Page 52 of The Princess's Chosen

The kiss was breathy, and I glanced over my shoulder to catch the reverent hold of her face in his hands, smiling at the pair of them.

The linens rustled and the floorboards creaked, and I grinned as Bryony wrapped her arms around my waist briefly, pressing her cheek to my back before letting me turn, her dress in my hands.

"Thank you for being patient," she said.

I waggled my eyebrows at her. "Yes, well, patience has good profit, doesn't it?" I teased, laughing at her blush and Aric's snort as he wandered around, searching for his discarded clothing.

"Oh, Aric, put on a new shirt, honestly," Bryony said, turning and letting me help dress her.

"This? It's my favorite," Aric said, holding up his black shirt, still slightly shredded from his fight. But he shook it out, a jolly twist of his lips as it settled, restored and solid again.

"All that griping over magic and you seem awfully keen to use it," Bryony muttered, sliding her arms into her sleeves.

Aric laughed, a little embarrassed but not enough to keep him from using another burst of magic to sort the disarray of his desk into a tidy display again. "Yes, I'm very adaptable," he said, and then he strode up, a pair of blossom earrings in his hand and a golden chain twisted around his wrist. I watched the pair of them in interest as Bryony flushed at the sight of the earrings, but she arched her neck to let him pin them to her ears.

"Where's the snake?" Aric asked, smirking.

"Under my sleeve," Bryony said, going a little breathy.

"Wear it around your neck," Aric said, a gentle command.

Bryony blew out an exasperated breath, and I jumped as the golden armband I'd seen twisted around her left arm slithered up out of her sleeve and over her shoulder, a jeweled snake that twined itself around her throat.

"What on earth?" I gasped, its green eyes glinting at me.

"Yes, Aric thinks he's very clever," Bryony huffed.

Aric grinned and caught her waist, pulling her against his chest and pressing a firm kiss to her lips with a smack of emphasis. "I am very clever. I'll go down now. Give you a minute." He nodded once to me and kissed Bryony's jaw once more before retreating, heading out the door and thunking down the stairs.

"Cosmo," Bryony said slowly, turning to face me and looking a little nervous, her lips twisting.

I leaned in, kissing her forehead and then ducking down for another from her lips, smiling as she sighed. "Are you happy?"

"Yes, and heissorry and I'm not quite forgiving him yet, but—"

"But he is your Chosen," I said, cupping her neck and taking another kiss. "You don't need my permission. I knew Aric would regret his words. If he fucks up again, he'll have more to answer to."

Bryony laughed and nodded, relaxing at last and then stiffening a moment later, eyes going wide. "Did he say I'd have to make a speech?"

I grinned and found her hand, leading her reluctantly to the door. "The court downstairs likely knows you are the princess. You just need to reassure them that you can be the King of Thievesandthe Princess of Kimmery."

"ButcanI?" Bryony murmured, pausing at the top of the steps and staring down into the darkness below.

"Aric's led this court to stealing from the rich and spreading the wealth amongst the needy. Is it possible you might find you have a common enemy?"

"I won't be able to juggle this forever," she said.

"No, not forever," I agreed, stroking my thumb over the back of her hand.

"But itcouldcome in handy for the time being," she said slowly, eyes taking on a wicked glint. It was good that Aric had gone down ahead of us. If he'd seen that look in her eyes, I think he would've dragged her back to his bed.

I would never say so to anyone, but that look reminded me a little of Aric's late wife, Charlotte, when she cooked up a new idea and wanted to trick Aric into thinking it was his. The two women were vastly different, from wildly different worlds and tackling their obstacles in very different ways, but it wasn't too surprising Aric had found himself in love with them both. He had good taste at least.

"Ready?" I asked.

Bryony took in a great breath and drew her shoulders back, nodding. "Ready."

The bar was congratulating Aric on his good fortune of not being dead when we arrived, but Bryony stole the focus easily, striking and strange in her rumpled gown, hair mussed and cheeks glowing from sex. A few chuckles rose up from some of the men, and Aric shot glares in their direction, realizing the slight error made from his and Bryony's coupling.

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