“I don’t know. He could have returned at any time, but coming back to Fairbright now feels deliberate—as though he’s trying to ruin our chances of success.” I think of how he begged me to abandon this arrangement.
“You both have lied to me. I—I don’t think this will work, but the contract is already signed. Either I have to marry you, or one of your sisters. That feels wrong, to switch brides like that.”
My shoulders sag. I can’t force this arrangement on them. “I’m not going to let you do that. It doesn’t matter how you got here. I just want to move forward with our alliance, for both our countries.” I push down the nagging doubt that makes my stomach churn, thinking ofbeing intimate with Leland. “Blackwell is leaving tomorrow morning.”
He grunts, then asks incredulously, “Did no one recognize him?”
“No. His appearance is different. Only Astoria, Gabriel, and I know Blackwell’s true identity. We haven’t told my mother.”
He looks chagrined as he leans against the wall. “Blackwell worked in the mines for years—that must be where he went after he left you. But I don’t understand why. Did you force him to leave?”
My head feels light, the realization sinking in that I may have caused Kieran’s suffering. I think back to the night I gave myself to him. How he proposed and promised to protect me from any backlash against our engagement, only for me to tell him it was impossible. The letter the next morning said he was leaving Fairbright. I tried to speak with him, but he refused to see me.
“Not in so many words. No. We quarreled, and he left of his own accord. I needed time to decide what to do, and he wouldn’t give it to me. We were both so young.”
Leland sighs, rubbing his eyes before meeting my gaze again. “You’re right. We need to follow through with what we’ve agreed on—but Blackwell can’t stay here. Not now that I know your past. Genevieve, I want this alliance to work for both our countries, and I know you do too. But Icannothave your former lover in the palace with us.”
“Of course, I understand.” My heart sinks. Losing him once nearly destroyed me—but I don’t have Kieran again. Not really. I can let him go a second time. “He and I spoke about it last night. He plans to return after the wedding, but I can tell him that’s not possible.”
Leland gives a curt nod. “He has people who can represent Blackwell Industries during the railway construction in Naseria. The important thing is that we present a united front.”
I reach for his hand, silk on silk. “I want that.”
His fingers move over the top of my gloved hand, a slow, deliberate caress. “I’m glad. I’ve also been thinking about your gift over the past few days—and what I need as a husband.”
I stiffen. How can he go from agreeing to remove my former lover from the country to talking about my gift? Why can’t he just let that part of our relationship progress at a slower pace? My skin prickles at the thought of allowing his touch on my bare flesh.
“I have as well,” I manage. “I agreed to the marriage contract, but intimacy will be difficult. I’ve tried to control my gift, but it isn’t something I’m good at. It overpowers me in those moments.”
He brings his hand to my waist, and I force myself to stay calm. The small room feels too tight, too stifling.
“Would you be open to trying?” he asks. “I’ve had to practice controlling my own gift over the years, and I think I can help you.”
“Now?” The word stumbles out, my anxiety rising as my body begins to tremble.
“Just a touch,” he murmurs. “Nothing more.”
I don’t want to. I want to retreat and deny him this one small ask. But I don’t—because if I refuse him even a touch, how will he believe I’m truly committed to our marriage contract? I nod and begin tugging off my gloves. I have to do all I can to ensure he’ll still have me, even if it’s the one thing I despise. After all, it will be expected of me soon enough.
I take my bare hand and touch Leland’s cheek. His skin is soft and smooth, likely thanks to the close shave his valet provided. His face relaxes, and he leans into my touch, a sigh escaping his lips.
I can feel my gift stir within me. The pupils in Leland’s eyes dilate, the icy blue nearly swallowed by black. I take a deep breath, trying to tamp down the power flowing through my caress. Leland’s handstighten on my hips, shifting me slightly until I’m leaning against him, a hard bulge growing between us. A moment later, I feel his own gift begin to seep into me—the only explanation for the calm resolve spreading through my chest.
Everything will be alright. This is good for both of us. I let out a stifled moan as I press my body closer, desperate for the false peace that nearness brings. He lowers his head toward mine, our lips nearly touching.
“How is this?” he asks, his voice roughened. His hands move up and down my lower back, dipping lower and lower, a frenzy building in his touch that I feel compelled to appease.
I shake off the haze of calm. “It—I’m trying to suppress my gift, but I can see it overtaking you. Let me step back for a moment.”
He nods and slowly releases me, allowing me to put space between us. “May I ask you a personal question?” His words come out in shallow, uneven breaths.
“Yes, of course. We need to be open with one another if this is to work.”
“The feeling your gift gives me—it’s a frenzy, almost a madness to have you. It’s more lust than love.” He pauses, raking a hand through his hair as he struggles to steady his breathing.
I frown. “That’s not a question.”
“I know. Let me finish. Do you feel the same sensation when you touch a man, or is it purely one-sided?”
