Page 41 of The King's Maiden

“Yes, how convenient. For the first time in my life, what I want aligns with my duty as King.” I couldn’t hide the disdainin my voice. “Forgive me for wanting a shred of something for myself while I do only what I’m supposed to do. And for seizing an opportunity that provides it.”

His anger deflated.

“I apologize if you find my behavior dishonorable, but fortunately, I don’t answer to you. Now, I’ve ordered you to oversee her training. Is that going to be a problem?”

“No.” He bowed his head and walked to the door. “I’ll make sure she’s ready.”

If only it were that easy. If only that were enough. It occurred to me that I might need to share more with him, so he would remember how vital all this was…

So, he could appreciate what was at stake for all of us.

But for now, whether he understood the direction he’d been given or not, what I needed from him—and from her—was simple.

One move, and we could end the game.

“Ready or not, Landon, make sure she wins.”

Chapter Eleven

QUINN

Silence echoed around me, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to sit there and bask in it. I scanned the room for my clutch as I climbed off the bed. Scooping it up off the floor, I grabbed my rescue inhaler and took a puff.

Breathing easier, I raced from the room to the door with the blue coat of arms. I retraced the path I’d taken in, searching for landmarks I recognized until I found my way back to the dressing room. The door slammed shut behind me, and once again, I was alone.

But it didn’t stay that way for long.

Midway through pulling on my dress, the door opened. My head snapped toward my intruder, expecting to find Max, or maybe Landon. But to my surprise—and my relief—it wasn’t either of them.

Kingston D’Arthur stood in the doorway.

The sight of him there was somehow both alarming and oddly disarming. No doubt he’d been notified of myfailure to pleaseand had come to find me so he could send me on my way.But at the same time, my indignation over having my neck on the chopping block suddenly fizzled out.

He didn’t stare at me like a King ready to toss out an unwanted Maiden.

No, he stared at me like a man starved—hungry for a delicacy he’d always wanted but never dreamed of tasting.

I didn’t fully understand it, but I liked it.

Clapping my hand over my chest, I spun around. I grabbed the neckline of my dress, pulling it over my hips.

He expelled a breath. “I heard your evening didn’t go as planned.”

I snorted. “Yeah. You can say that again.”

“What are you doing in here?”

“Just packing up so I can leave with my dignity still intact. Before you assholes kick me out.”

Peeking over my shoulder, I found his eyes locked on a wall and not my half-dressed body. I quickly slipped my arms through the straps of my dress and covered myself. Then, I cleared my throat to let him know I was done, planting my hands on my hips and bracing for the inevitable blow.

His eyes lingered on my hips before jumping to my face. I arched a brow, both to let him know I’d seen that and that I expected a response.

He didn’t give me one.

Instead, he ran his gaze over the rest of my body, but it didn’t come off as seductive or sleazy. He was just…admiring me, the hint of an appreciative smile tipping up the corner of his mouth as he made his slow perusal.

When his sparkling blue-gray eyes finally returned to my face, it took me a minute to remember this wasn’t a chance sensual encounter with a sexy stranger like it had been earlier tonight. This was an expulsion from The Quest courtesy ofThe King.

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