Page 105 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“I know it’s going to take you a while to really believe that you deserve the title and they are okay with that.”

I nod.

“The prince and king are waiting for you,” Elias says.

“What about Avira?” I ask.

“We have people looking for her in her last known location but there isn’t much we can do right now,” Kieran replies. “Do you want to come with me to see the prince and king?”

“What are you going to do with them?”

Kieran grabs my hand. “We are going to have a public execution.”

My jaw drops. “Aren’t you worried how the people are going to react to that?”

“Why would they feel anything but happy that they don’t have to deal with them any longer?” Elias asks. “They should be grateful that we are killing them.”

“A lot of people were very loyal to them,” I point out. “I know the majority didn’t like them, but⁠—”

“We know there are going to be people who will protest the execution, but they won’t be able to do much. It’s happening no matter what,” Kieran says. “We are prepared for the consequences and backlash, but I don’t think there will be much. They haven’t done anything yet.”

“Yet,” I repeat. “They could be plotting something right now and when they hear about the execution that could be the final straw.”

“Sweets,” Kieran gently says as he cups my face. “We are monitoring everyone right now. We are taking precautions and will have lots of people on the lookout when we do it.”

“What if something goes wrong?” I ask. “What if something you don’t expect happens and people die? What then?”

He gently rubs his thumb across my cheek. “We are going to try our best not to harm anyone. I’ve already told all the guards and Fae that if something happens, not to harm anyone. And as for something going wrong, we have several different ways that we will handle it. Everything is going to work out. You might be surprised at how the people handle it.”

I take a deep breath and lean into his hand. “When are you holding this?”

“Right now. A guard has made an announcement that everyone is to gather at the town square,” Kieran replies. “Do you want to come with me or do you want to stay here?”

What do I want to do? I hate violence, but I want to see them dead so I know they aren’t going to haunt me for the rest of my life.

“I’ll come with you,” I whisper.

“Are you sure? There is no shame in staying here,” Kieran says.

I nod. “I’m sure. Let’s go before I change my mind.”

Kieran lets go of my face, grabs my hand, and starts to walk out of the throne room. He leads me down to the dungeon, my hand instinctively tightening around his at the memories of everything Avira did to me.

“What happened to Nas?” I ask as I look at his now empty cell.

“After I brought you to the healer, I sent someone down to get him and put the prince and king in the dungeon,” Kieran replies. “He is safe and healing.”

My shoulders sag in relief. “Good.”

Kieran stops in front of the same cell I was once placed in. Sitting on the cold, hard ground are Prince Archie and the king.

“You’re okay,” Kieran whispers. “Nothing is going to happen to you.”

Taking a deep breath, I relax my hand around his and look at the two people in the cell.

Prince Archie glares at Kieran and our connected hands before looking up at me. “I thought you didn’t know him.”

Kieran squeezes my hand.