Page 48 of Rise of the Phoenix King (Crown and Crest 4)

She doesn’t bother to deny it. With a smile, she disappears into her room, leaving me to shake my head.

Once she’s gone, I glance down the hall, making sure I’m alone, and walk to Clover’s nearby door. It’s late; I should go to bed.

Telling myself I’ll stay only a minute, I knock. The door swings open almost immediately, but it’s not Clover on the other side. I take a step back, startled.

“Expecting someone else?” Colter asks with a grin that reminds me of his sister’s. “It’s a little late to be calling, isn’t it?”

Clover shoves Colter aside and glares at her brother. “Go away.”

“Lawrence made me your guard for the evening,” Colter protests, wedging himself between us just to be difficult. Feigning shock, he says, “You don’t expect me to shirk my duties, do you?”

She narrows her eyes at him. “You will if you don’t want to die.”

Laughing, he relents. “Fine. I give the two of you permission to take a nice stroll about the castle. Henrik, have her back in thirty minutes.”

“Go before I hurt you,” Clover says testily.

“And leave the two of you without a chaperone?” He shakes his head. “I’m afraid I cannot do that.”

Clover presses her lips into a flat line, looking like she just might punch him.

“If you don’t like it, take it up with your good friend the king,” Colter teases.

Before Clover can make good on her threats, I take her arm. “I’ll return her soon.”

“I’ll return when I wish,” Clover says to Colter sharply, angling back to glare at him even as I propel her down the hall.

He merely waves. “Keep an eye out for undead princesses.”

She huffs out a breath once we’re out of earshot. “Lawrence is making this impossible.”

I smile at her irritation. She wears it well, though I don’t think she’d appreciate me pointing it out. “I think that’s his plan.”

“Yes, well, I have plans as well.” She flashes me a look that makes my resolve waver.

Lowering my voice, I ask, “What kind of plans?”

“Good plans.” She dares a step closer, taking her full bottom lip between her teeth.

I laugh, shaking my head as we continue down the hall. A few minutes later, we end up outside the library doors. Clover pauses in front of them. “There’s usually a night guard.”

“He appears to be absent.”

She turns to me—smirking. “Should we go inside and make sure nothing is amiss?”

I study her for several seconds, finally giving in to temptation. “I don’t believe we have a choice.”

Clover nods sagely, and we slip into the library. The rooms are dark, with the panel of windows letting in the moonlight.

A knot in my stomach coils tighter as we tour each silent, deserted room and alcove.

“I think we’re alone,” Clover finally says, turning to me.

I step up to her, not daring to touch her in the dark. “I think you’re right.”

“Are you still determined to keep your distance?”

I’m feeling euphoric tonight, bold and even a little reckless. I’m titled now, Clover’s equal. I can finally ask her father for her hand.

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