Chapter 45 Genevieve
Genevieve
Ipace my room—back and forth, back and forth—the nervous energy too much for me to contain.
Tomorrow morning is the trial, and we’ve found nothing that will save Kieran, despite a whole team of lawyers, loyal servants, the Frostclaws, and my siblings searching.
I even sent word to Clementine to casually ask around about the source of the rot, and she’s already orchestrated half of Crawford to seek information on the misuse of helachite.
Even Gabriel has changed his mind, coming to me privately to apologize. He sees that I love Kieran—sees that I can’t imagine losing him again—and he feels sympathy for me. Or as much sympathy as Gabriel can muster, with his own fears of marriage to Queen Kalise hanging over him.
Queen Kalise has given her support for Lelend’s withdrawal from our engagement, though I can still see her disappointment. Perhaps there are worse fates for Gabriel than marrying a queen.
“Will you please stop pacing, Genny?” Astoria asks as she brings me a calming cup of herbal tea.
I shake my head. “We’re running out of time. If we don’t find a solution, Kieran will be charged with every crime Mother’s holding against him.”
“Wearing a hole in the carpet isn’t going to save him.”
I nod, trying to stifle the anxious energy coursing through me. “I can’t lose him again, Astoria. I don’t think I can survive it.”
She gives her head a small shake. “You’re stronger than that. Soon you’ll be the one making decisions for this country. Mother thinks she acts for the good of the kingdom, but you actually will.”
I press a hand to my forehead. I can’t even think about the responsibilities looming over me. “Did Mari find anything out from the maids who discovered the servant’s body?”
Astoria’s lips tighten into a scowl. “Mother pulled her away, said she needed her for something. When Mari came back, she complained of headaches. She still isn’t well.”
I nod. Recovery has been painfully slow for Mari since her exposure to the rot. We’re grateful she’s alive at all, but she hasn’t slept soundly in weeks and has grown more withdrawn. I wish I had time to help her, but Kieran needs me more than ever.
“Will you check in on her?” I ask.
“Of course. I should go sit with her now.”
A knock at the garden entry to my room sends a sharp pang of hope through my chest.
“What was that?” Astoria asks, but my heart is already pounding as I cross the room.
Gabriel steps inside, and the hope drains from me as he closes the door. “How did you get through that entrance?” I demand. No one but Kieran and I have ever used the outside door. Only we have the key.
“I came to show you just how sorry I am. Astoria, you may want to leave.”
He swings the door fully open, revealing a tattered Kieran. Dark circles shadow his eyes and his skin looks ashen. A bruise darkens his exposed arm, and a ring of red welts marks where the irons bit into his flesh.
I run to him, throwing myself into his arms. He holds me tightly, and my cheeks are wet before I even realize I’m crying.
A part of me feared I’d never hold him again—that our time together at Huntley House was the last time I’d feel his arms around me, a bittersweet memory of our too-short reunion.
My lips brush the scruff on his cheek, then his dry lips. “Are you alright? Have you been hurt?” I ask, even though I can see from his demeanor that he’s not himself.
“I’ll be okay. It’s just good to hold you,” he murmurs, lowering his forehead to mine.
A throat clears behind us, and I turn to see my siblings waiting.
“I’ll be back before daybreak. Meet me at the outside door, and don’t delay. I’ve paid a fortune to get you out, but we must have you back before the guards change.”
Kieran releases me and crosses to my brother, pulling him into a tight hug. “Thank you. You’ve given us a final chance to be together.”
Gabe shakes his head. “Don’t talk like that yet. We’ll get you out.”
He escorts Astoria from the room, leaving us alone.