Page 128 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

I’ve gotten better about keeping the block up, sometimes even while I’m passed out. Nas talks to me until I wake up as he has told me. He reassures me that I’m going to get out of here, but with each passing day, and with each beating, my hope grows smaller and smaller.

Did Henry talk to Kieran about telling Prince Archie? Or did he completely ignore me and move on with his life?

Kieran and I have talked briefly every day, but it’s getting less and less. It’s getting harder to contact him, his voice sounds so faint.

It feels like someone is reaching into my chest, gripping my heart, and slowly sticking their long nails in and pulling at the same time.

I’ve managed to move myself each time to a sitting position when I wake up, taking all of the strength I have.

“You’re lasting longer than I thought you would.” Avira purses her lips as she looks at me through the bars. “When are you going to give up and tell me the information that I want to know?”

I just look at her.

“I can see in your eyes that you’re going to break any minute now and I can’t wait to witness it. To see you spill all your secrets and watch everything around you crumble and not being able to do anything about it.” She smiles. “Do you want to see John later? Or maybe you want to see him twice today?”

I take a shaky breath. I can feel my body growing weaker with each beating, and my stomach aches each time I think about food.

“Or maybe we should leave you alone for a couple of days to allow your body to heal, and then come back and destroy it again,” Avira hums. “I think that would be a good thing. Give you some reprieve so that the pain is even worse. Maybe I’ll even be kind and give you some food.”

Licking my lips, I look away from Avira.

“Oh, I can see the hunger written all over your face. When everything is taken away, it makes you think real hard if the secret you’re keeping is worth it,” Avira continues. “Is it?”

Yes. It’s worth it because I’m going to make it out of here alive, and Kieran is going to find out how to break the curse. Even if I die in here, I know he will figure it out and every Fae will be free.

All worth it in my opinion.

“Or maybe I should bring in someone that you deeply care about and make you watch John hu⁠—”

“Adeline?” someone calls.

Avira’s eyes go wide, her head snapping to her left.

“Adeline, are you in here?” Prince Archie calls out.

“Prince Archie, what brings you down here?” Avira turns.

“Who are you talking to?” he asks.

“Just a Fae. You’re looking for my sister, Adeline?” Avira asks and walks forward.

“Who were you talking to just now?” Prince Archie asks again. “Was it Adeline?”

“Prince Arch—” My mouth quickly shuts, my body frozen still.

“Adeline isn’t here,” Avira chuckles. “Why would she be here? She’s back home with my mother doing chores, probably. She’s always helping her out to get things done.”

Silence fills the dungeon and I fight against her magic but I don’t budge.

“Are you sure about that? I think I just heard her voice,” Prince Archie says.

“I promise, Prince Archie,” she replies sweetly.

“So you wouldn’t mind if I looked in the cell you were just peering into?”

My heart beats faster as his footsteps start walking again. Don’t do a spell to make me disappear. Please don’t.

“Why are you curious about where my sister is?” Avira asks. “Is she hiding from you?”