Kingston
T he first leg of The Quest had finally reached the end. Knights and Maidens gathered inside the Round Tableau, milling about in the center of the room. Soon, the Knights’ Quorum would be called to order, and they’d take their places in front of their assigned rooms.
I scanned the coat of arms hanging on each door, if only to keep from searching for Landon and Quinn for the hundredth time.
Anxiety wasn’t a feeling I typically experienced.
But my body itched as though I might crawl out of my skin.
I rubbed at my chest, wincing at the sharp sting and pulling my hand away. Tugging my shirt off from where it clung to me, the flow of air down my shirt brought relief. It also created a different kind of ache.
She might not forgive this.
My chance to win her heart slipped through my fingers like sand on the island where I found myself lost. Alone. In the end, I would always be alone.
And we had gotten so close to the finish.
So close to the point where I could show her the truth.
Instead, I needed to direct him in the dark. And pray he’d make the choice I needed him to make. One I wasn’t even sure I could make myself, if it were me in his position.
If I’d had the chance to experience what it felt like…
Laughter rang out beyond the doors. Footsteps raced on the stone floor. And the two of them whirled around the corner in the hallway, smiling wide and staring at each other with stars in their eyes.
I rubbed at my chest again, and this time, I didn’t pull my hand away when the charred flesh burned white hot. As if the poker still seared into my flesh.
“Landon.”
His eyes found mine as soon as I called his name. The familiar shade of amber shining brighter than I’d seen in a long time. He flicked his gaze from my face down to my hand, eyes widening at the spot where my hand tried to soothe an ache that wouldn’t leave.
Understanding dawned, and he glanced quickly at her.
I turned, too, greeting her with a quick nod of my head.
Her expression shuttered, eyes narrowing on my face and searching for secrets.
She’d be hunting a long time if she wanted them all, before I’d truly be free to share them with her.
“Quinn, go ahead and wait inside. We’ll join in a moment and get started.”
Glancing from me to Landon, I caught the nearly imperceptible tightening of their grip on each other. But when he nodded, she relaxed. She gave him a secret smile and eyed me warily as she walked inside.
No more secret smiles for me, then.
That was fair, love.
But it had been everything while it lasted. I would hold on to that, at least.
“, what’s going on?”
Landon refocused me, pulling the door shut behind Quinn to give us privacy. Guiding my arm from my chest, he took hold of my elbow.
I winced at the flare of pain.
He steered us away from the door. “What happened? I thought?—”
“We have to take plan B.”
The door opened before he could respond, and our faces slipped into the masks we wore so well.
“?” Merle’s head appeared in the doorway, searching for me and finding us tucked away in the corner. His brows drew in as he met my gaze. “Everything alright?”
“Everything’s fine, Merle.” I nodded, refusing to move. “You came out here to find me?”
Landon shuffled back a step, putting distance between us.
Merle’s eyes narrowed. “We’re ready to begin.”
I nodded. “I’ll be right in.”
When I still didn’t move, and Merle registered that he would not be able to order me to do so, he shifted to Landon. “Your Maiden is waiting, Landon. Please come inside.”
Landon’s eyes shot to the door and back to me, but he didn’t give anything away. I gave him the go ahead, and he followed Merle’s instructions, heading inside to stand beside Quinn.
Merle waited until he was out of sight before turning back to me. “People talk, .”
Again, Merle offered advice when none was needed and I rolled my eyes internally, biting back the retort perched on the tip of my tongue. Offering what I could say instead.
“I’m the King of Camelot Court, Merle. And Landon is my oldest friend. If people need something to talk about that badly, let them.”
I walked past him without waiting for a response, my head held high even as the weight of the instruction I’d given to Landon weighed heavily on my shoulders.
But now wasn’t the time for regrets or second-guessing.
Right now, we needed to act.
Once an opponent stood poised to check the King, they cared little for the other pieces on the board, unless they stood in the way. And the only person between my opponent and ending the game was her.
Which meant the Knight had a choice to make.
And all I could do was pray he would make the right one.
Taking my place inside the center of the room, I greeted the Knights and Maidens as I normally would.
Not a hint of anxiety. No sign of stress.
D’Arthurs didn’t show their hands. They didn’t give away their next move with something so common as a tell.
One by one, I called upon each Knight to give or deny support for his Maiden to continue The Quest. “Sir Mordred, does your Maiden have your support to continue The Quest?”
Max’s voice was as bored with the proceedings as always. “Yes.”
And as expected, he didn’t hesitate to give Vivian support, but his jaw ticked as the word left his mouth.
That intrigued me.
After the next few Knights gave their approval, I reached Gerard Saint, who stood beside Inez. I caught movement from Landon and Quinn in the corner of my eye.
“Sir Geraint, does your Maiden have your support to continue The Quest?”
“Yes,” Gerard said.
The rest of the Knights went the same, including Peter Valencourt, who stood beside Elaine.
Then, finally, I called upon Landon.
Quinn watched him step forward, affection overflowing in her eyes. She stared up at him with love.
And my heart constricted painfully in my chest.
“Sir Lancelot, does your Maiden have your support to continue The Quest?”
He locked eyes with me for a beat, drawing in a tight breath before he spoke and changed the rules of the game.
“No.”