The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan

“The other reason you can’t appoint Simon as chancellor,” Leo reminded him. “The other what?” The king looked back and forth between the two.

Now I never say anything I don’t want him to know.” You have no idea how much trouble I got into before I learned that. “Royce can still hear you.” Hadrian stopped him. Royce climbed the steps to the House and rapped once.Īlbert leaned over to Hadrian and whispered, “He knocks at a-” “So if you call her a whore again, I’ll cut your tongue out and nail it to your chest.” She never asked for anything.” Royce turned back to Albert. People were after us-lots of people … lots of powerful people-but she kept us hidden for weeks, and she never asked for payment or explanation. You’ll be all right now.’ We would have died in the mud and the rain, but she took us in, nursed us back to health. Then she was there saying, ‘I’ve got you. Broken leg, my side sliced open, the world spinning. “He was dying in a pool of blood, and I was about to pass out. “No one cared.” Royce gestured toward Hadrian. I even yelled for help.” He looked at Albert, letting that image sink in.

Gwen saved our lives,” Royce said, looking up at the porch. “So keep talking, Albert.” Hadrian tied his horse to the post. “But this is a whorehouse-a brothel, right? And you’re here to see a woman, so-” “Don’t call her that if you want to live a long and happy life,” Hadrian said as they dismounted. “You came all this way for a whore?” Albert asked, and Royce shot him a harsh look.

The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan