Page 134 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“How does the temperature of the water feel?” Mother asks after several minutes.

“A little too hot, but my body will get used to it. Thank you again,” I say.

Sweets, are you okay? I feel that you’re in pain, Kieran’s slightly panicked voice comes through.

I can’t help but smile at his concern. Will I ever get used to how worried he gets about me?

I’m soaking in hot water, I reply.

Good. I was going to suggest you find a way to do that, He says. I wish I had my powers so that I could heal you fully and you didn’t have to go through all of this.

That reminds me, are you any closer to figuring out how to break the curse? I ask.

No, we haven’t figured anything else out. It is in a language we have not seen in a very long time.

I can’t help but feel disappointed. It’s been almost two weeks since I gave the book to Kieran and they haven’t made any progress. Will they be able to figure anything out before I have to marry the prince?

Don’t worry, Sweets. We are actively working on it all throughout the day. We are going to figure out how to break the curse soon, I promise, he tries to reassure me.

I believe in you guys, I mumble.

“Adeline? Are you there?” Mother asks.

“Yes?” I open my eyes and look at her.

“I’ve been calling your name for a while now and you weren’t answering me. For a second I thought you had fallen asleep.”

“Sorry.” I bow my head. “I was deep in thought.”

Before I got taken I was good at being able to listen and reply to Kieran while also listening to the people around me.

“You used to get that look when you talked to your mate.” Mother chuckles. “But this time was a little different, almost like you were there with him and not here.”

“It felt normal,” I reply.

I want to see you soon, Kieran says. I want to see you with my own eyes to see if you are okay and healing.

“Is it alright if I wash your hair now?” she asks. “You can scootch down and lay your head against the side of the bucket.”

I do what she says and close my eyes.

“I might fall asleep,” I mumble.

“If you do, I will wake you up before the water gets cold,” she says softly. “You just relax and let me take care of you.”

I don’t know if I will be able to make it to the forest with how my body is right now, I reply. I also don’t know if I want you to see me right now with how I look. It’s not a pretty sight.

I don’t know if I will be able to look him in the eyes and see his reaction. What if he sees me and wants me to leave right away?

Sweets, you will not run me off with how you look. If anything it might make me want to kidnap you so that I can take care of you myself, making sure you are healing properly and have everything that you want, Kieran replies.

Warm water is gently poured over my head and I sigh.

“Feels amazing,” I mumble.

“We can do this tomorrow if you want as well,” Mother offers.

“That will be a lot of water wasted.”