Page 94 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

They are all Fae, the same height as Kieran. I’ve never been so close to so many Fae before.

“High Lady,” they all say and bow.

“Oh, please don’t,” I say before I can stop myself.

“Sweets,” Kieran says.

“I know they are doing it because I’m the High Lady but I’m not used to it. I’m just a normal person. You don’t have to bow to me, and please, call me by my name,” I quickly say as I grip onto Kieran’s arm.

Kieran chuckles and shakes his head.

“High Lady, we cannot do that,” a male says.

“And why not?” I ask. “I just want you to treat me like a normal person. Elias, Everett, and Zayden do it. Or they did it before. I haven’t seen them much.”

“Because you are the High Lady and deserve respect. You are the High Lord’s mate and mean a lot to us,” a different guard says.

“Kieran,” I mumble his name as I look up at him. “Please.”

“You may call her by her name,” Kieran says. “That is until she gets used to everything.”

“Yes, High Lord,” they all say.

“Come on.” Kieran tugs me toward him as he starts to walk.

“Is everyone going to act like that around me?” I ask. “I don’t know if I can survive this.”

“They will, but I’ve let everyone know to tone it down so you don’t get too overwhelmed. We don’t want you running away and hiding from everyone.” Kieran chuckles.

“I wouldn’t do that,” I mumble.

“But you might be tempted to if it gets to be too much. No one wants you overwhelmed right now,” Kieran says. “Where do you want to go first?”

“Can we just walk around the town and see other people’s stalls?” I ask. “Has the lady made any of the lemon candy?”

“Is she talking about Nila?” a guard asks.

“That is the only person who used to make the lemon candies,” another one replies.

“She hasn’t yet, but we can get her ingredients so she can make them for you. Do you still have some more left over or have you eaten them all?” Kieran asks.

I look away and rub the back of my neck. Kieran chuckles.

“That answers my question.” He gives my hand a little squeeze. “We can pick up the ingredients and you can officially meet her when we drop them off.”

“Thank you.” I smile before turning my head to the side. “Have you had her candies?”

The guards all nod.

“Did she only make the lemon candies or did she make other ones?” I ask. “Were there any that were your favorites?”

“I personally liked the strawberry flavored ones she made,” a guard chimes in.

“We liked the lemon ones the best.” A guard points to him and the person next to him.

“Adeline?” Someone calls my name.

The guards swarm around us as I grip onto Kieran’s arm tighter.