Page 36 of The Princess's Chosen

Sam sat up at that, and I was pleased to find him a little more alert as he stood and faced us. "You have something for me to do?" he asked.

"We've brainstormed a few ideas we wanted to offer," I said, nodding.

Sam had an avian quality to the turns of his head, something that reminded me of Griffin, and I wondered wildly if he had a second nature too. If Kimmerians were keeping it secret, it was more than likely some had ended up as Chosen and…

And kept it secret as Wendell might've done if it hadn't beenmehe and Thao ended up with.

I turned to Wendell and Thao since we already knew Sam wasn't likely to be interested in helping in Cosmo's studio. Which was fine, Cosmo probably didn't want to spend his days training someone when he could be working.

"We're currently researching the north, looking for good places to start more apple orchards. Pears too. Maybe cherries. It's mostly dull work at the moment, studying maps and checking land permits in the Rumsbrooke records, but soon we'll be doing some traveling, talking to men and women who might be interested in the work."

"I'll do whatever you ask me to," Sam said without any enthusiasm in the words, eyes blinking.

"All right, well, that's one option," I said, taking a deep breath and then offering an encouraging smile up at Owen.

"Another is that the Winter Palace doesn't have a gamekeeper, and only one groomsman so far, aside from what I can do to help," Owen said.

My eyebrows bounced and I glanced at Wendell, whose lips quirked as he nodded. We'd hired a groomsman at last? It wasn't so surprising to assume that the stewards had taken the initiative at last, without saying so to me. I wasn't meant to be concerned. But I did enjoy knowing the operation of the palace and who helped us day to day.

"If you like animals, I can certainly—"

"I like animals," Sam said, eyes widening, feet scuffing forward.

"Do you? I walk the grounds every day, try to check on the nests and dens, make sure everyone's doing fine," Owen said, shrugging. "It's quiet work, mostly walking. But the animals will learn to trust you if you're patient."

It was obvious how eager Sam was, his whole face had lit up even without a smile, and his eyes were sharp and alert, body buzzing with excitement.

"You have a second nature," Sam said, head tipping.

"Me? Nah, I just like animals," Owen said with a shrug, eyeing Sam back with equal interest.

"Sam…doyouhave a second nature?" I asked softly.

"No!" He stiffened and stared at me, rearing back.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said, slowing my words and keeping my smile simple. "I didn't mean to shock you. It's just that I know many second natured are…are reluctant to share the information due to the current laws."

"I was until I realized Bryony had no intention of making me register, or anyone else for that matter," Wendell said, eyeing me with the question in his eye.

"Right, it doesn't matter." I laughed lightly and started to turn. "I'm glad you can join Owen in his treks. He's never afraid of wolves, but I worry."

"I used to be," Sam whispered, halting my movement.

My hand pressed to my stomach, and I released a silent breath as Thao stepped in.

"Used to be?"

"I…I can shift, but I can't fly now, so I don't," Sam said.

The cold trickled in, seeping down right to my bones, a frigid warning of what I knew with a sharp horror might come next.

"She broke my wings."

I sucked in a breath, and Sam startled as I faced him again, my eyes wide. "Camellia? She…"

"I can show you," Sam said softly, soft white blond hair catching sunlight with the next tip of his head, making his head glow with white fire.

My mouth hung open. I didn'twantto see,I thought I'd already learned the worst of Camellia.

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