Page 54 of The Princess's Chosen

"I'm not sure you'll like it very much," Bryony said as we reached the palace gates. Aric huffed, but she continued. "It's all very clean. We have proper lighting too, so you'll be able to see more than a few feet in front of your face."

"Oh, har har," Aric grunted.

Cresswell emerged from the woods in his human form, startling the guards who were opening the gate with his sudden appearance. He led the way to the palace steps, and the doors opened, Griffin and Daniel appearing from inside.

"What do we tell him?" I asked, frowning at Daniel.

"Nothing," Bryony said.

Aric glanced over his shoulder at me, a dark expression slanting in my direction. I wasn't sure, but I got the impression Bryony had given him some idea of what had happened between herself and our inconvenient spy. I nodded, and Aric turned his glare to the door as the groomsman came running up the path for our horses.

"You can help him tend them tomorrow. Tonight, you come to bed with the rest of us," Bryony said to Owen before he could object.

"Aric, good to see you," Griffin said mildly, moving slowly down the steps.

Aric slid down from Bryony's horse, lifting Bryony down after him before turning to the other woman, a hand extended. "Thank you for your flight," he said, sober and soft.

Griffin shifted uncomfortably as she shook his hand, and I fought my smile. Bryony dove in next, wrapping her arms around the older woman.

"Thank you!"

"Of course, Your Highness," Griffin said, face twisted awkwardly, a begging glance turned in Aric's grinning direction.

"YourMajestynow," I whispered as I headed up the stairs.

"What?!"

"Save it for the morning," I heard Aric answer.

"I—all right, fine. I have…some things I'd like to discuss with you as well, Your…"

"Bryony, please."

I met Daniel at the top of the stairs. "You didn't need to wait up."

Daniel ignored my glare, studying the others. "Everyone is safe?"

I blinked and frowned at him. He didn't sound…surprised, but relieved. Genuinely so. I looked over my shoulder, and his eyes were on Bryony, flicking to Aric and back again.

"Yes, perfectly," I said.

"Good." The word was under his breath.

Can we turn him? I wondered. Was it worth it, was it safe? Could Daniel be made loyal to Bryony, and if so what would it accomplish? More importantly though, what did Daniel need from Bryony to make that change, because I didn't think he deserved to even remain here.

"There are baths being arranged already and some cold dinners sent up. They can be ignored, but I thought… I'll leave you," he said, nodding and ducking his head, retreating back into the shadows of the palace.

Wendell's sleeve brushed against mine as he joined me in the doorway and our eyes met, equally suspicious and uncertain.

"It will wait," I said, and he nodded.

"Come share the suite with Thao and I," Wendell answered as we stepped inside. His smile was almost shy, blond hair hanging over one eye.

A warm arm circled my back, spice in the air and silky black hair falling over my shoulder as Thao rested his head there. "Yes, it will give her some space with him and Owen for a night before we all start negotiations over her time."

"You don't mind?" I asked. I enjoyed Thao and Wendell, enjoyed touching them or simply watching, but the connection was still fairly superficial. Outstanding sex, but always a bit for Bryony's sake.

"I like to sleep between you both," Thao said, lifting his head and gifting me with a shining, playful smile. The selfish prince, but not really.

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