Page 23 of The Kingdom's Crown

"I like my shirts fine," Owen said from the hedge border of the garden where he was collecting an audience of chipmunks and seagulls and one pale fox.

"You said stones and seashells make good conduits?" Bryony asked, brow furrowing and spine straightening. "And coins?"

"For small workings, yes."

"Why don't I charge those? We could send them north. Or to minor magicians."

"Very clever, princess," I said grinning. I leaned forward on the bench across from where she sat at the fountain and tugged on her skirt until she met me halfway.

"Ah, well there goes the sketch," Cosmo said with a sigh.

"What will we do about the conduit?" Bryony murmured as I brushed my lips over hers.

"The mages are drawing on it," I said, trying to distract her from the problem with delicate kisses, resisting the laugh in my chest as she started to tip in my direction. I caught her by the waist and drew her onto my lap, relieved to see the pink in her cheeks and a genuine smile curling her lips. "Breaking it would be dangerous, and I can understand its purpose in general. A store of magic is wise for a kingdom."

"But it's hoarding everything," Bryony said, tracing the outline of my mouth with her fingertip.

I nodded. "It's a less urgent problem, but it's good to know about it early."

"Thank you for snooping," she said, and I tightened my hold on her waist as she kissed me. She pulled away, holding me in place with a gentle touch on my chin. "What did you steal?"

"A few notes. A book," I said, shrugging.

Her eyebrow arched. "And?"

My jaw ground as I glared back at her, but she only laughed. "Some sort of gold wreath off a wall."

"Wicked thief," Bryony said fondly, gifting me with another kiss.

A throat cleared at a distance, and I bit at Bryony's lips as she pulled away. There was an older female servant hovering nearby, Wendell, Thao, and Cresswell moving closer to our cluster.

"Her Royal Majesty is holding dinner in the grand dining hall and—"

"And Her Royal Highness is occupied for the evening and will be unable to attend," I snapped.

"Aric," Bryony gasped.

"But—"

"Unless of course, it's a demand," I said, glaring at the servant. Not that they deserved my ire.

Despite Bryony's claims that royal family dinners were rare, we'd been called to one every single night since we'd arrived earlier in the week. Queen Peony made no effort at conversation during the dinners, and Camellia took it as an opportunity for blatant sexual performances. And all through the meal, Bryony remained stiff and unhappy, moving her food around her plate and responding to her Chosen tentatively. I wasn't sure whose idea the dinners were, but I'd had enough.

"N-no," the servant said, blinking.

Bryony's cheeks were red and she gaped at me, but she didn't correct me and she didn't really look angry. The servant scuttled away, and Bryony's tongue flicked out over her bottom lip.

"I'm not sure you should've refused," she said.

"For your sake, I am sure."

"I think he was right to say no. One refusal won't hurt, and your sister puts me off my appetite. I think she's the one arranging the dinners just because she knows it bothers you to sit through them," Thao said, drawing Bryony's attention.

She squeaked as I rose and lifted her with me, setting her down on her toes. "But what shall occupy me instead?" Bryony asked coyly.

The others grinned at the thought of dragging her off to her suite, but I had a better idea. Well, not better, but something I thought might do Bryony's low mood more permanent good.

I'd thought my princess spoiled and privileged when I first saw her seated on her throne in the great hall months ago. She was stiff and determined to have her own way, defying her grandmother to add me to her Chosen. I'd assumed it made her like her sister, and I couldn't have been more wrong.

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