Page 114 of Knight from the Ashes (Crown and Crest 1)

Because I’m awake, I see Henrik rise from his bedroll. I roll onto my side and watch him. He adds a few logs to the fire, and sparks fly into the night. Instead of returning to his bedroll, he stares at the flames.

His eyes follow me as I rise. Wrapping my cloak around my shoulders, I join him.

“What are you doing up?” I ask, trying to stay quiet so I don’t wake Pranmore or Bartholomew.

“I couldn’t sleep. You?”

I shake my head.

“Tomorrow, we’ll be back to civilization,” he says. “I don’t know…”

I turn to him with my arms crossed, studying him in the firelight. “You don’t know what, soldier?”

Henrik’s eyes meet mine, and a sad smile tugs at his mouth. “I don’t know what that means for us.”

“Us?” I whisper softly, ignoring the hitch in my breath.

He studies me intently, wearing that enigmatic look I’ve both come to love and hate. Eventually, he nods toward Bartholomew and Pranmore. “Our small party will be disbanded.”

“Naturally,” I say lightly, though the thought of it coming to an end makes my heart ache. “Once we reach Cabaranth, you’ll be a sealed knight, too high and mighty to rub elbows with the likes of us.”

“Clover…”

“I’m so happy for you—and even happier I was here for the adventure.”

He stares at me, sensing my goodbye is imminent.

“I know you didn’t have a lot of choice in the matter,” I continue, “but I’m so grateful you allowed me to come with you.”

Searching my eyes, he finally finds his voice. Solemnly, he says, “The pleasure has been mine.”

“Close your eyes, soldier,” I whisper, knowing I can’t say everything I need to say with him looking at me like that.

“What?” he asks, startled.

Softly, I say, “Close your eyes,Henrik.”

Swallowing, he does as I ask.

“I won’t begrudge you for promising yourself to Camellia after you’re granted your seal. I know the princess is part of your future.”

His eyes begin to open.

“Eyes closed,” I command softly. “I’m not done.”

“Clover—”

“I wish you every happiness in life. Even if we become mere acquaintances once more, our eyes meeting only briefly when we pass in the halls, know that I am fiercely proud of all you have accomplished and all you have yet to accomplish. You are a good man—one of the few truly valiant ones, and I am grateful I got the chance to know you.”

Henrik tilts his head up, looking as if he’s finding the conversation as difficult as I am. But honoring my request, he doesn’t open his eyes.

“And…I have to ask you to forgive me.”

“For what?” he asks gruffly.

He jumps a little when I take his face in my hands, and his lips part with surprise. But he doesn’t pull away.

I stand on my tiptoes, guiding his head downward before I press a featherlight kiss to his lips.

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