Page 43 of The King's Maiden

“Yes. Everything I am—My whole life has been shaped by the Knights’ Code. And I believe in it. We pledge our loyalty with trust to Camelot Court, vowing to abide by the code above all else.” His thumb brushed back and forth over my skin, tracing the hollow of my cheek. “Though, I have to admit. Right now, the things I want to do to you…” He threaded his fingers into the strands of my hair and tilted my head back farther. “They’re far from honorable.”

I closed my eyes as my neck arched back, moaning when his grip on my hair tightened. “Isn’t that against the rules?”

“Maybe. Some say the King is supposed to make the rules. Others disagree.”

“And which ones doesthe Kinglisten to?”

He nuzzled my cheek with his nose, his lips hovering over my jaw line before pulling back. “A wise king leads from the front, Quinn. He sets the example.”

My eyes opened to find his filled with regret. “So, do it then,” I taunted. “Get rid of me if that’s what they want you to do.”

He smiled, his eyes lighting up like crystals in the sun. “Oh, much to their disappointment, I won’t be taking anyone’s advice when it comes to you.”

“Why not?”

“Because I know who you are, Quinn Everly. And I know what you can be if you see this through to the end.”

I bit my lip, my heart warring with my mind in more ways than one. “But Landon…He?—”

“Made a mistake.” He implored me with his gaze, asking for forgiveness. “He acted based on information he had, missing details I wasn’t able to share with him. But he wasn’t just protecting me tonight. Because the only thing greater than his loyalty is the goodness in his heart.”

“But why?—”

“Stay, Quinn. Trust me and stay. See this through and win. He’ll be by your side…” He traced his thumb over my lips. “And I’ll be waiting for you at the end of it.”

His eyes locked on my parted mouth, and I almost gave in completely. But if he couldn’t answer my question with more than that, I had to stay focused on why I’d come here.

“I didn’t come here for that, Kingston. It’s not in my nature to belong to anyone. Not a Knight. Not even a King.”

“I didn’t pick up those files expecting to find you, either. But here we are.”

He pressed his lips to mine, swiftly and almost urgently, the feel of his lips softening the edges inside me that I’d sharpened to protect myself. My hands curled into the fabric of his shirt,and just as I was about to cave, he pulled away. Walking back toward the door, he smiled.

“I knew I was right about you.”

I shook my head, letting out an exasperated laugh. “So, you keep saying. But what does thatmean?”

He winked as he walked out the door. “You’ll see.”

Chapter Twelve

QUINN

“Ineed to reevaluate my life choices.”

“Not from where I’m sitting,” Gia called from the couch.

After Kingston had kissed me and left the room the night before, I decided to suck it up and go back to the Round Tableau room. I figured if Landon came back, I could demand an explanation at the very least.

But I never got the chance.

I fell asleep as I ran through the various things I wanted to say to him, waking up the next morning alone and disoriented.

Gia, in true ride-or-die fashion, had already texted me that she was at the gate. She came bearing iced coffee and aspirin, which I regretfully informed her I wouldn’t need. Stifling her disappointment, she listened to me recount the entire night’s events without saying a word.

But ever since we got back home, she’d been completely unhelpful. Instead of talking me out of finishing The Quest, she thought I should ride off into the sunset with all three of my potential suitors.

Her words, not mine.

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