Page 80 of The Queen's Line

"All the Chosen are clear," Scrapper said with a shrug, and Cresswell and I exchanged a wide eyed glance. It was hard to imagine Pope or Owen working for the council, but it was even more concerning that we hadn't evenconsideredthe possibility.

"If you…if you hear anymore," Cresswell murmured.

"We'll inform you," I said with a glance at Scrapper, who nodded. "And I'll…keep an eye out at the festival tomorrow."

I hadn't planned on attending, more interested in having a bit of peace in the city, and maybe a bit of spying of my own on Hubert's house. But if Bryony couldn't trust most of her guards…

"Hand me the blade," I said.

Cresswell sat up and pulled it out of his jacket, and I tsk'ed at Scrapper and his greedy gaze, reaching across my desk for the blade, my eyes growing hooded at the just the pulse of power it left against my palm. I had a few ideas of what kind of protections to give it, glamours to help keep it secret, maybe even a warning charm.

It should be pretty too, decorative and charming…like her.

I closed my eyes and focused on my work instead of the woman in my thoughts.

26

Bryony

Cosmo leaned into my side, kissing the curve of my neck to my shoulder. "Breathe, Bryony."

I huffed and caught my breath, sharing a smile with him. The carriage bumped along the road the next day, myself and my Chosen squeezed in together for the ride to the festival.

"We're still too far from Indiva for you to hold your breath that way," Owen agreed, kissing the crown of my head.

This carriage ride was significantly more comfortable than our last one as a group. I was perched on Owen's lap, my legs hooked over Cosmo's, while Thao and Wendell were cuddled together on the opposite bench. Our knees all bumped together in the center, but no one seemed to mind. Privately, I was finding the closeness a littletoocomfortable, especially with the rhythm of the carriage. My mind and body couldn't quite make the decision on whether or not it would be all right to fool around on the ride with Thao and Wendell watching, or if I wanted theminvolved, or if I was still shy of them in that regard. I only knew that there was a simmer of interest that started the moment the carriage door shut with us all inside, and it only grew warmer by the minute.

Cosmo lifted my arm from my own lap, running his fingers up and down the inside of my arm, lips curling as he watched me.

"I'm excited," I said, a little breathlessly.

"I know," Cosmo said, arching an eyebrow.

Oh, he thinks he's very clever, I thought, knowing my observant Chosen was as aware of my growing feelings for Thao and Wendell as I was.

"We're nearly there now," Owen offered. "I used to make trips to Indiva in the summers with my father for extra work."

Owen's arm was banded warmly around my waist, and I settled my hand over his there, feeling the smooth check marks of old scars on his hands. "Did you like farming?" I asked.

"Mm. No," Owen said, laughing a little. "I liked being around the animals, but the days were hot and long, and it always took my hands forever to get my callouses back for the tools."

I turned his hand over and looked down, rubbing my thumb over the raised callouses, rough and stiff even after Owen's time with me.

"Used to have blisters that would bleed after a few days. Mom would wrap me up with rags like I was wearing mittens, but I'd always take them off again by the end of the day after dropping something or getting too hot."

"You went with your father because…"

"We'd get two portions of pay and a midday meal. Mom had four more at home to feed. I was the oldest, I had to help."

"Where is your family now?" I asked, already wondering what I could do for them.

"Three of the older girls are married, and two of my brothers are in the army. Dad died not long after I went into the army, so Mom and the littler ones now are split between my sisters to help bear the load. We might see some today, I bet," Owen said, voice cheerful.

I looked up from his hands, and my eyes met Thao's first, his expression subdued. Wendell was watching me too, and even without words passing between us, I think he understood where my thoughts went. I'd find a way of helping Owen's family. It wasn't really enough, not when there were other families like his, but I didn't care if it was partiality or favoritism. Owen deserved to know that his mother and siblings were as comfortable and safe as he was, and he'd never ask me for it himself.

"I'd like to meet them," I said, simply.

Owen nuzzled against my hair, probably mussing all the effort the maid had gone to. "Mom's not as strong as you, but she's sweet and patient. I think you'd like each other."

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