Page 74 of Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest 3)

Once we’re through, he locks the gate once more, and we continue into the quiet city streets.

Something bothers me, and I pause, gently tugging Henrik to a stop. “It’s going to work out for us. I truly believe it, and I need you to believe it too.”

The commander’s smile softens, and he sets his hand on my neck, softly stroking my jaw with his thumb. “Even if it doesn’t, I’m glad for the time we were given.”

“Henrik,” I say sternly. “I mean it.”

“I won’t give up hope until there’s a ring on your finger,” he answers, though I’m afraid he’s placating me. “I promise.”

“I won’t marry Lawrence,” I swear. “We’re going to defeat Camellia, and then we will be together.”

Nodding with a resigned look that breaks my heart, Henrik takes my hand once more. “You might not have as much say in the matter as you believe.”

I open my mouth to argue, but it’s pointless. On some level, I know he’s right. But I don’t think anyone realizes how determined I am.

Henrik is mine, and I am his. I gave my heart to him in Revalane, and that is simply that. I will be with him when this is all said and done, or I will give my life fighting.

There is no other option.

18

HENRIK

The city is nearly silent this time of night, but as we near the section where Camellia instructed me to go, the streets become slightly more populated. People loiter in the shadows in small groups.

A guard turns the street corner, and two nearby men slip behind a building to continue their business. Whatever it is, they don’t want him to spot them.

The guard eyes Clover and me, taking note of our dark cloaks. I don’t know many of the men stationed in the city barracks. But even though he doesn’t look familiar, I lower my head, hoping the shadows will obscure my face so he won’t recognize me.

“Best be getting home,” he warns as he passes. “The hour is late, and I won’t tolerate any trouble in my district.”

“Is there a curfew now?” Clover demands, getting riled up—as she is prone to do. “Have we done something wrong and deserve to be singled out?”

I close my eyes with an internal groan, realizing bringing Clover along might not have been the best decision.

Shadow rogue my foot.

“Our apologies,” I say, tugging Clover so she keeps walking. “We don’t wish to cause trouble.”

The guard grunts, thankfully letting us leave.

And by some miracle, Clover lets me pull her away. When we’re out of earshot, she hisses, “He really shouldn’t harass people like that.”

“It’s his job.”

“What about us looks suspicious?” she demands.

“We’re walking through the seedier section of the city in dark, unmarked cloaks at nearly one in the morning. What about usdoesn’tlook suspicious?”

She grins up at me. “You’ve got a point.”

“Let’s try not to anger the guards, all right?” I say. “Things would get uncomfortable if we were arrested together.”

A ruckus comes from a nearby tavern, and we pause as several large men toss a drunken patron onto the street. The man yells something incoherent, stumbling forward as he shakes his fist at the tavern men. Unmoved, they return inside.

“Camellia’s acquaintance resides in a lovely area of the city.” Clover frowns as the drunken man begins to argue with a post. “Do you think he’s all right?”

“A patrol guard will come through and collect him soon,” I say dismissively.

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