The Knight

The Knight Taylor K Scott This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Copyright 2023 Taylor K. Scott All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of the author. Warning: The following work of fiction describes content of a sexual nature. It also discusses sensitive themes including violence and mental health issues. See Author’s Note for more information. DEDICATION To my fellow cygnet inkers, a special group of authors, readers and reviewers, set up by the amazing TL Swan, whose books got me hooked on this wonderful journey. Musical Influences No Air – Jordin Sparks Kissing You – Des’ree Iris – Goo Goo Dolls Say Something – A Great Big World and Christina Aquilera I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Marian Hill Numb – Linkin Park Dangerous Woman – Ariana Grande Breathin – Ariana Grande Stronger – Sugababes I Fell in Love with the Devil – Avril Lavigne (The Devil-Book 3) Into Your Arms – Witt Lowry Apologize – Timbaland (feat. One Republic) Here With Me - Dido Keeping Your Head Up - Birdy ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thank you to the community of writers and readers out there who have answered questions, read my work, given me advice, and shared my work. Thank you to all of you! To my beta readers, Liz Rogers, Freya Martin, Charlotte Mieu, Phoebe Black, and Mama Sue, who all took the time to read this book during the early stages. Just to have someone read my work and offer their opinion is always so empowering for me. I sincerely appreciate you offering me your time, support, and advice. I must also thank my poor, suffering husband for supporting me through my obsession with writing. Not only has he had to live with my reading habit, which is becoming more and more consuming, but also has the added bonus of losing me to my own works of fiction. Know that I love you dearly, as well as our two beautiful girls, and appreciate all the encouragement you have given me. Finally, but most importantly, thanks to everyone who has taken a chance on my novel. I hope it hasn’t disappointed, and that you might take a chance to read some of my upcoming releases. Thank you so much again. Author’s Note This series contains scenes that may be hard to read and may trigger some people. They include sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Although a work of fiction, Lily’s mental health conditions are based on personal experience. That being said, my experience might not be the same as someone else who suffers with the conditions mentioned in this book, but I can only describe how it was for me. I have no intention of offending anyone or any culture. This series has a major theme of mental health running through it, including attempted suicide, depression, abuse, bullying, anxiety and PTSD. Prologue Let us begin with a party. An innocent night of care-free fun amongst teenagers. Nate Carter, the popular boy with a heart, was throwing one of his infamous bashes that aimed to let the kids of Westlake Prep let down their hair and give in to their urges within the safe confines of the Carter household. His parents were away at one of their social soirees, and his big sister was already married and living in a house not too far away, which only left his big brother, Cameron. However, Cameron knew how to have a good time, and having him around would be handy should anyone decide to push the boundaries just that little bit too far. The evening would be good, perhaps even great, for his events usually were. However, tonight wasn’t going to be great for everyone. For three young women, it was going to be a night of fear, of realization, and of feeling even more lost than they had felt before. Something would happen Chapter 1 Past Lily, 16, Cameron, 21 Lily They say trauma changes you; that your brain adjusts how you will respond when put under emotional stress. It took me a long time to realize I had been living through trauma, that I had been exposed to it for years. What I witnessed all through my childhood was something I once believed every family went through. All parents argue, don’t they? All parents can shout and tell each other they hate one another from time to time, can’t they? The infliction of the odd black eye and fingerprints around your mother’s neck is just something that happens, isn’t it? I was much too old to realize this was not the case. Trauma did change me and in so many ways. I am shy, unconfident, and awkward. I don’t like confrontation, so I stay quiet. I don’t like the way I look, so I try not to stand out. I don’t want to disappoint others, so I try not to say anything.