Page 29 of Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest 3)

“You are theworst.”

“But you…I don’t want to touch you.”

I straighten in my chair, wondering if I’ll be arrested if I slap the king.

“Because you are precious,” he continues carefully. “And I’m afraid if I mess up, I’ll lose you.”

This conversation is dancing dangerously close to something real, and I didn’t expect it. Lawrence has never convinced me his feelings are genuine, but right now…

“Stop.” I press my hand to my chest, to that constant dull ache that’s growing more painful.

“See?” Lawrence exclaims in a whisper, gently catching my wrist. “You’re about to run away, aren’t you?Thisis why I’m never honest with you.”

I look down at his hand. “You said you didn’t want to touch me.”

He laughs, releasing me. “Let me amend my words—I want to touch you. I want to touch youverymuch. I’ve just never been stupid enough to try it.”

I sink back into my chair, drawing my legs up to my chin and pulling my skirts low so I’m decent.

Lawrence frowns, shaking his head. “You initiated the conversation, not me.”

Again, I close my eyes. “I just wanted a confirmation, that’s all.”

“How about a compromise instead?”

I open one eye and scowl. “How could there be a compromise in a situation like this?”

Lawrence leans close. “Fine, a deal.”

“Go on.”

He grins, but his light brown eyes are serious. “I won’t hold back—I’ll woo you like I’ve never wooed a woman before, but in return, I won’t touch you. If Henrik returns—”

“When.”

He sighs. “When Henrik returns, I will release you from the engagement if that’s what you want. But if you fall madly in love with me, promise you won’t be too proud to admit it.”

I think about it for several seconds. “So I have to put up with you smothering me with affection?”

He raises a brow. “That’s right.”

“I don’t like it.”

He shrugs. “Take it or leave it.”

“And if I leave it?”

Leaning very close, he teases, “I’ll probably marry you out of spite.”

Huffing out a laugh, I say, “Fine, I agree to let you be nice to me.”

I begin to rise, but Lawrence grabs my hand. “Wait.”

“You’ve already broken your side of the agreement!” I exclaim, yanking my hand away.

A wicked look crosses his face. “Oh, princess, that is not the kind of touching I was referring to.”

“Never mind. What do you want?”

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