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“Father!” she exclaims, smiling like the sun gifted her its light. She hurries across the entry, her golden curls flowing behind her, and embraces him like a young girl.

Algernon looks stunned as she beams up at him. Slowly, he places his hand on her shoulder. “Camellia…”

“Are you proud of me?” she whispers, looking like she’s handing him the greatest gift. “I arranged the marriage alliance myself. Auggy is so pleased, and he’s promised he’ll lower the price of exports.”

Algernon’s blank face turns to me, and I offer him a helpless shrug. She is a two-faced snake, but he should know that better than I.

“Why would you leave without a word?” Algernon gently chastises, too overwhelmed with relief to imbue the words with much heat. “And the man in your room…”

“Lawrence told me.” Her face falls. “I believe I know who committed such a horrifying deed, and we will speak of thatverysoon.”

Augmirian joins us, bowing low before the king. I catch the hint of a sneer as it steals across his mouth, but he manages to hide it from Algernon. “It is an honor to be received into your family, Your Majesty.”

“Now, just a minute.” Algernon gently sets Camellia aside as he turns toward the duke. “I did not give this union my blessing. I’m sure my daughter’s heart was in the right place, but she is naive in the ways of the world.”

Camellia’s eyes flash, and she digs her long nails into the pad of her palm.

Oblivious to her agitation, Algernon continues, “If you wish to marry Camellia, and she is willing, we will discuss a betrothal. But I’m certainly not going to stand by like a daft old fool while the two of you plot behind my back.”

“But Father,” Camellia says softly. A wicked gleam shines from her eyes even as her smile dims. “We’re already married.”

The palace entry goes so quiet, you could hear a mouse sneeze.

Lawrence tenses, setting a reassuring hand on Algernon’s shoulder as if he’s worried the news might do him in.

Several emotions play across the king’s face, until his features become void of life. In a monotone voice, he turns to Duke Augmirian. “Is this true?”

The duke can’t hide the smug lift of his mouth this time. “It is, Sire. Your daughter now belongs tome.”

28

Clover

“You’re such a wretchedcheat!”I exclaim, tossing my cards on the table.

Ayan sits across from me, smirking as he gathers his coins. “Shall we play again?”

“You’ve taken all I have,” I grouch, sitting back in the seat and crossing my arms as I glower at him.

I’m good at cards—my brothers taught me how to play when I was five. By the time I was sixteen, I could outbluff any knight—much to my father’s chagrin.

ButAyan…well, he’s a blasted High Vale, isn’t he?

He jerks his chin, giving me a once-over. “There are other more tantalizing wagers we can make. Pranmore’s not around to chaperone us now.”

The Woodmore retired to his room hours ago, bored of watching us argue.

“Is that how you want to play, elf?” I crook my finger, making a “come here” gesture.

Ayan gulps, looking far too eager, and leans over the table. “Oh, pretty spaniel, that’sexactlyhow I want to play.”

I twist my hand in the neck of his shirt like I’m going to drag him in for a kiss…and then I swat his chin up, pushing him back. “Not on your life.”

“Your loss.” He works his jaw dramatically, and then he tosses me several coins. “I’ll spot you. Let’s see if you can win your money back.”

Before I accept the challenge, I hear voices in the hall. I stand so abruptly, I knock several cards off the table. “They’re back.”

Ayan follows me out of the room, but his pace is a little more leisurely. When we enter the foyer, we find our group, plus Audra, her mother, and Lyredon, in a heated conversation.