Page 62 of The King's Maiden

Glancing over my left shoulder, I spotted the lemon tree I’d climbed to get away from Brutus. I tapped his chest, pointing it out and unable to resist teasing him.

“Okay, campus tour time. That right there—that is the tree I climbed to get away from the killer dog trying to eat me. And right there”—I pointed at the ground beneath it—“is where I fell to the ground and waited for him to pounce on top of me. And right?—”

“Alright, alright.” He clamped a hand over my mouth, dragging me back around to face the water. “You’ve made your point, Maiden.”

Keeping me tucked under his side and muzzled by his hand, he took a deep breath. I stared up at him from beneath his arm, tempted to lick his hand, but his jaw muscle tightened and released a few times. He looked like he was about to share, and I wanted to see what he said.

He glanced back at the tree and frowned.

“They planted that tree nine years ago. It was already grown, but they dug it out from whatever tree farm, taking the roots and everything before bringing it here.” His brow furrowed,and he turned back to the water. “Lemon trees are supposed to symbolize longevity and prosperity. But for some reason, every time I look at it, I feel…Angry, I guess. But I’m not sure why. It’s just always bothered me.”

My brow creased as I watched his features draw tight, like he was as confused as me.

“Last year, they planted another tree. It’s ironic, don’t you think? Planting a tree that symbolizes longevity to honor someone who died?”

My breathing hitched.

I hadn’t given much thought to the rumors I heard down in the Round Tableau, and given what Gia had picked up that day in class, maybe I should’ve. Landon confirmed it, though. Last year, someone had actually died.

I didn’t know if this was the part where he told me what happened or where he drowned me in the lake. Maybe both if he was one of those villains that liked to talk a lot before they got to the killing part. Either way, I stayed quiet as I waited for him to say more.

“They’re actually planted all around the campus. But that one”—he nodded at the tree I’d climbed—“and another on the other side of the lake were the first two planted. They symbolize longevity and prosperity for Camelot Court. Not the person.”

I nodded as I took that in, but in a weird way, it made sense.

After losing someone, sometimes people needed a reminder that life was supposed to go on. We were supposed to keep living. Enjoy a long, full, and happy existence, rather than just going through the motions. I understood the sentiment, but I also got how Landon felt about it.

Bitter.

Because death took without considering who was good or bad. Guilty or innocent. It didn’t discriminate between who deserved to die…

And who should’ve been the one who lived.

Sometimes, death chose wrong.

Landon sighed. “I was wrong before.”

He glanced down at me, where I remained tucked under his arm with his palm over my mouth. I didn’t try to get out of his hold, even though I probably should’ve. But when he didn’t expand on that admission, I licked his palm.

“I’m trying to figure out how to explain the other night. I don’t want—I’m not making excuses. I acted on information I had. I jumped to conclusions, but…” His arm tightened around my shoulders briefly and released. “But it’s my job as a Knight to serve Camelot Court, and its King. Most of the time, that means making sure the pledges don’t do something stupid. Participating in all of this and keeping the traditions alive. It’s our generation’s turn to make sure all of this survives. Prospers. And I thought…”

He frowned, and it was only because I could see how hard he was trying to express himself that I took pity on him. I covered his hand with my own, raising my eyebrows in question before tugging his hand away. He let me do it.

“Quinn, I thought you?—”

“Hey, you don’t have to say it. I won’t lie and say I’m not curiouswhy,but you thought all of this”—I waved a hand over my body—“was some kind of honey trap or something? I mean, I have no idea where that came from, but honestly, who could blame you?”

His lips twitched with that forbidden urge of his to smile, but he repressed it and sobered. He stared down at me intently, with nothing but sincerity in his dark amber eyes.

“Iamsorry I scared you and if I hurt you. Even if I can’t apologize for doing my…” He sighed, looking out at the water.“Duty.”

“Doodie.” I snickered, pinching his side. “That’ll never get old.”

“Oh, it really will,” he deadpanned.

“Agree to disagree.” I shrugged.

He tucked me back under his side, and we stood there quietly for a while. It may not have been the apology I’d imagined, but it felt like enough.

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