Page 45 of The King's Maiden

“Did anything about last night feel like you were doing what someone else wanted? If it did, then don’t go back.”

Thinking it over, I ran through my interactions with Max and Kingston. In both of those moments, I hadn’t thought about what Ishoulddo.

Sure, I blamed it on their ventilation system and heavy doses of aphrodisiac being filtered through the room, but that had been a cop out.

I had wanted them.Bothof them. Even if I’d shown up expecting to meet someone else. And with Landon, I’d admitted the truth to him.

The only thing I’d truly been afraid of was how much I wanted what The Quest had offered—thirty days to explore every dark fantasy and dirty command he could imagine. I’d worried over what that said about me, but I hadn’t been planning to let that stop me.

If Landon hadn’t freaked out over my confession, I would’ve slept with him. Instead, I ended up in Max’s arms.

Then, Kingston’s.

And even though I’d wondered if I should slow down—if maybe the events of the night were making me act rashly—I’d had the wherewithal to question what I was doing.

I just hadn’t let it stop me.

“It didn’t feel like that,” I admitted.

“Right. It sounds like you took what you wanted for the first time. Without worrying over what anyone else would think.” She cupped my cheeks and squeezed. “I’m so proud of you for that. And I know he would be, too.”

Feeling better, even if not entirely convinced, I relaxed. Gia gave me a hug before returning to the couch. She hit play on the TV remote, turning toward me and holding out her bag of snacks.

I grabbed a handful of popcorn and chocolate candy. “Thanks,” I said, not just about the snacks.

“That’s what best friends are for,” she said. “Now, can we circle back to Kingston and the hot, hot promise of sex to come? And then, I want all the details on Max and his sexy naked man chest. For research purposes only, of course. And we can end with Landon, so we can put together a game plan for when you go back.”

Rolling my eyes, I settled into the couch. “Well, Kingston asked me to win and said he’d be waiting for me at the end.” Sighing, I sat back and picked at my snack pile. “I’m not sure I’m ready for any of that.”

“That’s fair. Just wait and see how you feel, then.” She shrugged, then clapped her hands together. “Now, what about the other two? Your Knights in Shining Under Armor.”

I snorted, thinking about the other two guys wreaking havoc on my brain. “Kingston also said Landon would be by my side. Honestly, if he hadn’t kissed me, I would’ve thought he was trying to set me up with his best friend.”

“Ooh! Or maybe he’s a king who already knows how to share?” Gia asked hopefully, rubbing her hands together. “What do you think? Was that the vibe?”

I laughed and shook my head. “That place was like a TV spot for alpha male energy. I didnotpick up on any sharing vibes. He just…vouched for his friend, I guess.”

She pursed her lips together, nodding in thought. “But he knows what the Knights and Maidens do behind closed doors, right?”

“Yeah, he’d have to, right?”

“Well, then he’s either stupidly trusting, or he knows something we don’t. Like, maybe Landon isn’t into hot chicks. Or he’s a eunuch.”

“He’s definitely not a eunuch.” I blushed.

Gia squealed and threw her couch pillow at me. “Yasss, girl! See, stay focused on that.”

“But I do keep going back to what Landon said. About being the only one there without a choice. Maybe he isn’t into hot chicks. Or girls at all. Maybe that’s why Kingston isn’t worried about him being my Knight?”

My brow furrowed, both confusion and concern rising when I thought about what Landon had let slip.

But then a fresh wave of rejection wiped it away. “No one forced him to be a dick. That’s all I know.”

“Do you think someone made him participate in The Quest? Or be a Knight? What do you even know about their society?”

“Only what Elaine told me. Everything I told you earlier.”

She pressed her lips together in thought. “Maybe Kingston put him up to it?”

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