Page 93 of The Princess's Chosen

"Not yet," I said, grinning and breathless as I watched an apple tree grow in rapid motion, branches swelling and sprouting new tendrils.

"Be ready to catch the apples. We'll put this one in hibernation for the winter before we're done. Now, as much as you can spare, princess," Aric said as the others hurried closer.

My eyes were up, watching a tree stretch and spread and sprout above me as I held my breath and poured the well of magic I'd stored up from the night before into the roots. I lifted one hand and wrapped it around the trunk, until it grew too thick for me to close my fingers. This was more than one year's growth, the magic feeding the tree close to maturity, a few bright green leaves falling to make way for darker fatter versions.

There was a collective gasp with the first sudden burst of pink and green blossoms, the air full of the scent of lemons and violets. I withheld a whimper when a moment later the petals cascaded down, catching on the cold gust of winter wind, one resting against the sleeve of my gown just long enough for me to see the creamy center and the threads of gold. And then I saw the first swell of yellow-green fruit and I watched, rapt, as a fresh apple grew before my nose until it weighed down the still tender branch. The yellow spread and deepened to a bright gold, giving way around the top to a soft blush of peach that striped softly around the sides.

Cosmo was laughing, quick to catch an armful of apples as they started to ripen and drop from the branches. I released my magic, feeling the sudden hollow of Hunger I'd made by spending so much at once, and spread my skirt out to catch more fruit, grinning as it thumped into my lap. Aric caught one in his palm and knelt, offering it to my lips.

"Try it," he said, a warm smile on his lips as his eyes watched me.

I leaned forward, taking a bite and feeling the satisfying crunch of the dense fruit first, and then the sudden shock of tart flavor, quickly gentled by a delicate sweetness. My eyes widened as I chewed, and Aric grinned.

"What's it called?" I asked as the others tried their own apples, happy and surprised hums rising up around us.

"The Princess Apple."

I choked on my next bite, and my cheeks warmed.

"Oh, I like that," Owen said as he chewed.

"I'm not sure I do," I said through a laugh.

Aric leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Inventor's choice," he said.

My Hunger and heart were in a warm harmony at that, and I tipped my chin up for a proper kiss. "It's a very good present, if an impractical place to plant a tree."

"It's my favorite kind of apple, so I'll be glad to have it so handy," Aric said.

"It's very tart," Thao said, taking a thoughtful bite.

Aric's answering smile was wicked, and I pointed at him in warning. "I'm feeling very fond of you at the moment, and I think you should consider your next words carefully," I said.

Daniel huffed, swallowing his laugh but not managing to restrain his smile. "Let me take these down to Cook Umber. They'd make pretty candied tarts."

"We should send some down to Rumsbrooke too," Wendell offered. "They'd go nicely with the wild pigs and pheasant Griffin was taking."

Owen started gathering the apples in his arms. "I'll help Dan while the rest of you get our mistress inside. She looks like she needs warming up," he said, winking at me.

I hesitated over inviting Daniel to join us when they were done, but I hesitated too long, Aric letting the apples in my skirt roll gently to the ground as he scooped me up in his arms and carried me back inside, my Chosen quick on his heels.

"You spent a great deal of magic on that," Aric growled softly. "We'll make sure you're not wanting."

"Not in any way," Cosmo added, grinning at me over Aric's shoulder.

29

Bryony

“There are hundreds of ways that law and leadership can take shape in a country, and I've been doing my best to get to the root of Kimmery's," Wendell said, pacing in front of me. "History isn't usually preserved as well when it comes to those who lose the throne, but I have discovered the queen's line wasn'talwaysthe monarchy in Kimmery."

I blinked, clearing the fog in my mind that had been previously occupied by thoughts of how handsome Wendell looked with his collar undone and his sleeves rolled up. His hair was growing a little long, and it was mussed from his fingers running through it as he flipped through pages. I pushed aside the book I'd been doing a poor job of reading—as passionate as I was about Kimmery, I found I preferred having Wendell and Aric and the others explaining legislation to me, rather than digging through circuitous language myself—and sat up in my seat.

"Our reign was interrupted?" I asked.

Wendell raised a finger, balancing the book in one palm. "No! In fact, the first record of a queen as the royal leader is nearly a thousand years old. Queen Euphorbia. She was a warlord. War lady? She conquered Kimmery's king, Ygris III I think, in battle, literally taking his soldiers from him and convincing them to fight for her."

I raised an eyebrow. "Convinced themhow?"

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