Page 103 of The King's Maiden

And three—while sticking it to them would work in the short term, it didn’t really serve me in the long run. Especially since this revenge plot of mine was based on nothing more than my own anxieties.

Anxieties over being put in a position no one had even tried to put me in yet.

I could be self-aware and continue to spiral.

It was a gift.

Groaning, I dropped my head into my hands and tried to ease the tension building behind my eyes. But before I could relax, a shadow fell over me, pulling another groan from my lips as I stared at the pair of heels where the floor should have been.

Looking up, I expected to find Vivian ready to torment me with her bitchy attitude again.

Instead, gratefully, I found Elaine.

Her blonde hair was curled sweetly and pinned in a half-up, half-down style, and her pink lipstick really did make her look like a doll. She wore a tight-fitted baby blue dress. But where the hem of mine had been skankified to the max, hers flared out into a fun, flirty skirt.

“Hi, Quinn,” she said brightly. “Can I join you?”

“Of course.” I scooted over on the bench, making room for her to sit beside me. “It’s actually really good to see a friendly face tonight.”

She smiled at me, her cheeks flushed and her voice a bit breathless, as if she’d been dancing the way I had been a few minutes ago. “I’ve been wondering how things were going for you, actually.” Her demeanor changed from worn out to worried. “How are you doing?”

The concern on her face caught me by surprise, but then, considering what I’d overheard in the Round Tableau room after I’d been assigned to Landon, and the expectations the Maidens had for The Quest, I figured she wanted to make sure I wasn’t days away from being murdered.

“I’m good, really.” I smiled to ease her worry, but my answer seemed to spark even more concern. “It’s going…as well as I think it could, I guess.”

She put her hand on my arm. “Are you sure? If there’s anything you need to talk about, just…I know it’s hard to get away, but I’m sure I could convince Peter to let me out of bed for some girl time.” Forcing an awkward laugh, she gave my arm a squeeze. “Do you think Landon would let you?”

“I don’t see why not. It’s not like he keeps me chained to the bed, Elaine.”

Her cheeks reddened. “Oh! I mean, of course not. I just…”

“Just say what you want to say, Elaine. Or ask me.”

I didn’t know why, but her line of questioning irritated me. Maybe I was tired. Or maybe I didn’t appreciate the implication that any Knight could keep his Maiden completely isolated.

“Peter just said I was lucky he didn’t pick me, that’s all. He knew I had a crush on him. And at first, I thought he was jealous, but…” She chewed on her lip, her eyes darting between my face and the doorway beside us. “He said everyone expected Landon’s Maiden to be put through the wringer, with him being the King’s best friend. Plus, his whole family history. He wouldn’t have moved me onto the next round unless he was absolutely sure I wouldn’t fail. Since it would reflect poorly on him, you know?”

Most of that sounded like bullshit. Fellow Knights talking shit about each other. Or one Knight trying hard to squash a girl’s existing crush. But the last part stuck out in my mind.

Landon had said something like that on my first day.

Whatever crossed my face at the thought had Elaine’s grip tightening on my arm. “Has it been terrible? Is he…” She glanced around to make sure no one was there. “Is he hurting you?”

I shook my head numbly.

Duty and honor were two things Landon valued without a doubt. But so far, he hadn’t given me any reason to think he wouldn’t advance me in the competition. Quite the opposite, actually. He talked about it like it was a given.

“The sex isn’t too rough, right? You can go to Merle if it is. It’s not supposed to count against us if we raise an actual concern.”

“No, Elaine. Really, I’m fine.” I gently pried her grip off my arm. “Whatever your Knight said he heard, it’s not like that.Landonisn’t like that.”

I didn’t tell her that Landon hadn’t eventriedto have sex with me.

And now, I couldn’t help but wonder why that was—my virginity, Kingston, or worse, a lack of feelings for me.

Relief brought a smile to her face. “Oh, good. I was worried. Not just about you, but one of us is going to be paired with him for the next challenge, right?” She glanced over her shoulder to search the crowd of the party. “Maybe it won’t be as bad as I thought, if it ends up being?—”

My eyebrows rose.

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