Page 79 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“Avira,” I weakly say. “Want to know something?” I manage to get out.

I suck in a breath, trying to stay alive for a couple more seconds. Please let me get these words out. But the black around my vision continues to cover my vision.

“What?” she asks, rolling her eyes and getting closer to me.

“I’m the High Lady,” I confidently say for the first and last time.

Her eyes go wide right as the door bursts open. She whirls around and a huge roar fills the room.

“Adeline!” Kieran screams.

Avira turns back to me and I smile at her panicked looking face.

“No,” she whispers.

Black starts to encroach into my vision. Kieran runs straight toward us full force. Avira takes one more look between Kieran and I before disappearing into thin air.

“Sweets, just stay alive for me.” He drops to his knees and carefully pulls me into his arms.

Out of the corner of my eyes I see Elias, Zayden, and Everett flank around us, watching for any danger.

“K-Kieran.” I cough, blood spilling out of my mouth.

“Shhh, don’t talk. Everything is going to be okay. The healer is on their way and you are going to pull through this,” he says. “I just need you to stay quiet and conserve your energy.”

“I love you,” I manage to get out.

Tears pool in my eyes as we stare at each other. This is the last time I’m going to see his face. The last time he is going to hold me.

“Adeline.” He shakes his head.

“Find someone else.” I cough several times. “Be happy.”

Kieran puts pressure on my stomach wound, making me howl in pain but it comes out weak.

I’m not going to survive another five minutes with how much blood I’ve already lost.

“Adeline, you are going to survive this. I just need you to hold on for a little longer. They are almost here,” Kieran begs me.

“Please.” It’s my turn to beg him. “Please find someone else to love in your life.”

“Shhh, don’t talk like that. You are the only one that I want in this life and the next. You are it for me,” he whispers.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, coughing up blood.

“Open your eyes for me. Look at me. You’re going to be okay,” Kieran says. “Come on, Sweets. Open your eyes for me.”

I crack my eyes, barely, and look up at him. “So tired,” I mumble, feeling extremely weak.

“I know you’re tired but you need to keep your eyes open for me. I need you to stay awake until the healer gets here.”

“The curse.” I cough once more.

“Shhhh,” he tries to silence me.

“Can’t be broken until I die,” I manage to get out.

“I don’t care if the curse is broken or not. You are not dying on me. I’m not going to lose you.” His voice cracks at the end.