The Kingdom's Crown (Inheritance of Hunger #3) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,86

was too weak to really fight us off, and she began to whimper and cry instead. Her hips were squirming, and I realized she was trying to relieve pressure, unsatisfied after being torn away from Holden.

Holden!

I spun and found that Aric had moved Holden safely away, all the men quick to join them and keep their distance from Camellia. Holden was propped up against the wall, deep bruises starting to form around his throat, pants barely closed again, his gaze blazing on my sister.

"Bryony," Cress said, voice tight but watching my sister as he reached out for me.

I glanced back, marginally relieved to see the three women managing Camellia away easily, and then crossed to Cress, sagging briefly against his side.

"How is he?" I asked Aric.

"Lucky we were out here," Aric said, glancing at me and then back to Holden.

It was true, and also a kind of lie. We could've intervened much sooner on Holden's behalf. He might still have been grateful to us if we had. But we wouldn't be able to say we saved his life. Aric hadn't finished healing Holden either, when I was sure he could have, fresh with magic from me. That too was a kind of lie. We needed proof of Camellia's abuse.

"You'll try to cover this up, but I won't let you," Holden rasped, glaring at me. "And if you kill me, my family will declare war anyway when they don't hear from me. Your kingdom is fucked regardless, and that—that monster will never see the throne."

"She certainly won't, Your Highness," I said with a nod to Holden. I turned to Amos, who watched the scene with his arms crossed. "Would you please see Prince Holden to one of our guest suites? Perhaps near my own, and with a good collection of guards in case my sister might seek him out again. Prince Holden, I will do my absolute best to rectify this. A doctor will see you immediately. And I'll come in the morning myself to speak with you."

"Rectify? Are you mad? Because your sister certainly is! She tried to kill me! She—she—she forces every one of those men your kingdom granted her!"

I ignored Holden for the moment, and Head Guard Amos bowed to me. "Of course, Your Highness."

"Cress?" I murmured as Holden spluttered.

Cresswell bent and kissed my cheek. "I'll go with them. Make sure he's safe."

"Let's get you back to the dancing, Your Highness," Daniel murmured, just loud enough for Holden to hear as he, Aric, and Owen bundled me between them and swept me away.

"Are you sure it's wise this way?" I whispered to Aric when I was sure we wouldn't be heard.

"He'll think you're waiting to assassinate him. By morning, he'll be grateful for the deal," Aric said, raising my hand to his lips and brushing kisses over the fingertips. "It's an ugly maneuver, but he made his own bed pursuing her. He is lucky we were out here."

I sighed and nodded as we reached the door to the ballroom, straightening my shoulders and lifting my chin. As Owen stepped forward to open the doors for us, I pasted a soft and satisfied smile over my lips, bracing myself for the knowing stares.

They knew a pretty fraction of me, this audience of nobles. I had an armored underbelly now, and they'd be better off if they never found cause to meet it too.

20

Bryony

“He raged as much as his throat would let him last night, but he's been quiet this morning, Your Highness," Amos said.

So maybe Aric was right. Still, I wasn't about to underestimate the prince in the conversation. He had every right to request serious retribution for the injuries Camellia had given him. I just needed to make sure that his goal in that regard ran seamlessly into my own.

"Can he be kept a secret for long enough?" I asked Amos.

"Perhaps not a secret, but we can make excuses for his situation, I think," Amos said with a shrug.

I glanced at Aric and Wendell on either side of me, and they both nodded.

Aric smiled and squeezed my hand. "Why do you look so nervous, princess?"

"I think I've just realized how rarely I negotiate. I usually just persuade people."

"So do that. Persuade him to your compromise. You know he wants war, to be released to return home. Presumably, there's something within that war he's hoping to gain," Wendell said. "We'll sort through it, giving him enough of what he wants and his best chance of actually succeeding, and he'll