Page 119 of Forged in Cursed Flames (Crown and Crest 2)

I’ve never seen him like this, and it sets me on edge. The prince’s carefree manner has always driven me mad, but this is worse.

“What do we do?” Audra asks.

“I’ll just have to go,” Clover says with a shrug. “What can Camellia do when I’m surrounded by you all anyway?”

I give her a hard look. “No.”

“What choice do we have?” She sets her hands on her hips. “As you can see, I’m not dead.”

“Not yet,” I shoot back.

She presses her lips into a thin line, and then she shrugs as if acknowledging I’m not overreacting this time.

“Why is Camellia so obsessed with Clover?” Lawrence barks out, finally speaking. His eyes flash as he looks at us each in turn, acting as if he thinks we’re withholding answers.

“Does she know about…” Audra looks between Clover and me. “Does she know about your relationship?”

Clover slowly shakes her head.

But I remember the look on Camellia’s face when she saw me holding Clover’s arm when we first arrived at the palace. She was livid.

Would she have dismissed her lifelong squabble with Clover if I hadn’t touched the lady-in-waiting that day?

“She might be jealous,” I admit.

“But she doesn’t even know!” Clover insists.

Lawrence goes back to his pacing. “Even I suspected you liked the commander before you ever left for the supply run,” he says. “It makes sense Camellia had the same thoughts. She likely sent you with that letter so that Henrik, the man she assumed you loved, would be the one to destroy you.”

Audra looks horrified. “Is she that awful?”

“Yes,” Lawrence and Clover say at once.

Then Clover turns to Lawrence. “And what do you mean you suspected before we left for the supply run? I didn’t even know Henrik then!”

“You watched him.”

Embarrassed, Clover’s eyes flutter back to me. “I didn’t.”

I raise my brows, teasing her silently.

“And you two had that moment in the throne room when Henrik brought back the jacquesalaupe,” Bartholomew points out quietly. “It’s all people talked about for days.”

Recognition washes over Clover’s face, telling me she remembers the incident. As if having an epiphany, she says, “Calla said Camellia was angry about it.”

“I told you before,” Lawrence says. “It all comes down to Henrik. He’s Camellia’s one weakness.”

The group’s eyes turn on me, and I try not to shift under their attention.

“I will watch over Clover,” Pranmore says solemnly, speaking for the first time. He turns to me. If it is your will, I will leave your side to stay by hers.”

His wards might save her life.

“You have no obligation to me,” I say, reminding him I released him from his vow long ago. “But will you?”

The Woodmore nods solemnly. “I could not bear it if something happened to her.”

“Thank you, Pranmore,” Clover says softly, though she looks nervous.

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