Page 98 of Kingdom of Death and Hope

CHAPTER 34

Gasping, I shoot up in bed and look around.

“Kieran?” I call out his name as my heart beats faster.

I push the covers off of me and slide out of bed. I need to find him. Where is he?

“Kieran!” I yell his name as I walk out of the room. “Where are you?”

“Adeline?” Henry takes a step toward me but I quickly take one back.

“Where is Kieran?” I ask.

“He’s out talking to the people and should be back soon,” Henry replies. “He left a couple of minutes ago and said it wouldn’t take him long.”

“I need him,” I whisper as I move my body around Henry’s. “I need him. It’s important.”

“He’ll be back in a couple of minutes and you can talk to him then,” Henry says again. “How about you go back to your room and wait for him there.”

I shake my head. “No time. I know something.”

Dagger.

Important.

Where is Kieran when I need him?

“Adeline, please. He doesn’t want you to leave the room right now.” Henry stands in my way.

“Henry.” I lock eyes with him.

“Adeline, are you alright?” he asks as he searches my face. “What’s wrong?”

“I need him. What if she comes to him now and he isn’t prepared? What if something happens and I could have helped prevent it? What if⁠—”

“Adeline, take a deep breath,” Henry tells me.

“You don’t understand. I need to see Kieran before it’s too late. We don’t know where she is.” I mumble toward the end.

I take a step to the left and try to walk past Henry but he jumps in front of me again, making me take several staggering steps back.

“Please, Henry,” I beg him.

“Adeline, I know you don’t want to be touched right now but the High Lord gave me explicit orders not to let you leave the room until he comes back. He wants you safe,” Henry explains.

“What about him?” I ask. “Who is looking after him right now? Where is he? I need to get to him.”

“High Lady.” Henry uses my other title. “He told me if I needed to pick you up and place you in your room, that I could. Please don’t make me do it.”

“You don’t understand. What if she comes to him right now? What if I’m too late and lose him? I can’t. Please,” I say.

Henry shakes his head and stays in front of me. “I’m sorry, but I must obey him.”

Kieran? I call through the bond.

Sweets, what’s wrong? he asks.

Where are you? Henry won’t allow me to come and see you. Please, I need to see you. I have something important to say.