double doors with intricate golden trim. The sound of voices and laughter spilled out from under the door, and when Lucy pulled it open, I found five other young omegas around my age standing in the light from a massive chandelier hanging above. They were all dressed to the nines in suits that probably cost two to three times what mine did, and they were all staring at me with unimpressed looks. They must’ve known each other, which meant I was the outsider. Great. I was already off to a fantastic start.
“Help yourself to a drink and conversation with the other guests, Mr. Richmond,” Lucy said, gesturing to a nearly endless line of pre-filled crystal glasses along the far wall. “King Kenway will be with you shortly.”
I opened my mouth to thank her, but someone beat me to the punch.
“Actually, he’s already here,” a warm, familiar voice said, and I whirled to find King Heath Kenway standing not even ten feet away from me wearing a welcoming smile. A portly, red-faced man with a bald head I didn’t recognize accompanied him. Instantly, my knees threatened to give out, and I lost all ability to speak — not that I would’ve known what to say if I hadn’t.
I’d never doubted how beautiful King Kenway was, but seeing him in person put things into a whole new perspective. The deep emerald suit he wore was gorgeous and perfectly showed off all the parts of him that counted, from his impossibly broad chest to his bulging biceps and everything in between. Flowing blond locks of hair tumbled in loose curls across his shoulders, and the color of his suit made his olive eyes shine, helped further by a light, smokey touch of dark eyeshadow. The golden, emerald-studded crown around his head was the icing on the cake.
Despite myself, I wondered what he might look like with nothing but the crown on. The thought made me blush, and instinctively I dropped my head in a bow to hide my face. “Y-Your Majesty,” I stammered.
King Kenway chuckled and stepped forward to rest a hand on my shoulder. His touch struck me like a chord, sending shivers through my entire body. “Now, now, there’s no need for all that formality. We’re here for a party, aren’t we?” he asked, and I nodded, unable to say anything more. “Good. Please call me Heath. And your name is…?”
The King of Gilmouth, who still hadn’t taken his hand off my shoulder, wanted me, a complete nobody, to call him by his first name like we were lifelong friends. I couldn’t believe my ears.
“L-Landon Richmond.”
“Ah, yes. I remember the name from the guest list. Very distinctive, almost noble. And I see you’re wearing my favorite color, so you’ve done your homework,” he said as his piercing eyes raked over me — all of me. “I like that,” he said and winked at me, and I couldn’t tell whether he meant my body, the suit, or both. Unbelievably, I’d have to tell Dad his research paid off.
Kenway narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized my face. “You know, I swear I recognize you from somewhere. Have we met before?”
“I highly doubt it,” I blurted, and kicked myself mentally for it.
Kenway’s brows furrowed. “Why’s that?”
“Rubbing elbows with royalty isn’t part of my day-to-day routine.”
He laughed again, a honeyed sound. “Well, you are now, aren’t you?”
I shrugged. “Fair enough.”
The bald man who’d arrived with the king stepped forward and whispered something in Kenway’s ear. His eyes widened slightly at whatever the man said. “George, you little devil,” he said to the man with a devious look, then turned back to me. “I knew I recognized you, Landon. You’re a waiter at Momma’s Table, aren’t you?”
If I could’ve died spontaneously, I would’ve. Not only did King Kenway know I was a lowlife waiter, he’d now announced it to the entire room — which meant my chances with him were dead on arrival.
But wait a second, how did he even know I worked there? There wasn’t any way I would’ve missed the King of Gilmouth and his entourage coming into the small family restaurant where I worked.
“Yeah. H-Have you been there before?”
“Many times. It’s my favorite Sunday morning hangover cure,” Kenway laughed. “You’d never recognize me, though. I’ve got more disguises than anyone could count.”
Stunned, I stood speechless. Had I waited on him before without even realizing? It didn’t seem possible, but I also found it hard to believe he’d lie about something like that.
Kenway turned