The Kingdom's Crown (Inheritance of Hunger #3) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,104

collection of men. Not that she seemed aware of the fact. I wondered what a thieves' court would think if their king took Chosen like a Kimmerian queen.

"In truth, I'm glad you came and challenged me. You're right, I've done a terrible job," I said, moving easily away from my teasing.

"That's not really your fault," Thao said, shrugging. "A thieves' court is a small burden against your kingdom."

Both Cassius and Aric scoffed at that.

"Martin, this is certainly not a position I ever imagined you in," Cassius said, grinning at his former colleague.

"It isn't one I pictured for myself," Aric said.

"Understatement," I muttered.

"But my princess makes a compelling argument for the finer things in life," Aric said drolly. I glared at him, and he added, "And in a way, Thao is right. I'm helping her carry a heavy duty, one that I sincerely want her to succeed in."

Cassius only looked amused. "How did I find myself at a table full of do-gooders, eh, Scrapper?"

Scrapper grinned, but there was a tightness in his eyes as he stared across the table at the king. "You don't feel the bite as we do in the north, Thatcher," Scrapper said with a soft shrug.

"Do you feel ready, Griff?" Aric asked.

"More ready than I did when you left," Griffin said with a shrug. "But we underestimated Emory's court. It's not your fault," she said to me, ducking her head to meet my eyes. "Thieves don't like to feel they're working for anyone but themselves. Emory did the damage when he cut down Aric. I'll have to create loyalty on my own now. But Bryony, this isn't even why I've come south."

"The challenge was just a bonus then?" I teased, but my eyes slid to Sam, who hovered behind Griffin, almost glowing in the shadows. "Oh. The two-natured. Because of what happened in the mines?"

Griffin nodded solemnly. "I've been trying to keep tempers down. McCallum has too," she said.

"Mac!" Cassius said, leaning forward, eyes fixed to Griffin, who thoroughly ignored him.

"But it's past the breaking point now," Griffin said, lowering her voice and leaning in toward me.

"I've been talking to my mother, trying to make her understand," I said.

Griffin's lips pressed together. "The two-natured are traveling to the capital, Bryony."

My eyes widened. "To fight?" I asked.

"Not if we don't have to," Griffin said softly. "We're going to shift. We're going to show Kimmery the truth, how many of us there really are. Our hope is that it will remain peaceful."

"I'll join you."

"Bryony," Cress growled.

"I will," I said, more firmly, glaring back at my Chosen. "The palace staff already knows what I am. Perhaps I can help keep the peace with my presence."

"Our presence then," Wendell said, covering my hand with his.

I smiled at a glowering Cress. "You'll have to come too of course. My tiger can fend for herself, but a grand bear never hurt." I turned to Cassius next. "And perhaps, Mr. Thatcher, your court can lend support."

Cassius's dark eyebrows raised first, and then his hands from the table. "Your Highness, you mistake me. I am a King of Thieves, not a mercenary. I'm sure there is some of my court who will be there, but that's not my business and I'm not a hired hand."

"Cassius has no conscience to guide him, Bryony," Griffin said, soft and sudden as a knife.

And as if he were struck, Cassius Thatcher rose suddenly from the table, the smooth mask fully in place again. "Birdie is right, as usual. I'll take my leave now and keep my ear out of your business. Good to see you again, Martin. Stop by again if you have anything of interest from the castle."

Aric waved, more in dismissal of the suggestion than anything else, and smiled smugly at Griffin as Cassius disappeared into the crowd. "You could've asked him."

"It's not worth owing him the favor," Griffin snapped back quickly.

"Speaking of favors," I said, pushing Aric back into his chair, "Would you say you owed me one for springing tonight on me?"

"I wouldn't, no," Griffin said.

I ignored her answer. "Because I have something I need you to steal. From the castle," I added when she arched an eyebrow at me.

"I like my hands attached to my wrists, Bryony. What could you possibly want me to take from the castle?"

"A man named Atticus Darby."

Sam shot forward from the shadows, clutching at the back of Griffin's chair, his pale eyes wide. "Atticus? You've—he's still alive?"

I nodded. "But he may be executed for trying to kill Camellia if