Page 92 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“I need to do some cleaning,” Mother whispers, her voice so broken as she pulls away from my embrace.

“Mother,” I start to say, but she holds her hand up.

“There are things that need to get done. I just need to do it.” She doesn’t look at me. “Go on a walk. Let the forest help calm you down and process everything.”

Hurt flashes through me as I look at her. She’s cradling her stomach, and I can’t help but stare at her. She just lost her husband, and she’s about to have a baby.

“It’s okay.” Mother smiles at me, but I can see the hurt, sorrow, and concern all across her face. “Everything is going to be okay. I just need some alone time. You go to the forest and walk around. I know what you were about to ask before Flynn came and told us.”

“I don’t want to leave you,” I tell her, my voice cracking at the end. “You need me.”

“I’m okay. I-I had a feeling th-this was going to happen.” She looks away from me. “I’ll be okay by myself.”

I stand in the middle of the kitchen, looking at her and worrying.

“Go,” she tells me. “Go to the forest and walk. I need to be alone.”

“Don’t—”

“I’m not going to do anything but some chores that need to get done. I’m going to bring this baby into the world and be there their whole life. I promise.” She looks me in the eyes. “Why don’t you go get some ice for us? Just a little bit.”

“I… Okay,” I whisper.

I grab my coat, pulling it on as I pick up the bucket and walk out of the house. I don’t pay attention to anything around me as I walk through the town and toward the forest.

He’s gone.

Father is gone.

What are we going to do without him? How are we going to get the meat we need and the pelts to sell? How are we going to do anything without him?

Numb.

Numb is all I feel as I walk into the forest and straight to the stream to grab some ice. I don’t want to feel anything anymore. I don’t want to feel the grief ripping at my heart.

“Adeline,” Kieran’s voice calls out, but I don’t pay any attention.

I continue to walk toward the stream, on a mission to get the ice and not think about anything at all.

“Addie,” he gently says right next to me. “Sweets.”

Tears prick my eyes as I stop, my shoulders slumping, and my head falling as I look at the ground.

“I don’t want to feel,” I whisper, my voice raw and full of so much emotion.

“Oh, Sweets,” Kieran coos and pulls me into his embrace.

The bucket hits the ground, and before I know it, I’m holding onto him for dear life as tears run down my face, soaking Kieran’s shirt. He holds me tight against him as I continue to cry, completely breaking down in his arms.

“Shh, you’re okay,” he whispers. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

Sorrow flows through me the longer Kieran holds me. I thought I was numb, but one touch from Kieran and I broke, the flood gates opened. I don’t know what to do now.

“I know.” His hand runs up and down my back. “Just let it all out.”

I don’t know how long I stay in his arms, but eventually the tears stop and I pull back from him.

“I heard the news.” He cups my face with his right hand. “I’m so sorry.”