Page 62 of Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest 3)

“How did Henrik get that past the guards?”

I frown, mulling that over. “Henrik said he didn’t send it.”

Lawrence pauses with his hand halfway to the sugar bowl. “Then who did? And how did you see him if he didn’t set up the meeting?”

“We have no idea, but thank goodness he was there. He ended up saving me from a hungry ginden. I didn’t even realize they were carnivorous.”

“Gindens? They’re not. You probably disturbed its nest—they’re highly territorial.”

“Oh, that’s awful—Henrik killed it.”

Lawrence leans forward. “Would you focus?”

“We can’t just leave the babies to fend for themselves,” I argue.

Exasperated, Lawrence sits back in his chair. “I’ll send someone to look into it. There’s a Woodmore community only fifteen minutes from here. If we find young, we’ll send them there.”

Mollified, I nod.

“So, the note was signed with Henrik’s name, but he didn’t send it?” Lawrence prods, redirecting the conversation back.

I shake my head. “The note wasn’t signed at all.”

Lawrence stares at me, looking like I’ve lost my mind. “The note wasn’t signed, but you blindly followed it?”

I take another sip of tea, scratching the bridge of my nose and avoiding his eyes when I reluctantly say, “Basically, yes.”

“Clover!”

“I won’t do it again.”

“What were you doing up in the middle of the night?”

I study my tea. “I couldn’t sleep.”

Lawrence doesn’t respond right away, and when he does, he clears his throat first. “I need you to be cautious of Camellia. Don’t taunt her like you usually do.”

“When have I ever taunted Camellia?”

He raises his brows, skeptical.

“She brings out the worst in me,” I finally relent, hiding a smile. “It’s not my fault.”

“She’s dangerous,” he reminds me. “And she hates you. Don’t provoke her. In fact, stay as far from her as possible.”

“Fine.”

“And…” He suddenly becomes wildly interested in his scone. “Stay away from Henrik, too.”

I narrow my eyes. “Say that again.”

“Just for now,” he hastily explains—but he still won’t look at me. “It’s obvious he’s trying to minimize your connection. Didn’t you see the way he ignored you yesterday?”

“I noticed, thank you. He said Camellia ordered him not to look at me.”

He nods. “I suspected as much. I’m afraid jealousy runs in the family.”

“Lawrence…”

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