Page 65 of The Queen's Line

"You're lucky she's so—"

"I know."

I huffed, annoyed at the interruption, although I wasn't sure there was really just one word for what Bryony was. The door to the great hall opened, and I straightened, stepping forward as Lady Prudence appeared grinning.

"Oh, Wendell. I like her so much, don't you?" Prudence asked, eyes bright.

"Very much," I said, feeling myself soften at the thought.

Prudence hummed, and Rebecca Sanders followed her out the door, glancing at both Thao and I. "She's asked to see you both."

I stepped in without him, heading directly for the throne, prepared to bend down to one knee and apologize for the awkward position she'd been left in. But I wasn't quick enough. Bryony stood from the throne and skipped down the steps, meeting me in the center of the room. Her hand found mine, her face smooth, and she squeezed my fingers. Somehow, that only made me feel worse, my tongue tied in knots as Thao approached us with slow steps that echoed on the marble.

"Forgive me for my outburst, Your Highness," Thao said softly, bowing.

"Don't demure to me like that," Bryony snapped, and Thao straightened, red flooding his cheeks. "We are friends, and when we argue I don't want to have you suddenly treating me as a royal. That said, I am angry."

"I should have spoken to you privately on the subject," Thao said, a little less demurely.

"It should not be a subject at all," Bryony answered, and his eyes widened. She squeezed my hand again and looked up at me. "Do youwantto be my steward?"

My mouth fell open and nothing came out for a moment, both their eyes on me. I swallowed hard and shook my head. "No." I swallowed off her title, not wanting to be chastised.

"I didn't think so," Bryony said, more gently and with a smile. It was gone by the time she looked at Thao again. "I understand that things have changed and that the role of a Chosen that I offered you may appear different now. But I consider you all equal, regardless of what shape our relationship takes privately. Thao, you will always be a prince, but inmycourt you are Chosen. Wendell is Chosen.Owenis Chosen. There is no other rank between you."

Thao was at my side, and his tension was like a vibration of energy against me as he listened to Bryony. I wanted to soothe him, but I didn't want to interfere with the weight of Bryony's words.

"The two of you have already proven your worth in helping me navigate this journey, but if you cannot accept your role and thatIam your superior, then you won't be satisfied here. I am the princess. You are Chosen."

My heart broke in that moment. Partly for Thao. He was the youngest male heir in his family, but he was raised prepared to lead a kingdom if the day ever came. To be Bryony's Chosen had seemed a blessing, but perhaps she was right. Maybe Thao would be better suited in a royal alliance, king by marriage in some smaller kingdom. It broke for myself too. If Thao left, I would follow, but how much further could we really travel together?

"I understand," Thao said, with a stiff bow.

Bryony sighed, her expression falling as he turned on his heel and headed for the door. I made to follow him out, and she stopped me with a touch on my chest, waiting for the door to shut behind him. Should I have pushed past her?

"I'm sorry for the position that put you in," she said, sucking on her bottom lip.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry for the added complication regarding the steward. You're choosing Lady Prudence?"

Bryony's nose wrinkled, and she reached her hand up and rubbed at the spot. "I'm taking them both. I know, I know. Farraque is obviously meant to report on me to the council."

"And to find a place in your Chosen," I added, and she shrugged. "You want to keep him close and hope it persuades them to stay out of your affairs?"

"That, and that my grandmother will hear of me possessing the Hunger."

"You aren't afraid they'll be successful and the Hunger will claim him?" I asked. I was afraid of that, or at least, I was if Daniel wasn't sincere as the rest of us had become.

Bryony laughed. "Wendell, if my Hunger was persuaded by charm or seduction or good looks, it would've claimed you from the very beginning." I swallowed, ignoring the flush of my cheeks as our eyes met, and her smile faltered. "I hope I haven't fractured anything between the two of you."

I sighed and tried to roll the tension out of my shoulders. "I think you only pointed out the fractures. Thao and I will be all right. We are used to trials and skilled at overcoming them."

Her shoulders eased, and I gave myself a moment before the inevitable confrontation with Thao to drink her in. Some of her glow had worn away since she gazed down at us from the stairs, but she was no less beautiful for looking a little wearied. There was nothing specific, nothing concrete between Bryony and I, but the thought of leaving her troubled me.

"Thao and I have belonged to one another almost since the beginning," I said, and Bryony nodded with a faint smile, a slight wince in her gaze. "But weareyour Chosen, and there is…" I studied her eyes, wondering if continuing might interrupt whatever there was between us. "There is room in our hearts made for you."

My hand reached out of its own accord, fingertips settling against Bryony's jaw, tilting her face up. I was bowing before I knew my own plan, Bryony's eyes widening but her own chin lifting just enough for our mouths to graze together. She tasted sweet and smelled like a meadow, and she leaned into the kiss, our eyes falling shut in the same moment. My heart was hammering in my chest, but the rest of me was steady. If Thao was genuinely insulted by Bryony's speech, I might've lied to her, and perhaps this was a goodbye instead of an invitation.

I stood up straight again and wondered if I imagined the understanding in her gaze.