Page 179 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“Because you don’t want me to ask our people to tell me stories. So there must be some stories that are pretty embarrassing if you don’t want me to hear about them which means you won’t tell me.”

Alaric chuckles. “She is smart.”

I smile widely at Alaric. “When the curse is broken you can introduce me to some of the people. I would love to meet them and hear stories.”

Kieran sighs and runs his hands over his face. “What am I going to do with you?”

I shrug. “Keep me. Love me. Allow me to hear the stories about you.”

Kieran kisses my forehead. “Like I would be able to stop you from hearing them.”

CHAPTER 24

“Adeline,” Prince Archie calls as Henry and I walk back from the forest.

My whole body locks up, fists clenching as I turn to look at him.

“Prince Archie,” I say and slightly bow. “What can I do for you?”

He looks up and down my body. “I wanted to see how you are healing… physically and mentally.”

“She was reinjured,” Henry says before I can utter a word.

“Henry,” I hiss. “Stop.”

“You were hurt?” Prince Archie asks. “Where? How? Who did it to you?”

How am I supposed to tell him that Avira, the witch, came in my dreams and cut my leg? He doesn’t even know who the witch is. Prince Archie won’t believe me if I tell him what happened.

“Thanks a lot,” I mumble to Henry before turning to the prince.

“Where are you hurt, Adeline? Answer me before I lose my patience,” Prince Archie’s voice is hard. “Who did it to you?”

“A cut on my thigh reopened and I lost a lot of blood,” I tell him. “I don’t know how it reopened but it managed to.”

He eyes me for several seconds. “Tell the truth.”

My face pales, eyes darting around us as the nerves work through me.

“Prince Archie,” I say. “I really don’t know how it happened. I was asleep on my bed and I woke up with it reopened. Maybe when I was having a bad dream I clawed at it or I moved and it reopened.”

Please believe my lie, I chant in my head.

Sweets? Kieran says. Is everything okay?

I think, I mumble back, trying to keep my attention on Prince Archie.

“Really?” Prince Archie asks, tilting his head to the side.

I nod. “Yes, really. My mother woke up to me screaming in pain and helped me stitch it back up. I’m not lying to you. You can ask several other people. They probably heard my scream in the middle of the night.”

“Prince Archie.” Henry bows. “She is telling the truth. There is talk around town as to why she was screaming in the middle of the night and the guards from the night shift have said she never left the house and no one entered.”

“Very well,” Prince Archie says, rolling his eyes. “So you are still healing?”

“Yes, I am,” I reply. “I’m not able to put much weight on my leg right now.”

“Then why are you out in town and not resting at home?” Prince Archie asks.