Page 112 of The King's Maiden

“That’s not the point.” I huffed. “And don’t you dare say you know what the point is because I have a point to make.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I found myself returning the smile that came to his lips, just a little bit. “I’m sensing a theme between us. And I’m not sure I like it.”

“Which part? The way I can read your mind?”

I shook my head, taking a sip of my juice and nearly moaning at the taste of freshly squeezed oranges. “No, the one whereLandon does something I don’t understand, and you swoop in to make sure I don’t hate him for it.”

“Ah. That one.”

“Yeah,” I said petulantly. “That one.”

Kingston sighed and took the empty seat beside me. He gripped the edge of my chair, turning me to face him. Smoothing the flyaway strands of hair from my forehead and cheeks, he searched my face for a long time before he spoke again.

“Quinn, I’m only telling you this because he said I could if I thought you needed to hear it. I want you to know I’m not breaking his confidence here, but also that this isn’t something he remembers. Or wants to remember. So I’m going to ask you not to bring it up with him. Can you promise me that?”

My brow creased, and I shook my head. “I don’t like making promises I’m not sure I can keep, Kingston.”

He nodded, accepting that. “I don’t have to share it with you at all. It’s your choice. If there comes a time where you want to understand why Landon…Well, why he is the way he is, then come to me and I’ll tell you.” Reaching for my hand, he turned it over in his palm. “If you can trust him or trust me without that, I promise he won’t let your faith in him be wasted.”

I frowned. That was like dangling the climax of a series in front of a reader who loved spoilers.

But the way things had been progressing, I didn’t want to skip to the finale. If last night brought up heavy emotions for him, and if Kingston said it wasn’t about me, I could believe that. I’d still have to call Gia and freak out about it, but I didn’t have to bolt. I didn’t have to be scared. And I could decide to trust him.

I groaned dramatically at the offer Kingston had left in the air. “Ugh, this is likeSophie’s Choice.”At the slightly appalled look on his face, I laughed. “I’m kidding, obviously. But it isn’t easy to turn that down. I just…I’d rather not know. Not right now.”

His expression shifted from relief to reverence as he cupped my face in his hands, and he smiled at me like I’d just answered every one of his prayers.

Super flattering, but hella confusing.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

He took a deep breath and brushed his thumb over my lips. “Because, Quinn, I…”

Trailing off, he took hold of my wrist and played with the charms on my bracelet.

I hadn’t been ready to add his charm when he first gave it to me, but the thought of doing so now didn’t feel as overwhelming.

“Let me guess. You were right about me?”

He smiled, nudging my knee with his. “Stop that.”

“What?”

“Saying things like you know what I’m thinking.”

I rolled my eyes, an impish grin quirking the side of my mouth. “Oh, that wasn’t what you were thinking?”

His eyes darkened as he stared at my lips. “It was and it wasn’t.”

“What doesthatmean?”

But I knew the answer before he said it.

“You’ll see.”

I shook my head, exasperated with him but also much lighter. My momentary freak out felt a bit foolish, but given theheavinessof last night, I was entitled to a little irrationality. Though, it didn’t change that my goal of staying detached had failed.

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