Chapter 48 Genevieve
Genevieve
“Genny, please, I have to speak to you,” Mari says as she trails after me through my rooms. I’m too nervous to sit still. I’m due in the courtroom in minutes, and I don’t have time to listen to her unless it’s directly about the trial.
“Is this about the trial?”
The guilt in her eyes makes a terrifying realization dawn on me.
She could be used against Kieran. It would make sense.
She’s always been a thorn in our mother’s side—the most unruly child of the Ashcroft brood—and always eager to ingratiate herself.
And she was injured by the rot during Leland’s and my engagement party.
“Tell me you’re not speaking for the prosecution,” I demand. The words come out sharp as daggers, and Mari flinches.
She shakes her head but says, “I don’t want to, but I know things, and Mother expects me to speak up. If I don’t, she’s threatened to have me put on trial. I cannot stand trial, Genny. I’m not strong enough for that. You can’t understand.”
Then I see it—a tiny patch of rot where her bare hand touched my wardrobe.
“Mari, what are you not telling me?”
“It’s me,” she whispers. “I’m the cause of the rot.
Or rather, Mother’s made me into the cause.
I didn’t mean to kill that servant, I promise.
I haven’t meant to do any of the harm here or in Crawford.
But if I admit I’m guilty, Mother will have me put on trial and killed. She’s told me so herself.”
My face scrunches in disbelief, and I back away from her. “You’re the one spreading the rot? But how is that possible? You don’t even have a gift.”
Then I remember the stories of miners exposed to helachite at dangerous levels, the way Kieran described the agony of being forced into a gift, the scar on his face marking him as a turned blueblood.
“Mother forced it on you, didn’t she?” I ask.
Mari’s face crumples in a pained agreement.
“At first I wanted to do it. It was her suggestion, but I agreed. I didn’t want to be like Gabriel—always taunted for being a useless spare.
Then it hurt. It hurt so badly I wanted to stop, but Mother wouldn’t allow it.
She kept pushing me and pushing me until I became gifted with a touch that spreads death. ”
I shake my head, a cold certainty settling over me. There are no circumstances under which I allow my mother to continue ruling this family or this country.
“You have to share the truth. You have to speak up, or Kieran will die for something he isn’t guilty of.”
“I don’t know if I can do it, Genny. I’m frightened.”
“Mother’s time as Queen of Naseria has run short. She must be held accountable for her actions and step down. I will protect you and do everything in my power to make Naseria the kingdom it should be. But you have to be brave, Mari. Promise me you’ll tell the truth.”
Her eyes flood with tears, and she nods. “I will. I promise.”
I turn toward the door. There’s hardly a moment to lose, and I can’t risk the trial beginning without me. It would devastate Kieran if I wasn’t there beside him, and I’m already late.
“Wait, Genny!” Mari calls. I turn back. “You’re going to be the best queen Naseria has ever had.”
A tinge of doubt courses through me, and she must see it, because she adds, “No, it’s true. You actually care for your people, not see them as a means to gain power. That’s something unique.”
I bite my lower lip. I don’t have a choice but to be the queen this country needs. Despite my insecurities about ruling justly, I know my time has come early. Queen Penelope must step down for what she’s done to this country.