The geneva project comp.., p.117
The Geneva Project- Complete Series Boxset, page 117
“Did I upset you?” Malakai asked as he speared a slab of meat with his black handled knife. He gazed at me over the pierced flesh, letting the juice glide down the gleaming blade while he sized me up. “Perhaps I could have broken the news more delicately. With all this talk of your toughness, we tend to forget you’re still just a girl.” He shrugged and bit into the meat. “I really should thank you, Geneva. Horse is so tender. We don’t often get to enjoy it.”
My stomach twisted with hatred for Malakai. I envisioned lunging across the table and lodging his knife into his throat. Breathe, I reminded myself. Closing my eyes I pulled in a steadying breath. Thankfully Nova’s image floated before me, reminding me of my goals. I swallowed my pride and suffered my rage quietly.
“Speaking of discussions about me,” I retorted calmly. “I would enjoy being a part of them. Especially when they pertain to my future.”
“Well isn’t this just perfect timing!” Malakai exclaimed. “I have news to share with you. And it is indeed about your future.”
I raised my eyebrows, waiting for him to continue.
“I’ve decided to host a ball here, at the Tower of Lux, to celebrate your engagement.”
Kobel rolled his eyes and kept eating. He’d already made it plainly obvious he didn’t care for any of Malakai’s gallivanting. If it were up to him I’d be locked in a cell until the Blood Moon ceremony and then probably again after he’d gotten what he needed. But Kai and I were breathless. This was the opportunity we’d been waiting for. I needed to take a chance and get my friends back.
Now that the moment was before me it seemed I’d forgotten how to speak.
“Well say something,” Malakai said pounding his fist on the table.
“When?” I asked.
“In two weeks.”
“Two weeks!” I exclaimed.
Kai, dropped his fork. “But the wedding is still months away. Isn’t it?”
“Kai. Don’t sound so unenchanted in front of your betrothed. It’s ill-mannered. Besides, you can’t plan these things too close together.”
“I’ll need to start preparing,” I said finally finding my voice.
“You don’t need to worry your pretty little head, Geneva. All the arrangements will be taken care of,” Malakai said with a trivializing smile.
“But, I want to make sure I look my best. I’ll need to select ladies to help me.”
“Do you find your servants inadequate?” Malakai asked with malice. His murderous mood swings terrified me. If I said the wrong thing he would behead my current servants.
I treaded lightly. “Not at all. They’re lovely. It’s just . . . I was hoping . . . Well, isn’t it customary for a princess to have her own ladies-in-waiting?”
Malakai scrutinized me. “It is, but you are yet a princess.”
“Very true, but I know I will need a great deal of practice to be a princess worthy of your son. Perhaps I should start preparing with my ladies now.” I inclined my head, waiting and praying he’d say something else, craving the last word, like Kai predicted.
After a considerably long pause, he spoke. “Very well.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, I—”
Malakai cut me off, stopping me with a hand gesture when Kobel leaned over to whisper something to him.
“You’re dismissed, Geneva. I’ll expect you at court and tea this afternoon.” A servant moved behind me, lightly pulling my chair back, signaling I’d outstayed my welcome. I exchanged worried glances with Kai. Our plan hadn’t gone as smoothly as rehearsed. I’d secured ladies, but never had a chance to request who I wanted. Kai looked concerned, which did nothing to settle my empty stomach as I left the room. Just as I reached the door, Malakai called to me. “Oh and we’ve moved your room. Like you said, it’s time you prepare to become a real princess.”
• • •
I paced back and forth in my new room. It was located in the east wing, near the library and it was gigantic—full of lovely things fit for a princess. But my mind was racing. Why had I been moved? And where were all of my things?
All of the letters from my friends were in the tiny tower room I’d been living in, not to mention the journal that contained my correspondences with Nova. The drab stone walls and cracked ceiling of my old room had begun to feel familiar and cozy—I found myself longing for it. The room I occupied now was massive. It had two levels, multiple rooms, oversized chairs of every size and shape, a fireplace, dressing area, and a canopied four poster bed so large it could have fit all the orphans in my year.
There was a light knock at the door, followed by Kai’s tentative voice. “Geneva?”
I flung the doors open and pulled him in. “What happened after I left?” I demanded. “I didn’t get to ask for my ladies and we never got to the guards. Did I blow it? It all happened so fast and I was so thrown off after the horse . . .” My voice dried up in my throat and Kai smiled. “What are you grinning about?”
“It’s done.”
“What’s done? What does that mean?”
“Kobel brought up your safety after Father mentioned relocating you to this room and I said everything we rehearsed. The Luxors were none too happy to be called out, but given the incidents from your fall yesterday, Father didn’t really let them have any say.”
“So Journey, Remi and Mali will be coming here?”
“He’s preparing a royal summons. All you have to do is name them, ” Kai said pulling a scroll of paper from his jacket. “Same goes for the ladies.”
“Are you serious?” I asked in disbelief. I threw my arms around Kai and howled. “It actually worked! I can’t believe it!”
“Hey, I told you it would work,” Kai said sounding mock hurt.
“Oh really? You didn’t look so cool and confident when I was being rushed out of there.”
He laughed. “Okay, I was worried for a second.”
I actually smiled. I couldn’t help myself—something we’d planned had actually worked—Check.
• • •
I sat in my massive new bedroom with Kai filling out the scrolls that would request my guards and ladies. “So should I ask for who I want, or more?” I asked. “What if it’s not a done deal? What if I ask for three and he gives me one?”
Kai pondered for a moment. “I honestly don’t know. Do you want to gamble and ask for them all, that way worse case scenario you get some of your friends, best, you get all.”
“No, Kai. I can’t have them all come here. Half of them are Pillars. I won’t risk it.”
He gave me a grim nod. “I wish I could help, but I think this decision is up to you.”
I sighed but agreed. Kai gave me some space while I considered my options.
After a mental chess match of anticipating Malakai’s moves, I finally made my selections and inked them carefully onto the scroll.
Ladies-in-waiting:
Lily Reed
Sparrow Menders
Jovi Ventus
Mala Calder
Royal Guards:
Journey Mason
Remi Cleary
Mali Talon
Terran Clay
I signed my name and handed the scrolls nervously back to Kai.
“You’re sure?” he asked.
“No, not at all. But it’s my best guess.”
“Then that’s all we can hope for,” he said offering a weak smile.
“Kai?” I caught his hand as he turned to go. “Did they say why they moved me here?”
He shook his head.
“My things,” I whispered. “In my old room . . . there’s a notebook between my mattresses. It could be incriminating in the wrong hands.”
Kai squeezed my hand. “I’ll take care of it.”
Chapter 34
Jovi wandered away from the rest of the group, climbing a nearby Bellamorf tree so she could take in the sunrise. She let Niv and Quin scurry ahead of her—playing in the branches hunting for bugs. She needed some peace and quiet after a long night watching Nova. They’d constructed a sling so he could spend his nights in the healing waters of the cavern lagoon. It seemed to keep the fevers away and slow down the progression of his condition, but it also required a lot of manpower and stressful watches. Wading into the eerie, chilling water to check his vitals around the clock had worn her out. But there was no time to rest. There was still much to be done.
Jovi joined Sadie and Mala when her shift was over. They set off before dawn to gather more jimson weed for Vida. They couldn’t keep up with Nova’s demand lately. It took more and more of the medicinal herbs to keep him calm and sedated during the day. She found herself wondering if the forest could keep up the necessary supply. They already had to search farther away from the shelter of the Cayo Caves, having depleted the nearby resources.
Jovi didn’t enjoy the nights when it was her turn to keep watch over Nova. But the days were worse. He was usually conscious for a few hours so he could scribble his dreams in his journal before slipping into delirium. While the jimson weed helped sedate Nova and slow the progress of the blood curse, it also had dangerous side effects like powerful hallucinations. Nova had to be kept in restraints because the more they used the worse the hallucinations became. It was gut wrenching to watch him writhe in pain as he screamed for Geneva, only to awaken and realize the nightmare was true. Just last week Jovi had to explain to Nova what happened twice when he awoke panicked and covered in feverish sweat. Each time it was like he was learning it for the first time all over again—Geneva was engaged to Kai and he was literally dying without her.
Things had gotten better since they’d added nightly soaks in the healing lagoon, but it wasn’t a permanent solution. They were merely delaying the inevitable unless they could convince Nova to tell Geneva what truly ailed him.
Even though Jovi was stone-tired, she jumped at the chance to get away this morning when Journey came to relieve her. Now at the top of the tree, she drank in the cool, wild morning air, praying this day would be better than the last and offer some sort of hope.
She looked down when she heard a commotion below. It was Sadie and Mala. They were arguing—again.
“Mala, you know this could work.”
“Sadie, you’re making me think telling you the truth was a mistake. They can’t be trusted. It’s too dangerous and I will not discuss it again.”
“Fine! Maybe I’ll just go ask them myself!”
“You will not!” Mala hissed. “They don’t know you and I’d like to keep it that way. You have no idea how wicked they can be.”
“Then come with me, Mala. Help me. Please?”
“Sadie, don’t you think I would if I had even the tiniest hope they’d help us? But we can’t trust them. For every favor a Fae does, you owe them tenfold and they always collect in the worst ways. They owned our mother and took her life as payment.”
“So you say,” Sadie grumbled.
“I say it, because it’s true! Just because you were too young to remember doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”
“Throw it in my face again. You’re older and wiser and you spent your whole life taking care of stupid little me!” Sadie cried.
“It’s not like that at all.”
“Really? How am I supposed to believe anything you say when you’ve kept so much from me?”
“I did it to protect you,” Mala pleaded.
“But they’re our family and they have access to powerful magic. Plus you know how to use it,” Sadie pushed.
“Yes, but I won’t.”
“Not even to help Nova and Geneva?”
“No, Sadie. I know you don’t understand this, but they won’t help us. They don’t have a magic cure. And we have enough problems without having to pay them too.”
Jovi shook her head and climbed higher, wanting to get out of earshot of the bickering sisters. Their reunion had been so joyous at first, but it seemed the more Mala shared about her past, the more questions Sadie had—opening up old wounds that Mala was not happy to revisit.
Mala and Sadie were always careful to be vague in their discussions, so Jovi didn’t know what they were always arguing about, only that some family drama was the root of it. But regardless of the issue, Jovi couldn’t understand why they wasted so much time fighting. She’d do anything for one more conversation with her brothers. She thought Sadie was foolish for wasting her time antagonizing Mala.
Jovi reached the top of the tree and took in the stunning views of Hullabee Island. She turned her gaze toward Lux and nearly fell out of the tree—six riders on horseback were streaking toward the forest, carrying the unmistakable black flag with the grey gryffin crest—Ravinori.
Jovi screamed as she bounded down the branches. “They’re coming! Sadie! Mala! They’re coming!”
“What? Who?” the sisters exclaimed as Jovi reached the ground.
“Ravinori.”
As soon as the words left her mouth the blast of the riders’ horn could be heard in the distance. The low ominous sound sent shivers through Jovi, leaving fear in its wake.
“What was that?” Sadie asked.
“The Ravinori are coming. Six riders,” Jovi said breathlessly.
“Come on,” Mala urged. “We have to alert the others.”
• • •
The girls waited anxiously in the caves. Once Jovi reported what they’d seen, Vida begged Remi to use his power to make them all invisible. The Betos were cornered in the Cayo Caves. If the Ravinori were coming to attack it would be a slaughter.
Vida grabbed Remi’s hands pleading for his help. “Remi, if they find us, we’re as good as dead.”
“Vida there’s too many. I can’t expand my power like that. Maybe with Geneva’s help I could, but . . .”
“Please try. I can’t risk them finding my daughter. Please, she’s all I have left,” Vida begged, clutching Jovi closer.
Remi looked at the mother and daughter and his heart stung with the longing for his own family.
“I can’t protect all of us, but I’ll do my best,” he said reaching his hand out for Jovi.
“Take Sadie too,” Mala added.
Vida hugged Jovi ferociously one last time and pushed her toward Remi. “Take them to Nova’s tent. He’ll need your protection too.” Remi frowned and Vida glared at him. “Remor seisis, Remi.”
He knew the Beto phrase—love is a sacrifice.
Remi grumbled under his breath, but hurried the girls away from the mouth of the caves and into Nova’s tent. Sparrow was already there tending to Nova. “What’s going on?” she asked.
“Ravinori riders are coming.”
“What?”
“There’s not time. Everyone close your eyes and give me your hands,” Remi ordered.
The girls complied. Once everyone was holding hands Remi took a deep breath and looked at Nova’s bruised hands. He shook his head knowing Vida was right. He’d do anything for Geneva, even save the person who was keeping them apart if it meant sparing her pain. “Okay, don’t make a sound. Imagine you’re small and silent and lighter than air. I’m going to get you through this,” he said as he wrapped his warm hand around Nova’s cold one.
• • •
Mala paced the entrance to the cave with Mali. She was trying to remain calm, but her guilty conscience wouldn’t let her rest. She was half Fae. She possessed the power of premonition and if she wasn’t so terrified of using her Fae magic she could have foreseen the Ravinori invasion. Vida was right, if the Betos were caught, they were as good as dead and it would be all her fault. The least she could do now was try to find out why they were coming. Even the Fae couldn’t collect from the dead.
She made up her mind and took a deep breath. “Mali, cover me.”
He nodded, never questioning why she was abandoning her post. She sprinted back into the cave, straight to Vida’s tent. “I need foxgloves, now!”
Vida raised an eyebrow.
“Please don’t ask,” Mala begged.
Vida rooted around in her box of herbs and produced a dried stem. “Will this do?”
Mala took the foxglove stem and crushed the petals in her palms, then lightly dusted the glittering pollen over her temples and shut her eyes. She cupped her hands and brought them to her face, drinking in the earthen scent. Seconds later, Mala’s eyes flew open. “The riders are messengers from the Tower of Lux. They bring word from Geneva. They’re not here for violence.”
“Are you sure?” Vida asked.
“Positive.”
“I’ll alert Jaka.”
Mala put a firm hand on Vida’s arm. “This has to stay between us.”
She nodded. “I’ll be discreet.”
Mala released a deep breath. After all this time, she still had the gift to see into the future. It sent shockwaves of excitement and fear rippling through her. She prayed she’d made the right decision in trusting Vida. If word got back to Sadie, Mala’d never be able to hold off her requests to teach her Fae magic. And if word got back to the Fae, that was a whole different problem.
• • •
Jaka sent Beto scouts out to meet the Ravinori riders. Journey, Mali and Terran rode along with them. Jovi politely declined Sparrow’s offer to stay in Nova’s tent. She couldn’t stand being in the stuffy cave. She wanted to help.
She asked to ride along with Mali and the scouts but wasn’t allowed. She hated being treated like a child. She settled to help her prepare the jimson weed for Nova so she wouldn’t feel utterly useless. She paced back and forth carrying Niv, while Quin paced with her. Jovi was in the midst of a mental rant when she heard hooves. She put Niv on Nova’s cot and raced out to meet the riders.
Mali was dismounting by the time Jovi reached him. She threw her arms around his waist and he held her tight. After Talon died, the bond between Jovi and Mali had grown. They were always like siblings, but now it was even more. Mali saw his best friend’s smile in the face of his little sister. And Jovi felt Talon’s memory thrive every time Mali poked fun at her or called her one of Talon’s favorite nicknames. But as they clung to each other, genuine love and worry shone through their silence.
