The Kingdom's Crown (Inheritance of Hunger #3) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,11

behind thin clouds, creating an almost lamp-like glow above us, just enough light to see our way into the trees.

"You've been so low since you got that letter from your mother. Not that I'm surprised. Except I don't think it's just your grandmother's illness upsetting you," Cresswell said, pulling me closer. I leaned gratefully into his warm side as we walked, smiling as his arm draped around my shoulders.

"I thought I went to the north to discover the truth about Kimmery, and I suppose myself, but now I wonder if I wasn't hiding there."

"If you hadn't been in the north, the legislation against shifters would've passed."

I nodded.

"And Aric might be dead," Cresswell said.

My heart panged at just the thought, and I slid my own arm around Cresswell's waist to clutch at his side.

"I would be in the army."

I stopped, and Cresswell stopped with me. The shadow of the house was broken by the trees around us, and we were entirely alone but for the soft activity of the woods. I turned to face him, and his hands moved to my shoulders. This was the first time we were really alone together since he'd kissed me, and the distraction of passion was tempting in the moment. The Hunger wasn't really present, chased away by the disturbing evening, and I couldn't decide if that made me shy or more eager to take advantage of being alone with this man.

One of Cresswell's rough hands moved up to my throat, tipping my head back, and I was sure he would kiss me again.

"What would you say to the idea of purchasing a boat?" he asked.

My lips parted, and my mind went blank with confusion. "A boat?"

"Mm. Large enough for the others, I suppose. And we all got aboard and…left."

"Left Kimmery?"

Cresswell nodded, the tiniest curl in the corner of his lips, but his brow furrowed with a frown. "I worry for what comes next, Bryony. I can guard you physically, but I can't protect you from the sacrifices and decisions you'll have to make to become queen."

I released a weak and wobbling sigh, and Cresswell's arms circled me as I leaned into his chest, so solid he could take all my weight and weariness in the embrace. "I know," I said, turning my cheek against the dense wool of his uniform. "But I can't leave shifters to be enslaved and magic to be trampled and…and whatever Camellia might make of the Hunger or of Kimmery."

Cresswell grunted, unsurprised, and his head bowed, warm breath cascading over the top of my head. "You would've made a very daring pirate."

I barked a laugh against his chest and leaned back in his hold, turning my face up to his. "What an idea! I shall have to make a daydream of it when things get very bad."

Cresswell frowned, and I regretted reminding him of what was coming, so instead I rose to my toes, pressing my lips to his. My hands reached up between us to hold his jaw, ignoring the way he stiffened at the first touch of the kiss and waiting for his acceptance. It came with a low note in his throat, something between a growl and a groan, and his arms tightened around my waist.

I sighed as Cresswell returned the kiss, his tongue sweeping across the seam of my mouth and then his lips sliding apart to fit against mine.

Ah, the Hunger was on her way back now.

"Cresswell," I breathed in invitation as his mouth slid away to kiss a path to my jaw.

"Not a chance, Bryony."

"But—"

"It's freezing out. And none of those fools ever bed you properly."

I blinked at that, grinning and pulling away to catch his eye. "What on earth do you mean? I'm properly bedded plenty."

"How many of your Chosen took you to bed behind closed doors to make love to you the first time?" Cresswell asked, eyes narrowed.

I opened my mouth to correct him and then stopped. The pond, the library, the carriage… Oh! Aric at the—no, it was his desk first, wasn't it?

"Thao and Wen—"

"That was a curtain and you had a whole handful of men listening in. I remember. Vividly."

I blushed and let out a nervous giggle. "To be fair, those locations weren't really anyone's fault but my own."

"There's a lack of restraint."

"Ohhhh, you have entirely too much restraint, Guard Stark," I grumbled, but I snuggled into his chest again to hide my smile. "Fine, take me in to bed."

"Not tonight, Bryony," Cresswell said softly, pressing a kiss to the