Page 76 of The Queen's Line
Thao frowned and glanced between us. "Are the winters very harsh?"
Cosmo laughed softly at my back. "You'll find out soon enough. But the idea is right. What about apples, or pears? Those grow here in the mountains."
Wendell brightened again. "That's true! They're not fashionable, but Kimmery imports so much of its fruit. Apples and pears could be made more popular, and an orchard is not farmland so…"
"So it falls outside of the realm of the law!" I cried, brightening. "I should think a crown princess could make an apple more popular, but even if I can't—"
"Your people won't complain of good fresh food to eat," Owen finished for me, and I grinned at him.
"There is an old orchard on the palace grounds," Cosmo said, scooting forward to press against my back, resting his chin on my shoulder.
I didn't know why it should feel like such a temptation—shivers running through me and goosebumps appearing on my skin—just to have his breath on my neck, but I blushed at his closeness with Wendell and Thao staring at the pair of us.
"It's overgrown, and I don't know what the trees are producing now but…"
"But you think I should see if I can bring it to life again?" I asked, my breath catching.
"Is that—" Wendell paused, surprise painting over his face as if he hadn't meant to speak. He cleared his throat and started again. "Is that all it takes? Just…just thinking of it?"
Thinking of what? Sex?
"The magic takes effect with her release," Cosmo explained, his arm sliding around my waist, my body automatically leaning back into his.
I swallowed hard and found myself shy under the heavy stares of Wendell and Thao. Since when had I balked so much at discussing my sex life with them?Since you began to consider including them in it, a little voice whispered. Thao leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, the loose collar of his shirt falling open to reveal tan planes of smooth chest.
"If you came right now, you could make the orchard grow?" Thao asked, eyelids growing heavy over his gaze.
"I…we don't know. We haven't really tested distances like that," I said, wiggling back against Cosmo, only to find him half hard against my back, his legs stretched out to frame me.
You could prop your legs over his and invite Thao to help you test the theory, I thought, and it was the most I'd ever felt like the rest of the women in my family.
"You healed the front steps to the palace," Thao said, brow arching.
"Only from the entryway," I said.
"Let it be a challenge for another day then," Wendell said gently, although he looked no less interested than his lover.
Thao glanced back at him, smile wry, and sighed. "Very well, but you know how impatient I am."
Wendell hummed and watched me fidget, and I wondered if we were still talking about the apple orchard or not.
* * *
"I certainly understand your caution,but I've put a great deal of…well maybe not labor—" I stumbled and looked back over my shoulder for support from the others.
"Planning," Wendell said, nodding to me.
"And hopes," Cosmo said.
I swung back to face Cresswell, my argument renewed. "Yes! I don't want to take credit for the festival, but I think I deserve toenjoythe evening."
Cresswell's brow furrowed, and I was sure that hewantedto relent, that he would finally allow me freedom at the festival. "I'm sure you'll find the festivities very pleasant from within the tent where you can be safely guarded," he said at last.
Cosmo released an exasperated puff of breath, and my Chosen shifted behind me. Lady Prudence made the next effort, stepping forward from the back. As I glanced at her, I saw Daniel out of the corner of my eye, back against the wall of the warm study room where we were gathered. He was watching us all, his usual hobby when not assigned with a task, and as usual, I had no way of reading his mood or what he thought of the conversation.
"Guard Stark, it's absolutely to your credit that you take our princess's safety so seriously. But surely it will do her and her people good to mingle, just a little. You will be on hand, and there will be dancing—"
"And drinking, and rowdy men, or disgruntled citizens," Cresswell said, rushing to add, "Unjustly so, of course, Your Highness."