14
Genevieve
“Just take the key, Kieran,” I say resolutely. At sixteen years old, this feels like the most reckless decision I’ve ever made. Allowing a boy—not just any boy, but Kieran—to have the only other key that reaches my private apartment through a secret passage feels audacious. I know if Mother ever found out, I’d be in more trouble than I’ve ever faced.
She doesn’t like all the time I spend with Kieran—how I choose him and Clementine over other companions. But they understand me better than anyone else, the exception being Astoria. It’s different with Kieran and Clemmy. They’re not my siblings. They choose to love me for who I am, not because I’m a princess or a sister.
“Gen, I don’t know. You could get in a lot of trouble,” he replies, and I know I’ve truly thrown caution to the wind if even Kieran thinks this is a bad idea.
“I’m alreadybeing told who can be my companion. I’m worried that if you don’t have a way to see me, we won’t be able to play together any longer. Just hide it so no one will find it.”
His face is serious—far more serious than it usually is when we’re together. “Let’s hide it together. Then, if you need to take it away, you can.”
I nod in agreement as he leads me to a large, well-manicured rosebush in the family gardens. He lifts a rock from the border and places the key beneath it.
“There. When should I come to your rooms?” he asks, and there’s a shyness in his voice, as if he’s not sure my offer is real.
I think about it, knowing how often people come through my private chambers. “We shouldn’t use it too often. People will grow suspicious. How about on the full moon? That will give us once a month to catch up.”
His brow furrows. “Okay. Yes. But only because I miss you, Gen.”
“You must stop doing this!” I exclaim, the words coming out with a bitter punch. “It’s one thing for you to show up in my private glasshouse, but here? In my apartment? My lady’s maid could appear at any moment.”
He leans forward, elbows resting on his large, muscular thighs. He’s so much bigger than I remember, grown into his lanky body in a way I never imagined possible. Mostly because, in my mind, he’s neveraged beyond nineteen. He cocks his head in my direction with pure arrogance.
“And that would be a problem. Why? It’s not as if we’re in a compromising position. Oh, but that’s already happened to us before, hasn’t it?”
His eyes pierce mine as he licks his lower lip, a diabolical grin spreading across his face. My frustration builds as I catch myself staring at his soft mouth, his harsh laugh filling the space. “If you think for one moment that I wouldeverallow us to be caught alone together, then you’re delusional.”
I close the gap between us, tugging at the cuffs of his sleeve and he stands, towering over me. I can feel the heat of his body against mine, the spicy scent of him filling my senses. I step back, and he follows. He’s so close I have to tilt my head to meet his gaze—a mistake, I realize too late.
“No, you’re right, Gen. This is much better.” His hands stroke my covered upper arms, and I steel myself against his touch, grabbing his wrist again and pulling him toward my bedroom.
“Actually, this just keeps getting better and better.” Kieran laughs as I close the door behind us. “What exactly are your intentions with me, Princess?”
“Stop this, you infuriating man!” I snap, letting go of him and striding toward the bookshelf and the secret passageway beyond. The passage is already ajar, and I look back at him, my expression hard with anger. He has the gall to laugh again, loud and deep.
“When I found my key, I wondered if it was an invitation meant for me specifically, or if you’ve shared the location with your other lovers. Third rock from the rosebush in the gardens along the wall. The roses are immaculate, but I couldn’t help wondering who’s doing your pruning these days.”
My breath catches in my throat. I haven’t thought about that key in years. At first, I left it hidden, hoping he’d return to me—but that never happened. Not until now. And now, I wish I’d taken it back years ago. “Give that back to me!”
“I don’t think I will. It was given freely to me, remember? Tell me—have you shared your secret entryway with Prince Leland?”
I shake my head, still speechless that he remembered after all these years.
“No, of course you didn’t. There’s nothing romantic between the two of you. Sure, he’s a decent man and will serve his purpose, but there will be no private trysts between you before the wedding, will there?”
“That’s none of your business,” I retort, grabbing a candlestick and stepping into the darkened stairway. He follows me inside, and I hear the soft click of the bookcase closing behind us.
I can feel the heat of his breath on my neck as he murmurs, “You’re right—it’s none of my business. But you make every encounter with your fiancé so painfully stifled I can’t help but think back to the way you once moaned in my arms.”
I turn around, gripping the stair rail. “I’m not that girl anymore.Youruined that girl.”
He huffs out a bitter laugh, stepping down to the same stair as me. “Iruined you? Oh, Gen—you’re going to find out just what it looks like to be ruined by me.”
His hand brushes a loose strand of my hair, and he rubs it between his fingertips. Can my gift fill him like this? “What do you mean?”
The shadows cast by the candlelight dance across his face as he says, “Only that you’ve asked about my true purpose in returning to Naseria. It’s you, of course. To see you ache and suffer the way I have.To see you long for me and beg, all while you try to convince yourself that you want another man.”
