Page 64 of The Princess's Chosen

I sighed and slid my hand over his, closing my eyes as Aric's fingers clasped tight around my own, and he bowed to kiss the back of my hand.

"I want to be sent for the moment you find him. Cresswell is right. I will be the one to give his punishment. His and anyone who helped him. Publicly. I can't be the preciously guarded object to these men, Aric," I said.

"I understand," he whispered.

I wanted to kick his shin just to make him glare and fight me. I didn't like that he already knew to manage me by appealing to my feelings for him, my own impulse to soothe his worry.

"Cresswell, go and inform the guards to be on the watch," I said. "Griffin, I'd like a moment—"

I didn't need to finish the words, Griffin was hurrying for the door. "I'll wait for you outside Aric."

Alone in the small room, Aric stood straight again, wary and stiff, ready to fight with me.

"I don't care which of you is really in charge, I need you to look like you're obeying Griffin's commands," I said.

Aric sighed, his hands catching my waist and drawing me to his chest. "Agreed. I'll be there to assist her."

"He could've ridden far away from Rumsbrooke by now," I murmured, my arms circling Aric's shoulders.

"Yes, but someone will know. It'll be better to catch him sooner than give him time to infect another city, or decide he doesn't feel like hiding and have him come back when we aren't expecting him."

"You think he wants my crown?"

"I think he doesn't want you to have a head to wear it on," Aric whispered, ducking his own head and dressing kisses over my shoulder. "I like this dress, for the record."

"Yes, I gathered," I said, trying not to smile as Aric pushed one sleeve off my shoulder, trying to kiss his way down to my breast. "Stop it. You know you don't have time for that… What are you trying to do? Work the Hunger up and then pawn me off on one of the others to distract me?"

Aric straightened, grinning. "Don't be absurd, you're far too clever for that to work," he said, and I scoffed and shook my head, starting to pull away. He held my waist and pulled me back into his chest, my head falling back to stare up at him. "Don't worry, I'll be back."

"After dinner," I said as Aric's head dipped, nose tracing against mine, lips threatening a kiss goodbye.

"Breakfast tomorrow," he coaxed. "If we haven't found him before tonight, we'll get our best information then with the drinkers."

"Fine," I sighed, and Aric sucked on my bottom lip until I pulled away. "But you have to send word, at least."

"You'll hear from me by nightfall," Aric said with a nod. "I like your guard, keep him close. And the others."

I nodded, and Aric waved his hand, the candles flicking out with little whiffs of smoke as he pressed my back to the door, kissing me deeply. I dug my fingers into Aric's back, trying to set aside my frustration for the moment just to enjoy the kiss. I didn't like being left behind, especially not when it was 'for my protection.' But the others were right. I wasn't going to draw answers out of skittish thieves, if I could convince them to talk to me at all.

"Be careful," I breathed.

"Did you know, the only reason I attended the Choosing at all was to steal from the castle," Aric whispered roughly.

"What?! Aric," I laughed, beating lightly on his back. "What did you steal?"

"The greatest treasure the crown had to offer," he said, his grin against my chin as I grew impatient and pinched him for my answer. He nipped me, and then kissed my pulse. "You, princess."

My breath caught, and Aric righted the shoulder of my dress, pulling the door open and tugging me back out into the light of the dining room where the others waited impatiently.

"I love you," I said, jogging to keep up with him, my hands tight around his.

Aric looked at me, lifting my knuckles to his lips but didn't answer. Silly stoic man. I'd make him shout it, chant it, after he returned.

My feet stopped, my hands sliding free, holding Aric's gaze as he stepped away, winking before swinging around to face Griffin where she hovered in the doorway.

"Well? Let's go, Griff. Can't waste time," Aric teased, marching past her.

She growled after him, and I hid my wringing hands behind my back as Aric looked over his shoulder at me, worry twining through my chest as he vanished down the hall.

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