The Queen's Line (Inheritance of Hunger #1) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,57
the news," I said, offering the man a smile.
He was out of his armor, dressed in a well-tailored uniform, and his spine straightened, eyes flicking back and forth between the three of us. "I could…I could accompany you, if you like, Your Highness."
I waved the offer away. "No, that won't be necessary. Cosmo and I will manage fine, and I'm sure no unexpected guests will appear from the pond."
Cosmo tucked his chuckle behind his hand, and Cresswell Stark delivered a stiff bow. "I'll tell the kitchens to pack a basket."
He left, and I frowned at where he'd stood in the doorway, wondering why I felt as though I'd disappointed him in some way.
"He seems very helpful," I mused. Owen and Cosmo both chuckled, and I turned to them. "What? What is it?"
"Bryony, I think he'd like it if you made him one of your Chosen," Cosmo said.
"Or at least if you let him rock your boat," Owen added, grinning and jumping into his trousers.
I scoffed and shook my head, even though I knew they might be right. A place as Chosen was considered to be coveted…if you weren't already in love with someone…or if you weren't Aric. Aric might already be in love with someone. Like Griffin. Or Rebecca Sanders.
"Come on," Cosmo murmured, taking my hand. "We can have as smooth or as rocky a ride as we please together."
I'd seen some of the lower grounds from the windows—heavy willows hanging over the water, brushing against lily pads, overgrown rose bushes, and iris blooming amongst the weeds. Someone, I'd missed who, had already begun to cut away the tall grasses that'd been left to run rampant in the palace's abandonment, and there was a wide path available that ran down to the shore.
The little maid who sometimes helped lace me into my corsets and dresses came jogging out from the low kitchen doors, bringing an over-full basket of fruit and sandwiches and cheeses.
"Just be careful of any geese. They can be rude when they get a whiff of food," she warned us.
The guards were quick, or Cosmo was right and Cresswell had been hoping to accompany me on the boat ride, because it was there on the edge of the water, floating with its oars waiting inside and two cushions likely stolen from within the palace.
"You don't mind me coming and not Owen?" Cosmo asked softly.
I clutched at his arm, waiting for him to look up and meet my eyes. "Why would you expect that to be the case?"
Cosmo's smile was wry. "You are…partial to him." He set his foot down on the edge of the boat, holding it steady for me to step inside, before passing me the basket.
I settled into the seat at the prow, mulling over his words. "I like you both, very much. Owen is a little more forward than you."
Cosmo's eyebrows rose, and he climbed into the belly of the boat. "Noted," he said, taking an oar and using it to push us away from shore.
"Not that I need you to be more like Owen," I rushed to say. "Just that maybe he's given me more opportunities to grow my feelings for him." I grimaced and shook my head, wishing I could erase the whole comparison between one man and the other.
"That's true," Cosmo said, without seeming offended. "Owen knew he wanted to be Chosen, that he would share your attention with others."
"Does it bother you?" I asked, watching him as he settled the oars into their holders and began to row us out from under the cover of a willow and into the sunshine.
"No, I think I was just waiting for you to come to me," Cosmo said with a shrug. "Especially after you tore away the first night. I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable again."
I hummed and leaned carefully forward, watching Cosmo's smile stretch as he mirrored me, our mouths grazing briefly.
"My patience bears good fruit," Cosmo murmured, nose nudging against mine before he leaned back and rowed.
I turned my own attention to the basket of food, gradually trading places with it so I could sit on the cushion at Cosmo's knees. "Are you hungry?" I asked, unwrapping a sandwich from paper.
"Muse, if you're asking if you can feed me, I am starving," Cosmo said, his voice dropping.
I bit my smile and raised the food up for him to lean down and take a bite, his teeth nipping at my fingers and dark eyes shining.