Page 29 of The King's Maiden
She lowered her voice, her eyes glancing around the room as she finished her sentence. I strained to catch the last part of what she said but couldn’t hear it.
“Oh my god.” Elaine gasped. “That was so sad. I heard about it last year, but I had no idea he was involved.”
My heart hammered in my chest, curiosity warring with my desire to stay detached. I didn’t want to know more details. I didn’t need to care one way or another to win The Quest.
But I also couldn’t tune them out.
“Her younger sister, Evie, applied to be a Maiden this year, but no one picked her. Can’t help but wonder if everyone thought she was out for revenge.”
The rest of the chatter in the room died down. All the Maidens had their eyes on the gossipers. A few of them skirted to me before hastily darting away.
Apprehension churned in my belly, my heart racing like I’d danced for hours. I glanced at the door marked for the King, wondering if I could leave quickly. Get out before anyone caught me.
But I didn’t get the chance to try.
Three knocks rang out from the other side.
Everyone jumped, laughing quietly to relieve their nerves as the door swung open. I couldn’t force a laugh even if I’d tried. Panic wrapped a hand around my throat, squeezing tightly when my eyes fell on the first Knight to walk through the door.
Landon Scott stared down at me with no trace of recognition or kindness in his eyes.
The warm amber hue should’ve been inviting, soothing in the way it reminded me of honey. Instead, he trapped me with his impenetrable gaze, like a butterfly encased in resin—its wings pinned with no hope of escape.
“Move,” he commanded.
But I was too stunned to do anything but stare. My lungs ached as my breathing grew tighter, taking in every inch of the Knight in front of me. In his fitted black pants and dress shirt, he appeared every bit as dark as the rumors about him. The glower on his face didn’t help.
Realizing I had no intention of following his order, he stepped forward. So close, I felt the crisp rush of his breath on my cheek. The scent of mint, followed by the barest hint of rosemary and lavender, filled my nose.
He pitched his voice low. “I gave you an order, Maiden.”
His eyes searched my face. For what, I didn’t know. Understanding, acknowledgement, or maybe he hoped to find obedience reflecting back at him. But I couldn’t submit to him. Not when all I could think about was the air I needed.
Huffing what I took to be his annoyance, his eyes narrowed, and his hand dipped into his pocket before he brought it to mywaist. My chest grew tighter when his fingers squeezed my side, his touch sending a wave of goosebumps rippling over my skin. He bunched the fabric of my robe in his fist before releasing me.
He slipped his hand past me to the door, and the unmistakable turn of a key in a lock followed. A rush of cold air hit my back as he swung open the door. But the draft was nothing compared to the chill his next order caused.
“Turn around and get inside.” His rough whisper rumbled in my ear. “Or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and bring you in there myself.”
As he pulled back, I snapped my gaze to his. A soft wheeze escaped my throat, but I didn’t argue. I bent to pick up my bag and hurried inside.
Searching the room, I tried to figure out where I could use my inhaler without showing my weakness. But it was too dark inside, even with the door open.
I fell into pitch-black darkness when it slammed shut.
Although I expected him to come behind me when the door closed, nothing came. He’d left me alone.
Scrambling through my bag, I found my inhaler. I delivered a puff and inhaled deeply, holding my breath for a count of ten. After a second puff, the tightness in my chest began to ease.
Slowly, my breathing steadied.
As the door opened, streaming light into the room, I shoved the inhaler in my bag.
Two heavy footsteps crossed the threshold.
When the door shut, I plunged into darkness again. But now, I wasn’t alone. Landon stood behind me in the dark, every inch of his body welding to mine.
My hands clenched around my bag, but now that I could breathe, something other than fear coursed through me.
