king bree

for briana irene matthews from the legendborn series

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“Lifelong perk of the Kingsmage Oath. He can feel when I’m in mortal danger, and I can feel his murderous intent. It’s how I knew he was close before he attacked you last night.”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“Okay, I think they’re ready for you in the arena.”
I nod, swallowing around a gigantic lump—and the tongue I’m still thankful to own.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

Nick squeezes my fingers and sighs. After a moment, his lips brush over my knuckles again, but this time his mouth lingers, moving against my skin as he speaks. “You need to decide that on your own.”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“First of all, are you saying you’re not gunning to be my Squire? Insulted. And second—nope, sorry, this hand is mine now—I hate that other Pages are targeting you because of me. And third, I don’t know what your feminine wiles are, but I’d be willing to assess them."

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“Sorry, my brain shut down at ‘feminine wiles.’ "

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“Probably. There are tests they would do during your trial, but it doesn’t really matter. All ‘rogue’ aether users are treated the same. Here, we’re getting off the bridge—yes, it was a bridge, don’t freak—and turning down the last path now.”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“Last night was part ritual symbolism, part security—we can’t allow the Unoathed to wander our grounds. But tonight is the first trial. Every competing Page is mesmered so no one will see the trial site and get an early advantage.”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

He looks up at Nick, pride plain on his face. “ ‘Yet some men say in many parts of England that King Arthur is not dead, but had by the will of our Lord Jesu into another place…’ ” He gestures for Nick to finish the quote.
Nick’s brow knits at the performance, but he complies.

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

He pauses at the dining room entrance. “Fifteen hundred years is a long time to operate. The Order was never above the world’s brutality. It still isn’t.”
“That’s… disgusting.”
“That’s what happens when you lead with fear and greed.”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“It does.” Nick’s jaw tightens. “But for a long time, men didn’t care what the Spell wanted. They’d eliminate daughters to force it to the next heir.”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

Nick grumbles, “A women’s auxiliary founded centuries ago when they couldn’t Page, Squire, or Scion. Mostly ceremonial now. A way for mothers or former Pages to support chapter events.”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

We turn to see Lord Davis entering the room using a wheelchair. Nick makes as if to assist him, but Davis waves him away.

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“I value Page Matthews’s abilities,” Nick says, his face impassive, “and your expectations belong to you.”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“This is Briana Matthews, my Page.” Nick takes the umbrella himself, hard steel under his placid tone. “She is not a servant, Virginia, nor will you treat her as such. Not in my presence or otherwise.”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

“Excuse me. Scion Davis.”
Nick inclines his head, addressing them all in turn. “Rose members Hood, Edwards, and Schaefer. What brings you to the Lodge tonight?” He steps back to let them in. “The tournament trials are closed, as you know…”

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

"God, I wish things were different for you. Do you have any idea how many Scions and Squires wish they could just walk away?"
"Like you did?"

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

Nick's jaw tightens; then he visibly forces himself to relax. I realize I've been watching him do a version of the same progression since we've met: anger, restraint, resignation.

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

He grabs me by the arms, including his head to meet my eyes. "People die during Camlann, Bree."

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

"And last night changed the deal. If Camlann is truly near, then becoming a Squire-mine, William's, Pete's-is too risky. You won't be able to just bounce afterward because we'll be at war."

[nick davis @lancelotsscion]

His hands are stuffed in a pair of dark-wash jeans, and he's wearing a blue Henley that brings out his eyes. Eyes that roam over me, too, with a soft unreadable expression. When I reach the landing, he tilts his head to the left. "This way."