Page 193 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

Wh-what?

“Try soothing her. She must be scared not being able to move or talk to anyone. Calm her down and maybe the walls will also come down,” Alaric replies. “I’ll be waiting outside. Elias, come with me.”

I hear their footsteps leave and worry flows through me that Kieran is going to leave soon after.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he says. “I’m right here and I’m staying here. We’re never going to leave each other’s side now.”

I can get behind that. I told Kieran I never wanted to leave his side once the curse was broken. He would be stuck with me forever.

“I shouldn’t have left you earlier. I thought you would be okay for a couple of minutes but I was mistaken. I’m sorry for leaving you,” he whispers as he rubs his thumb across the back of my hand.

I want to tell him it’s okay and that he couldn’t have known I needed him right next to me.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to you in time before Avira stabbed you.” His voice is raw. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to save you.”

“K—” My voice is scratchy.

“Sweets?” he calls out. “Don’t try to talk. Let me get you some water first.”

Kieran lets go of my hand and before I know it, he’s helping me sit up and holding the cup up to my lips.

“Slowly drink,” he encourages me.

How am I supposed to drink when I can’t even open my eyes?

But somehow, when the water flows into my mouth, I find myself swallowing the little water.

“Such a good girl,” he purrs. “You are doing so well. Continue to drink a little more.”

When I’m done drinking, I push my lips together and Kieran holds me close to him.

“I was so worried that you were never going to wake up again,” he mumbles before he kisses my forehead. “I was worried the last time you opened your eyes was when you died.”

But I remember waking up after the lady touched my forehead and looking into his eyes.

“Ki-Kier⁠—”

“Shhh, it’s okay. You are just regaining your strength. Everything is going to be okay from now on. I’ve got you and I’m never going to let you go,” he promises me.

“Wh-what happened?” I finally manage to get out before he tells me to be quiet.

I need to know what happened after everything went dark.

“We can talk about it another time. Right now I just want to be with you and help you relax.” He tries to change the subject.

“Please,” I beg. “I want to know.”

I start coughing as my throat protests from the talking.

“Adeline, we can talk about it later when you are more recovered. I don’t want you to get worked up,” he says.

I finally manage to open my eyes and beg him through my eyes to tell me what happened. I need to know what happened after I passed out.

“Kieran.” Tears fill my eyes. “Please.”

He sighs and kisses my forehead. “Okay.”

CHAPTER 29