Leland Frostclaw is my last hope—to find a husband, to fulfill my duty to my country.
Love isn’t even an option.
A team of six snow-white horses rounds the corner, followed by three other impressive carriages, and I can feel my heartbeat matching the thud of the approaching hoofbeats. Regardless of my own feelings, this marriagemusthappen.
The lead carriage slows to a halt before the gathered assembly outside Fairbright Palace, and I can’t help but wonder what Prince Lelandis thinking as he sees his new home for the first time. Does he admire the steep gabled roof and stately granite exterior? Does he notice how it seems to glitter in the spring sunshine?
A hand brushes lightly against my gloved fingers, and I glance down to see my sister, Astoria, at my side. With light brown hair, hazel eyes, and spectacles, she has a more subtle, dignified beauty than the rest of us. As my dearest companion and closest sibling, she’s attuned to my every inclination. No doubt she’s noticed the anxiety rising in my chest.
“It’s going to go well,” she says bluntly, the seriousness in her tone evident as a soft breeze loosens stray strands of hair from her chignon. Astoria is dear to me—so dear that I try not to burden her with the complicated parts of my life. Her gift, foresight, is what she considers entirely useless. Coming in short spurts and only foretelling the immediate future, Astoria tries to avoid using it. I let out a slow, steady breath. At least this time, her sporadic visions have proven useful.
“I just want the meeting over with. The anticipation is too much,” I mutter, linking elbows with my sister. A pointed throat-clearing draws my gaze to Mother’s stern expression, and I release Astoria’s arm, though I long to cling to her like a lifeline.
“Here he comes!” Astoria whispers as a footman dressed in Icelantica’s navy livery opens the coach door.
Not a man, but a woman steps out. Her skin is alabaster white and her short-cropped hair the color of watery sunlight on a winter’s day. But it’s her eyes that catch my attention—two chips of ice-blue meeting my gaze. I curtsy to the Queen of Icelantica as she approaches with regal stride. Her soft green traveling dress makes her pale skin nearly glow, and two fluffy white foxes trail close behind her.
I offer my most courteous smile and curtsy low. “Queen Kalise, what a pleasure.”
“Princess Genevieve,” she replies stiffly, her own curtsy stilted, before turning to Mother.
Beyond her, a tall man steps from the carriage, unfolding himself to his full height. He’s slim—not exactly thin, but lacking the heavily muscled build of some men. My heart stutters as Kieran Greenbluff’s lanky teenage form flashes through my mind. If he’d survived, would he have filled out like other men, or would he have remained slight, like my future husband? I push the thought aside and turn my focus back to Leland Frostclaw. Thinking of a long-lost lover will not do while I meet my fiancé.
Prince Leland walks with easy grace. He’s obviously a man of leisure and courtly courtesies, with perhaps the occasional fencing lesson to keep fit. His hair is the color of autumn wheat, and his pale skin holds a warmth his sister’s lacks. But his eyes are the same frosty blue. As he approaches, he offers a generous smile that eases some of the tension coiled within me.
“Princess Genevieve, at last we meet!” He takes my hand and presses a chaste kiss to my silk glove. The gesture is warm, and he seems genuinely happy to meet me. “You look even more beautiful than your portrait.”
“Prince Leland, it’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance,” I reply with a smile.
He bends, nearly a bow, in a casual motion of deference. “I feel as though I already know you, after all our correspondence. Fairbright Palace is just as you described—it even sparkles in the sunlight.”
His words ease my apprehension, allowing a faint sense of calm to settle in. This decision was the right choice for everyone. He’s read my letters and even remembers my words, just as I remember his. I know this is the start of a happy matrimony—arranged or not.
“Please come in. You must be exhausted from your travels,” I offer.
“I’d be delighted,” he answers, offering me his elbow. The height difference makes this a bit of a challenge as I slide my hand into the crook of his arm, and I’m glad I chose to wear heels today. When we link arms, I catch my mother’s slight nod of approval as she guides Queen Kalise toward the palace doors.
The courtiers of Icelantica stream out of their coaches, following as we make our way into the palace. Although my attention is on Prince Leland, I can’t help but wonder if the mysterious Mr. Blackwell is amongst their retinue.
As we walk, I ask about their journey, and Prince Leland shares an entertaining story about traveling across a newly finished stretch of railroad through Icelantica by locomotive.
“The train’s carriages are so smooth our soup course held steady, even as we moved at an astonishing speed. Princess Genevieve, I think it’s fortunate that Mr. Blackwell traveled with us. If you would allow me, I’d be delighted to continue working closely with him to secure the railway line through Naseria. He’s becoming something of a close friend, and I believe that with his expertise, our two countries can be linked by more than marriage in no time.”
I smile, thankful that Prince Leland already has a working relationship with the magnate and can assist in securing this new technology for my kingdom. “That would be most helpful, Prince Leland.”
He looks down at me, our eyes meeting and holding. “Please, it’s my hope that you’ll consider calling me Leland when we’re in private.”
A bold request, especially since we’ve been formally acquainted for only a matter of minutes. But in less than a month, we’ll be husband and wife. In this case, decorum be damned.
“Of course, Leland. Please call me Genny. It’s what my family calls me in private.”
We enter our family parlor, a less formal setting than I expected Mother to arrange for the Icelantican delegation. But as we settle in, I see the merit of a more intimate arrangement. Present are only our family members, Queen Kalise, Prince Leland, and the young general of their army, General Pryor Darrow. From Leland’s correspondence, I know he’s close friends with the general, and it’s no surprise they’d invite him to join us. Like Queen Kalise, General Pryor exudes a stern, cold presence that will take some getting used to.
My siblings look at me expectantly, and I try to maintain an easy countenance as I take a seat in a wingback chair. A servant arrives with a tray of refreshments, but I accept only a cup of tea, my nerves still too high to stomach food.
There’s a stilted silence as everyone settles into place, and I find myself at a loss for words to fill the void.
Prince Leland—Leland—smiles at my siblings as he takes a seat near me. Queen Kalise sits beside Mother, stroking one of her foxes in her lap with a gloved hand. The other fox leans against her skirts, staring adoringly up at her. Mother glances at them but makes no comment. But the expression on her face tells enough. She’s always been against animals in the palace.
