Page 48 of The King's Maiden

I took my place at the door beside his.

On the left, even as hisright hand man.

Merle stepped forward to speak. “The twelve of you are the Knights of the Round Tableau. Over summer, your focus will be on Camelot Court. On the honor and duty placed on your shoulders. The Camelot Society created Camelot Court to prepare our young men for responsibility ahead. To teach you how to assess the women standing by your side.”

I fought to relax my jaw, my molars grinding loudly enough to be heard over his speech.

“The Quest’s final prize cannot be revealed or spoken about until the end. Remember that. Push it from your thoughts.Proceed honorably. So, the victor is rightfully chosen. While only one can win, failure in this, as in all things, won’t be tolerated.”

Kingston’s eyes flicked to mine—a reminder to rein in my reactions.

“Hopefully, you’ve chosen wisely. If not, then you must mold your Maiden into the woman she needs to become to serve Camelot Court and your aspirations.”

My hands clenched into fists at my side.

“Tonight, you swear an oath to uphold the by-laws of The Quest and the privilege you’ve been given. When Kingston calls your name, please step forward and hold up your right hand.”

Merle stepped back, bowing his head.

Kingston flicked his gaze to mine before training it steadily on the first Knight to come forward. His voice rang out, low and commanding, in the dimly lit room.

“Max Dread.”

I forced my lip not to curl.

Technically the twelfth in our line of brothers, the reverse order conveyed the Knights had no rank.

And yet, he’d been assigned the last spot by design.

Max Dread made no attempts to hide his intentions. He wanted to ruin Kingston’s plans, whether he knew them or not. His family benefited most from the antiquated traditions of Camelot Court, and despising him came as easy as breathing.

He hated me for things outside of my control—the failures of others. Always placed on my shoulders.

Kingston spoke the vow we’d all known since childhood, pulling my attention back to him. “Do you swear to uphold the integrity of The Quest, guiding your Maiden down a rightful path, and serving Camelot Court above all things?”

Max Dread sneered in Kingston’s face. “Do you?”

Whispers filled the room. More rumors about Kingston’s selection of my Maiden. They needed to be squelched immediately, but Max Dread was hellbent on preventing that.

But before I could tackle the asshole, I stopped my feet from moving forward.

“Everything I do abides by that oath, Sir Mordred. Whether you believe that or not is outside my concern,” Kingston responded, his voice unruffled—his demeanor calm. “Remembering your place should be within yours.”

Max growled low in his throat.

Kingston lifted the knife in his hand. “Do you swear?”

“I swear.”

“Do you vow to abide by the Knights’ Code, embodying all it means to live with honor?”

Max spoke the vow, spitting it like venom on his tongue. He didn’t flinch when Kingston sliced his palm with the Mordred family dagger. His blood spilled on the stone between them.

Seething, he retreated to his door, glaring at his father. Merle stepped forward and traded the Mordred family knife for the next. One by one, Kingston called the Knights to the center of the room.

Each swore his fealty to Camelot Court, Kingston, and the sanctity of The Quest. I scanned their faces for the truth. Until, finally, it was my turn.

“Landon Scott.”

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