Page 12 of Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest 3)

The princess turns back and gives me a coy smile, but it’s tinged with frustration. We’ve found ourselves in a strange, antagonistic relationship.

Camellia doesn’t trust me, and I loathe everything about her, especially the fact that I was so blinded by her pretty face at one time. When I look at her now, I see my weakness—I see a cruel, selfish woman who wrapped me around her finger, and it fills me with shame.

“I’ve never met such an infuriating man,” she seethes.

I study her with little feeling. “Are you referring to the duke or me?”

She lets out a mirthless laugh and then wanders the small room.

“It doesn’t have to be like this between us, Henrik.” After a few seconds, she turns her bright blue eyes on me. “We could be so much more.”

“You have taken my family prisoner, Your Highness. Explain how different things could be.”

She clenches her hands into fists. “Stop sayingthat. Irescuedthem from their miserable existence. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done foryou.You’ll see it eventually.”

“You put a poisoned necklace around my sister’s neck…for me?”

Camellia rolls her eyes, looking genuinely frustrated. “Only because you gave me no choice. Do you have any idea how much it pains me that you’ve made me resort to such a thing?”

“Do you even hear yourself?” I demand, stepping forward. “Camellia.”

She crosses the room to face me, her eyes pleading. “Tell me you love me, Henrik. Pledge your sword and swear your allegiance, and I will remove your sister’s necklace.”

I snort out a laugh, looking away. “And if I lie?”

“You wouldn’t lie.” She grasps my uninjured arm, and I clench my jaw, resisting the urge to shove her away. “If you made the vow, you’d honor it. I know that.”

I meet her gaze and deadpan, “I love you. I pledge my sword and swear my allegiance.”

Her face crumples like an angry child’s, and suddenly, she slaps me. The sound echoes in the small room, startling though not unexpected. It’s not the first time she’s struck me since she chained me to her side.

“Don’t toy with me, Henrik,” Camellia warns, her eyes glossy. “And don’t vow empty words while your eyes curse me.”

I lean forward and say harshly, “Then don’t ask for something you know I won’t give you.”

“I could kill your sister,” she says softly, running the tip of her finger down my chest. “Right now, without even being in the same room. For all you know, Brielle is gasping for breath as we speak.”

“Camellia.” I grab her wrist, stilling her hand. My stomach rolls as I bow my head to her. “Please.”

“Apologize.”

“I’m sorry.”

“On your knee, commander.”

I immediately drop, turning my face to the floor.

“Say it again,” she commands.

I nearly choke on my anger, but somehow, I manage to sound remorseful. “I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

Temporarily placated, Camellia sets her hand on my head. Thoughts of Brielle are the only thing keeping me from flinching away.

“Your sister is fine.” She strokes my hair. “But don’t forget the power I wield.”

I look up, careful to keep my expression blank.

“And stop fighting me, Henrik,” she says. “It might not feel like it now, but I’m standing before you, offering the world. I’vechosenyou. Don’t you understand?”

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