26
I open the door to Hildy’s private room in the Arx Hall infirmary. Maxon sits at the foot of her bed, playing poker with two guards. Based on the piles of gold around him, Maxon’s fleecing them both. I can’t help but be a little impressed, but Lincoln’s less pleased.
“Who gave you permission to leave your posts?”
The guards snap to attention. “Apologies, Your Highness.”
Maxon sets his fist on his hip. “While you’re gone, I’m the ranking noble. They have to listen to me. I wanted to play poker.” He picks up a pile of gold coins in his chubby hand. “And I’m winning.”
“They don’t have to play games with you; they have to do their jobs.” Lincoln glares at both of them in turn. “And they know it.”
I can almost see the thought bubble reading yipe-yipe-yipe above the guards’ heads as the
