"I'm sorry."
I sit up too, smiling. "Why? You paid for them."
Kingston's cheeks go a shade darker. "I shouldn't have."
"Disagree." For Kingston Pendragon to lose even a modicum of control? He can't not realize how...hot that is. There really isn't a better word for it.
Two sharp knocks rattle the door.
"Hate to interrupt, lovebirds," comes Kai's voice, "but we've got visitors, so maybe make yourselves decent."
Kingston frowns. So do I.
"Visitors?" I clear my throat. "Plural?"
"Who's—" Kingston barely gets a word out.
"Who d'you think, King?" Kai sounds irritated. "Our favorite stepsister. And herlovelymother."
TWO
GWENNA
Morgan’s momis exactly as I expected.
No—more.
“Gwenna!”
I’ve barely taken the last step into the Camlann House foyer and she doesn’t ask, or even hesitate, to take me into a massive hug.
Mallory Pendragon—“oh my God,pleasecall me Mal”—is tall, tan, andstunninglybeautiful, with the curves and hair of an eighties supermodel. The only thing incongruent about her appearance is her deep black outfit: black boots, black purse, black coat with black fur collar.
A widow.
“Um, sure,” I say, as I stumble out of her camellia-scented grasp, unable not to smile a little despite everything. “It’s really nice to meet you, Mal.”
“Nice!” Mal scoffs. “More like overdue. Morgan’s been telling me everything about you, Gwen.”
Morgan, who is standing just a few feet behind her mom, blinks slowly and mouthsGwen?at me. I shake my head—whatever—as Mal’s gaze falls just behind me.
“Hi, handsome.” She marches over to Kingston, takes him by the shoulders, and peers into his eyes. “How are you doing?” she asks, voice a little softer.
Kingston nods a few times before he answers. “I’m doing well.”
Her manicured fingers tighten their grip. “King...”
“I am,” Kingston insists, putting his hand over hers and gently but firmly moving it off. “I’m more worried about you.”
At that, Mal melts a little. “Of course you are.” She rubs a hand to her forehead. “God. He really did raise you right.”
A small cough from the corner of the foyer, where Kai is leaning against the wall, hands in pockets. Mal straightens up and narrows her eyes—though not unkindly, I don’t think.
“Let me just go check on the food,” Kingston says adroitly. “Are you staying, Mallory? We’d love to have you.”
She shakes her head. “Can’t. Plane to catch. But thank you.” She blows a kiss in his direction, which Kingston returns with a blank look that almost makes me laugh, and then she turns to Kai.
“Now, you.” She puts her hands on her hips. “Staying out of trouble?”
