Page 80 of Fall of the Ember Throne (Crown and Crest 3)

“They attacked us,” I tell Lawrence, and then I nod to the swordsman. “That one there has an army-issued sword.”

“He might have stolen it.”

“He fights like a trained soldier.”

“Could he have left the army and turned to a life of crime?” Lawrence muses. “Bad choice of target if that’s the case.”

“That one there called Henrik a traitor.” Clover covers her mouth as she yawns, jerking her head toward the men. “And he knew about his arm. They were well aware of who we were.”

Lawrence looks at her with concern. “You must be exhausted.”

“A bit.”

He narrows his eyes. “Maybe you shouldn’t have sneaked out of the castle.”

With a smile, she answers, “Maybe you shouldn’t treat me like a prisoner.”

“How did you get past your guard?”

“I slipped through the panel between our rooms and climbed the pillar outside your balcony to the floor above.”

He gives her an incredulous look. “Are you serious?”

“I climb well,” she says.

“Up—not down,” I add, earning a scowl from Clover that makes me want to laugh despite the circumstances.

Lawrence shakes his head. “Never mind. I wish I hadn’t asked.”

“I have to get back,” I say quietly so the guards won’t overhear. “I don’t know what Camellia will do to Brielle if I’m gone too long.”

Lawrence nods. “Yes, go on. I’ll sort this out.”

Before I leave, I look back at Clover. But with too many eyes on us, I can’t say anything. She offers me a small smile, looking as frustrated as I feel.

19

CLOVER

“Do you think the Constable and his men will talk?” I quietly ask Lawrence as his knights escort us back to our wing of the castle.

Our attackers have been moved to the dungeon, where Miguel is persuading them to give him their information. I’m not sure what that entails—but I’m certain I don’t want to know. They were identified as soon as we arrived. All three, as Henrik suspected, are in the king’s military.

Or rather, they were. Now they’ll be lucky if they leave the dungeon alive.

Lawrence shoots me a dark look. “Rumors will likely travel.”

We pause in front of my door. I’m not ready to end the conversation, but I don’t want to speak with him in front of Lawrence’s knights. It’s too awkward.

Palmer, my new door guard, looks baffled when he sees me. “Your Highness, I thought you… Aren’t you inside?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m right here.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Lawrence tells the man, and then he turns to me. “Try to get some sleep.”

I nod halfheartedly and go inside, worried about potential gossip and wondering who the men were targeting. It would make sense if it were me, but it seems they were after Henrik.

But mostly, I’m worried about Brielle.

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