Chapter 27

Arya

Arthur and I jump apart from each other, still dazed and feeling the heat from the kiss, only to find the King and Queen standing by the doorway with their mouths wide open.

In my head, Ivory is wincing. She even has the nerve to say, “Uh-oh.”

I want to tell her to shut up and be quiet, but all I can do is stare at my parents. My face is hot and it feels like my whole body is getting numb, but I still force myself to look them in the eye. Maybe that can help, right? Maybe that can make them think that this isn’t as scandalous as they probably think.

But the horrified look in Queen Helena’s eyes tells me otherwise.

“What. . . .” she trails off. “What is happening here?”

“Your Majesty.” Arthur tries to bow but I can tell that he’s scared too. And who wouldn’t be? King Samuel is glaring at him like he couldn’t wait to get his hands on his neck and strangle him. “I . . . I promise, it’s not what you think. I just thought that I would see her personally since I don’t think I will be a