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Clover’s eyes go wide. “How?”

“I have no idea. But right now, she’s just toying with us.”

“You have to figure out what she’s planning.” Clover turns from me, perusing the straw-stuffed training dummies that line the side wall. “There must be a way. She keeps you closer than anyone. You haven’t overheard anything?”

I think about that, frowning. “There is someone closer.”

“Hellebore.” Clover looks over her shoulder at me. “But she’s practically a mother to Camellia. She wouldn’t betray her.”

We fall silent, and I watch her, feeling a sharp ache in my chest.

“I’m going into the city to see the apothecary tonight,” I say. “Camellia likely believes I’ve already left.”

“See if you can get him to talk. Maybe if we have some idea what she’s concocting, we’ll know what she’s plotting.” She smiles as she joins me once more. “I’d go with you if I could, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

We study each other, and Clover’s smile falls. Softly, she says, “I didn’t mean what I said that night. You know that, don’t you? I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in two weeks because I was terrified you might have thought…”

“I knew.” I look down. “But perhaps it would have been better if it were true. I think I could manage if I knew you loved Lawrence, that you could be happy with him. I’d step back—for you.”

Clover’s eyes grow sad, and her gaze moves to my cheek. Lifting her hand, she brushes her fingertips over the new scar. “What happened?”

“Camellia.” After so many months of torment, it’s impossible to resist the comfort Clover offers. I close my eyes, leaning into her hand, not caring if she knows I’m weak.

I start when Clover’s lips replace her fingers. She kisses my cheek softly, erasing the memories of Camellia’s unwanted touch.

“I cannot imagine everything you’ve been through,” she says quietly, wrapping her hand around the back of my neck and massaging the tight muscles with gentle fingers.

“I’m sweaty,” I protest, half-heartedly pulling away.

“I don’t care.”

Pulling me down to meet her, she kisses my mouth. Her lips are warm and soft, and I want more.

“We can’t,” I try to protest, but it’s impossible to step away when we have so little time left. This may be our last chance to be alone.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispers. “So much.”

“Lawrence truly knows you’re here?” I pull back just slightly.

Though I hate to bring him up now, for my peace of mind, I need to know that I’m not betraying my king.

“He does.” Clover’s spring green eyes meet mine, confessing things she hasn’t yet said with her lips. “He’s resigned himself to the fact I’ve picked you—not that he likes it. But I don’t want to talk about him. Right now, all I want to think about is you.”

“Clover…”

“Kiss me, soldier,” she pleads quietly, and the soft, desperate request is my undoing.

I press my hand to the small of Clover’s back, dragging her against me. The silk of her dress is slick against my bare skin, and she’s warm and small and perfect.

Too exhausted for self-control, I kiss her without reservation, my hunger fueled by her soft exclamation of surprise. Perhaps if she tried to pull away, I could stop myself. I could be rational. But Clover stands on her toes, clutching my shoulders as she meets me kiss for kiss, sigh for sigh, breath for breath…

And I am lost to her.

23

CLOVER

Anyone could walk into the storage room at any minute, and Henrik and I are surrounded by discarded swords and leather training armor. It’s the least romantic location, but I couldn’t care less.