Gabe regards me darkly and lifts his sword toward my stomach. “If she reports anything untoward, I will personally disembowel you.”
I look at Gen, ignoring her brother and his blade. “You have my word that you’ll be safe with me, Princess.”
13
Genevieve
“Come on, Gen!” Kieran cries, gripping my mitted hand and pulling me into the soft snowfall blanketing the Ashcroft family gardens. The chill in the air makes me shiver despite my heavy fur coat. Snow is rare here at Fairbright, something that happens once or twice a year, and this snowfall shows no sign of relenting.
“I shouldn’t,” I insist, glancing toward the windows where someone might be watching. At fifteen, I’ve been reprimanded about decorum enough times to know that the crown princess should not, under any circumstances, be seen gallivanting through the gardens with a redblood boy.
Even if that redblood boy is my best friend.
Kieran looks back at me, giving a gentle tug that draws me closer to the warmth of his body. “Please. For me? I know you shouldn’t be seen with me, but I’ve missed you.”
My heartthreatens to crack at his words. I haven’t been as good a friend to him lately—the expectations on my behavior growing, the pressure of my every move being reported to Mother.
“Okay, just for a few minutes. You know I wish I could stay longer, but I shouldn’t if we’re alone. People will talk.”
Kieran steps closer, and I can make out the snowflakes clinging to his lashes. My blood feels heated, and I know my cheeks are turning pink. The more I pull away from Kieran, the more he seems to fight the growing divide between us.
“Princess, please don’t tell me you care what others think of us. It’s always been us, and I’m not going to let that change.”
There’s a strange seriousness in his eyes, so foreign to him that my protests die on my tongue. “No, of course not, Kieran. You’re my best friend. Nobody can change that.”
He leans closer, close enough that I wonder if he might kiss me. My heart thunders in my chest. Do I want him to? Does he actually feel something more for me than friendship?
“Genevieve Ashcroft! Come inside before you catch your death!” my lady’s maid shouts from the open door. I pull back from Kieran and run toward the warmth of the hall. Before I step inside, I glance back at him—at the strange devastation on his face.
“Can I get you anything, Your Highness?” a servant asks. I shake my head before taking a seat on the settee. Supper was an extravagant affair thatwent on far too long as I tried to hold a conversation with the two council members flanking me on either side.
Meanwhile, my mind raced through the many courses as I thought about meeting Kieran— not just because I want to hear what he has to say about how the rot might be spreading, but admittedly because I want to spend more time with him.
I hate the way I’m naturally drawn to him—how, all throughout supper, our gazes kept locking. The way I could hear his voice carry over the other conversations, catching snippets of him all night. How I kept having to stop myself from joining his conversation, if only to study the way his accent has changed.
It was torture, and now all I crave is an end to my discomfort. But there is no end to this agony. I just have to learn to live with Kieran’s presence. Because, if all goes well, he will be in Naseria for many years to come, building the railway lines along the helachite veins that cut across our country.
I’ll be queen. The one overseeing the project.
And married to Leland.Married.I cannot possibly allow myself these stolen glances, these desires to draw closer to the man I once called my own.
Astoria slips into the seat beside me. I know she returned safely to the palace without issue, but we haven’t spoken since then. There’s so little privacy in the parlor, but I’m desperate to tell her about the events of the day.
“I’m so sorry we had to leave without you,” I begin as she takes a glass of wine.
“Don’t apologize, Genny. What I wanted most was for you to have time with Prince Leland.”
“No, we shouldn’t have left like that. Did the othercarriage find you alright?”
Astoria nods and takes my hand, her fingers brushing the ring beneath my silk gloves. “I hope everything was alright? The coachman said there was an incident.”
I shake my head, keeping my voice low. “Prince Leland and I found rot in Covington Park. We left for the palace immediately.”
The color drains from Astoria’s cheeks. “So close? But how?”
“I wish I knew. Mr. Blackwell says it’s from misuse of helachite.”
Astoria glances across the room to where Kieran and Leland are deep in discussion. “You spoke to Blackwell? Did he apologize for his forwardness?”
