Chapter 20 Genevieve #2
Gabe’s eyes flash. “Then we have no alliance? Not until my sister sells herself off to a man who—” The door cracks open and Kieran steps inside. He’s dressed in simple dark grey and black. Professional attire for a businessman.
“How were you planning on finishing that sentence, Prince Gabriel?” Kalise hisses. “Do you not see how much my brother is losing in choosing this alliance? His kingdom, his position, his family—his freedom to have a normal marriage. And for what? For a woman who—”
“That’s quite enough,” Mother interrupts from her seat, her face stony as she stares at the other queen.
Slowly, she turns to Kieran. “Mr. Blackwell, I apologize for interrupting your morning. I know you were busy with business matters. Could you take a few moments to share what you’ve seen in Wylan concerning these strange creatures? ”
Kieran’s face hardens, and Kalise sits. “I’ve only had glimpses, but it appears someone is using helachite to breed blueblood animals, forcing them into something vicious and unnatural.”
Mother frowns. Gabe asks, “For what purpose?”
Kieran glances at me for a moment, but I keep my composure.
I don’t want him to know how sick with dread I feel about what this could mean for my kingdom.
“You could ask why anyone would expose themselves to helachite to become a blueblood—perceived power, the chance to raise their station. I believe the people breeding these creatures are doing it for the same reason.”
Mother’s eye twitches so rapidly, Kieran must notice, but he continues, “The better question is when those in power will accept that nobody—human or animal—should be a blueblood. It’s abhorrent that helachite use isn’t more regulated across the continent.”
Mother lets out a harsh laugh. “Fine words from a man who made his fortune through helachite. Tell me, Mr. Blackwell—would your blood really run red?”
His gaze shifts from my mother to me before he answers, “If I had my way, I would close all unregulated helachite mines until infrastructure was in place to keep them from harming anyone. It’s never been about the money for me.
I’ve developed processes to use helachite to better people’s lives, not to bring about unnatural curses in the name of an arbitrary hierarchy. ”
The room stirs into chaos as Queen Penelope shouts in outrage at Kieran’s bitter words. He looks at all of us with spite in his eyes before taking a seat. The small scar on his forehead seems to darken as he keeps his gaze fixed on me.
Prince Leland stands, quieting the crowd with an obvious use of his gift until we all settle calmly into our seats. It reminds me of the moment his lips met mine—the way I hadn’t wanted his touch, yet suddenly relaxed into it, even knowing what my gift would do to him.
“Mr. Blackwell means well,” Leland says. “Please understand that he wants what’s best for the citizens of both Icelantica and Naseria—Wylan and Malin too.”
Only slightly pacified, Mother argues, “But he’s insulted bluebloods, comparing us to wild creatures who should never have been formed!”
I hear Gabe let out a stifled cough. He’s experienced Mother’s disappointment in his lack of a gift far too often.
Despite that, he still has blue blood and could potentially pass a gift on to his future children.
Sometimes I wonder if that’s the only hope Mother clings to—making a good match for him in hopes of breeding the blueblood gift back into her legacy.
Kieran clears his throat. “I see no purpose in continuing the inhumane practice of prioritizing bluebloods over redbloods.”
Prince Leland seamlessly moves on from Mother’s complaint. “You’re right, Mr. Blackwell. I think we have much to consider regarding our shared border with Wylan. With that being said, Queen Kalise and I want to ensure that our countries have certain protections in place before the marriage.”
“Protections?” I echo, worried where this might be going.
“Yes, I’m sorry to insist, but I want a wife in every sense of the word. I’m a faithful man, and I’m concerned that after we’ve produced offspring, you’ll have trouble fulfilling your marital duties.”
I blush crimson, shocked that Leland would say such a thing in front of an audience.
I try to keep my eyes on him, but from the corner of my vision I see Kieran—his face tight with a scowl, his bare hands gripping the arms of his chair with such force that the upholstery looks ready to unravel beneath him.
I peel my attention back to Leland. “Have I given you any reason to think I wouldn’t be willing to fulfill my marital duties?” The words come out in a rush.
Queen Kalise rises, moving to her brother’s side. “I want my brother to be happily wed. Please don’t feel embarrassed by his words. If your gift prevents you from doing your duty, there are other options.”
“Such as?” I stammer, trying not to look at my parents.
“I would like to add a clause to the contract stating that if you feel unable to perform your marital duties, we will be free to make a different arrangement between the Ashcroft line. This will ensure our alliance continues, whether it is between yourself and my brother or one of your siblings.”
Mother stands with a huff. “This is unnecessary! Genevieve has no intention of remaining unwed!”
I swallow the lump forming in my throat.
The humiliation of once again addressing my incapacity for intimacy in such a public manner is almost more than I can bear.
What I thought could be a partnership built on friendship and a shared desire to do what was best for our kingdoms may not be that at all.
I force a stiff smile and signal for Mother to sit.
“I have no doubt that I will be able to be a wife to you in the fullest sense of the word, Prince Leland. I have no problem with an addendum to our contract stating as much. However, I will have to discuss the terms of another match with my family before we can agree to that.”
The words sting as I say them, and I feel betrayed by a man who isn’t even my husband yet. But I have a duty—to my kingdom, my family, even Icelantica now.
Kieran rises, and it feels as though a frisson passes between us as he looks at me and says, “Pardon me. This conversation doesn’t concern me. I have more pressing matters to attend to.”
He turns toward the door and leaves without another word.
I want to run after him, to tell him I’m making a mistake.
I’ve never wanted anything as much as to call Kieran mine.
But I don’t move. I sit frozen in place and let him walk away.
Then I do what I always do: bury the hurt in my heart, knowing I must put the crown before my own desires.