comb through the dark hair on their broad chests, to warm my lips on their skin and find traces of our flavors mingling there. I turned my head to the window instead, admiring the faint moonlight gilding the leaves of the trees outside the palace, instead of the candlelight playing on skin I still longed to taste and touch again.
"I am…afraid I will become like the rest of the women in the queen's line. Indulging in the power and neglecting my duties to the kingdom," I said after a pause of quiet, finding it easier to speak to the night rather than the men across from me. "I still don't know everything I can and can't do with this power, it seems to act on its own instruction."
"You know you can direct it," Cosmo reminded me gently. "How much focus did it take you to repair the chandelier?"
"A little, not a great deal. But did I repair it or make an entirely new one?" I asked, glancing at him with a frown. "Just because I can send magic in a direction, doesn't make me reliable if I don't know what will happen as a result. All evening with you both, I've made no effort to control it aside from being careful not to force either of you."
"Well, the curtains and bedding are mended and the drafts are likely gone too," Owen said, and I could see his easy shrug out of the corner of my eyes. "And I think you should practice your control over us. If we're comfortable with it, it would be better for you to know exactly how it works."
"Bryony," Cosmo said softly, leaning forward and reaching for my chin, turning my face to his. Dark eyes snagged against mine. "You have a good heart. A better heart than most monarchs. Your enjoyment of sex won't change that. You have already proven that you control your Hunger to a degree. It's only been three days, and nothing bad has happened as a result."
As if it felt the need to prove him wrong, Hunger surged. Or perhaps it was only affection. Either way, it launched me forward, Cosmo catching me easily around the waist as I pressed my mouth to his, my hands holding him in place for my tasting. He had me on his lips, tart and musky, and I sucked on the flavor, more interested in remembering how it had gotten there than the actual taste.
Then I slowed the kiss, holding the Hunger back as I eased away to smile up at him. "Thank you."
He kissed the end of my nose. "Of course. I see your magic as a creative force. We know a little of how it works with natural things, bringing plants back to life. You wanted a list of tasks to focus on for the kingdom. Perhaps you need to make another list of your magic."
Cosmo released me and I shuffled on my knees to Owen, who lifted me up and arranged me on his lap. I tried not to recall what it was like to ride him in that position, and instead, kissed his cheeks and swollen lips briefly.
"You are right. I should learn all the aspects of this power, even the ones that worry me," I said to Owen, looping my arms around his neck.
"If you are afraid of forgetting your kingdom, we can always come up with an arrangement," he said, grinning down at me. "Very good deeds for your people in exchange for very wicked acts with your Chosen."
Owen squeezed me tighter, falling back into the bed with Cosmo quick to follow as I laughed.
"Rewards for good princessly behavior!" Cosmo said, waggling his eyebrows.
"Grandmother would say good princessly behavior was the wicked deed, but for myself, I think I prefer something concrete that others will appreciate," I said. "I'll have to think of what to do next. I'm afraid it may involve finally confronting the council."
"Not tonight it won't," Cosmo said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. He and Owen seemed comfortable in each other's space, although I knew Cosmo appreciated watching Owen as much as I did, and the same didn't appear to be true in reverse.
"Do you want to bathe and we can read to you?" Owen asked.
My eyes widened and I twisted my lips in thought. It was an appealing offer, but perhaps a little too much so. "I think I'd better just bathe alone and come back to bed."
"And then rest," Cosmo said, more to