“Don’t worry,” Gabe cuts in. “I’d never consider trying to take your virtue, Queen Kalise. I’d rather not have my favorite appendage frozen stiff—not that you could make it stiff.”
My eyes dart to Gabriel, and he gives me an arrogant smirk.
“Likewise, Prince Gabriel. I’d hate to catch whatever diseases you’ve collected while fucking your way across your own country.” Her tone is pure frost, but her eyes gleam with a warmth I’ve never seen from her. She’s enjoying this—the hatred, the shared insults.
Perhaps Gabe has finally met his match.
“Excuse me,” I say, slipping away and making my way back to Kieran, who’s deep in conversation with Leland.
Kieran opens his arms to me, and I slide in beside him, relishing our public affection. It’s something I’ve been denied for so long that it still hits me with abandon every time we’re in each other’s arms. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of how perfectly I fit against him.
Kieran’s lips graze my hair, and I wish we could retreat to our rooms. Leland gives me a knowing look as he asks, “Are those two going to kill each other? Do we think it’s smart to arrange this match between them? I could, I don’t know, offer my hand to one of your sisters.”
I shake my head. “They’ll either kill each other or fall madly in love. Personally, I think they’re a perfect match.”
Leland glances over at them, already deep in some sort of squabble. “Yes, I think you’re right. I haven’t seen Kalise interact so viciously with anyone in a very, very long time.”
He clears his throat and continues, “Before we part, I want you both to know I hold no animosity toward either of you. Gen, you’re a brilliant woman, but we were never meant to be. Morris—or Kieran, what do you prefer now? Ah, it doesn’t matter. You were out of line when you worked to make this match, but I can’t say I blame you. I can see now you were never meant to be apart.”
I smile at the man who was almost my husband. “What will you do now?”
“Return to Icelantica and help Kalise prepare for her wedding. No doubt she’ll rely on me to make many of the decisions in the coming months. Then I think I’d like to serve on the continent. Perhaps I can go to Wylan and temper the tension between our three countries.”
“Very diplomatic of you,” I reply with a smile.
“We should call the council back in and finish the necessary business,” I say to Kieran, and he squeezes my shoulder as he heads toward the room where he unceremoniously deposited the council earlier.
After the arrangements for the transfer of power are settled, Kieran and I slip from the room together, making our way toward my suite. His arm is wrapped around me, and despite all the changes ahead, I feel a contentment I’ve denied myself all my life. I know it’s because I have this man at my side—this strong, brave man who fights for what is right and, despite all the adversity he’s faced, still has room in his heart to love me deeply.
This life won’t be without its trials, I know. But a life with Kieran is a life worth living.
Epilogue
Two Months Later
My hands can’t stop shaking as Kieran and I walk down the aisle of the throne room. We’re both dressed in sumptuous silks and robes of mink, only lacking the crowns that will soon be placed on our brows.
“You’re going to make a wonderful queen, Gen. And I get the honor of being by your side through it all,” Kieran whispers as we pass crowds of bluebloods and redbloods alike.
“I feel so much more nervous than I did on our wedding day,” I admit, and he smiles down at me.
“Of course, there was no doubt on our wedding day. This makes me terrified,” he murmurs, and I’m grateful I’m not the only one who feels that way. Being responsible for an entire nation—for protecting and supporting everyone, from nobles to the poorest miners—will fall to my shoulders the moment that crown is placed on my head.
It’s something I’ve always feared, the pressure of supporting so many people. But I know I can do it. I’ve been trained for it, and now it’s up to me to decide how I will better the lives of my countrymen.
“It makes me feel better knowing you’ll always be at my side,” I say as we step onto the dais.
The clergyman bows before us, and the ceremony begins: the anointing our foreheads with oil, incense to clear the air of the previous reign, and finally the crowns atop our heads as we swear our oath to uphold the kingdom above all.
I take that oath very seriously, after seeing how terribly my mother squandered it in the end—how deeply she betrayed it to satisfy her own greed.
“I declare before you Queen Genevieve Ashcroft and King Consort Kieran Ashcroft of Naseria!”
***
We enter the ballroom in a flurry of illuminated lights, the announcement of our presence overrun by the cheers of the court—blueblood and redblood alike. Astoria greets me with a warm smile.
“I’m so proud of you, Genny.”
