The night was dark, the air thick with the gloomy weather and faces of the unfortunate people of the kingdom. Genevieve had barely slept… no one could sleep.
Outside, the castle buzzed with frantic preparations, blacksmiths forging weapons, warriors assembling in the courtyard, and messengers running back and forth with urgent news. But inside Edric's chambers, the air was still, save for the quiet crackling of the fire.
Edric stood near the window. He was shirtless, his wounds from the attack were still raw, bandages wrapped tightly around his torso. But despite his injuries, he was already strategizing, preparing for the war, war he had no control over.
Genevieve sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, watching him, her stomach twisting with emotions she couldn't quite name.
"You're injured," she said, breaking the silence.
Edric didn't turn. "And yet, I cannot afford weakness."
Her hands clenched into fists. "You need to rest, Edric. You can't fight a war when you can barely stand."
He finally turned, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "I don't have a choice, little dove."
Genevieve opened her mouth to argue, but before she could, the door swung open.
The Queen Dowager stepped inside, with her regal and imposing self, her expression sharp with purpose.
"Mother," Edric said coldly, not bothering to bow.
The Queen Dowager's gaze flickered toward Genevieve before settling on her son. "We need to talk."
Genevieve moved to leave, but the Queen Dowager raised a hand. "Stay. You might as well hear the truth."
Genevieve hesitated, but Edric nodded, signaling for her to remain.
The Queen Dowager stepped closer. "The kingdom is on the verge of war, Edric. You cannot afford distractions."
Edric's jaw tightened. "If you came here to speak in riddles, I suggest you leave."
Her lips curled into a knowing smirk. "I'm talking about the girl."
Genevieve stiffened. What had she done now?
Edric's golden gaze darkened. "Careful, Mother."
The Queen Dowager sighed, feigning exasperation. "Edric, this is bigger than you, bigger than a mate bond. Duke Reynard's rebellion isn't just about power it's about securing alliances. You could end this war before it begins by marrying into one of the noble houses."
Genevieve felt the sting of those words like a blade to the chest.
"She is my mate," Edric said, his voice dangerously low.
The Queen Dowager arched a brow. "And has that ever stopped kings from making the necessary sacrifices? A mate is a luxury, Edric. A political marriage is a necessity."
Genevieve swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay silent.
Edric's fists clenched. "I will not reject my mate."
The Queen Dowager's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of disappointment in her gaze. "Then you are a fool."
She turned on her heel and strode toward the door. But before leaving, she cast one last glance at Genevieve.
"Do not mistake temporary favor for permanence, girl," she said coolly. "History has a way of erasing women like you."
The door shut behind her, leaving behind a suffocating silence in the room.
Genevieve exhaled sharply, her pulse racing. "She's right, isn't she?"
Edric frowned. "About what?"
She met his gaze. "If you reject me, the war could end before it begins."
A muscle ticked in Edric's jaw. "We are not having this conversation."
"But—"
His hands gripped her shoulders, his golden eyes burning into hers. "I will not send you away. I will not cast you aside for political convenience."
Genevieve searched his face, but all she found was nothing.
"You don't understand, Genevieve," he murmured, his fingers tightening ever so slightly. "Losing you would be a far greater war than any battle I will ever fight."
Her breath hitched, but before she could process his words, a knock interrupted them.
A guard stepped in, his face pale.
"My King… Lord Alaric requests an audience with Lady Genevieve."
~~~
Genevieve followed the guards down the dimly lit corridor, her heart pounding against her ribs. She knew she should ignore Alaric. She knew nothing good could come from this meeting. But she needed answers.
The guards stopped outside a private chamber, and with a wary glance, they stepped aside.
Taking a deep breath, Genevieve entered.
Alaric stood near the fireplace, his dark eyes filled with something she couldn't quite decipher. He looked exhausted, his once-pristine noble attire slightly disheveled.
She crossed her arms. "What do you want?"
Alaric turned to face her, his expression softening. "You look well."
She scoffed. "That makes one of us."
A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Genevieve… I know I made mistakes. I know I hurt you."
Her chest tightened, but she didn't speak.
He stepped closer, his voice low. "Come with me."
Genevieve blinked. "What?"
"Before the war begins, before it's too late come with me," Alaric pleaded. "I can take you away from all of this. Away from him."
She stared at him, stunned.
"You don't belong here," Alaric continued. "You're not a pawn in Edric's war, Genevieve. You deserve freedom."
Genevieve's throat tightened. "And what would I be to you, Alaric? Another convenience?"
He flinched. "That's not fair."
Genevieve took a shaky breath. "No, what's not fair is that you only want me now that you've lost me."
Alaric swallowed hard. "Genevieve, please."
She hesitated for only a second before shaking her head. "No."
Alaric's face fell.
She turned toward the door. "Goodbye, Alaric."
Genevieve had barely returned to her chambers when a messenger arrived, his expression grave.
"My lady," he said, bowing. "Your father has fallen gravely ill in prison."
The world tilted beneath her feet.
"What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"He collapsed this morning. The royal physicians say… he may not have long."
Genevieve didn't wait for permission, she bolted out of the room, her heart hammering in her chest.
But before she could make it to the dungeons, a hand caught her wrist.
Edric.
"Where are you going?" His voice was calm, but his grip was unyielding.
"My father…" She swallowed back her panic. "I need to see him."
Edric's golden gaze was unreadable. "Not alone."
Genevieve's breath hitched. "Edric, please."
He studied her for a long moment before sighing. "I will take you to him."
She sagged in relief. But his grip didn't loosen.
"There is something you need to understand first," he murmured. "Duke Reynard will use anything against me, including you." Genevieve stiffened. Was he saying she was his weakness?
"You will stay by my side during the war," Edric continued, his voice laced with authority. "If you don't, you will be used as a pawn. And I will burn this kingdom to the ground before I let that happen."
Genevieve's heart pounded.
Trapped between war and politics, between past and present, she realized one thing…There was no escape.
Only survival and she would have to fight for it.