Page 87 of Rise of the Phoenix King (Crown and Crest 4)

“How close is it to the city?” Lawrence asks.

“Half a day’s ride. Tomorrow morning, we’ll leave.”

“You’ll set up camp and wait?”

I nod.

“Sounds like a good time,” he says wistfully, still hating that he’s stuck behind the protection of the castle walls.

“I want Clover to stay here.”

He raises his eyebrows. “You think she’ll let you leave without her?”

“This isn’t a skirmish,” I say quietly. “It’s going to be a bloody, dirty battle, and she’s not trained for it.”

He holds up his hands. “You don’t have to convince me.”

“I’m not trying to convince you. I’m asking for a favor.” I frown. “As a…friend.”

Lawrence answers with a cocky grin. “That was painful for you, wasn’t it?”

“Just tell me you’ll do it—command her to stay.”

“She’s going to be mad,” he warns.

“I know.”

“Like a calnauth in early spring.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m aware.”

“It’s your funeral.” He shrugs. “Just know I’ll place the blame directly on you.”

Grateful, I nod.

The king glances toward the setting sun and raises his brows suggestively. “You know what most men do before they leave for war…don’t you?”

I let out a long-suffering sigh, looking away.

“Henrik the Noble my foot,” he scoffs with a laugh. “Your mind is filthier than mine. I meant they getmarried.”

“Tonight?” I ask, incredulous.

“No time like the present.”

I study him for a moment. “Before or after I tell her I’m leaving her here?”

He snorts. “That depends on if you fancy sleeping alone.”

* * *

I knock on Clover’s door and tap my fist on the doorframe as I wait. A small ceremony is one thing, but this…this is something different. It feels too rushed.

After several seconds, Clover opens the door, raking her eyes over me as her mouth twists into a questioning smile. “Hello, soldier.”

“If I asked you to marry me tonight, would you? Your brothers are preparing for battle, your father has taken your mother to her sister, and this is ridiculous.” I search her eyes. “But…would you?”

Clover lists her head to the side, perhaps questioning whether I’ve been drinking. “Right now?”

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