Page 216 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“That was all a lie to keep him alive,” I reply, my voice wavering in the beginning. “I knew you would kill him on the spot if I said I knew him.”

“She’s my mate,” Kieran says. “You never had a chance with her. It was all a front while we worked behind the scenes to get here.”

Prince Archie growls and lunges toward the bars. Kieran quickly steps in front of me before anything can happen.

“I knew I should have forced you to marry me sooner!” Prince Archie yells. “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted or listened to you! You whore.”

Kieran lets go of my hand and grabs Prince Archie’s shirt. “You will not call my mate a whore.”

“But that’s what she is! She was with me while also being with you! Who knows how many other men she has been with!” The prince chuckles toward the end. “Are you sure you want to be with a woman like that?”

“Kieran,” I say gently. “Please. It’s not worth it. You and I both know that I was with no one else,” I whisper.

Kieran lets go of his shirt and turns to the guards. “Take them out and bring them to the town square.”

“What are you going to do with us?” the king finally asks.

“You are going to be hanged for all your crimes,” Kieran responds.

“You can’t do this! We are royalty!” Prince Archie yells.

Kieran sighs. “Please bring them out to the town square.”

He grabs my hand and pulls me out of the dungeon and straight to the town square where everyone is already gathering. Nerves flow through me as all their eyes land on us, following our every movement. We stand hand in hand on the small stage.

The guards bring Prince Archie and the king up to the gallows and everyone gasps.

“Atention everyone!” Kieran yells.

All eyes turn to him.

“For the crimes of hurting the Fae, humans, and forcing people to do anything they wanted, Prince Archie and the king are going to hang,” Kieran announces. “For not taking care of the people.”

I hold my breath as I look at the crowd, their attention is focused on Kieran.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” a man yells, and our eyes connect. “Adeline!”

Kieran steps in front of me, but I gently place my hand on his back and step out from behind him.

“They have committed countless crimes over the years. Banishing people who shouldn’t be banished to Tarravega. Taking people who had magic into the palace to never be seen again. We lived in fear and it’s time to end that,” I reply calmly. “They have done enough damage.”

The whole crowd is silent as they look up at me, making nerves fester inside with each passing second.

“Hang them!” a female yells. “It’s no secret that everyone hates them.”

My gaze connects with Agnes.

“They have killed, punished, and banished so many people. Our people. Fae and Human. They should answer to those crimes!” she continues to yell.

“Everyone,” Prince Archie speaks, but his father shushes him. “Father! You can’t be serious.”

The guards place the noose around their necks.

“Wait!” Prince Archie screams. “You can’t kill me!”

“Kill them!” Agnes starts chanting and before I know it, everyone is chanting.

My hand tightens around Kieran’s as I look away from Prince Archie and the king.