The Queen's Line (Inheritance of Hunger #1) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,103

it in their shining armor. My eyes widened as I realized that people were already there, crowded even tighter against the gate, waiting for my arrival.

My heart was in my throat, clogging my breath. I must've made some soft squeak of distress because a moment later Owen was pulling me back from the window, turning me on his lap to face the others.

"Am I just supposed to stand there and be stared at?" I asked, eyes growing wide.

"If you are, we'll do it with you," Owen said, which was sweet but not quite soothing.

"Bryony," Cosmo purred, cupping my face in his hands. "You don't need to worry. This is a festival; they're only waiting to see their princess. Most of these people have never seen a royal in their entire lives unless they made it to a choosing ceremony."

"If it was Camellia’s, then they've seen a great deal of a royal," I blurted out, and Wendell snorted.

"Let them stare a little, speak if you feel you have something you'd like to say to them, but they'll get hungry soon and move along for more ale or food," Cosmo said, flashing me a grin.

"Your presence is a great honor," Thao added, but he said it in a gentle way.

"I'm only me," I said, shaking my head.

"Well…" Wendell raised an eyebrow at me.

"Princess, future queen, wielder of the magic of the Hunger," Owen counted off, one finger at a time.

"Oh, all right then," I snapped, softening my tone by turning and pressing a kiss to his rough jaw. "I'll figure out what to do when the moment comes, as usual."

"Seeing as how the carriage has stopped, I think that moment may be now," Wendell said, his brows bouncing, a grin growing. And then he pushed open the door.

The crowd was loud, but it wasn't shouting or laughter, just the volume of many people packed together in one space. We were stopped behind the tent, a small collection of guards surrounding the carriage, some watching us while others checked the empty room of the field behind us. Wendell stepped out first, followed by Thao, and together they reached up to take my hands and guide me down. Cresswell was quick to join us, holding out a decorative, woven belt with a sheath about as long as my forearm, bearing a golden blade. My promised weapon.

"Where did you get this?" I asked, eyes widening as I fingered gently down the ornate sheath covered in gilded enameled white flowers. Bryony flowers, just like my name. The blade was my own stiletto dagger but the sheath was new.

"I had it made," Cresswell said, voice sharp.

"By whom?" I pressed, gazing up at him. I'd only offered to be armed yesterday, how could he or a craftsman have had time to make—

"Your Chosen," he said, and when I glanced over my shoulder he added, "Aric Martin. I went to see him yesterday evening. It's made of magic, but he says it will hold for you. He says it's charmed to warn for a few dangers, so if it grows hot—"

"Aric made me this?" I asked, nearly squawking.

"I thought if he was really your Chosen, he might have an opinion on your safety," Cresswell answered, cocking an eyebrow in challenge.

I swallowed the rest of my questions. Had Aric made this for me so he could keep the convenient protection of being my Chosen? Or had he made it for me, charmed it to help protect me, because he had similar concerns to Cresswell? Concerns for me?

"I thought his magic was a secret," I said instead.

Cresswell scoffed lightly. "Only enough of one to keep him off the registry. And now he doesn't even have to worry about that as Chosen."

"Thank you," I said, taking the pretty belt and wrapping it around my waist, watching the way the dagger seemed to nestle into my skirts. It would be difficult to see if you didn't know to look, and even the curling hilt looked more like a decorative element to the belt than part of a dagger.

"Just use it if you have to," Cresswell said, voice lowered.

"She will."

I looked up from my skirts at the sound of Daniel's voice. He and Lady Pru stood at the parted opening of the bright canvas tent, Daniel's arm offered for Lady Pru to lean against, his lips curled just the faintest amount as I met his eyes. I'd held a blade to Daniel's throat and he was right, I could protect myself if I had