Chapter 16 Genevieve
Genevieve
Only two weeks remain until the wedding, and I should have known that Prince Leland would choose a garden party to announce our upcoming nuptials.
“Where will the garden party take place?” I ask, and Leland gives me a knowing look.
“Somewhere I know you'll love.”
It feels good to have a surprise, for someone to take the time to plan something based on what I actually want.
For days now, I’ve awoken to flowers at my bedside, from simple garden blooms to rare delicacies.
I hope they’re from Leland, a secret gift he’s sneaking into my room through my lady’s maid, Trudy.
But I suspect it’s Kieran. He hasn’t spoken to me since the death of the servant.
The spreading rot probably only adds to the growing list of things he hates about me and my family.
Leland and I are settled in the carriage when someone else steps forward.
I’d hoped we could have had more time alone.
It’s been so difficult to find even a few moments together, between the busyness of the wedding preparations and the obligations of the crown.
Kieran’s broad frame fills the doorway, and he meets my eyes, his lips curling into a grin.
“Mind if I join?” he asks. I’m tempted to say yes, I do mind—but I don’t want Leland to know just how familiar Kieran and I are. What if it changes what he thinks of me? What if he no longer values our alliance, knowing I was once in love with his close friend?
But Leland answers first. “That would be wonderful, Blackwell. In fact, I’ve wanted the three of us to have a private moment together. I think we’ll all get along splendidly once the two of you are better acquainted.”
Kieran takes the seat across from us, his long, muscular leg close enough to brush the hem of my full skirt. “I think you’re right, Leland. Tell me, Princess, do you think we’ll get along alright? Have you had any redblooded scoundrels as companions?”
His foot taps against mine—and stays there—the contact between us sending an unwanted current through my body.
Leland looks at both of us, a sly smile on his soft face.
“No teasing my bride, Morris!” He glances at me and adds, “Mr. Blackwell has an abominable reputation, but he has a heart of gold. He’s dedicated to improving the lives of the helachite miners, railway workers, and their families.
Did you know he’s created a workers’ organization for his employees?
They can request higher wages, seek free medical assistance, and are provided comfortable accommodations through their employment.
He’s brilliant, really, the way he’s built entire communities to better their lives.
I don’t think there’s a man like him on the entire continent. ”
“You flatter me,” Kieran mumbles, and it’s the first time I’ve seen him look uncomfortable. He turns to the window, and I feel the warmth from his shoe leave me.
“It’s not flattery. You’re an innovator in both mining and engineering—as well as social progress. The world is a better place thanks to you, Morris. I only wish others knew how much you’ve done for those with less than us.”
The man Leland describes sounds far more like the Kieran I once knew and less like the cold, distant Morris. Finally finding my voice, I say, “Mr. Blackwell, what made you decide to become so innovative in how you treat your employees?”
His eyes meet mine, his expression hard and unyielding. “I’ve experienced the worst the mines can offer, and I rose above it. The least I can do is ensure no one ever experiences the hell I lived through in your kingdom’s mines, Princess Genevieve.”
A chill creeps down my spine, and I press my leg closer to Kieran’s. Maybe he never came back to me because he couldn’t. He’s alluded to it before, and perhaps I’ve been too blind to realize there were reasons beyond our argument that kept him away.
Leland lets out a quiet tut of his tongue, shaking his head.
“Dreadful, what you went through, Morris. Just awful. But you’re out now, aren’t you?
You’re ensuring what happened to you never happens again.
” His words are honey-smooth, and I feel myself calming.
Kieran, though, looks at Leland with the same hard intensity he gave me.
“Don’t pull that shit on me, Leland. You know it won’t work.” He turns back to the window.
“Of course.” Leland sighs and slides his gloved hand into mine.
The carriage comes to a smooth stop. Kieran jumps up as though he can’t wait to leave, opening the door before the footman even has the chance. He’s gone before I can say another word.
“Don’t worry about Mr. Blackwell. He has these moods. His past is painful, but he’s a good man. In fact, it was he who suggested I accept your alliance. He pointed out all the good it could bring to both of our kingdoms.”
Kieran is the one who suggested Leland proceed with our arrangement? “Was he? Did he have a reason to suggest our match?”
Leland offers me his hand as I exit the carriage, steadying me, then rests it in the crook of my arm. My sisters and brothers are walking toward me, as are Queen Kalise and General Pryor.
“I believe he suggested that I would be a welcome influence in the kingdom.”
“What do you mean by that?” I ask, desperate to know more before our families close in around us.
“I said he’s a kind man, but he’s also a shrewd businessman when it comes to dealing with bluebloods.
Perhaps he thought we could continue our work in Naseria together.
But does it matter? We’re uniting our countries—and our lives—in only two weeks.
Now, let’s make our engagement official, shall we? ”
I nod, my head spinning as Leland leads me toward Covington Park. What game is Kieran playing here? He seems to genuinely value his friendship with Leland, and yet he’s promised to ruin me.
I’ve been waiting for him to destroy everything I’ve worked for, but he’s kept his distance. In fact, the carriage ride over was the first time he’s said anything more than a few polite words to me in days. Perhaps he’s had a change of heart.
Gabe told me they met privately, and Kieran disclosed the former state of the helachite mines in Naseria to him. Gabe’s descriptions were abhorrent, and if Kieran suffered in those mines, as he and Leland suggested, then I can better understand why he wants to see change in my kingdom.
Kieran refused to share more details with Gabe about what happened to him after he left Fairbright Palace. After the conversation in the carriage, I can see why. He’s never seemed this upset before, and until now, he’s been nothing but arrogant and composed. I scan the park, searching for him.
I can’t find him within the crowd of festively dressed aristocrats and redblood townspeople in their finest. Children have smoothed hair and girls wear crisp pinafores, while boys run through the sunshine in short pants.
The park is decorated in Icelantican blue and Naserian green, with lush scarlet begonias cascading over poles that hold up the ribbons. It’s a beautiful sight, and I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face as people cheer for the royal family.
“You organized all this for me?” I whisper as Leland leads me toward a dais.
“I did. I wanted to make it up to you. We’ll announce our engagement right away, then there will be dancing. After that, refreshments from The Wild Rose and other local businesses, highlighting the best of Crawford. This evening, there will be more dancing and fireworks under the stars.”
“Really?” It’s incredibly thoughtful of him—the kindest thing anyone’s done for me.
This marriage is going to work. We respect one another. He’s kind and considerate, just what I hoped for in a husband.
Clemmy whistles loudly through the crowd, her husband’s hands wrapped lovingly around her hips.
I can’t stop smiling as I walk through the cheering crowd. “Thank you, Leland. It’s beautiful. You’re such a good man.”
We walk up the dais and take our seats on the two middle chairs. Our families follow close behind. Once we’re all seated, the orchestra begins to play a cheerful tune. Bluebloods and redbloods alike mingle and dance.
That’s when I see Kieran. He’s off to the side of the event, leaning against a tree. His eyes are trained on me, and he dips his head when we make eye contact. I turn my attention back to the crowd, taking in the jubilation and trying to ignore the gnawing guilt rising in my chest.
Finally, the music stops. The crowd grows still as Queen Kalise and Queen Penelope step forward.
My mother addresses the crowd, her vibrant voice carrying across the park.
“We are honored to have you all here today. From redblood shopkeepers to blueblood lords and ladies, today we gather to celebrate the engagement of Princess Genevieve to Prince Leland of Icelantica. Together, our kingdoms will forge a future united against our enemies, join our two countries through a revolutionary railway system, making travel easier and accessible for all.”
The crowd bursts into cheers as Queen Kalise slowly raises her hand to call for silence.
I look toward Kieran, but he’s no longer where I last saw him.
I scan the crowd as Queen Kalise begins talking about a new partnership, but I can’t find him anywhere.
My heart sinks, and I try to focus on her words.
Leland places his gloved hand over mine, gently pulling me toward the queens. “Kalise called for us. They’ll give their blessing on our betrothal now.”
I suck in a breath, strained by the tightness of my corset. “Right.”
My mother places a hand on my shoulder, and Queen Kalise does the same. Even through the glove, I can feel the chill of her touch.
They both say the traditional blueblood blessing for an engaged couple—one I’ll hear countless times today.
“May your marriage be filled with the gift, fruitful and joyful in abundance.”
My stomach tightens. The gift has never been a gift for me. I hate it and secretly pray that my children will lack its curse, just like Gabriel and Marielle.
After they release their grip on us, Leland and I stand across from each other, not quite close enough to touch, but near enough that I have to tilt my head up to look at his face. He winks, and I give him a quick, reassuring smile.
This is good.
This is the right choice for me.
“Give her a kiss!” a man from the crowd shouts.
“Kiss her!” another adds, and suddenly the people are all yelling and cheering for us to kiss.
Leland hesitates, then steps forward, wrapping his arms around me. My heart thunders as I glance at Mother. Her face holds a bright, practiced smile—the false smile of a queen maintaining appearances. But her eye twitches as she looks at me.
The crowd cheers louder, the shouts for a kiss growing bolder as one of Leland’s hands slides to the small of my back and the other to the back of my neck. “Is this alright with you?” he asks.
I nod. What else am I to do in front of such a vocal crowd? “Just make it quick.”
He gives a steady nod as his face comes closer to mine, so close I can smell his scent. I close my eyes, hoping to feel anything other than the waves of anxiety flooding me as Leland’s soft lips press against mine.
For a moment, all I feel is a rush of calm. This is a good thing.
His lips move against mine, and I don’t stop him as he pulls me closer, the crowd roaring with approval. Then my gift begins to surface—a rush of warmth filling our embrace—and I feel the instant Leland senses it.
A hungry desperation overtakes him as he tries to deepen the kiss. Instantly, I pull back, and he looks down at me, panting, his eyes wide with uninhibited lust. His grip tightens as he leans in again.
It’s nothing I haven’t experienced before, and disappointment washes over me like ice water. “That’s all for now, Leland,” I whisper. His hands fall as he steps back, but there’s still that wild gleam in his ice-blue eyes, so foreign to his gentle spirit.
I turn from him, afraid to see what my gift has done to a man I wanted to build a life with. I don’t know why I hoped it would be different with Leland. My curse flooded him just as it did every other man.
I risk a glance back, and the lust in his eyes has turned to disgust. That, too, happens to men—especially the good ones. The ones who can’t stand to face what my gift turns them into.
I turn away again and find Kieran’s hard stare near the front of the crowd.
I don’t know if he’s jealous or plotting his next move, but I fight the urge to run to him.
He’s not my safe haven anymore, and my gift would fill him just as it would any man.
It doesn’t matter if he’s the only man I’ve loved. He’s still not right for me.
“I’m sorry. That was—unexpected,” Leland mumbles, turning to Queen Kalise before leading her to their seats.
Cracks show in my mother’s false smile as she addresses the crowd once more, announcing the evening’s events.
Then I hear Marielle’s ear-splitting scream from behind me, and chaos erupts on the dais. I turn to see a dark rot spreading across the platform, my sisters running for the edge. I freeze, the corruption eating away at the wood beneath my feet as everyone else flees.
Leland is gone. The queens are nowhere to be seen. And still, I can’t move.
Before I can force myself to react, Kieran is there—tugging me against his hard chest, his hand locking with mine as he runs, pulling me with him.