Page 44 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown (Kingdom of Bellhollow #1)

K ieran and I stare at each other for several seconds.

“You believe what I have been telling you this whole time?” he asks. “That the prince is not who you think he is?”

I nod. “I also believe you about us being mates. I’ve been trying to deny it this whole time because I’m not supposed to trust you, but I do. You have done nothing to get me to not trust you or not believe what you are saying.”

Kieran looks at me for several seconds, almost like he’s processing my words. “Really?”

“Yes, really. You didn’t have to do what you did yesterday,” I tell him. “Part of me wishes you didn’t, but knowing the prince was the one to kill my father, I can’t believe it. Well, I can since he told me, but I never would have thought about the prince.”

A smile blossoms across his face. “I’m glad you finally believe me,” he gently says, running his thumb across my face.

“I am, too,” I whisper.

But how we got here was not how I wanted. I wanted to get here naturally and not by someone dying.

“How did you know?” I ask. “How did you know it wasn’t an accident? How did you know I should talk to my father’s best friend? Have you found anything out about the curse? What can I do to help?”

I shouldn’t jump right into this, but I just can’t help it. While I’m riddled with grief, I need something to keep me going. I need to focus on something else to help distract my mind.

“One question at a time.” Kieran chuckles. “I’m glad you are eager, but one question at a time so I can answer it to the best of my ability.”

Nodding, I relax into the chair and nuzzle my face into him even more.

“So precious,” he whispers, looking into my eyes. “You are so precious to me.”

My insides melt into a puddle of goo right then and there.

Kieran hums as a smile spreads across his face. He leans forward, our lips hovering over each other. “Does my girl like the sound of me calling her precious? Telling her how much she means to me and what I would do for her?”

I suck in a small breath, closing my eyes as he gets closer. I can almost feel his lips against mine. One small push forward and they would be touching.

“Does she?” he whispers.

“Please,” I beg, opening my eyes to look at his dilated pupils.

Kieran pulls away, and I whimper. I want him to kiss me. I want to see if I feel those same sparks when we kiss.

“Not yet,” he replies. “As much as I want to kiss you and take you to bed, we can’t do it right now.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Because when I kiss you for the first time, I don’t want to have to hold back. I don’t want to have to worry about someone catching us. I don’t want you to get into trouble,” he explains.

“So you are going to make me wait until you are set free?” I raise an eyebrow. “What if that takes years? What if I die before then?”

Kieran cups my face with both hands. “You are not going to die before we get freed.”

I lean forward, pushing my face into his hands as I look at him. “You have found a way to get the curse broken?”

His face falls, and I know the answer to my question right there.

They haven’t.

“No,” he quietly says. “We have not. We know the witch is still in town, but we don’t know what she looks like. She is an extremely old woman, but she could have changed her appearance. She could be walking around the town, and no one would know.”

I groan and close my eyes. “There is no way I will be able to tell who it is then if you can’t. Is she the only one who knows how to break the curse?”

“I’m afraid so,” Kieran replies.

I pull my face out of Kieran’s hands and lean back in the chair. “We are doomed. What are we going to do then?”

Kieran shrugs. “I’m going to figure it out. I don’t want you anywhere near this. I want you alive and well, so stay away from danger.”

I blink several times as I look at him, not saying a word.

“Adeline.” His voice rumbles as he gives me a sharp look. “Promise me you won’t put yourself in harm’s way. Promise me.”

“I.” I take a deep breath and shake my head. “I can’t do that.”

Kieran takes a deep breath this time and closes his eyes for a couple of seconds before looking at me. “Why?”

“I won’t… Wait what?” I look at him, confused.

I was certain he was going to tell me to stay at home and do nothing.

“Why can’t you promise me that you won’t put yourself in harm’s way?” he asks.

“Well.” I clear my throat and look anywhere but in his eyes.

“Eyes on me,” he commands. “I want your eyes on me when you tell me why.”

I take a shaky breath in as I look at him.

“Good girl,” he purrs. “Now, tell me why you can’t promise me you won’t put yourself in harm’s way.”

“Because I’m starting to realize that what they are doing to you is wrong.

I’m questioning everything I’ve learned about the Fae trying to take over and make us slaves all those years ago.

I’m. Questioning. Everything.” I take a deep breath as I look at him.

“So, that means when I see an opportunity to help you, I’m going to take it.

It’s the least I can do for you and your people. ”

Kieran places his hands over mine. “And your people. You are my mate. These people are also your people now. They would do anything for you. They will die to protect you.”

I wiggle in my seat. “I don’t… They don’t have to do that. I am just a human who happens to be your mate. While I said I believe you, I’m also still a little skeptical, but I do believe you. I don’t want you to think that I don’t but everything is so new.”

“Shhh,” he gently says. “I know what you mean. They know they don’t have to, but they will if it comes down to it.”

I don’t know how to feel about that. What am I supposed to do with that information?

“We do it for each other. I can’t tell them to stop because they won’t,” Kieran tells me. “I know it’s something to get used to, but you’ll learn eventually.”

Taking a shaky breath, I nod. I’m going to have to forget about it or it’s going to consume my life.

“How did you know?” I ask. “How did you know it wasn’t an accident and that I should talk to my dad’s best friend?”

“I didn’t hear it personally, another Fae told me they heard the hunters talking about it,” Kieran explains.

“They heard your name and came straight to let me know. There are several other Adelines in town, but when I saw you in the forest, I knew it was you. I could also feel the sadness through our bond an hour later.”

Right. I forget that he can feel my emotions through the bond.

“That’s how you knew to come to the forest,” I whisper.

“Yes. While I was working, I stayed close to the forest so if I saw you, I could easily slip away,” he gently says.

“And now?” I ask. “How are you not working?”

“Everett and Zayden are covering for me while Elias keeps watch outside. No one is going to know, so don’t worry. I won’t get in trouble. We are all a family here and help each other out when we need it,” Kieran reassures me.

“I still can’t believe he’s gone,” I whisper, tears pooling in my eyes once again.

I feel like I’m a big puddle of tears right now. It seems like I can never get a hold of myself.

“I know, Sweets.” Kieran runs the tip of his knuckle against my cheek. “You’re going to make it through this.”

Everything around me is crumbling, and I don’t have enough hands or the strength to hold everything up. It’s like I’m trying to keep my head above water, but I’m failing.

“I’m here for you if you need to talk. I’ll hold you for however long you want to be held,” he tells me. “I will get revenge for you. It may take a couple of years, but I am going to make the prince suffer for what he did. I’m going to make everyone involved in your father’s death suffer.”

“I don’t know,” I whisper, feeling unsure. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Nothing will happen to me, I promise. They are going to pay for the crimes they committed. I’m going to go after anyone who has ever harmed you in any way. Everyone will know not to mess with you,” Kieran declares.

“You can’t. Not when you are under the curse.” I touch his shoulder. “You will get killed for that.”

“Good thing we are going to break the curse soon. It just gives me time to plan everything I want to do to them. Once that curse is broken, I am going after them and no one will be able to stop me,” Kieran explains. “They will suffer for what they did to you and your mother.”

And some small part of me hopes the curse is broken soon so Kieran can go after them. I want to see them suffer for the pain they have caused me.

“If you do, I want to punch the prince.” I crack a smile.

“Sweets, I’ll let you punch him several times if that will help. We’ll practice punching beforehand, so you don’t hurt yourself when you do it.” He chuckles at the end.

“So, if I wanted to stab the prince’s leg, you would let me?” I ask innocently.

Kieran’s eyes go wide as he stares at me, his mouth opening and closing.

“Wh-what?” Kieran finally says. “What did you just say?”

“I asked whether you would let me stab Prince Archie’s leg when you capture him after we break the curse,” I say again like there is nothing wrong with my comment.

Kieran’s face is priceless as he tries to process the words I just said. Shock, worry, and confusion flutter across his face, and I can’t help but crack a smile.

“Are you joking or are you serious?” Kieran finally asks.

I shrug. “Joking mostly, but now that I think about it, I don’t know. Maybe we could give it a try.”

“Addie,” he gently says, worry lacing his voice.

I burst out laughing, tears running down my face. Kieran is looking at me like I have two heads, but I don’t care.

“You were joking,” he declares.

I hold up my pointer finger and thumb close to my face. “Just a little.”

“Not funny.” His eyes narrow on me.

“You have to admit it was a little funny. I couldn’t help myself.

You kept saying things and agreeing to let me do them, and I had to take the opportunity.

” I chuckle. “But in all seriousness, I am considering it now. Put a dagger in his thigh as a little punishment for killing my father. Then you could have your fun torturing him or whatever you are going to do.”

Kieran shakes his head. “You almost made my heart stop with that question.” He playfully glares at me. “I understood the punch, but the dagger came out of nowhere.”

“So, what I’m hearing is you would let me do anything and you would do anything for me.” I cock my head to the right.

“No. You will not do anything, and I won’t do anything for you. I will not let you harm yourself or do anything irrational,” he explains. “I will do anything for you within reason, so don’t get any ideas.”

I push my bottom lip out as I look up at him. “No fun.”

Kieran grips my chin with his thumb and pointer finger, bringing my face closer to him. “If that’s what you are going to call me for trying to keep you safe, I can live with that.”

“And what if I can’t?” I gently ask.

“Then you’re just going to have to find a way to get over it.” He kisses the tip of my nose.