Page 21 of The Princess's Chosen

I sighed and nodded against him, although I didn't really believe it. Aric would be angry, it would beeasierfor him to be angry with me than anything else.

"Are you all right? Do you hurt?" Thao asked, rising and frowning, stepping in close and taking my chin in a gentle grip.

"No! No, I…" I exhaled and shook my head, drawing out the smile I'd been ready to wear just minutes ago. "I feel wonderful."

Wendell smiled at that, kissing me for one brief, deep connection before making room for Thao, who seemed happy to keep supping from my lips until I realized he wouldn't stop. I wrestled myself free, and Thao smiled back at me.

"We'll leave the blanket and finish dressing on our way up together," Thao said firmly. It wasn'tquitean order and I bristled slightly, but he was right.

I didn't need to go running after Aric. He wasn't my Chosen, a distinction I wouldn't really make. But it wasn't fair to the moment I'd just shared with Wendell and Thao to make Aric my priority right now.

"Thank you," I said, waiting for them as they picked their shirts up from the ground, shaking off the butterflies and beetles that had come to roost after they were discarded.

"Figures he would come snooping sooner or later," Thao muttered, shrugging into his sleeves. "And you'll notice he wasn't in any rush to turn away?"

"Let's do this later, love," Wendell murmured, frowning at Thao imploringly before resting his hand on my waist and nodding for me to lead the way.

Thao helped me button my skirt on our way up the hill, apparently in no hurry to manage his own shirt. Which was nice actually, and I paused halfway back to the palace to press a kiss over his heart.

"I feel a little hollow now without you both," I said, Wendell stepping in at my back, wrapping us both up in his long arms.

"Mm, you may have us back whenever you please," Thao said, grinning and scratching his teeth softly over the corner of my jaw. "I'm sorry this was interrupted, even at the finish."

I sighed and closed my eyes. My body could still feel them, the wave of push and pull of them both inside me, and my breath caught at the memory, Hunger stirring flirtatiously in my belly.

We'd had a wonderful three days since Camellia and Grandmother left, staying a little closer to the bedroom for our lovemaking now that we had DanielandSam roaming the halls. I'd almost forgotten about our ideas for apple orchards until Wendell had offered to walk down with me in the morning, and we'd gotten our idea for a picnic with Thao. Which was less of a picnic and more of a seduction in the grass. I was still hazy on who exactly had done the seducing.

"Well," I said, taking a deep breath and straightening again. "At least it was fruitful."

Thao laughed, loud and cheerful, and Wendell smacked a noisy kiss against my throat.

"I'll tell the staff to go and gather the apples," Thao said as we walked again. "It'll keep me out of your hair and less likely to pick a fight you don't need."

I beamed at him in thanks. It was an odd thing to feel grateful for, but the Thao of weeks ago would've found bickering with Aric an entertaining sport, regardless of the position it left me in.

"Just for that, I will tie you to my bed later and let you lick me clean after Wendell's had his fill," I said, attempting some of Thao's wonderful filthy speech.

He nearly fell right back down the hill in surprise, and I had to race to the door as he growled and lunged to catch me.

Unfortunately, that meant I was giggling as I entered the greenhouse, where Cosmo sat across from Aric, leaning forward and whispering, a frown spread over his face. They both looked to me as I entered, Aric's glower deepening.

"Apologies, Your Highness. I wouldn't have told him—"

I startled as Cresswell stepped forward from the side, his head bowed low.

"It's not your fault. I may have…misled you on the nature of my connection with Aric," I said, eyes sliding to the man in question.

Cresswell didn't correct me, but he also didn't straighten from his humbled position.

So that's another mess you'll have to sort out, I thought, swallowing my sigh as I approached the delicate iron tea table.

"That was the Hunger," Aric said before I could get a word out.

"Yes. I'm sorry I didn't—"

"How long?" I swallowed, and his eyes narrowed, words growling out. "From the start then."

I started to shake my head, but then it wobbled. "No, but nearly."

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