The King’s Maiden (Camelot Court #1)

Chapter Five

QUINN

O ver the many times I’d driven past Camelot Court on my way to doctor appointments, I never spared it a glance.

From my side of the poverty line, and the vantage point provided by my beat-up Honda Civic, the high brick wall blocked my view of the main building.

I would’ve climbed over it to get a closer look, if I’d known everything the grounds held.

Once Gia found a side road to the private entrance, we stared wide-eyed at the literal fortress beyond the wrought-iron gate.

The guard looked out of place for a college fraternity. Even one with special off-campus housing. Dressed like a secret-service wannabe, he checked my name and scrutinized my face before ushering us through.

As Gia pulled around the circular driveway to let me out, I assured her several times my ride-share app was fully operational. I promised to use it without a second thought if things went south.

When her car pulled away, a tiny flicker of doubt sparked to life inside me. But then, the guard directed me down a path off to the right, and I quickly smothered it.

I’d made it this far.

And I needed to keep going—move toward something instead of running away. Again.

Walking shakily down the cobblestone path, a round structure came into view. Its dark red brick and black accents gave off an eerie vibe, but it was more inviting than the main house behind me. A golden glow illuminating the windows and the music filtering from within its walls made it hauntingly beautiful.

It looked like it fell off a page in one of my dad’s old books.

As I approached, two guys about my age stood flanking the main doors. Dressed head-to-toe in black, they didn’t make eye contact with me as I climbed the front steps. They opened the doors to allow me in without a single word.

Not even a hey girl, you come here often?

“Thanks,” I said as I crossed the threshold.

One of them pointed me toward the coat check station to the right, which was almost the same thing as you’re welcome if I set the bar on social niceties low.

Unzipping my only black jacket, I quickly shrugged it off. The faded leather didn’t really jive with the aesthetic at Camelot Court, but it was all I had on short notice. I’d borrowed the rest of my outfit from Gia, aside from the charm bracelet I never took off.

And, of course, the racy black thong she’d talked me into buying for the occasion.

Losing one’s virginity was supposed to be special, after all.

I handed off my overnight bag, but kept my black clutch with the essentials—Chapstick, my inhaler, and a few condoms I never used with my ex. Better to be prepared than end up needing protection and not having it, and no-freaking-way would I leave my health and safety in the hands of some guy I’d never met.

Even if he called himself a Knight.

While I had my fingers crossed that one of their White Knight complexes secured me a spot, I had no illusions over what that implied.

A college guy got the pleasure of my company for the next thirty days?

I expected the emphasis to be on pleasure and the expectations for that word to be literal.

Considering the blatant display of seduction and sin Camelot Court held inside of that one room, I gave myself a mental pat on the back for coming prepared.

Sex and sin permeated the space. Couples shrouded in the dark alcoves had their heads thrown back, eyes closed with pleasure. Deep moans of satisfaction resonated over the music’s heavy bass.

If ever there was a night to lose my virginity as quickly as possible, this was it. And I never would’ve ended up in this situation if I’d just gone through with popping the ol’ cherry a year ago, so I was ready.

My body sure as hell felt ready.

But my feet retreated on instinct.

As soon as I stepped into that room, some underlying defense mechanism kicked in and alerted me to danger. Alarm bells ringing, red lights flashing—my brain yelled at me to run.

I ignored it.

But I did pause for a second to take it all in. Neutralize the threat of the unknown through prolonged exposure. That seemed like a smart course of action over jumping straight into the fire.

Gorgeous girls dressed in fancy gowns and absurdly hot guys in sleek suits caught my eye at every turn. Couples danced in the center of the room. Rowdy groups clustered by the bar threw their heads back with a round of shots.

But the dark alcoves around the room snagged my attention, and they wouldn’t let it go.

Even if I wasn’t ready to go there yet.

I averted my eyes and focused on the open space filled with smiling faces, but I sensed that darkness would find a way to lure me in eventually, tempting as it was at first sight.

A deep voice came from the shadows behind me.

“Leaving so soon?”

I squinted at the dark alcove off to the left of the party room’s doors. But the strobing lights didn’t reach this far, and I couldn’t make out more than a tall silhouette.

“Who’s there?”

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head at the guy who stepped forward.

Towering over me, he had to be at least six-three. Built like a linebacker and looking like he’d just walked off the cover of GQ . He could probably lift me with one arm and throw me like a javelin, all before driving off for the coast in some expensive sports car.

Or whatever beautiful, rich people did.

Sharply dressed in black pants, he’d draped his suit jacket over his arm. While I sent up a silent prayer for the poor, straining threads of fabric in his crisp, white shirt, my eyes lingered on the tight fit over his biceps. A silk tie hung around his neck where he’d left the top buttons undone.

Aside from the glorious V of exposed bronze skin, a simple chain glinting in the low light caught my eye. It had been tucked away and mostly out of sight, but I followed it up his neck, past the thick cords of muscle that finally led me to his face.

One look at him and I legitimately—and unfortunately, very audibly—gulped.

As I swallowed past the sudden flare of arousal in my core, my nipples had the audacity to harden. Down, girl replayed like a broken record inside my head. But while my brain argued against my body’s response, it still acknowledged the truth.

I had every intention of climbing this guy like a tree.

He embodied darkness.

Penetrating onyx eyes. A shadow over the lower half of his face from a close-shaven beard. And hair as raven black as the night sky. He wore it cropped short on the sides with extra volume on top. Long enough to grab onto while he?—

“Holy shit,” I breathed.

His eyes danced with amusement over my slip, full lips showing off a bright white smile that made my knees wobble.

“Well, that was adorable,” he purred from the shadows.

My body melted as he stepped out of the dark alcove, poring his gaze over me like hot chocolate and leaving a slow burn in its wake. And when he came fully into the light, my breath caught in my throat.

He was even more beautiful up close—not darkness, I realized, but an eclipse—the light of the sun hiding behind the face of the moon, and more blinding the longer I stared at him.

I exhaled a shaky laugh and ran a hand through my hair. “I don’t know why I just said that.”

His grin widened.

“Sure, you do.” He came to stand in front of me, brushing his hand down the bare skin of my arm. “But if it makes you feel better, the feeling’s mutual.”

Goosebumps prickled my skin at his touch, and my lips parted in surprise. But no words came out as we stood there together. His eyes softened the longer he stared at me, and my heartbeat raced.

I needed to pull myself together.

“Thanks.” Tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, my arm slipped out of his reach, and I forced myself to shake out of it. “And to answer your question, no.”

He cocked his head in question. “What?”

I glanced at the open door beside us. “I’m not leaving so soon.”

“Ah.” He nodded. “That’s right. For a second there, you looked like you were about to bolt.”

“A part of me wonders if I still should,” I admitted too freely, but I liked the flash of disappointment on his face when I said it. “But I need to do this. I won’t run.”

“You think you’re ready for it?”

“I have to be.” I glanced at the party. “Don’t I? I mean, I guess unless…”

Stowed away in this corner by the door, I still had no idea what to expect from this place, but I couldn’t deny it intrigued me. For the first time since I’d gotten the invitation, I considered the possibility of not being asked to stay.

Peaceful acceptance didn’t follow that thought.

The disappointment that came with it surprised me.

“There’s a chance they could make the decision for me.” I shrugged, watching the partygoers all together. “I might not be picked.”

Between that or being sent home, I still didn’t know which would be the lesser of two evils. But separated from the crowd, I wanted to be a part of it.

The hair on my arm rose to attention as the Dark Knight stepped into my body. Closing the distance between us. Stealing it away with the air in my lungs.

His sudden proximity made me dizzy.

I clutched onto his arm to keep myself upright.

His hand found the small of my back. “You’re meant to be here. I already know it.”

My heartbeat stuttered, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was my Knight. If that was what he meant and if this time life had decided to give me something other than lemons. I closed my eyes, breathing in the intoxicating scent of him—a heady mix of bergamot and dark, earthy spices.

“I’m Quinn,” I rasped. “Quinn Everly.”

I had hoped for a sign he was the Knight here for me. Or, at the very least, his name in return. But as soon as I offered mine, he pulled back.

His eyes darkened even further, his voice suddenly cold.

“You’re here for the King.”

I stared up at him, thrown slightly off balance, and I tipped my head toward the party. “Aren’t we all?”

His eyes didn’t leave my face, but a crease lined his brow as he assessed me again. It felt like he was seeing me for the first time. Only, this time, he didn’t like what he found.

“Hm.” His tone clipped, he righted me on my feet. “I guess I was wrong.”

“What?” My brow furrowed, the barest hint of rejection washing over me as he stepped back. “What do you mean?”

He shook out his jacket before setting it aside. As he rolled up his right sleeve, he wouldn’t meet my eyes. Staring out at the party, he cuffed the fabric before starting on the other. “Doesn’t matter,” he said, leaving it at that.

I searched his face as his fingers worked quickly. When he was done, he flicked his gaze over me. Swinging his jacket over his left shoulder, he moved to step away.

And I should’ve let it go.

I should’ve let him go.

We didn’t know each other. By the way he reacted to my name, I assumed he wasn’t my Knight—if I’d even been picked. So, I should’ve let him take his whiplash and quick judgment with him as he left.

But I didn’t.

My hand shot out and latched onto his forearm. Heat seared my palm, sparking along my skin and up my arm. He froze, glaring at the contact—glaring at me. But I held firm.

“Your name,” I demanded. “Tell me your name.”

Something flickered in his expression. “Why do you care, Quinn Everly?”

I ignored the way my core tightened at the sound of my name rolling off his tongue. “So, I know who to regret meeting as soon as I leave here.”

He smirked. “Oh, you won’t be going anywhere tonight.”

I lifted my chin, my tone haughty. “Then, I guess your name doesn’t matter. I won’t spare you a second thought once I’m in my Knight’s bed.”

His eyes blazed, the muscles in his arm tensing as they bunched under my palm. I tightened my grip reflexively.

“Dread.” He dropped his face to mine—so close the tips of our noses brushed. “My name is Max Dread.”

My pulse quickened. Bergamot and spice filled my nose, clinging to the air around him and overpowering everything else. My head spun and lashes fluttered.

Max caught my reaction and huffed a quiet laugh. “Oh, Princess…”

And for a second, I thought he might kiss me. Clamping his hand over mine, he laced our fingers together.

I let him.

Then, he smirked again.

“Let’s not pretend meeting me is what you’re going to regret tonight.” He peeled my grip off his arm. “No matter whose bed you end up in.”

Tossing my hand away, he stalked off and left me fuming behind him.