Page 2 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“I’m not helping the Fae. I don’t talk to them at all,” I reply. “I don’t like you accusing me of things that I clearly have not done.”

Her eyes narrow on me.

“You know me,” I whisper.

“I know that you have sympathy for the Fae. Any time they get whipped, I know that you want it to stop and have begged for it as well,” Avira points out.

“And you know that I do that for humans as well. You know I do not like violence one bit, so it’s not just toward the Fae,” I explain. “I have always been like that and it will not change. I try not to care about the Fae when they are getting whipped or killed but I can’t help it when I don’t want to look at it.”

Nerves run through my body, making me nauseous as I wait for her answer. Please believe me so I don’t have to continue to lie right now.

“I know there is something up with you and the Fae and I’m going to prove it.” Her voice is hard as she speaks. “I know you took the magic book.”

“Avira, I didn’t take any book today like you said I did.”

“Today?” She raises an eyebrow.

Shit.

Adeline? What’s wrong? Kieran asks.

“So you took a book a different day?” she asks, cocking her head to the side.

“Avira,” I take a deep breath. “I⁠—”

“What book did you take?”

“There was a book lying on the floor of the palace one day and I didn’t know what it was. I was going to give it to someone so they could figure out who it belonged to, but then Prince Archie stopped me and I hid it in my bag in case he accused me of stealing,” I quickly explain. “I don’t even know what the book was about but I knew when I saw you next that I was going to give it to you because I knew you wouldn’t accuse me of stealing.”

Adeline, answer me. Kieran’s voice is fierce. Answer me right now. Where are you? Are you okay? I can feel your panic like it is my own.

Please believe me.

I’m okay. I’m still talking to my sister, I reply.

Go home. It is not good for you to be outside this late. You are going to get sick, he says. Promise that you will tell me when you get home safely and away from your sister.

Okay.

“So where is the book now?” Avira asks.

“It got lost when I went to Hellhollow last time. I went hunting and I fell down a small hill and I must have lost it there,” I explain.

How am I going to keep all of my lies straight? I don’t even remember some of the lies I told Prince Archie and the king.

“Really?” she asks.

I nod.

Avira takes a step forward. “I think you’re lying.”

My eyes widen a fraction before I school my expression. “I promise, I’m not. I really did fall down with my bag when we went to Hellhollow.”

“Grab her,” Avira commands.

I look around right as hands grip my biceps on both sides, holding me completely still.

“Avira, please don’t do this. I promise I’m telling the truth. I didn’t take the book on purpose,” I beg her.