Page 152 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“But how do they not dislike them for the way they are living? Everyone is suffering and only making ends meet while they are living this lavish life. How is that fair to anyone? How do they not see that they could be living a better life?” I ask. “They are only surviving when they could be thriving. If the royal family wasn’t ruling over this realm.”

Even before I knew the truth, I still didn’t like the royal family and how they were living. It never seemed fair to me.

“Because they don’t want to bring attention to themselves. They don’t want to get on the royal family’s radar and possibly get banished or killed,” Mother replies. “They have their reasons. A lot of them probably know how horrible they are living but choose to stick with it instead of making a scene, not knowing if anyone will join them or if they will be the only ones.”

“It needs to change,” I mumble.

“And it will when the curse is broken. You and your mate are going to change this world.”

CHAPTER 15

One month has passed since Leah told me I was going to have a great time with Prince Archie when we get married.

One month of taking it easy and letting my body heal.

The nightmares still come to me every single night and I never get a break. Sometimes it’s two or three times a night, making me absolutely exhausted during the day.

But no matter how exhausted I am, I can’t manage to get more than a couple hours of sleep.

“I’m going to go out and see him,” I tell my mother. “Do you need anything while I’m out?”

She shakes her head. “Don’t over exhaust yourself.” She gives me a pointed look. “While you’re eating a little more than before, you aren’t sleeping any better and I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t worry.” I force a smile on my face. “He won’t allow me to stand or lift anything when I’m with him.”

I walk out of the house and look at Henry before walking to the forest.

“How has Zahra been?” I ask.

“She is the same as always. Can’t wait for it to be broken, but she’s hanging in there.”

“Was she alive before you know what?” I whisper.

He nods. “But she was very young and doesn’t remember much.”

We fall silent as we get into the forest. It doesn’t take long for us to get to the clearing.

“I will be back soon. Don’t wander off.” He gives me a pointed look.

The last time I was here with Kieran we went to a different clearing and Henry was not happy. But I had wanted to see a certain type of butterfly and Kieran knew exactly where to find it.

To say I got an earful from Henry on the way back to the house is an understatement. Any time we go out he always reminds me, even if we aren’t in the forest.

“How is translating the book going? Have you found out which one the spell is so we can break the curse?” I ask Kieran as I sit on the ground.

Kieran pulls a bag from his side and sets it in front of me. “I brought food for you to eat. You still aren’t eating enough and I want you to gain the weight back that you lost. Are you still having trouble sleeping?”

“Why are you ignoring my question?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.

Unease fills me as he stays silent.

“Because I want to make sure that my mate is healthy and comfortable. I want to take care of you and make sure you have everything you need, and that means giving you food,” he replies. “I will even feed you if you want me to.”

Heat rises to my cheeks and I look away from him.

“Now, I brought your favorites. These filled buns are still hot and waiting for you to eat them.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me when I look back at him. “I also brought a piece of candy an elder made the other day. She wants you to try it to see if you like it.”

“Candy?” My eyebrows furrow.