Page 20 of Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest 3)

Curiously, I examine the fabric.

“Oh, isn’t that sweet?” Calla says, joining me.

“They’re little clovers.” Lavender sighs. “He must have had all this made just for you.”

“Who knew Lawrence could be so romantic?” Hyacinth says wistfully.

While they swoon, I look at the closed door Lawrence just passed through, my heart feeling heavy.

* * *

I lieatop my new bed, staring at the clovers on the bed drapes, racked with guilt, when there’s a knock at the wall.

Not the door, mind you, thewall.

Deciding I’ve finally lost my mind, I sit up, straining to hear, and nearly jump when it echoes softly throughout the room again.

“Clover,” Lawrence calls. “Are you decent?”

“Lawrence?” I scramble off the bed. “Where are you?”

Suddenly, a section of the royal garden mural rotates, and the king sticks his head into my room. He smirks, taking in the gown I wore to dinner. “Apparently, you aretoodecent.”

Gaping at the wall, I hurry forward. “What isthat?”

Lawrence steps inside, letting me inspect the swiveling panel. It’s lightweight, and it pivots right in the center. The other side is painted as well, and when I step into the other room, I find a gargantuan bed and more gilded knickknacks than a person could ever need in their life.

I turn around and discover a mural on this side of the wall as well, this one depicting King Telgin and Hortensia upon their thrones.

“This is your room?” I ask, taking in the space.

Lawrence follows me in, his smile dimming. “I suppose.”

“It was your father’s room,” I correct myself.

Slowly, he nods.

“You don’t sleep in here?”

“I moved in, but I’ve been staying in a guest-chamber on the other side of the suite. Eventually, I suppose I’ll sleep in here.” He gives me a lazy grin. “Maybe when I’m married and need more space.”

“The queen’s bedchamber leads right in here,” I say.

“Scandalous, isn’t it?”

“Hardly. I know little of royal matters, but I never understood why the queen requires a separate set of rooms from her husband.”

“To appear grand,” Lawrence says with a laugh. “Normal couples share a set of rooms in the castle. The king and queen have two.”

I smile, shaking my head.

He jerks his chin toward the open panel. “This is the real reason I moved you in.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I hope you’re not getting any ideas.”

“Oh, Clover, I have so many ideas… But I won’t act upon them if you’re not willing.” He pauses, giving me a wolfish look. “By chance,areyou willing?”

“Goodnight, Lawrence.” I walk back through the panel.

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