Page 16 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

I just need Prince Archie to figure out that I’m down here and I should be free. Even though I want to stay away from Prince Archie, I know he is going to be one person who can help me. He has some strange infatuation with me and I can use it to my advantage.

Kieran? I call his name again.

Right now I wish Fae had more of their magic and I could communicate with any of them. What if something happened to Kieran and I don’t know about it? What if he is trying to get to me and has been detained?

“No,” I whisper to myself. “Don’t think that way. Nothing has happened to him.”

“That is the way you should be thinking. Think positive or else it could all crumble in front of you and you don’t need that. Everyone is safe and doing what they need to do,” Nas reassures me. “He isn’t irrational when it comes to decisions. He always thinks about it and makes sure that everyone is safe.”

“Some things have changed. He finally found me, and the way he was talking before made it seem like he would do anything, even if it meant other people were in danger,” I mumble.

Nas chuckles. “For a second I forgot who he was to you. I’m sorry you had to meet him while we are still under the curse.”

“I’m not,” I reply. “I’m glad. He has changed so much in my life and I have him to thank for it. He has helped me through so much and I am forever grate⁠—”

Adeline? Kieran finally responds.

What’s wrong? Why couldn’t I contact you? I blurt out.

The guards were walking around and we all had to stay alert. I heard you but I didn’t want to get distracted and I knew you weren’t in any new pain.

My body goes limp against the ground as the worry leaves my body. He is okay. Everyone is okay.

Are you okay? he asks.

Avira came back and tried to get me to tell the truth but I didn’t.

I’m so proud of you, he whispers.

A faint smile spreads across my face.

Why were you trying to get in contact with me? he inquires.

My eye goes wide. Oh! Henry needs to tell Prince Archie where I am!

Anger flows through the bond and I can’t help but snort.

No.

Kieran, hear me out.

No. Henry is not going to tell Prince Archie that you are there. He might be in on it and make it worse for you and for Henry. I am not going to risk him telling the prince and you getting hurt more.

That’s the thing… I don’t think Prince Archie knows that I’m here, I say.

What do you mean? Kieran asks.

Avira was just down here and Prince Archie showed up but didn’t see me. Avira was panicked. She left and stopped him from seeing who was in the cell. She lied that no one was in here. She looked almost panicked that he was about to find out, I explain. Which means Henry needs to tell Prince Archie, or someone does, and soon. He might be able to get me out of here.

And lock you up in the palace after? Kieran asks. I am not going to risk that.

He won’t. I will say that I want my mother to take care of me and that I will be able to recover better at home than at the palace. He will listen to me.

I don’t like it, Kieran mumbles.

I don’t either, but if not this then what are we going to do? How are you going to try and convince the witch to let me go when she is hellbent on keeping me here and torturing me until I die or give up the information? I ask. This may even push the wedding back a little with the bruises that I have. He will want me fully recovered before I am in front of everyone.

Silence fills the bond.