Page 95 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“Excuse me?” I politely ask.

He can’t mean that.

“Maybe next time you’ll learn that when I tell you not to learn to hunt, you’ll listen to me.” He takes several paces closer to me.

Gasping, I take a step back and stare at him like he has two heads. He can’t mean it. Was Kieran right?

“Did you?” I whisper, not wanting to say the words.

“Did I what?” he asks. “I didn’t do anything. I told you a while ago that you shouldn’t learn how to hunt and told you there would be consequences. But don’t worry, I will take care of everything.”

“Take care of everything?” I ask, not understanding what he is talking about.

“I will provide for you,” Prince Archie says.

“I don’t need anything, but thank you for the offer,” I politely reply.

His face hardens even more, and he takes another step closer to me. “It wasn’t up for debate. I will be taking care of you and your mother from now on. I will make sure you have the food you need.”

I bow. “Thank you,” I say, grateful. “I have to go back home now though. There is a lot to do.”

Prince Archie nods, and I turn quickly, not daring to look back at him. Did he really have my father killed? My mind is so full of questions as I walk toward Flynn and his wife’s house.

I need answers.

Flynn has to have them or else I don’t know who I am going to get the truth from. Kieran doesn’t know everything. Even though the prince partially confirmed it, I need to know for sure.

“Oh, you poor thing.” Flynn’s wife pulls me into a hug when I stand before their front door. “I was expecting you.”

My eyebrows knit together as she pulls me into the house and closes the door, locking it behind us. Why did she lock the door? Why were they expecting me? What is happening?

Flynn sits in the middle of the kitchen, holding a hot cup of tea. We stare at each other for several seconds, neither of us saying a word. What am I supposed to say to him? I don’t know who I can trust.

Should I ask him anything? Kieran told me to, so he must know I won’t get into trouble, right?

“What did you say to me before you left?” I ask, finally managing to find the courage to speak.

He sighs and places the cup on the table. “I think you should sit down.”

I shake my head. “What did you say to me before you left our house?” I ask again.

“Just tell her, Flynn.” His wife helps me sit at the table. “She deserves to know what you said. She’s here now.”

“I told you I was really sorry and if you needed to talk, come to me,” he finally replies.

“What happened to my father?” I inquire, not waiting a second.

I need to know.

I need to know if Kieran is telling the truth and knows what’s going on.

“Are you sure you want to know?” Flynn searches my face.

“Yes, Kier—” but I stop myself. “Something isn’t adding up. The regret on your face as you told us. The way you were wringing your hat and didn’t have any tears in your eyes.”

“We are all in shock,” he replies. “None of us knew what was happening until he was dead and they were talking to us.”

I repeat his words over and over in my head, trying to make sense of who they were. But nothing makes sense, unless he is referring to the prince and doesn’t want to say his name.