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But just as lanky as before.

He grins. “I still have several inches before I catch you.”

“Have you been practicing with the sword I bought you?”

“A little.” He shoots me a sheepish look. “Clover has been teaching me to shoot.”

I pause in the hall to turn to him. “Archery?”

“I’m not too bad.”

I shake my head, smiling as I pretend to be disgusted. “Imagine my squire choosing a bow over a blade.”

“Now that you’re back, I’ll resume my practice,” he vows solemnly.

We’re alone now, far enough away from eavesdroppers. With a sigh, I carefully say, “You know things can’t be the way they were before, not while I’m…”

Bartholomew nods. “I know—but you’re in Cabaranth. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a step in the right direction.”

Dropping my voice, I say, “I don’t suppose Pranmore has puzzled out a way to remove the necklaces?”

“Not yet, but he’s been working on it. I can’t tell you how often I walk into his quarters and find him frowning over the one Audra sent.”

We continue to Brielle’s room, and my eyes stray to a door as we pass it. It leads into Clover’s chambers. I’ve been in there before. It’s where I burned Camellia’s letter when the princess accused Clover of sorcery.

What I would give to go back to that night now.

Too astute, Bartholomew follows my gaze and frowns. “Lawrence moved Clover to a different suite of rooms.”

“What?” I ask sharply.

“She’s a princess now,” he says carefully, gauging my reaction. “Lawrence has given her larger quarters in his wing.”

Pretending I don’t care, I make a noise of understanding and continue down the hall. Before I get much farther, I realize several knights are gathered outside a door. They watch Bartholomew and me approach, looking uncomfortable.

My concern grows when I realize they’re outside Brielle’s room.

“What’s going on?” I demand. “Has my sister been moved?”

Denny steps forward. “She is entertaining visitors. Perhaps now isn’t the best time.”

Bartholomew scowls at the knight as he steps past him and knocks on the door, silently pulling rank. He then stands just behind me, nervously shifting from one foot to the other as we wait.

When I look back, he gives me a self-conscious smile, making me suspicious. But before I can ask him about it, Brielle opens the door. “Henrik!”

Even as she says my name, her eyes stray behind me, and her grin grows.

Instead of questioning Brielle’s reaction, my attention is captured by the woman standing in the room.

Clover stares back, as startled to see me as I am her. Lawrence stands by her side…looking less pleased by my arrival. Pranmore is here as well.

“Let him in,” Lawrence says impatiently to what must be his new guard.

I glance back, startled by the sharp jab of disappointment. If things had gone according to plan, I would be a knight by now. My eyes stray to the seal Miguel wears upon his arm. He holds a position I have been working toward my entire life, but now…

Now it’s not important. I need to focus on our present situation. If Camellia finds out I met with Lawrence, she will be livid.

I should go…but I find myself stepping inside.