“It doesn’t matter,” I say, my voice traitorously breathy as I try to clear my mind. I need space. I need to get away from this man. “Prince Leland and I came to a decision together that our marriage would benefit everyone.”
He scowls at me, giving me the space I so desperately need but don’t actually want. The look in his eyes is filled with such disdain that it stings.
“Everyone but you,” he mutters.
I shake my head, knowing I need to leave. There’s nothing here for me but continued heartache. “Don’t you understand, Kieran?Ichose Leland. Me. No one pushed this arrangement on me. In fact, Gabe is openly against my choosing an arranged marriage, but it’s the most practical choice—and at this point, all I want is to do what’s best for my country.”
The growl that comes from him pains me, and he turns his back. “You, Princess, don’t even understand what your country needs.”
He leaves me, slipping his hulking frame beneath the willow’s draping branches. This mess between Kieran and me is all wrong. Two weeks can’t come soon enough—after my wedding to Prince Leland, all this temptation will be put to rest.
But part of me knows Kieran is right. I’ve never felt the same desperate intensity for anyone but him. Despite my best efforts, I cannot convince my heart of what my mind already knows.
For the sake of the kingdom—of my reign as queen—I must choose Leland, even if my heart wants what it can never have.
“Genny, we were so concerned about you!” Astoria exclaims when she sees me walking toward a makeshift tent set up in the far reaches of the park.
“I’m alright, I promise,” I mutter, but Astoria gives me a skeptical look. I’m not hiding my own riotous emotions. She approaches quickly, blocking me from the others.
“What happened to your gown?” she whispers.
I glance down, noticing the misaligned material, the way my corset juts out at a strange angle where it shouldn’t.
“I—I ran and needed to breathe deeper. I must have mussed it when I was relacing my dress.”
She gives me a puzzled look. “Why didn’t you stay with us?”
My mouth opens, but I can’t get a word out before the two queens approach.
“You’re unharmed?” Mother asks in greeting.
“Yes, I’m fine. A bit unsettled, but I’ll be alright.”
Queen Kalise regards me with cold condescension. “Have you seen Mr. Blackwell?”
How much of a lie should I tell the queen? I can tell by her expression that she must have seen us together. “He helped me down from the dais before I ran. I followed the crowd and got separated from everyone. I needed a moment to compose myself.”
Her lips purse, and she fixes me with an icy glare. “Prince Leland is out looking for you. Your brother is dealing with the rot. As monarchs, we are always expected to show a level of decorum and restraint in the face of chaos.”
Both queens’ eyes trail down my disheveled dress. Queen Kalise lifts her hand and plucks a bit of bark from my hair.
“Genevieve. This isn’t like you.” My mother’s words are a reprimand—delivered to a grown woman in front of a crowd. I want to walk away, to curse them all, but I hold it in.
“I apologize. I panicked. How is Gabriel holding back the rot?”
Mother answers before Kalise can. “He and a troop of soldiers are removing it with water. We recently discovered, thanks to Mr. Blackwell, that the rot cannot tolerate moisture.”
I look at her, puzzled by her serene demeanor. “But how are we even experiencing the rot here in the first place?”
Queen Kalise replies, “There have been reports of helachite misuse throughout the continent. As you know, when the first exposures occurred, there was significant destruction until future generations were naturally blueblooded. Mr. Blackwell has a theory that others are attempting to force the gift on redblooded people. He’s seen it in the mines. Prolonged and forced exposure to raw helachite results in the rot. So it appears you’re experiencing unauthorized misuse of helachite throughout Naseria—now leading to deaths and, strangely enough, exposure amongst two royal families.”
“Well, it must be dealt with swiftly,” Mother declares, then turns to me. “Now, your engagement celebration is once again ruined. I say we retire to Fairbright for the evening.”
I can’t believe she isn’t having a stronger reaction to the idea that people might be intentionally trying to convert from redblood to a blueblood. What would drive someone to do that?
“Mother, surely you can’t consider leaving at a time like this?” I protest, but she only gestures toward my sisters.
“I need to take care of your younger siblings. Has anyone seen Darian? The boy is always wandering off these days. And Mari looks absolutely unwell.”
