“Why are you looking at me like that?”
I give her the smallest hint of a smile as I keep my eyes on her. “You’ve grown into quite the attractive woman, Gen. I can see how you’ve broken so many hearts.”
She wraps her arms across her chest, only accentuating the tantalizing curve of her breasts. “Just stop. Just—leave.”
I smirk at her distress. It’s delightful to watch her squirm. “No, I don’t think I will.”
Her face tightens as she looks at me—really takes me in—as if she’s finally noticing all the differences in my appearance before changing the subject.
“How did Gabe not recognize you?” She takes a tiny step closer, her curiosity getting the better of her.
I’d rather be flayed alive than share how the helachite in the mines shifted me, changed me in unnatural ways from the inside out. I’m no longer that bright-eyed young man with a soft face and lanky frame. I’m not a lot of things I once was, but what I am now is strong enough to take on the Ashcroft family’s degradation.
“Princess, there are many things about Morris Blackwell that I would never disclose to you. You’re likely the only one capable of recognizing me.” I don’t want to dwell on how easy it was for her to see through me. Within moments of making eye contact in the ballroom, I knew she’d seen past my false identity. I’d planned to ruin her without revealing myself—but this should be more satisfying.
She scoffs. “They already think I’m mad. You mean to say nobody will believe it’s actually you?”
I laugh at her frustration, and she looks at me with such malice. I want to bottle it up and keep it, to replace every memory of her devotion. I want to remember her anger, her hate, and erase any last trace of the love she once showed me. Just as I’m no longer Kieran Greenbluff, she’s no longer the beautiful, loyal girl I once believed loved me.
“No one will believe you, Princess.” I should leave, let her simmer in the disgust that mars her pretty face. Except I can’t, not without knowing the truth. “Tell me, how long did you wait after the news of my death to warm your bed with another man? One week? Two?”
Gen looks at me with a scathing hatred that shouldn’t sting as badly as it does. She raises her hand, and I brace for the burn of her slap. I crave it, actually.
But instead, I’m struck with a hard, blunt object. She’s thrown her damn shoe at me. I can’t stop my laughter—long and hard—only causing her ire to flare further.
“I should have known Genevieve Ashcroft wouldn’t lose her composure enough to touch me with her bare skin. Well played, Princess.”
With that, I slip past her into the darkness of the night. Music and laughter drift through the still air, the ball continuing in some far-off corner of the palace. I have no intention of returning.
I make my way toward my rooms, knowing the long night will be best spent studying geological surveys of Naseria. Work is the only thing that will keep my mind off the revolting desire I still feel for the woman who ruined my life.
8
Genevieve
“Psst… Gen!” A whisper from across the empty hallway catches my attention as I walk toward the schoolroom. I’m already late for my lessons, but I know that voice immediately.
It’s Kieran. He’s the only one who ever calls me Gen. His disheveled hair and toothy grin are all I can make out as he pops his head out of the door to the servants’ stairwell. I glance around, making sure I’m not being observed, before darting across the hall in a very unladylike fashion that would have Mother scowling. Kieran closes the door behind us.
“I got you an apple,” he says, playfully holding it out for me to grab.
I reach for the fruit, deep red and golden in the muted light, but he pulls it back toward him.
“Can I have the first bite?” he asks, and there’s a hunger in his eyes. Kieran is always hungry. At twelve, he’s shot up in height, and no amount offood seems to fill him.
I smile at him, knowing he’ll never deny me anything. Not when we’ve been the best of friends for four years now. “I thought it was a gift. You cannot take back a gift once it’s freely offered.”
He gives me a mock bow and holds out the apple again. “You’re right, Princess. Where are my manners?”
Just as I reach for it, he pulls it back and takes a bite from the sweet flesh before tossing it to me. My reflexes are nothing like his, and I miss—the apple hits the floor with a thud.
“Kieran! Why would you do that? You’re supposed to be my best friend!”
“Who better to tease you than your best friend?” He walks past me, picks up the apple, and takes another bite before opening the door.
“We’ll be late for lessons now, and I didn’t even get an apple for it!” I moan.
“You’re welcome to some. It’s delicious!” he says as he starts down the hallway, turning back to wink at me. “You just have to catch it first.”
