Page 2 of Rise of the Phoenix King (Crown and Crest 4)

Her eyes widen slightly, and she drops her hand to her lap. Not bothering to protest, she answers, “You betrayed me, and you betrayed my brother.”

“When?” I demand.

“You spent the night in Clover’s quarters—in mymother’squarters.” Her hand clenches into a fist. “And the next morning, when your desires were sated, you promised yourself to me.”

My surprise is sharp, but it shouldn’t be. Camellia knows everything.

“I didn’t lay with her,” I say instead of arguing. “I certainly didn’t ‘sate my desires.’”

“What else does a man do with a woman alone until dawn?”

“What have I done in your room every night since we returned to Cabaranth?” I demand, battling my growing rage. “We talked, and then we dozed until morning. It was a goodbye, Camellia. Am I not even allowed that?”

“YOU’RE NOT!” she suddenly screeches, the words warbling on a sob. Leaning forward, she strikes my shoulder and then latches her arms around my neck, crying hot tears against my skin. “You’re mine.”

She’s a broken, miserable creature.

Kill her, the monster whispers.Break her neck.

But I ignore the voice. Clenching my teeth, I set my hand on Camellia’s back, rubbing a small circle to soothe her—mollifying her like I would a child.

The princess used to wear perfume that smelled of her namesake, but there’s a strange scent to her now—the stench of death. It makes my stomach roll, and it’s difficult not to shove her away. But I fight the instinct.

Camellia goes still, surprised by the contact.

I fight back the bile in my throat and say, “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

This is my life now—Camellia is my mission. I must keep her from darkness even if it means I sink into the pit myself.

“Please don’t cry,” I grit out.

Slowly, she loosens her grip on me and pulls back, studying my face. “Henrik?”

“Let me be enough,” I say. “Give up the magic for me. Not for the kingdom or your brother. Live for me, Camellia.” I pause, my throat constricting. “And I will live for you.”

A sacrifice I will make for Clover, Brielle, and all Caldenbauer.

Camellia wants it; she wants me. I watch the struggle in her eyes. The disbelief, the hurt. Suddenly, her mouth turns into a sneer. “What about Clover?”

“The wedding is going to be painful for me,” I say, feeling the truth of the words deep in my core. “Sit by my side tonight. Offer me your strength.”

Her eyes soften.

“And no more magic,” I warn.

Her face contorts, but she nods.

“Swear it, Camellia. And this time,mean it.”

“I swear, Henrik. Don’t ever leave me, and I will never perform magic again.”

“Agreed.”

Though I feel like I just signed away my life, a happy tear slides down Camellia’s cheek. She smiles, looking like I just promised her the world, and tilts her head up, offering her lips.

I step back. “I need to take you to Pranmore. If Clover sees your hand…”

Thankfully, Camellia hasn’t left her room since she sliced it, refusing to even go to Hellebore’s funeral. If Clover had discovered proof that the princess had lied, she’d be on the warpath. Knowing I could escape this prison if I revealed the truth, I almost told her several times. But Camellia holds too many lives in her hands, including my sister’s. The risk is too great.

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