Page 127 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

I’m going to tell Henry when he comes to see me next, I tell Kieran. She threatened to get the guy to come back today and tomorrow if I don’t start telling the truth. I honestly don’t know how much more I can go through and I don’t want to risk it. I’m not Fae. I am human.

Fine.

“Finally get in contact with him?” Nas asks.

“Yes,” I whisper. “Everything is okay. He was just busy.”

“I told you. You don’t need to think about the worst first.”

My lips twitch and I relax even more on the floor.

“Get some rest while you can. It will help you heal,” Nas says gently.

“Oh, Adeline,” someone whispers. “He told me to bring some salve but I didn’t think it was this bad.”

I hum and crack my eye open to see Henry kneeling next to me.

“Henry,” I mumble, and try to move.

“Don’t move,” he says. “Just stay right there and I will start putting salve on your cuts and bruises. You just lay there and relax.”

“I need you to do something,” I whisper as he opens the small container.

“Adeline, just rest,” he tells me.

I glare at him and he shakes his head.

“I need you to tell Pr— I hiss as he applies some salve to the area around my eye. “Gentle. Please.”

Tears pool in my right eye and I quickly blink them away, but they continue to form and before I know it they are rolling down my face.

“I’m sorry.” He looks apologetic. “I’m being as gentle as I can while I apply this. But it’s so bad.”

“I need you to tell Prin—” I start, but rear my head back as he continues to apply the salve.

“Stay still.”

“Let me get this out,” I heave as I try to fill my lungs with air. “You need to tell Prince Archie that I am in here. He will get me out of here.”

Henry’s eyes go wide and he quickly shakes his head. “No.”

Clenching my jaw, I move my hand and grip onto his arm sleeve. “You need to do it. I’ve talked to K and he understands. He knows everything. I need you to do this or else I won’t be leaving here.”

His eyes narrow on me. “You wanted to stay away from him and now you want me to go talk to him to get you out of here?”

I let go of his shirt and relax onto the ground again, my body aching from all the movement. “Just talk to K and he will tell you everything.”

I close my eye and even my breathing, done with the conversation. I can’t help but feel worried that Henry isn’t going to do it, and I’m going to end up being stuck here for weeks, months, or even years until I die.

Henry sighs. “I’ll talk to K before I do anything. Now, let’s finish putting the salve on your bruises and cuts and then I’ll feed you.”

CHAPTER 7

Aweek has passed since I last saw Henry. Every single day Avira brings John with her and leaves while he punches me, trying to get me to break.

Each time I pass out.

Each time I block Kieran from feeling my pain.