Page 198 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“Can you please answer my question?” I ask. “Honestly.”

He sighs. “I don’t want to lie to you but I also don’t want you to worry about things while you are recovering.”

“I’m okay,” I try and reassure him. “I’m stronger than you think.”

Kieran cups my cheeks with his hands and gently caresses my cheeks. “I know you’re strong. With everything you’ve been through, you are incredibly strong, but I don’t want you to always have to be strong and go through things. I want to take care of you and make sure that you have periods of rest and can recover from things.”

A small smile forms on my face. “And I appreciate that. I really do, but I do want to know what is going on with everything out there.”

“Are you sure?” he asks.

I nod. “I’m positive. I really want to know what has happened in the three days that I was out. Is it a mess out there?”

“Not a mess but people are on edge and want to know what’s going to happen. Things are changing and not everyone likes when their lives change,” Kieran says. “Humans have been in control for over three hundred years and the curse breaking and Fae ruling is a big change. I’m not expecting things to go smoothly in the beginning. We just have to patiently show them that they aren’t going to be in danger and I want us all to be equals.”

“Is there anything that I can do to help you?” I ask. “Maybe I can say something or we can show them that you guys aren’t bad people.”

“If there is something that needs to be done, I will tell you, but right now the only thing you need to worry about is recovering from this. You are going to get better and stronger before you try to do anything.”

“Kieran, you really need to go out there and talk to them,” Elias says as he walks into the room.

“What’s going on now?” Kieran asks.

I yawn and look over at Elias. I was just about to fall asleep when he came walking in. Some much needed sleep.

“Some of the humans are demanding that you talk to them and explain what is going to be happening in the future,” Elias explains. “They are saying if you don’t come and talk to them that they are going to start a riot.”

I grab Kieran’s hand and give it a squeeze. “It’s okay for you to go and talk to them. I’m awake and nothing is going to happen.”

“I’m not taking that chance.” He gives me a sharp look. “I don’t want it to happen again.”

“Then I’ll sit on a chair behind you while you talk to them.” I suggest the same thing he said a while ago.

Kieran shakes his head. “I don’t want you to be out in the elements while you are still recovering. You look like you are sick and I don’t want them to get the wrong idea that I’m holding you hostage or have harmed you in any way.”

“Then we’ll show them that you aren’t doing any of those things. They know me and they know I wouldn’t lie to them,” I say.

But I have lied to them several times. When I came back after getting beaten up by Avira’s helper. Though at times I wonder if they knew it was all a lie about me getting mugged and they were just keeping up the lie so I wouldn’t get in trouble.

“They are also demanding to see Adeline and her mother,” Elias says. “They know you have them and they want to see if they are okay.”

“Kieran, you can’t put this off,” I tell him. “I know you want to protect me and make sure that I have the right environment to heal but this needs to be done or you are going to have a lot more trouble on your plate.”

He sighs and runs his hands through his hair. “I know.”

“You are going to be with me and my mom the whole time. You aren’t going anywhere. I’ll be safe,” I reassure him.

“And if you feel bad at any point you tell me right away out loud or through the bond and we’ll stop it,” he tells me as he makes eye contact.

“Yes,” I agree.

“And if you get too overwhelmed you also let me know. You are supposed to be resting and not putting much strain on your body,” he continues. “If anything, and I mean anything, feels off you just let me know.”

“Kieran,” I gently call.

“I’m going to be okay.”

“I know, I’m just worried,” he whispers.