Because he raged against the cage we’d all been trapped in but never tried to leave. Maybe I didn’t want to admit that, deep down, I believed he was right and hated that I stood by in silence. That I didn’t say anything.
And when I almost lost her because of it, I finally had to admit the truth. I couldn’t keep the words trapped in my chest any longer. I couldn’t stand it.
Because I loved her.
Ichoseher.
But I’d been pulled to choose Kingston inexplicably. I couldn’t understand why—couldn’tstandthat, either. Why I’d chosen him the way I’d always done.
That was another reason I’d hated Max Dread.
Because he hated Kingston for reasons I couldn’t understand either. Maybe because he’d seen what I hadn’t remembered.
Choosing Kingston meant losing the person he loved.
Hadn’t it been the same for me?
And yet, for some reason, I’d always done it. Trusted it. Chosen him.
He was my best friend. I’dalwaysbeen by his side. And I thought he’d always been at mine.
Except as his father announced that the vote had gone in favor of removing the Ultimate Female Virtue statute from theby-laws, I watched Kingston stand beside him. Without a shred of tension. Without a hint of fear.
My memory from twelve years ago came back in pieces. He had stood stoically beside his father as I knelt on the grass, lifting my hands toward him.
Pleading with him.You’re my best friend, Kingston. Can’t you see this is killing me?
Sir Lancelot, that’s enough!
No!
The word rang out sharply in my head, my voice from the past overlapping with my voice during the Knights’ Quorum until only the past remained.
Kingston’s father spoke, sneering down at me as he kept his distance.Yield, Sir Lancelot. Let this go.
Not wanting the stain of what I’d done on his pristine shoes, he’d stepped back as I crawled forward.
My eyes had remained on Kingston’s.Kingston…
Landon, my father has given you an order.
No.I shook my head. Holding my palms out, all I saw was red.No, I will not yield!
Drake looked to Kingston and lifted his chin.
Kingston nodded, without hesitation, without any sign of remorse.Then you will be seen as a traitor to the King.
I lunged to my feet, rushing at him, charging them both. Drake stepped back.
Kingston didn’t flinch.
At the last second, I stopped in front of him, breathing heavily, gasping for air that wouldn’t come.
I couldn’t breathe.
Yield, Sir Lancelot,Kingston said as Merle and my father came up behind me.You have to let this go.
I won’t,I spat as they seized my arms.Not now. Not ever.
