Page 31 of The Queen's Line

"It may not be Hunger, but there's something growing here," I said as Cosmo and Owen settled me between them. I stared up at the cracks in the high ceiling of the room as Cosmo leaned into my side, his fingers tangling with mine over my ribs. I turned my head and craned my neck to find Owen's face. "You wanted to be Chosen?"

"I did."

"Why?"

Owen pursed his lips, shoulders shrugging but careful not to jostle me. "I wanted to be wanted. I'm the oldest boy of… Think it's eleven of us, altogether,” he said, grinning sheepishly. “Lost count when my parents had to put me into an early apprenticeship with the army groomsman. And then he had kids and couldn't afford to feed me on top of them, so I went into the army. And now there's peace again and… I'm useful, I can work and I can manage for myself, but I wanted a place that was more than temporary, that needed me. I didn't really think I had much of a chance at being Chosen if I'm honest, but it was going to be better than what I already had. It is a great deal better." I felt a touch at the top of my head, a kiss maybe, or just Owen leaning into me.

"Even if we aren't…"Even if I wasn't what I was supposed to be, who he'd thought he'd have a place with?

Owen shuffled down in the bed until we were nose to nose, his smile beaming. He didn't seem to mind Cosmo on the other side of me, even granted the man a grin before looking back to me. "It's been the best week of my life yet, Bryony. Like Cosmo said, whatever you need of me is yours."

This time, Ididneed. I pressed into Owen, holding tight to Cosmo's hand, and sucked at Owen's bottom lip, my eyes falling shut at his pleased hum. He kissed me back, gentle nibbles and licking at my lips. Both he and Cosmo pressed closer until I was pinned between their bodies and heat, a sudden stab of longing striking me in my core. Cosmo's lips touched my shoulder, just a graze, and Owen's cock stirred against my thigh as he sucked on my tongue.

I didn't realize that I'd been holding my breath until Owen released me and I gasped for air, making both men chuckle and retreat. Owen kissed my nose and my cheek, and then settled into the pillows as Cosmo leaned back, giving me a little room. He pulled his hand from mine, but just as I started to frown at the loss, Cosmo's fingers dipped into my hair under my braid, digging into the tense muscle at the base of my skull.

I hummed, and Owen skimmed his own hand over my side to cup my hip.

"Sleep, Bryony. We'll have new adventures in the morning," Owen said.

"Read to her a little," Cosmo said.

But I didn't need so much coaxing. I fell asleep to Cosmo's touches and the rhythm of Owen's heartbeat under my palm.

* * *

It was justme and Owen again when I woke in the morning. My head was still beating like an unwelcome drum, and much of my body was stiff. I'd done almost no traveling growing up, and I'd forgotten that it would leave me feeling so jumbled and sore.

I rolled in the bed, biting off my own groan, and came nose to chest with Owen, pressing my face to his warmth and wiggling in to feel the soft stab of his cock against my stomach.

"Don't mind that," Owen said, and I smiled into his skin. "It's to do with you, but also just the morning."

"I don't mind, really."

"What needs doing today?" Owen asked, his arms finding their way around me and gathering me closer to his chest. His cock pressed between my thighs, and I resisted the impulse to wiggle against it just to see what sounds he made.

"I wanted to make a list of what needs to be repaired around the palace, at least until we have a new steward to help, but Wendell says the finances might not allow for much work," I said. "I suppose today I only have to wait for news."

Owen's arms shifted, one sliding lower to cup around my hips. "Are you feeling better?"

"A little worse, I think. It will pass."

"No one would think ill of you if you wanted to spend the day in bed," Owen said.

"Mm, I might. What would I do in bed all day, anyway?"

He shrugged, his chest shifting against my cheek. "Read…sleep, ignore some of the worries you've been nursing since the choosing."

"Since before," I corrected gently. My eyes drifted shut, and for a moment, I soaked up the warmth of the embrace. Somehow, even though he'd bathed twice in the palace already, Owen still smelled a little like hay and horses, but in the sweetest way. He made it easy to relax, to spend time so close with him as if he weren't someone I'd only known for a handful of days.

Owen leaned back, and I opened my eyes again to look up at him, finding him staring and studying me in the way that Cosmo or Aric sometimes did.

"Come here," I said, even though we were already so close.

Owen seemed to understand, hunching and dipping his face to mine. I was feeling curious again, and we smiled before our lips connected, soft sips from one another that grew deeper with every pass. I cupped his rough jaw in my hands, holding him in place for my tasting, and then gasped as his own gripped my ass through my thin nightgown. His tongue flicked between my lips, brushing over mine and then stroking and pulling away.

"How curious are you feeling this morning?" he breathed, voice rough.

"A little more," I answered immediately, craning my neck for more and ignoring the ache that twinged through my muscles.