Page 96 of The Princess's Chosen

Cosmo reached us first, hip checking Thao out of the way and sinking to his knees in front of me with a bright smile, watching as Wendell's cock softened and slid out of me.

"Ready, little muse?" Cosmo asked, stroking his hands on the inside of my thighs.

I sighed and reached back, clasping Wendell's hands in mine as Thao surveyed the three of us and settled to his knees behind Cosmo, making plans of his own no doubt. Thao was never very patient.

"Always," I said, and my eyes fell shut with the kiss of Cosmo's mouth on me.

30

Bryony

My hands twisted in my skirt, Cosmo's hand soothing up and down my back as we watched Griffin hover anxiously around Sam and Owen.

"You don't have to do this, you know." Griffin's voice was low, her head bent to Sam's.

Sam looked…well, he looked rightfully nervous and pale, but also more present than I was used to seeing him. If he was improving, I hoped what he and Owen were about to attempt wouldn't set him back again.

"I know I don't. But even if I never fly again, I miss my owl," Sam said, turning those giant pale eyes up at her.

I bit my lip, unsure whom I agreed with in this situation and knowing it wasn't my place to intervene in any way.

"We're just going to get a better idea of the condition," Owen said to them both. "Sam, you can shift back at any time if you're uncomfortable. I'll talk you through everything. If we can reset the wing, Aric and Bryony are ready to help with healing."

"Unless you'd rather I go," I added quickly from the other side of the room. I was hovering by the door to Sam's rooms with Cosmo and Aric at my side and Cresswell waiting in the hall. My guard and I hadn't come to terms with our conversation about our feelings yet, and I couldn't explain the way I ached withmissinghim when he was never very far from my side.

Sam blinked at me, still wary, still probably waiting for me to transform into my sister, but he shook his head.

"We may have to come closer if you need magic," Aric warned gently.

Griffin shifted slightly in front of Sam, blocking him protectively, and I suspected she didn't even realize the movement. She knew better than to think I would ever harm Sam. I wondered what she'd do if I pointed out her instincts around the man. Probably tell me to fuck off. But Sam was probably handsome, in a strange sort of way, and he was a shifter…

None of your business, I reminded myself.

"Do what you need to," Sam said, straightening and nodding at us both, although his eyes shied away from mine quickly.

"I'll shift first," Griffin said gently.

I wasn't sure what her hawk would be able to do to help, but she transformed with a waver in the air, and then there was a well-sized red and brown hawk sitting calmly on the carpet.

"Take your time," Owen offered Sam. "There's no rush. I'm going to take a good hold of you, but only to keep from jostling you. Just try to keep your human mind present."

Sam nodded and he rolled his shoulders, almost like he was reassuring himself that he still could. And then a moment later a beautiful white owl with crooked wings was screaming and bouncing anxiously on the floor. Griffin's hawk screeched, and Owen dropped quickly to his knees, his hand dodging away just before the owl's head swiveled and snapped.

There was a risky negotiation that I gritted my teeth through, resisting the urge to turn away as Owen made several attempts at reaching for Sam until Griffin butted her head against the downy white and gray chest feathers. The birds calmed, even as Sam let out an uncomfortable screech as Owen examined the shoulder of the wing.

"I don't think it's a clean break, but it is fresh," Owen said. "I can reposition it, and magic should help heal it cleanly."

"Bryony supplies the power but it will all work through me," Aric offered the owl, a confused grimace on his expression as it hooted and screamed, the sound bouncing around the simple room.

"I don't understand shifters the way I do animals, but I think we better try it. He's not pecking my arm off at least," Owen said.

I followed at Aric's back, his hand in mine so he could channel my store of magic, and I hid myself at his back for Sam's comfort.

"There's going to be a fight," Owen whispered. "Focus on the pain first and the healing second."

Aric nodded, and together we kneeled. Griffin shot me a sharp and familiar look out of one bright yellow eye, warning me from coming closer, or just being her usual wary self.

"Ready," Aric said.

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