Page 22 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“He said he was told to stay at our house to watch over until you came back. At least that is what he said the prince told him,” she whispers.

When did Henry tell Prince Archie about where I was? What was Prince Archie told while I was gone?

So many questions run through my head, giving me a headache. I take it in a slow breath and let it out, trying to calm myself down. Everything will get answered eventually and I just need to be patient. Right now I need to focus on getting better and then everything else comes after.

Thankfully we already have the book and the Fae are looking into it. Now I can really focus on getting better and not worry about the timeline and everything getting closer.

“Do you want to lay in bed or sit in the chair?” Mother asks as we get closer to the house.

“Chair first. I would like something to drink,” I reply.

When was the last time I ate or drank something? The last time Henry came to give me food and put the salve on my face… which didn’t do much at all. If anything it gave John more incentive to hit me and leave marks since I was healing.

“Adeline, I heard the prince found you,” Henry says as he bows slightly.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

His eyebrows pull together before guilt is written all over his face. “I’m sorry that it took me so long. I was not able to meet with K to verify everything you said until just recently.”

“H-how is he do—” I stop myself from finishing the sentence.

My eyes scan the surroundings before finding their way back to Henry. I need to be careful what I say out loud, and I also need to be patient. Kieran will contact me when he can.

But there is a small sliver of doubt that something isn’t right. That something is wrong with him and I need to go find out where he is.

“He is doing okay. Worried about you since he couldn’t get in contact with you, but no doubt they have already gone to him to tell him you’re home,” Henry replies.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Come on, Adeline. Let’s get you inside and sitting,” Mother says.

She helps me into the house and into one of the chairs. I could pass out right here and be perfectly content.

“What actually happened?” Mother asks as she sets a warm cup of tea in front of me.

“Please keep an open mind when I tell you everything,” I start off.

Mother nods and I explain everything from the beginning.

“I’m going to need time to process everything you just told me,” Mother whispers as she looks down at her hands.

I place my empty cup on the table. “I understand. It was a lot for me to come to terms with.”

Silence fills between us.

“I’m going to go lay down,” I tell her.

Everything screams at me as I push myself up from the chair.

“I’ll wake you up for dinner,” Mother says as I walk slowly toward my room.

I don’t even change out of my dirty clothes before I lay down on my bed, closing my eyes and falling asleep.

Adeline? Kieran’s voice barely wakes me up.

I hum back, exhaustion weighing me down.

I was getting worried when I couldn’t reach you through the bond.