Page 141 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“I want you to meet my mother. I also want you to cook me a meal, something that I’ve never had before. I want you to show me everywhere you went when you were a kid and tell me stories. I want to meet our people here officially and the people behind the wall. I want to do a lot of things,” I ramble on.

“And we are going to make it all happen, but over time. I don’t want to tire you out in the very beginning. We have our whole lives ahead of us once the curse is broken and don’t need to rush anything,” he says gently.

I sigh. “Fine. I was hoping we would be able to do it in the first couple of days and then slowly do it all over again but I guess I can wait.”

Kieran chuckles. “None of those things will happen in the very beginning after the curse is broken. We will have to get everyone used to the Fae not having the curse over them. Remember, everyone has been taught that we are the bad people and it will take a while for them to adjust to everything. Some of those things we may have to wait half a year or longer.”

Groaning, I look at him. “I don’t want to have to wait that long.”

“But we are going to have to. I don’t want you to get hurt if people retaliate. I don’t want to get hurt if we are walking down the street,” Kieran says softly. “It’s all going to work out, don’t worry. Maybe they will all see that the Fae aren’t bad, but until then I don’t want you saying anything when we break the curse, understand? Not until we know that it’s safe and you and your family won’t be targeted.”

“I understand. You don’t have to worry.”

“I will always worry about you. Even when you are safe, I will always worry.” He runs his hands through my hair.

“Worry about what?”

“Worry that you may not be eating on time or getting enough sleep. Worry that you would be missing me too much and try to do something reckless to come and see me. There are so many things that run through my mind when it comes to you and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Tears prickle my eyes and I blink, clearing them. I had no idea Kieran was that worried about me.

“I didn’t know you worried so much about me,” I mumble. “I feel bad that I don’t think about whether you have eaten all the time. It crosses my mind sometimes when I’m eating and I look outside. I do wonder if you are warm enough out in your tent and then I remember that you didn’t have a shirt on in the dead of winter when you were carrying me.”

“You have your own way of worrying for me. You don’t need to do the exact same thing as I do. You are also busier than me recently and have had a lot on your mind. It’s only natural that you don’t think about anything else,” he says. “I don’t expect to be on your mind at all times and I don’t want you to feel bad if I say that you are on mine. Understand?”

I nod and lean my head on his chest, taking a deep breath and letting it out. Kieran always knows what to say to make everything all better.

“I have to be honest about something. When the spell is broken, you won’t be leaving my side for a while,” Kieran says.

“Good.” I tighten my arms around him. “I don’t want you to leave my side either.”

“Good. I’m glad we are on the same page.”

“I think on this matter we will always be on the same page,” I chuckle. “We both can’t be with each other except for a couple of minutes each week and it’s created this tension and need between us.”

“Need, you say.” Kieran’s grip tightens around my waist.

I slap his chest and chuckle. “Now is not the time.”

“I would never dare do it while you’re hurt.” Kieran kisses the top of my head.

“Adeline, it’s time to go,” Henry says, interrupting our conversation.

I groan and grip onto Kieran’s shirt tighter. “I don’t want to leave.”

“And soon you won’t have to, but right now you and I need to go back before people get suspicious. You are hurt and they know that,” Henry explains. “You don’t want to put yourself on the prince’s radar.”

Kieran moves his body and picks me up before standing, gently placing me on my feet.

“Steady?” he asks me.

“Yes,” I mumble, and he lets me go.

“We can still talk every day. I know it’s not the same, but soon we won’t have to hide that we are together. I just need you to be patient for a little longer,” Kieran says as he runs his thumb across my cheek. “Can you do that for me?”

“Yes,” I reply. “Though I’m about done being patient,” I mumble.

Kieran chuckles and pulls me into his embrace, kissing my forehead before turning to Henry. “Keep an eye on her. You know who the witch is. Do not let anyone near her that you do not know and trust.”