Page 28 of Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest 3)

Appearing a touch uncomfortable, Lawrence clears his throat. “Hello, Marian.”

“May I assist you in some way?” she asks. “Is there a specific text you are searching for?”

Lawrence shakes his head. “We’ll just look around a bit.”

The librarian nods, her doe eyes wide. “If you need anything…”

Lawrence thanks her, and he escorts me into the corner of the room, toward a pair of chairs by a window that are partially blocked by a tall bookcase and a potted fern on a small table.

“One of your girls?” I ask wryly.

Lawrence smiles. “Jealous, princess?”

I sigh. “Curious.”

“My eyes haven’t strayed from you since our engagement.”

I lean into the armrest of my chair, stacking my fists and resting my chin on them.

“What’s wrong, Clover?” Lawrence lowers his chin onto his own armrest to meet me at eye level. “Why are we here?”

“Rumors are spreading about Henrik and me.”

“And you’re uncomfortable?”

“I’m…” Sad doesn’t seem like enough.

Gutted. Broken. Empty.

I draw in a deep breath and close my eyes, turning from Lawrence, jumping a little when he brushes my hair away from my face.

“I’m sorry you’re hurting,” he says quietly.

“You meant it, didn’t you? That you’ll end this when he returns?”

Lawrence doesn’t answer right away. Slowly, I open my eyes.

“Do I have to?” he asks, cocking his head to the side like he’s teasing.

I don’t have the energy to get upset. “You promised.”

He frowns. “I did, but…”

“But what?”

Smiling, he laughs to himself, probably knowing I’m not going to like what he’s about to say. “I’m comfortable.”

“Comfortable?” I say, feeling a tinge of irritation stirring. “Comfortable?”

He extends his hands in surrender. “I like you standing by my side. I like sitting with you at dinner. I like…being with you.”

“Lawrence.”

“We’re different together, Clover. Other women…” He shakes his head as if struggling. “I like how they feel—”

“That’s too much information,” I interrupt.

“No, listen,” he insists. “I like the rush, but I don’t likethem. They’re disposable—”

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