“Good morning, Peach,” Father says cheerfully. “I wanted to share a quick update on Mari. She’s still ill, but her color is improving. It appears she was only slightly exposed to the rot and is expected to make a full recovery. She still has a fever, but she’s already talking about how she wishes to leave the confines of her bed, in typical Mari fashion.”
“What a relief! I’ll visit her this afternoon,” I answer quickly. “Is Astoria with her?”
“She stayed beside her all night but is resting in her room now,” Father replies.
Mother gives him a strained look. “We’re happy to hear she’ll recover. Now, let’s have Gabriel speak so he can return to his training.”
Gabe stands, copper curls shining in the sunlight. He looks serious. “I’ve had reports from the Cobalt Mountains, particularly the peaks nearest the convergence of Naseria, Icelantica, and Wylan. There have been disturbances along the Naserian border—creatures attacking remote villages—and there are also reports of the rot spreading in the region.”
Queen Kalise purses her lips and rises. “Prince Leland and I have heard these rumors. There is a powerful blueblood in the area, and I’ve often wondered if she could be the cause of the creatures. Her power exceeds most of our abilities and includes the control of animals. I suspect she’s working with Wylan. There are reasons she’d want to see my kingdom fall.” Her face hardens as she turns to me, and I can’t help but wonder if she and I have more in common than I thought. The weight of a kingdom rests on both our shoulders, and there are people who would like to see both of us fall. Kieran’s face flashes in my mind, and I draw a deep breath, trying to clear him from my thoughts.
Kalise continues, “Mr. Blackwell should be used as a consultant as well. He’s seen the creatures you speak of while visiting his Wylanmines. If they are crossing the border, we are closer to war than I realized.”
Gabe nods, then whispers to a footman, who quickly leaves the room. “We need to seal this alliance as soon as possible. If the rumors of what Wylan is creating are true, we will only find strength in our shared numbers. How many troops do you have near the border?”
Queen Kalise gives him a scathing look. “That is not something I’m willing to disclose at this time. Until the wedding is finalized, I prefer to keep Icelantica’s military movements private.”
Gabe’s eyes flash. “Then we have no alliance? Not until my sister sells herself off to a man who—” The door cracks open and Kieran steps inside. He’s dressed in simple dark grey and black. Professional attire for a businessman.
“How were you planning on finishing that sentence, Prince Gabriel?” Kalise hisses. “Do you not see how much my brother is losing in choosing this alliance? His kingdom, his position, his family—his freedom to have a normal marriage. And for what? For a woman who—”
“That’s quite enough,” Mother interrupts from her seat, her face stony as she stares at the other queen. Slowly, she turns to Kieran. “Mr. Blackwell, I apologize for interrupting your morning. I know you were busy with business matters. Could you take a few moments to share what you’ve seen in Wylan concerning these strange creatures?”
Kieran’s face hardens, and Kalise sits. “I’ve only had glimpses, but it appears someone is using helachite to breed blueblood animals, forcing them into something vicious and unnatural.”
Mother frowns. Gabe asks, “For what purpose?”
Kieran glances at me for a moment, but I keep my composure. I don’t want him to know how sick with dread I feel about what this could mean for my kingdom. “You could ask why anyone wouldexpose themselves to helachite to become a blueblood—perceived power, the chance to raise their station. I believe the people breeding these creatures are doing it for the same reason.”
Mother’s eye twitches so rapidly, Kieran must notice, but he continues, “The better question is when those in power will accept that nobody—human or animal—should be a blueblood. It’s abhorrent that helachite use isn’t more regulated across the continent.”
Mother lets out a harsh laugh. “Fine words from a man who made his fortune through helachite. Tell me, Mr. Blackwell—would your blood really run red?”
His gaze shifts from my mother to me before he answers, “If I had my way, I would close all unregulated helachite mines until infrastructure was in place to keep them from harming anyone. It’s never been about the money for me. I’ve developed processes to use helachite to better people’s lives, not to bring about unnatural curses in the name of an arbitrary hierarchy.”
The room stirs into chaos as Queen Penelope shouts in outrage at Kieran’s bitter words. He looks at all of us with spite in his eyes before taking a seat. The small scar on his forehead seems to darken as he keeps his gaze fixed on me.
Prince Leland stands, quieting the crowd with an obvious use of his gift until we all settle calmly into our seats. It reminds me of the moment his lips met mine—the way I hadn’t wanted his touch, yet suddenly relaxed into it, even knowing what my gift would do to him.
“Mr. Blackwell means well,” Leland says. “Please understand that he wants what’s best for the citizens of both Icelantica and Naseria—Wylan and Malin too.”
Only slightly pacified, Mother argues, “But he’s insulted bluebloods, comparing us to wild creatures who should never have been formed!”
I hear Gabe let out a stifled cough. He’s experienced Mother’s disappointment in his lack of a gift far too often. Despite that, he still has blue blood and could potentially pass a gift on to his future children. Sometimes I wonder if that’s the only hope Mother clings to—making a good match for him in hopes of breeding the blueblood gift back into her legacy.
Kieran clears his throat. “I see no purpose in continuing the inhumane practice of prioritizing bluebloods over redbloods.”
Prince Leland seamlessly moves on from Mother’s complaint. “You’re right, Mr. Blackwell. I think we have much to consider regarding our shared border with Wylan. With that being said, Queen Kalise and I want to ensure that our countries have certain protections in place before the marriage.”
“Protections?” I echo, worried where this might be going.
“Yes, I’m sorry to insist, but I want a wife in every sense of the word. I’m a faithful man, and I’m concerned that after we’ve produced offspring, you’ll have trouble fulfilling your marital duties.”
I blush crimson, shocked that Leland would say such a thing in front of an audience. I try to keep my eyes on him, but from the corner of my vision I see Kieran—his face tight with a scowl, his bare hands gripping the arms of his chair with such force that the upholstery looks ready to unravel beneath him.
I peel my attention back to Leland. “Have I given you any reason to think I wouldn’t be willing to fulfill my marital duties?” The words come out in a rush.
Queen Kalise rises, moving to her brother’s side. “I want my brother to be happily wed. Please don’t feel embarrassed by his words. If your gift prevents you from doing your duty, there are other options.”
