Page 95 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

“Adeline, is that you?” the person calls again. “It’s me, Flynn. Your father’s best friend.”

CHAPTER 33

“Kieran, can you tell them it’s okay? I know Flynn and he would never hurt me,” I ask.

“You guys can stop,” Kieran says.

The guards move behind us and I see Flynn right in front of me.

“How are you?” he asks as he takes a step closer. “What has happened? I heard you were in the palace when everything went down but I wasn’t able to see you or your mother. You weren’t answering at your house either.”

“I’m sorry for worrying you,” I say. “I was hurt and put on bed rest for almost the past two weeks. I’m okay now.”

“What happened?” he asks.

Ever since my father died, Flynn has taken on being the father figure for me. He’s never going to replace my father, but it’s nice to know that when I do need help with something I can go to him and his wife.

“I broke the curse on the Fae and got hurt in doing so. Everything is okay but Kieran didn’t want me to do anything while I recovered,” I tell him.

“Kieran?” Flynn’s eyebrows bunch together.

“Right. Flynn, this is Kieran, my mate. Kieran, this is Flynn, my father’s best friend and hunting partner. He was the one that told me it wasn’t an accident.” I choke on my words.

“Nice to meet you, Flynn. I heard her father talking about you once a long time ago,” Kieran says. “You and your wife are welcome to come into the palace at any time if you want to talk to Adeline or her mother.”

“Why are they in the palace and not at home?” he asks. “Did you force them to go there?”

“Flynn.” I take a step forward but Kieran pulls me back to his side.

“It’s okay,” he says before looking at Flynn. “No, I did not force them. Adeline was unconscious, and when she woke up she needed to be close to me in order to heal all the way. As for her mother, I gave her an option to stay in the house or move to the palace for the time being while everything is being sorted out. I didn’t want it to get out that Adeline was my mate and people go after her mother and younger brother.”

“Is that so?” Flynn crosses his arms over his chest.

“Yes, it is. If you would like to ask her mother, you can go and do so. She is probably out in the garden,” Kieran replies. “They are free to move back to their house at any point under the condition that they will have guards near them, so no harm comes to either one of them.”

“Why do they need guards?” Flynn interrogates him. “Why are you taking care of them?”

“Flynn, I’m his mate. I love him and he loves me. We are destined to be together,” I explain.

“I’m asking him,” Flynn says. “I want him to answer me. Man to man.”

“More like Fae to man,” I mumble.

A guard chuckles but quickly covers it up with a cough.

Kieran squeezes my hand. “She is my soulmate and I want her protected at all times. With the Fae taking back over, I was worried that the humans might try to hurt them before we could explain everything to them. I did not want any harm to come to her or her family. That is why they need guards when they go out. As for me taking care of them, we are family. I want what is best for them at all times.”

Flynn hums and continues to look at Kieran. “I don’t know if I like this.”

“If you have any questions, feel free to stop by any time and ask me. You will never be turned away,” Kieran says.

“Unless he is in an important meeting or we are on a date,” I quickly chime in.

“Adeline,” Flynn says.

“I’m just being honest. There are several important meetings going on right now that he can’t miss. We want to show the people that things are going to get better for everyone. That humans and Faes are going to be equal,” I explain. “You are important to both of us, but right now it is hectic and he can’t miss these without it affecting the people’s trust. And us being on dates is important and I don’t want it interrupted.”

“Sweets.” Kieran gently says my name.