The Viper’s Lady (Camelot Court #2)

Prologue

I ’d done a lot of things I wasn’t proud of during my time at Camelot Court.

I had my fair share of regrets.

I made mistakes.

But what I’d have to do tonight…It couldn’t be one of them. It wouldn’t.

Upholding traditions as out of touch with reality as the man forcing me to preserve them, I had to prioritize the greater good more often than not. Sacrificing what I wanted. What others wanted.

I accepted a long time ago that to be a good King, I had to make choices others wouldn’t like. Agree with. Understand.

Duty bound to disappoint, I expected my time at Camelot Court to be viewed differently as it played out than it would be seen looking back.

When we got to the end—when we were free—they would see it then.

Unless I failed, and everyone joined their families, became part of the evil poisoning us from within, and followed them on the path to damnation.

If that happened, I’d still be a disappointment. They just wouldn’t know it. They’d follow me as mindlessly as they heeded the man holding a white-hot poker over my chest.

I blinked up at him.

Drake D’Arthur was as formidable as he was inherently weak. He glared at me, his eyes darkened with rage. A strand of slicked-back gray hair had fallen forward in his haste to acquire my submission.

He flicked it back with a jerk of his head, cracking his neck as his knuckles did the same. His boot in my gut pressed deeper as he leaned forward.

Adjusting his grip, he spit fire as he rained down on me with fury. “Are you hearing me, boy?”

I said nothing.

Not that I didn’t fear the threat of the rod in his hand. My dear father had never been one to spoil the child. No doubt it would hurt.

Experience assured me of that.

But it would come whether I begged, wept, or stayed silent.

So, I really just wished he’d get on with it.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble your foolishness has caused me? The amount of shit I’ve had to deal with from the Camelot Society members? I should mark every inch of your worthless skin.”

My eyebrows rose.

That sounded particularly unpleasant.

“Father, if you’re going to punish me, please get on with it. I have the Knights’ Quorum tomorrow, you know. And I’d hate to disappoint you further by needing to heal from all the burns I’m sure I deserve.”

He thrust the poker into my skin.

I gritted my teeth as blinding pain tore through me. My shoulders dug into the floor. My spine arched. Hands splayed on the ground, I braced for as long as I could.

Sweat dripped off my forehead. Breaths rushed out in staccato bursts from my nose, and the edges of my vision blackened. I clenched my fists when it became too much. Turning into the burn the longer it lasted.

As if searing through my chest completely and setting fire to my heart was the only way to end it.

But I didn’t scream.

I didn’t beg for mercy.

I would not yield.

He withdrew before reaching the inside of my chest cavity. Before I passed out. Torturing and maiming weren’t quite as fun when the victim was unconscious, I assumed.

I kept my eyes shut and continued to breathe.

Slow and steady.

In and out.

Every day the same until I could end it.

He threw the poker back into the fireplace. A conscious decision. Done to remind me he could always pick it up again.

Taking a seat behind my desk, also consciously done to remind me all this was his, he tapped his finger on the surface and waited.

I forced myself upright and stood in front of him. Slowly buttoning my shirt to hide the damage, I hid the tremor in my fingers. I stifled the wince when the fabric touched my ruined flesh.

“Let that be a lesson to you. As the D’Arthur heir, your actions have consequences. Mistakes will not be tolerated. Causing problems for me will not be tolerated. And I expect an explanation.”

I gave him the one I’d been preparing since the moment her file had been stolen.

“Landon was hesitating to join the Knights. After what happened last year…”

He spat, “Another mess I had to deal with.”

“Yes. He thought it best to sit out. I assumed that wouldn’t please you. And I found a way to…motivate him.”

“By convincing him you wanted this Maiden?” He scoffed. “You misplace your faith in him. Still to this day.”

“He joined the Knights.”

“And she became a bigger problem.”

“I disagree.”

His eyes snapped to mine.

“Respectfully.” I clarified. “Father, the Maiden is not the problem. She is nobody. She should be nobody, but she’s been made a bigger issue for a reason. You’ve been told I want her as my Queen for a reason. I’ve shared my concerns with you. I still believe the?—”

“I’m aware of your concerns.”

I fell silent.

Cursing myself for the hundredth time for drawing attention to her file. Cursing Max Dread for taking it. And cursing the fates hell-bent on leaving me with nothing.

“If she’s just a pawn, prove it. If Landon is loyal to you, test that.”

My heart dropped as I nodded.

“If there are snakes in my garden, they’ll show themselves soon enough. I will deal with them, then. I take it Landon still lives in blissful ignorance, yes?”

“Yes, his memory has not returned.”

“Good.” His cruel smile cut through me. “Then, he doesn’t need another reminder of how the Society responds to threats. For now. But disloyalty will not be tolerated, Kingston.”

“I understand, father.”

“And the girl…perhaps I should make her acquaintance.”

I held my mask in place. Even though what I would have to do pained my chest more than his poker ever could.

“She’ll be gone before that becomes necessary, father. You have my word.”

He narrowed his eyes on my face.

But I betrayed nothing.

I would not yield.

Pursing his lips, he nodded. “Good. And I will…revisit your concerns if it becomes necessary. For now, I trust that my right hand is loyal.” He stood up, buttoning his jacket as he came around the desk. “Make sure you can say the same for yours.”

“If he becomes a problem, I’ll take care of him myself.” The words were bitter on my tongue. “Until my last breath, I vow to serve Camelot.”

“That’s my boy.”

His sinister smile soured my stomach, curdling fear in my gut like rancid milk.

Or maybe that was pain and blood loss.

It didn’t fade when he finally left the room. It didn’t stop once I picked up the phone. And the person on the other line picked up.

“Na—Yes, it’s me.” I allowed myself the briefest moment of hesitation as I released a shaky breath. “I need a favor.”