Page 43 of Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest 3)

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nod.

Hesitantly, Lawrence raises his hand to my face, gently brushing my hair from my cheek. “Are you all right?”

“I’m not.”

“I thought after all these months…” He frowns. “You weren’t together very long.”

Looking away, I shrug.

“There’s more. Would you rather I wait? Tell you later?”

I shake my head, preparing myself. “No, I’m fine. Go on.”

“Camellia intends to come to our wedding.”

“Excuse me?” I snarl, losing my composure. “After everything she’s done—”

“We believe she’s traveling with a small group of nobles, not nearly large enough for an attack. She’s pretending it’s a gesture of goodwill—”

“It’snot.”

“I know that, and you know that—the entire kingdom knows that. But this is political, Clover. We must tread carefully.”

“I hate politics. Can’t we just destroy her?”

“Blood-thirsty princess, aren’t you?”

I crumple forward, feeling like we’re helpless. Lawrence goes still as I rest my forehead on his shoulder.

“Do you remember when we were only friends?” I ask. “Before the engagement, before you claimed to love me?”

“All right,” he says slowly, not really answering.

“Can you hug me like you would have then? Without expectation or hidden meaning?”

Slowly, Lawrence wraps his arms around my back.

I let out a sob, so frustrated and angry I almost can’t bear it. “Let’s just attack her ship and be done with it.”

“Henrik and Brielle are on that ship.” Lawrence rubs his hand up and down my back. “Do you really want that?”

“No.”

“We’re going to welcome my sister and the elves traveling with her, but don’t believe for one minute I trust her.”

“What if it’s a trick?”

“I’ve ordered extra soldiers to the western guard posts to watch the coastline, just in case. We’re keeping an eye on things.”

I pull back. “Camellia wants your throne.”

“I’m aware.”

“She’s going to try to kill you, and yet you’ll welcome her?”

“I trust my guards, and…” He winces, shaking his head. “I trust Henrik.”

I almost smile. “How painful was that to admit?”

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