The Kingdom's Crown (Inheritance of Hunger #3) - Kathryn Moon Page 0,72
How much was it really meant to hold?" I asked.
Nathan and Simon shared a significant look and I wanted to scramble between them and demand an explanation, but Aric's hand on my shoulder held me in place until they were ready to speak.
"We've had concerns about how long it would remain stable," Simon said.
Nathan rushed to speak over him. "We can't simply release that excess of power into the capital all at once! It needs to be contained in some fashion!"
"Of course not," I said, more to assuage Nathan's temper than whether or not I really agreed. "But I can take power out of that conduit. Store it in another. What access to the source does the royal academy have?"
Nathan perked up at that, and Simon winked in approval at me.
"Ley stones could be fashioned and buried, a slower way of putting some of the magic back into the ground. Place them in the most fallow areas," Aric said, helping himself to a piece of parchment and a convenient inkwell.
"We will send Kenneth to the north for your samples," Nathan said, sitting up in his chair, a kind of fierce brightness in his gaze behind the smudged spectacles. "Better to have him out of our hair while we make decisions anyway."
"I'll set my experiments aside. This sounds like more fun," Simon agreed.
"Gentleman, may I recommend you not mention your new efforts to the council?" I asked.
Nathan made a soft sound of dismissal. "Thomlinson doesn't bother with us. And he knows next to nothing of what we do."
"We'll send him in the wrong direction if anything comes up," Simon said with a nod. "We'll likely need your help when it comes time to unload the conduit, princess."
"If," Nathan muttered.
"Aric and I will assist in any way you require," I said brightly, trying to subdue the glee of triumph rushing through me.
Nathan, for all his shift in temperament, was eager to shoo me and my Chosen out of his office after that, as he tugged down one old hand-bound notebook after another and Simon made goodbyes to us on behalf of both of them. In the main room, the three golden toys wandered aimlessly about, although I got the sense that the Simon toy was antagonizing the Kenneth.
"Do you think they'll stay true?" I asked Aric as we hurried back to the suite.
"Simon will keep at Nathan. I will too, for that matter. They train royal mages how not to use magic, but the man's a scholar and a new route of thinking will be good for him," Aric said. "What's important in my mind is that you can take back from the conduit. Even if we have to play thieves in the night, I'm determined to take that thing apart. And look, I snagged Ambauld's notebook."
I laughed and bounced on my toes as Aric pulled a black leather notebook from the inside of his coat.
"He'll notice that won't he?" Cresswell asked, frowning.
"I'll make my own notes tonight and take it back tomorrow. Don't mind me, royal guard," Aric answered, smirking at Cress, who huffed and rolled his eyes. "You were very successful with them, Bryony. You should go and celebrate."
"You mean I should avoid distracting you now that you have a new toy?" I asked, nodding at the notebook. "Very well. Cress, let's find Morgan. It's been ages since I've done any fencing, and I heard her boasting the other day."
17
Owen
The morning seemed brighter just for seeing Bryony in a shade other than black. She twisted in front of the mirror, examining herself in a deep shade of blue-gray, brow furrowed in concentration.
"Don't know how you can make that face. Seeing you always makes me smile," I said, sitting at the edge of the bed, and watching her.
Bryony spun, that smile I loved so well finally blooming, and she bounded over to me, climbing onto my bare lap, all the folds and flounces of silk draping across my legs.
"It might be a bit of a feminine tradition to frown at oneself in a mirror," Bryony said shrugging. "I was thinking I might like to change some of the fashions, and wondering if that wasn't very vapid, considering the state of the kingdom."
"If you can change fashions and restore Kimmery's prosperity all in one year, I don't see why it should matter," I said with a shrug.
Bryony's smile softened, and she melted into me, her arms wrapping around my neck. "Very well spoken, my love."