and kiss her cheek, before dashing out of the house and straight toward the forest. I really want to see Kieran and how he is. Has his back gotten any better since the last time I saw him or has the poison made it impossible to heal?

“I’ll let him know you are here,” Zahra says as she leans up against the tree like she’s been there for hours. “You need to change up your schedule if you don’t want to get caught. One of these days, someone is going to get curious and follow you.”

I shake my head. “No one will. I’m not interesting enough.”

“Yet you have the eye of the prince and Kieran,” she points out. “I would say you are interesting enough.”

“No, I really am not.”

Zahra chuckles and pushes herself off the tree and walks straight toward me. “Whatever you want to believe, but you are important. You are important in the human world and in the Fae world. Everyone knows who you are to my people.”

“Because Kieran says I’m his mate?” I ask. “Has he been telling everyone that?”

“You don’t believe that you are his mate?” She tilts her head to the side. “Interesting. But yes, he told a select few people. When he got whipped, he had to let us know who you were so they wouldn’t retaliate.”

“You believe we are mates?” I look at her strangely. “You actually do?”