Page 26 of Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest 3)

“What about Lawrence?” Calla asks quietly.

“Lawrence and I are friends,” I say testily, watching the prince as he ducks an attack and then boots Jove off balance. The knight falls, and the men laugh. “You know that.”

Lawrence looks over, smirking when he sees me watching. He gives me a flirtatious bow and then returns to his practice, looking for his next opponent.

“Lately, he hasn’t been looking at you like you’re a friend,” Hyacinth muses. “And he hasn’t been making his rounds, either.”

“I don’t know why you all let him play with you like that,” I say absently.

“I think Hyacinth’s point is that Lawrence has been faithful ever since you became engaged,” Calla says, her tone thoughtful as well. “Which is strange, don’t you think?”

“He’s not a complete louse,” I argue. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

“Does he know about you and Henrik?” Lavender asks softly.

I rub the dull pain in the middle of my chest. “He knows.”

Hyacinth sighs. “How sad.”

Calla laughs softly. “Who would have thought Clover would be the one out of all of us to get herself tangled up with two men?”

“Henrik and Lawrence,” Lavender whispers as if in awe. With a giggle, she adds, “You certainly know how to pick them.”

But they’re wrong—I’m not tangled at all. My heart belongs to Henrik, and my hand belongs to Lawrence. It’s as simple, and sad, as that.

“Lawrence said he’ll take care of it,” I say softly. “When Henrik returns, he’ll fix it.”

Calla lets out a startled gasp. “You’ve already set the wedding date.”

“I’m aware—thoughIcertainly didn’t set it.”

“You think he will truly call it off?” Lavender asks.

“Enough about me,” I say. “Have you noticed how Barret has been watching Calla? Ever since she joined us, he’s been glancing our way.”

Proving to be easily distracted, Calla subtly turns toward the sparring knights, looking for the man in question. He’s fighting Redge right now, but as soon as he bests him, he looks over to find her. A wide grin spreads across the knight’s face when he sees her watching him, and he holds up a hand to acknowledge her.

She flushes, grinning prettily, and then looks away as if shy.

The three launch into a conversation full of speculation, and I let out a sigh of relief.

Again, Lawrence looks over, this time raising his brows as if to ask if I’m all right.

I nod, and he returns to his practice.

As the girls prattle on, my mind wanders back to Henrik. It’s been over a month now.

Is he well? Has he found a way to remove the necklace and escape Camellia? Could he possibly be on his way back now?

Suddenly, I stand, refusing to dwell on it any longer.

“Where are you going?” Calla asks.

“I’m going to ask Lawrence to have a practice target brought in so I can shoot.”

If I don’t do something, my questions will drive me mad.

Making sure my ladies are properly distracted with Barret, I sneak away with the excuse of fetching my bow, enjoying a few quiet minutes to myself.

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