Page 69 of Rise of the Phoenix King (Crown and Crest 4)

“There’s a rooftop courtyard below my balcony window,” I say. “It’s connected to Lord and Lady Hughey’s quarters, but they always spend the summer in Ladora, and I believe they’ve already left. I can toss a rope down to you if you can get into it through their sitting room.”

Henrik gives me an incredulous look. “You want me to break into Lord and Lady Hughey’s quarters? Andwhydo you have a rope?”

Ignoring the last bit, I say, “It’s not like they’re there, and I doubt you’ll swipe their valuables.”

“Clover.” He chuckles, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“It’ll be fun.” I drop my voice to a flirtatious whisper. “Like a game. And I’ll be good—I promise. I just want to spend a little time with you.”

After a moment, he takes the bait. “Like a game?”

I nod.

His smile becomes crooked. “Are you the prize?”

My stomach tightens with expectation. “If you want me to be.”

“This is ridiculous,” he says with a sudden laugh, but I know I’ve won him over. “I’ll get into the courtyard. Unlock your balcony door.”

Elated, I raise my voice and pretend to end our fake conversation. “I believe the negotiations will go better tomorrow.”

Henrik takes a step back, hiding a smile as he bows. “Have a pleasant night, Lady Clover.”

“You as well.”

I slip into my room with an elated laugh and turn back to set the lock. Finally, I’m going to have Henrik all to myself.

Just as I turn around, my bedchamber door opens.

“Oh, Cythia.” I clutch my chest when the dour maid walks into my sitting room. “You scared me half to death.”

She stares at me. “My apologies.”

I clear my throat. “What are you doing here?”

“Lavender said I should help you prepare for bed.”

“Did she? I’m sorry. You didn’t have to wait so long for me. It’s nearly two in the morning. You should have gone to bed.”

“Faithful attendants are worth their weight in gold,” she says solemnly, but there’s a sliver of ice in her tone. “Don’t you agree?”

“Yes…” I try to smile, but something is off. Unease tingles my skin as the woman walks toward me. “How long have you been in Lavender’s household, Cythia?”

“A long time.”

“Did you come to her family before or after her gray and white cat died?”

“Thatwretchedcat,” Cythia says with a roll of her eyes, exactly the way I expected her to—just as she would have when she was alive. Catching herself, she crosses her hands at her waist. “She mourned for a very long time.”

“Why are you here, Camellia?” I ask, wishing I’d stashed a few daggers in my skirt.

Dropping the act, the princess laughs through Cythia, turning my blood to ice. It’s the most horrifying thing I’ve ever seen. She’s there,right there, but she stares at me through the maid’s eyes.

“You’re always so clever, aren’t you?” Camellia says.

“Have you really come to kill me already?” I ask, hedging for time. “If you’re trying to hurt Henrik, aren’t I grand finale material? Shouldn’t you ramp up your strategy a bit? You’re going to burn out too quickly, and then there will be nothing spectacular left for the end of your performance.”

She walks forward, the older woman’s hips moving in time to Camellia’s overly seductive stride. “You aren’t nearly as important as you think, Clover. His sister, his kingdom—those all trump you. You’re an appetizer.”

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