Page 83 of The Kingdom's Crown

"And you don't come from Kimmery. Not really. It's funny that Holden wants your magic so much, because the queen's line seems to have come from the other side of the mountain."

"But there aren't women like us there," I said.

"I suspect you, your ancestor that is, traveled through there too and preferred it here. Bryony, I don't think we have a name for what the queen's line really is. You're not invincible, but youcreatemagic."

I traced my finger over the furrow of Aric's brow. "It disturbs you."

He heaved a sigh and reached up to catch my hand, moving it to his mouth to press a kiss to the heel of my palm. "Youdon't disturb me, please understand. I'm very comfortable with my princess and increasingly…at ease with how your magic works. But the concept does, I suppose."

I nodded, even though the admission stung a little for all Aric's soothing. "You still think the tiger bite won't be safe."

Aric groaned, and his head dropped back again. "I… No. I have concerns, but I suspect your magic will be the more dominant of the two. My guess is that the bite won't work at all. And I'm not sure that warrants you getting bit by a tiger at all."

"Thao," I corrected. "Like he said, he'll be gentle. I've seen Wendell's mark, and it's faint really. More of a nip."

"You've made up your mind, I see."

"I want to put my name down on that registry."

"Bryony, no one is going to put you in a labor camp. You're talking about a symbolic gesture that may not change anything. Some might even consider it a slap in the face."

I frowned at that. "Do you think so?"

"Jack McCallum knows that there are two-natured who resent his privilege in keeping his status secret. And a princess who can be a tiger openly with none of the consequences might look equally unjust." Aric studied me as I thought through his words. "But…"

I glanced at him, and he grimaced.

"But I know you. And I know you will not rest your mind until you use your privilege to the benefit of others. Any resentment this act might stir up will be washed away when you have changed lives for good," Aric said. I grinned almost tearfully at the grumble of irritation in his voice, as if I were wrestling the words out of him.

"I want you to be in the room," I said.

"I'd like to see you try and keep me out," Aric answered, arching an eyebrow.

* * *

"The suite is cleared,and most of the castle is at the hunt we organized," Wendell announced, walking into our lavish bathroom where I was floating in the water with Thao. "Your mother didn't mind?"

"She thinks I'm having an orgy," I said, grinning.

Thao hummed with approval. "And perhaps you will later."

Aric was leaning against the wall, watching us as Thao poured water and fragrant oils over my head and shoulders. There were flowers floating on the surface, fresh off a boat from Mennary, and candles lit along the ledge of the tub interspersed with great glimmering stones and burning incense. Thao had said that the ceremony could've been dressed down to a simpler form, but Aric insisted on replicating it to the Mennarian tradition as much as possible.

"You never know what tiny ingredient can make the world of difference in a magical working," he'd insisted.

"When she shifts—" Wendell began, pulling his shirt off over his head.

"If she shifts—" Aric corrected.

"—you should leave the room. She'll be a tiger first, and it will take a little time for the woman to return."

I watched Wendell undress, blinking as Thao dabbed an especially pungent oil at my temples that made my eyes start to run. "Why are we undressed?" I asked in a whisper.

"Ceremony," Thao and Aric said together, making Thao's eyes roll.

I'd seen both Wen and Thao shift in and out of their tiger forms without losing a stitch on their clothing. The two-natured compared it to stepping aside to let the animal move forth, and Aric explained that some things were simply magic. It didn't always serve to search for an explanation.

"Owen's very excited," Wendell said, smiling and climbing over the ledge of the tub to join us. "He's looking forward to meeting your tiger."

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