Page 103 of The Princess's Chosen

Aric laughed and rolled his eyes. "You're sure, though? I could disguise myself, stay out with the carriage."

"I have plenty of magic and a measure of control," I said with a shrug. "Stay here and keep an eye on the rest of my matters. Now, we just need to figure out where they're meeting."

"I may have an answer to that."

The room as a whole turned to stare at Daniel in his seat to my left. He stiffened under our gaze until his eyes landed on mine. I had an itch to go to him, to block the others out of his sight to help him relax, but I resisted, leaning against Owen's legs.

"I received a letter from my father in exchange for the one I sent him. He said he's receiving guests. He doesn't have a seat on the council, or he refused the one he was offered, but we already know he's Roderick's ally," Daniel said.

"Having the meeting in a presumed unbiased location seems likely," Wendell mused, frowning. "And Danser Hall is more central. Well away from the attention of Rumsbrooke."

"There's a village nearby with a meeting hall too, if Roderick and Thomlinson wanted to appear less social."

"The Farraque estate would be private though. And it does sound as though the council is trying to keep this under wraps," Aric said.

"Will you come?" I asked Daniel as the others discussed the odds of the location.

Would he come with me to his father's estate, and stand as my ally?

"The council will cut ties with me," he answered back, just as softly.

I opened my mouth to say that the time for subterfuge was over, but what came out was, "I would rather they know you were mine."

Daniel's expression sharpened, his focus on my face so intense it drew out a blush. "Yes, I'll come."

Thao cleared his throat and I startled, finding his smirk aimed in my direction. But that wasn't all. Cresswell's eyes flicked between me and Daniel, brow furrowed and lips turned down. I waited for him to look back at me, but it was only for a second, the worry on his face vanishing behind a stone mask once more.

"If we are right about who is in attendance, we remain outnumbered by at least five," Wendell said, joining me on the floor by the table, reading over the list of names once more. "It will come down to you, Bryony. You must convince them. Or overpower them."

32

Bryony

Crescent was at a steady canter beneath me, Owen and his chestnut stallion close behind, Cresswell looking back over his shoulder to reassure himself that he had the lead. A black raven had arrived at the window of the breakfast room this morning, pecking at the glass before transforming into an unfamiliar man with a message from Griffin.

The bird shifters were watching Danser Hall and its surrounding roads. Carriages were on their way.

We'd left immediately.

Two more guards followed us with the carriage, carrying Daniel, Wendell, and Thao, while Cosmo and Aric remained at the palace, or more likely they'd snuck off to Rumsbrooke together. That was fine, I planned to have this matter dealt with as quickly as I could, and to return to the palace by nightfall.

My breath fogged the air in front of me. The snow was thin on the roads and fields south of the mountains, but in another week or two winter would lie like a heavy blanket over the rest of the north. I wanted to be enjoying warm fires and hot tea and Thao in sweaters—any of my Chosen in sweaters, for that matter—but first the council would have to be dealt with, yet again.

And again and again and again, until you have the crown, I thought. Or until my mother and grandmother might be persuaded to look at the kingdom differently and take back more of the responsibility of care for our people's well being.

"Nearly there," Cresswell called over his shoulder.

Crescent wanted to shoot forward to the front, the tense restraint of holding back expressed loudly through his stomping hooves and the occasional push in speed as he dared Cresswell's own ride to slow down. I relaxed and leaned into his motion, letting him take the lead as we reached the gate of the Farraque estate.

Danser Hall was beautiful, the avenue lined with pine and oak trees, a deep pond following the curving road on the right side, a vast and tidy garden of hedges and hibernating rosebushes on the left. And a wide and elegantly ornate nobleman's hall ahead of us, made of softly brown brick and glittering with tall windows. There was carefully manicured ivy trimming the wings, held in check just enough to compliment the natural beauty of the grounds.

This was what had been dangled in front of Daniel's nose his entire life like a carrot for a mule. It was also what he was willing to give up in his loyalty to me. I had a minor moment of doubt as I took it all in. Was it right for me to turn him away from his father, from the council's support, just for a place as my Chosen? I had more respect for him than they did, but he would always be one of many with me, when here he might someday have sole ownership of his entire domain.

It's his decision to make. You gave him the choice, now let him use it.

Crescent resisted my pull on the reins for a moment, before relenting and slowing down to a trot, allowing Cresswell and Owen to catch up with me. Black and glossy carriages with family crests painted carefully on the doors lined the drive as we approached the house.

"How far behind the meeting do you think we are?" Owen asked.

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