Page 26 of Kingdom of Feathers

“I hope you’re well.”

Wren nodded, tilting her head in an inquiry. She’d always thought highly of the older girl, and doubly so since the curse. Lady Anneliese was one of the few people in the castle who didn’t seem uncomfortable in the princess’s presence.

Lady Anneliese smiled again. “Yes, I’m well.” Another honk drew her eyes across the pond, a slight frown marring her pleasant features. “Are…are they all right?”

Wren followed her gaze, and chuckled internally. It was no surprise that Lady Anneliese looked alarmed. If she hadn’t been so used to it, Wren would also have been taken aback by the sight of the two swans fighting. It was a bizarre spectacle, their necks wrapped around one another’s as they wrestled, and their wings flapping violently.

She nodded in response to Lady Anneliese’s question.

“They look angry,” the noblewoman pressed. “They won’t…hurt each other?”

Wren shook her head, smiling openly now. She knew it looked that way, but Bram and Conan weren’t genuinely angry with each other.

“I didn’t realize it was normal for swans to play fight,” the noblewoman added doubtfully.

Responding to the gentle brush of a wing, Wren leaned down and helped Caleb up onto the bench beside her.

She’s not wrong, he reflected, as he settled against her side.

I know they say they want to stay in fighting shape,Wren commented skeptically,but do you really think any of their swan fighting skills will transfer to their human forms?

Caleb gave a non-committal trumpet.Who knows? But I don’t begrudge them the sport. There isn’t a great deal to do as a human in a swan’s body, to be honest.

Wren grimaced sympathetically.Where did they even learn to do that?she asked, watching in fascination as Conan’s head snaked all the way around Bram’s neck, pulling the other bird’s head almost down to the water.

Instinct, bugled Caleb.Same way we know how to fly, and what’s safe to eat. Our minds are an absolute jumbled mess of human thoughts and swan instincts. I can’t even describe to you how strange it is.

Ari’s tried,Wren informed him.Repeatedly. He says it’s like his body is playing tug of war with his mind every second of every day.

Before Caleb could respond, Lady Anneliese’s soft voice broke into their silent conversation. She hadn’t seemed bothered by Wren’s distraction, but she looked a little uncomfortable as she spoke.

“I hope it’s not impertinent of me to say, but I heard about your intervention at the council.” Lady Anneliese met Wren’s eye, something most people avoided doing. “I’m glad we’re not going to invade Entolia.”

Wren blinked at her, surprised. Not surprised that Lady Anneliese knew what had happened at the meeting. The noblewoman’s father was on the council, and even if he wasn’t, Wren putting herself forward was such a rarity, she assumed it would have spread throughout the whole castle in a day.

No, what surprised her was that Lady Anneliese had sought her out to express support. The sweet-tempered young woman was usually almost as quiet as Wren.

By way of acknowledgment, Wren gave what she hoped was a graceful nod. It was all the response she could offer. With Caleb pressed against her, she couldn’t easily reach her slate. Plus she tried to avoid using it much with anyone but her parents and her governess. She no longer cared—much—what people thought of her silence, but that didn’t mean she enjoyed making a spectacle of herself.

What’s she talking about? Who said anything about invading Entolia?

Caleb’s sharp voice cut into Wren’s thoughts, and she hid a wince. She hadn’t told her brothers about what had passed at the council meeting. She especially didn’t want to explain to Caleb how she’d done what she’d always promised herself she wouldn’t, and used her usurped position as heir to influence matters of state.

With a sigh, Wren turned to look at him.That was the general’s advice. He had discussed it with Father before, that whenever King Thorn died would be the ideal time to invade, because the kingdom would be weakened, and the new king floundering.

Caleb’s graceful head swiveled toward the pond, where Conan had just bested Bram.It makes sense. That’s a strategically sensible option.

Wren started visibly, and she saw Lady Anneliese watching her out of the corner of her eye. She ignored the other woman.

Caleb! You mean you would have supported it?She wasn’t sure what distressed her more—the idea that she’d used Caleb’s position to give advice opposite to what he would have said, or the idea that Caleb would approve the general’s plan.

No,Caleb responded calmly.Because I don’t think an invasion is either justified or wise. We’ve avoided full scale war all this time, and I think we’d be foolish to court it now.He paused.Plus I don’t like the idea of exploiting the new king’s grief.He turned his head back to Wren, his voice serious in her mind.But that doesn’t mean it’s not a strategically sensible plan. If the general believes war is advisable, it makes sense for him to suggest this timing.

Wren felt her frame relax, but she shook her head slightly. This was why Caleb was fitted for the role, not her. She struggled to remove emotion and think strategically.

And you intervened against that proposal?Caleb added suddenly.

Wren squirmed. She could have spoken directly into Caleb’s mind, but she didn’t want to. She just gave a reluctant nod.

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