The Kingdom's Crown (Inheritance of Hunger #3) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,113

"I can see," she said, but there was still something wary in her gaze as she looked between us, and she winced as she glanced at me. "I can see, it's just…still healing probably. I can see."

"Your hawk will be fine," Sam reassured her, and Griffin nodded jerkily.

I glanced behind us. The crowd of two-natured was growing agitated, and Cresswell was still arguing with the general. Another man pushed through the line of soldiers, and in the wildness of his appearance, it took me a moment to realize I recognized him.

"Griff?" Jack McCallum was undone, out of the usual formal dress I saw him in, hair tangled and collar open. He hurried to us in open panic, and I slid out of his way, watching with nervous interest as he took Griffin's face in his hands.

She didn't flinch, but her eyes widened in that startled look she couldn't seem to shake since I'd healed her.

"I'm fine," she said, some of her calm, dry nature returning, although she was gentle with Jack and her bloodied fingers left a brief stain on his wrist.

His lips pressed flat, but he nodded and released her, moving to join Cresswell.

"By order of Her Majesty the queen, and the Southern Council, we order the army to stand down," Jack bit out. Jack turned toward the vast crowd, voice raising. "The army's official duty is to protect the peace, including the safety of the two-natured. Her Majesty is making an official announcement at the palace. The gates will be opened."

I landed roughly on my bottom, my gaze drifting to Aric in surprise, his own face reflecting my shock.

"We have to get Darby out of the capital," he said, voice almost too low to hear.

"I'll keep my end of the bargain," Griffin said. "We'll leave with him now."

"You're sure you're all right?" I asked.

Griffin didn't look back at me, her gaze lowered firmly to the ground, even as Sam helped her up off her feet. Jack returned to us, and my Chosen slipped through the crowd, back in their human forms, Wendell's hands holding Darby's reins. The army was finally falling out of their lines, and the two-natured were turning in the direction of the castle, some of them also taking on their human forms.

"The announcement?" Griffin asked Jack.

"Good news, you should come."

Griffin shook her head. "Errand to run. Need to sneak this fellow out of the capital," she said, nodding to the horse standing amongst us.

Jack's eyes widened, glancing at me. "It was my request," I said.

"Well in that case, take my carriage. Stay at Cambell Manor, Griff. Don't be a pest and argue," he said, arching an eyebrow at her as her mouth opened to refuse. "We'll have business to discuss."

"You should rest," Sam urged her.

"Fine," Griffin bit out. "Carriages and manor houses, sure." She pushed past the men, and I stepped back out of her way until she caught my hand. "Thank you."

She looked up at me, a brief flinch in her scarred right eye quickly covered with a soft smirk.

"Good luck, Your Majesty," I said, squeezing her fingers.

Griffin huffed a laugh. "What an awful mess you've left me with," she murmured, but she squeezed back. "Come and see me when you're in the north."

A sudden pang struck me. I didn't know Griffin well, I knew significantly less of her than I wanted to, and now I wondered if it would ever really be possible to grow that friendship. I would be queen. She would be king, funny as it was to say it. Opposite sides of Kimmery, as Scrapper had put it.

"Oh dear, where's Scrapper?" I asked, looking suddenly around for the man.

"Drinking at the bar with the rest of his lot," Griffin said with a roll of her eyes. "S'pose we'll have to pick him up on our way out."

"We're certainly not keeping him," Aric answered wryly. "Come on, princess. Let's get back to the castle to hear the queen's announcement."

I jumped into Griffin's path before she could leave, wrapping my arms around her shoulders and squeezing tightly. "I'm sorry, and thank you, and—and…"

"Goodbye, Bryony," Griffin murmured, patting my back gently.

26

Bryony

“You seem awfully solemn," Cresswell murmured.

We were in the crush of the crowd of two-natured, an odd sight and an even stranger feeling. Animals kept brushing up against my skirts, and I wasn't sure if it was because of the close quarters or if it was some strange acknowledgment of thanks or appreciation.

"I feel…it's as if the air is changed," I said, my