The Kingdom's Crown (Inheritance of Hunger #3) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,37

they were just about to leap to life.

My back was mainly exposed, and much of my chest, but Cresswell buttoned me up around my waist and then bent, kissing the center of my back.

"Sometimes, I feel as though the Hunger knows more about me than I do about it," I said, running my fingers over a depiction of a snake and a rabbit in an embrace that was either threatening or erotic.

"I'm not sure magic is meant to be understood, although don't tell Aric I said so," Cresswell said, moving for the door.

"Wait, you can't open it, remember?" I hurried to join him, and Cresswell placed himself at the entrance as I turned the knob.

I peeked around the edge and found Humphries standing guard. He was an older man, probably about Aric's age, with a perfectly impassive expression and eyes that remained respectfully above my head, even as Cresswell had carried me about.

"One of the Chosen came looking for you both not long ago," he said.

"We'll go now and reassure them you're safe," Cresswell said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me to his side.

"I was never really in any danger," I said softly, glaring up at Cresswell.

"And you won't be," Cresswell answered, glaring back, but his lips were slightly curled, and even the hint of a smile on him left me giddy.

We found the others in the grandest of the sitting rooms in our suite, and Cresswell barely had the door open before Wendell was rushing over. His hair was sticking out in every direction, eyes red, and I stopped still at the sight of him, strangely surprised by the obvious torment and worry he'd suffered.

He loves me, I realized. We'd said as much, but Wendell was always so calm, so patient, even willing to remain at the fringes as my other Chosen demanded more attention or time.

I ran forward, crashing into his chest, his arms snapping around me and lifting me from the floor.

"Stars, there you are finally," he sighed into the top of my head.

My face was buried against his throat, but I heard the quick rushing of the others' approach, shadows surrounding me, hands on my bare back and wrapping around my waist.

Thao pulled me away first, slanting a quick rough kiss over my mouth, brow furrowed with that same tension as Wendell, and then he released me to Cosmo and Owen, who folded me between them.

"I was never even scratched," I said, my words muffled against Owen's chest, Cosmo's fingers digging into my waist and up into the hair at the back of my head.

"You're all right, Cress?" Wendell asked.

"I'm fine. She healed me up quick."

"Thank you," Thao said softly.

"You could've been worse than scratched," Cosmo whispered.

I wanted to argue. I would've been ready to defend myself, even if I'd been alone. Emory had done much worse, the maid had been a comparatively clumsy attack. But arguing was only going to raise everyone's stress, and being cradled in the arms of my men was always welcome.

"I'm sorry I didn't come right away," I said, turning my cheek to listen to the thump of Owen's heart.

"Aric told us you were safe," Owen said, reaching between us to tilt my chin up, kissing me briefly. He smiled and glanced at Cresswell before looking back at me. "We understood the delay."

"And you have your magic?" Wendell asked.

I nodded. I didn't have as much now as I had before healing Cresswell, but I was prepared for another emergency if I needed to be.

"Good, then come and sit down because we've already received word—"

"From Aric?" I asked, pulling away and hurrying back to Wendell.

"No, but from Head Guard Amos." Wendell took my hands and urged me down onto the couch, sitting down to face me. "Your mother's lady Amelia fled the palace with a carriage and her niece shortly after your luncheon ended."

The room stilled around me with a sudden hush, my own mind going blank for a beat as the news sank in.

"No." I don't know why I said it, what Wendell said made a kind of sense. Amelia had been insistent on placing her niece in my court. I didn't know of any direct connection she had with the council, I'd only refused out of the Hunger's jealousy, but it was certainly possible.

"My mother?"

"I'm not sure. I assume she's been informed, but I know they're questioning the maid to see if there's a connection," Wendell said, frowning. "Bryony, are you sure you want to take on