Page 22 of The King's Maiden
As if I didn’t know the plan, or my part in it.
As if I hadn’t been waiting for the chance to fuck up Kingston D’Arthur’s day for years.
And now?
He’d given me one more reason to hate him.
Glancing around the room, I searched for my father and found him standing at Kingston’s side, where I suspected he’d be most of the night. As advisor to the King, he lived to serve Camelot Court and prioritized it over everything else. I glared at them standing there together, talking quietly and sharing secrets.
My father was no doubt preparing him for the Maiden Selection, reminding him of the names and wiping his ass since Kingston couldn’t take a shit without pulling my father in for guidance. Once he’d sufficiently coddled and held Kingston’s hand through it, he left the room.
Not even agoodnight, sonor a nod in my direction on his way out.
Too busy for that.
I wondered if either of them knew how easy it had been—to get my hands on those files, to find out her name, and to lay the seeds of my plans in the ground at their feet.
Kingston rose from his throne. “Ladies, it’s time to announce this year’s Maidens.”
He held his hand out for the scroll of names, his pronouncement hushing the onlookers and drawing their attention to the front of the room. A titter of laughter came from the crowd when his loyal right-hand man just stood there.
My eyes narrowed on Landon from across the room, my gaze sharpening when I realized why.
He was staring at her, too.
Kingston cleared his throat once. Then, twice. But Landon Scott didn’t budge.
The White Knight’s brow pulled in, emotions swirling over his features as he stared at her like a parched man in a desert, seeing a mirage in the distance and wondering if it was real.
Oh, she was real alright.
Quinn Everly had pain in her eyes and steel in her spine—things no other Maiden possessed because she came from anuncharmedlife. Her innocence drew the eye while her weariness tugged at the heart. But it was the curiosity…the wonder in those big brown eyes that could captivate any poor soul.
When Kingston realized Landon was lost to him, he snatched the scroll away. That shook Landon out of his trance, averting his gaze to the floor, but the error had already been made. The torn expression on his face almost made me feel bad for the guy.
Almost.
Had he realized the girl he couldn’t take his eyes off of was the Maiden he’d been asked to prepare for The Quest? Or how,for him, she was both real and a mirage? Did the White Knight know why the King had chosen her?
Whatever epiphany had frozen him in place, one thing was clear—Landon Scott knew he wasfucked.
But with any luck, they both would be.
Kingston read the list of names, sparking bursts of excitement from the crowd. Happy cries of surprise went off like fireworks. Vivian created the biggest show, but I counted out the eleven dramatic displays before the time came for the finale.
“Quinn Everly.”
I loathed the sound of her name on Kingston’s lips. The way he smiled at her like they shared a private secret. And I couldn’t stomach the way she stared back. Disgust bloomed inside my gut as her full lips parted to reveal an answering smile.
Silly girl.
She had no idea what she’d signed up for by joining The Quest. No idea what was coming, or the moves being made on the board around her.
But the look on Landon’s face gave me pause…
Maybe none of us did.
One by one, a pledge came through the crowd and escorted the selected Maidens off to a private area. While the rest of the party said their goodbyes, the girls would be prepared for the next step. Only the Maidens and Knights would remain.
