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“All right.”

He nods toward the dais, where the king’s guard is already waiting. “How did you manage this?”

“Me?”

“There is nothing you cannot accomplish, Clover. And somehow, you’ve even made the common-born man you wish to marryroyal.”

“It’s a gift,” I tease.

“That may be, but you might want to stake your claim sooner than later.” Gavriel gestures toward the trio of young women hovering near the front corner of the room, giggling as they wait for the commander to make his appearance.

“Believe me, I would if I could. But Lawrence commanded we must wait to announce our relationship until he and Audra marry.”

Gavriel laughs, shaking his head. “Your friendship with the king is a strange one.”

He has no idea.

The crowd falls silent as my father walks up the steps of the dais. “Please find your seats,” he says to the room. “The ceremony will begin shortly.”

The next few minutes are filled with the shuffling of chairs and swishing of gowns. Once the people take their places, Lawrence appears at the side of the room. The crowd stands, and we bow our heads to our king.

“You may be seated,” Father says after Lawrence takes his throne. “The knighting will begin in a moment.”

“Knighting?” I ask Gavriel. “But Bartholomew said—"

“Only a nobleman may become duke marshal,” my brother says. “Henrik must first become a sealed knight, and then he will be appointed to the new position.”

Suddenly nervous, I twist my hands in my lap. When Henrik appears in the doorway at the side of the royal dais, my heart forgets to beat. He looks painfully handsome in his military best, wearing the colors of our kingdom. His golden commander’s medallion gleams in the light, newly polished. Bartholomew stands at his side, bursting with pride. You’d think Henrik was his brother.

Together, they walk to the front of the room. Bartholomew takes his place at Lawrence’s side, and Henrik lowers himself before the king.

A young page enters with Henrik’s seal on a red silken pillow, walking carefully. The boy looks keenly aware he has the room’s attention.

Lawrence rises again to accept the seal, but this time, we stay seated. He turns toward Henrik. After several long seconds, he says, “Over the last eight years, you have served diligently in my father’s army, working your way through the infantry and eventually claiming the position of commander. You are trustworthy and loyal, and have risked body and mind for the good of Caldenbauer. It is my greatest pleasure to elevate you from soldier to knight. You were born a commoner, but you are now a nobleman of my kingdom, with all the honor that accompanies the title. Rise, Sir Henrik.”

I press my lips together, telling myself I won’t cry. But there’s no stopping this fierce pride. I’m overwhelmed with joy, so happy for the man I love, knowing how long he’s waited for this moment.

Henrik stands, and even though his back is facing us, I have no doubt he’s stoically shielding his emotions.

Lawrence removes the emerald soldier-class pennant and golden commander medallion, replacing them with an amber pennant and the elite knight’s seal. I blink several times, clutching my hands together.

After a long moment, Henrik turns to face the crowd.

We rise once more, and Lawrence says, “It is my honor to present Sir Henrik Solbane, my fifth and final sealed knight.”

The crowd applauds, but no one is more exuberant than I.

12

HENRIK

My heart beatslike a snare drum in my chest. I’ve reached my goal. This moment I’ve dreamed of my entire adult life has finally come. I stare at the crowd, taking in the faces of people who were once too far above me to even address. They’re my equals now.

But it’s Clover who has my attention. She sits with her family, grinning as she claps wildly, so beautiful and within reach.

She cries, shedding joyous tears. She understands; she knows.

“Please take your seats once more,” Count Flauret says when the applause tapers off. “We will continue.”