Page 66 of The Queen's Line

"I should speak to him," I said.

She nodded, hands shaking slightly as she twisted her hair off her shoulders, smoothing it around her fist. "And I have to go and finish with the council for the moment. They're going to give me more trouble, aren't they?"

"This is only the beginning," I agreed.

Bryony's shoulders squared, and the soft girl from a moment ago became a regal woman again.

"Good luck," I offered.

She arched an eyebrow at me and I grinned. Yes, I needed luck too, probably. We turned in opposite directions and I headed for the door, wondering how far Thao had gotten already.

Not far at all, as it turned out.

He was waiting outside the door, propped up against the wall with a storm on his expression and a loose strand of black hair kissing his cheek. His head lifted as I stepped out, glower digging into his brow, and I resisted the urge to flinch.

"I understand that you're angry," I started.

"Of course I'm angry," Thao snapped, and my shoulders sagged. His jaw ground and we stared at one another, weight sinking from my chest down to my stomach as I waited. Thao frowned, and then his eyes fell shut with a long groan, hands lifting to cover his face. "I'm angry withmyself, Wen."

"Oh." Relief rushed through me.

"Am I so bad, really? You seem surprised by this."

I winced and stepped forward to him, still cautious. "It's only that I…I've never seen anyone speak to you that way and…"

Thao's hands lowered, and his eyes were wide and worried. "I…" He cursed and shook his head. "I am not always the prince, Wen. I don't mean to be with you. And I will learn not to be with Bryony as well. I embarrassed her, I embarrassedyou, and in so doing, myself."

Well, this was…a minor revelation. I'd always believed that Thao and I had an understanding of sorts. He didn't flaunt his authority in our personal relationship, but I also didn't break the rules of our positions.

"I know that I have too much pride," Thao said softly, lowering his hands.

"You were raised to be a king," I said, with a shrug.

Thao scoffed. "No, I was raised toactlike one. An unfortunate distinction that's causing me grief recently. I was never going to really rule, not in Mennary nor in any marriage for politics."

I hummed, and my arms opened automatically as Thao leaned forward to fill the space. They wrapped around him, and I took a deep breath of his warm, spicy scent. "But…can you stand to be equal to Cosmo and Owen…to me?"

Thao stiffened for a moment before leaning back in our embrace, frowning up at me. "Wen, I am more than aware of the ways in which you are superior to me. It's been a long time that I've considered you my equal, and I'll do better to demonstrate it."

I stared at him, my smile growing and twitching with a restrained laugh as Thao rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Yes, the others too. I will do better. And I give you full permission to remind me of my place," he said, grinning.

I dipped my head to hover over his, seeing the love and desire in his gaze. "Your place is with me," I said, kissing him at last, licking at his lips and sucking on the bottom one gently. "And now, with her."

"Yes," Thao said, rising to his toes for another, deeper kiss.

22

Bryony

Hunger stirred in my veins, little glowing remnants from Wendell's gentle kiss. I wasn't sure his words would remain true after speaking to Thao, but I didn't regret what I'd said. Thao's slights seemed to roll comfortably off Owen and Cosmo's shoulders, but that didn't mean they ought to bear them. And I refused to tolerate someone speaking over my own opinion when I didn't ask for the help.

I pushed my hands into the pockets of my gown to resist the urge to fidget as I stepped out of the palace, spotting Owen and Cosmo with our guests by the water.

"Your Highness."

I startled and looked over my shoulder. Of course! The guard, Cresswell Stark, was at my back. I hadn'tforgottenabout him exactly, I just wasn't really used to noticing palace staff around me.