Page 70 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“I needed some fresh air. I hadn’t been out in a while and desperately needed to get out, but we are going back to the house now.” I keep my tone even.

Adeline, what is Prince Archie asking you? Kieran asks.

He wanted to see how I was healing and just found out about the cut on my thigh thanks to Henry, I reply.

I wish I had spoken up before Henry did so I could come up with a better excuse and not be put on the spot.

“Are you telling me the truth?” he asks.

I nod. “Yes, Prince Archie. I would not dare lie to you.”

My hand tightens around the fabric of my dress as I force myself not to react to anything.

“I need to get Adeline back to her house. Her mother told her not to be too long,” Henry says before Prince Archie can say anything. “And with the cold and her new injury, she should not be outside for very long. She is still susceptible to getting sick again.”

Prince Archie waves his hand in the air. “You may go. And Adeline?”

“Yes?” I look into his eyes.

“Try not to get hurt again. I would really hate to push the wedding back again after everything that has happened.” He gives me a pointed look.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I will try my hardest not to get hurt again.”

Prince Archie rolls his eyes and leaves. I immediately look over at Henry, blatantly glaring at him.

“What?” he asks.

“Next time don’t talk before me. I didn’t know how to explain it to him. You backed me up into a corner and it could have gone very badly,” I lecture him.

“I’m sorry,” he replies. “It wasn’t my intention to do that to you. I was just trying to help.”

“Just think next time.” I sigh. “I’m too exhausted to go through this all the time.”

I grip onto his arm as I relieve pressure from my injured leg. I’ve been standing up for far too long and need to sit down.

“Let’s get you back home,” he says and starts walking.

I look back at the Fae to see them already looking at me, concern written all over their faces. I force a smile on my face before turning back, focusing all my energy on putting one foot in front of the other.

Tell the Fae not to do anything if they see Prince Archie talking to me, I beg Kieran.

If they can just hold off a little longer.

What happened? he asks. I wasn’t able to get free and come to see what he was saying to you.

He just told me not to get hurt again and he would hate to postpone the wedding again.

“Here you are,” Henry says, pulling me from my conversation.

“Thank you,” I mumble.

He opens the door for me and I walk in.

“Adeline!” Mother calls out as I limp to the table. “Why were you out for so long? Didn’t I tell you not to be long?”

“I couldn’t help it.” I wince in pain as I sit down. “Prince Archie saw me and stopped to talk to us.”

“Did he find out?” she asks, her face full of panic.