Page 149 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

Groaning, I barely have the strength to crack an eye open. “Just a couple more minutes so I can get a little nap in?”

Henry shakes his head. “We have already been out here long enough and we do not want to draw suspicion on us when the prince just visited you. Come on, let’s go.”

CHAPTER 14

“How was your last visit with your mate?” Mother asks.

I lean over, banging my head on the table in front of me.

“Adeline, is everything alright?”

“I fell asleep,” I mumble.

“You, what? Sit up straight and talk to me. What happened?” Mother sits in front of me.

“I fell asleep the last time I was with him. We sat down and I laid my head on his shoulder, and before I know it I was being woken up to leave. I don’t even remember saying a single word to him,” I grumble, annoyed at myself.

I had wanted to talk to Kieran so badly in person and just be in his presence but I just had to fall asleep.

Sweets, it’s okay, Kieran tries to soothe me through the bond.

“Was he mad at you?” Mother inquires.

I shake my head. “He wasn’t. He was happy that I was finally able to get some sleep. He made sure I stayed asleep the whole time so that I could get the rest I needed.”

I wanted to talk to you, I reply. I wanted to be in your presence and talk to you about things. I wanted to be awake for it all so that I could remember it.

“Well, him and I are thankful that you slept. You need all the sleep you can get.” Mother gives me a pointed look. “Don’t think I don’t know that you wake up from nightmares every single night.”

“Can everyone tell?” I ask.

And next time you come we will sit and talk to each other. But you needed to get that sleep and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sighing, I lean my head back and look up at the ceiling.

“In the beginning it wasn’t, but you have lost weight and you have dark circles under your eyes. Any time you want to go lay down, you can do so. You need all the rest you can get, and all the food,” she says.

“I guess I’m going to go lay down then,” I tell her. “I can barely keep my eyes open right now.”

Mother smiles and nods. I quickly go to my room and lay down on the bed.

I’m going to try and get some sleep, I whisper to Kieran.

Sleep well, he replies, and I fall asleep.

Shooting up from bed, sweat slides down my face and back. I heave in a breath.

“It was just a dream,” I whisper to myself as I gently tap my chest above my heart.

“Adeline?” Mother peeks into my room. “Come and have a warm cup of tea.”

Nodding, I get off my bed and walk into the kitchen, sitting down right as Mother places the cup down.

“Same nightmare?” she asks.

“Yes.” I clear my throat, taking a sip of the tea.

I let it soothe me.