Page 11 of Rise of the Phoenix King (Crown and Crest 4)

Lawrence turns to her, his face softening. “You’re free.”

She looks at me, beaming.

Clearing his throat, Lawrence says, “But—”

“But?” Clover demands, whipping back.

The king turns his attention to his knights. “Please excuse us.”

The men hesitate, but Miguel finally nods, and the four men leave the room.

“You need to exercise a little patience,” Lawrence says to Clover and me once it’s only our small group. “How do you think it will look for me if you throw yourself at Henrik right away?”

“What difference does it make?” Clover demands.

“Half the people of the court will suspect you jilted me,” Lawrence argues. “You’ll have to wait to announce your relationship until Audra and I marry.”

“Can you be any pettier?” Clover demands.

He shrugs, suddenly looking smug as he strokes his chin. “Yes, I like this. You and Henrik can’t be together until Audra agrees to marry me.”

“That’s low,” Clover hisses.

“And besides,” Lawrence continues, ignoring her, “Henrik has enough to think about right now.”

“What do I have to think about?” I ask warily. He’s not about to send me on a supply run or some other equally demeaning task, is he?

“You must decide in which province you’d like your estate. My guard resides at court the majority of the time, as you well know, so it doesn’t make all that much difference. Why don’t you choose a plot in Doria? You could be neighbors with the gnomes.”

I stand very still, afraid it’s a cruel joke.

“You don’t have to worry about designing your coat of arms, however,” he continues. “I’ve taken the liberty to do that myself.”

“You’re giving him his seal,” Clover whispers, the anger disappearing from her face.

“Henrik earned his seal,” Lawrence responds, almost grudgingly.

I look down, breathing hard. After all these years…

Thankfully, Ayan steps in before I can humiliate myself.

“This is touching, isn’t it?” the elf mock-whispers to Pranmore. “You can feel their friendship blossoming. A king and his knight—it’s beautiful. It really is.”

“What’s wrong with you?” Clover demands, trying not to laugh.

Ayan grins, sitting back in his chair. “So many things.”

A knock at the door interrupts the conversation, and we turn as Miguel enters. “The castle mortician is here, requesting an audience.”

“Let him in,” Lawrence says.

A moment later, the man walks into the room. His expression is somber, and he dabs at the perspiration beading on his brow with a handkerchief.

“Master Regan.” Lawrence stands when he sees the grave look on the man’s face. “What is it?”

“Your Majesty…” The mortician extends his hands in a plea for forgiveness. “Princess Camellia’s body is missing.”

4

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