Page 15 of Forged in Cursed Flames (Crown and Crest 2)

He freezes, startled by the sudden contact, and then he slowly brings his hand to the small of my back. I close my eyes, breathing in the smell of his light leather armor and the torch smoke that clings to him.

“King Algernon put me in charge of the rescue mission,” Henrik says after several long seconds.

“Did he give you your seal?” I ask, refusing to pull away until he physically removes me. “Are you an elite knight now?”

Henrik is oddly quiet—as if there’s something he feels he should say but doesn’t want to. “He says once I rescue Camellia, it’s mine.”

I pull back just enough to look him in the eyes. “Is that all it takes? I would have kidnapped her ages ago if I’d known.”

He frowns. “It’s saying things like that which make you seem guilty.”

My heart is so light, I can’t hide my grin. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Clover,” Henrik says solemnly, gently unwinding my arms from his waist. “There’s more.”

Feeling awkward—and startled he set me away—I cross my arms. “What is it?”

The commander stares at the ground instead of answering, perhaps putting his thoughts in order but most likely just stalling.

“Henrik, tell me,” I say sharply, suddenly not feeling so light.

When he looks up, his emotions are hidden behind a careful mask. “King Algernon has offered me Camellia’s hand.”

It’s like the air is knocked from my lungs. I open my mouth to respond, but there are no words. Just…emptiness.

“I don’t know what I can do.” He steps forward. “How can I refuse the king—”

“Refuse him? Why would you do that?” I say once I recover from the shock. “That’s…wonderful news. Everything is going according to your plans.”

“Clover—”

“When do you leave?” I force a smile, but it hurts my face. More, it hurts my stupid heart. I look away, ignoring the intent way he studies me.

“Dawn.”

I nod slowly, feeling like I’m drowning. “Who’s going with you?”

“Bartholomew and Pranmore.”

I look back sharply. “And?”

The commander shakes his head.

“You’re going into Ferradelle alone?” I step forward. “Are youmad?”

“If we arrive with an entire legion, they’ll kill Camellia before we reach Revalane. We have no choice but to sneak in.”

“How will you find your way around the city?”

“I don’t know.”

“How will you get Camellia out once you’ve rescued her?”

Henrik shifts, uncomfortable. “I don’t know that either.”

“You’re just going to take things as they come? That’s not really your style, is it?”

“What choice do I have?”

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