Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
M ax never returned to the library before Landon came to get me.
The whole time I sat there after he left, I stared at the picture of the Maidens from last year. Even from across the room, I spotted her. Desi .
The girl in the black romper and ballet flats.
At least, piecing everything I’d learned together, I could only assume that was her. An outsider like me. I couldn’t help but wonder if Kingston had picked her, too.
The guilt they all still carried over what happened to her ran so deep, I didn’t know if the wound would ever fully heal. Not even the ones keeping them at odds, but the ones tearing them up inside, all on their own.
When Landon appeared in the doorway, he pulled my attention from the photo, but his eyes lingered over where she stood in the front row. Beside the girl with colorful hair, ripped jeans, and Converse shoes. The girl he pointed to and said, “That’s Nancy.”
“That’s your sister?” I got up to stand beside him and get a closer look. “Which one was her Knight?”
His lips quirked with a small smile as he pointed at Kingston.
“Kingston? Oh, I—” My brow furrowed. “I assumed he had picked the Maiden who—Desi. I thought he picked her.”
“I didn’t know you knew her name.”
“Yeah, Max…He told me. Before he went out to get some air and didn’t come back.”
I wrapped my arms around my belly, anxiety creeping in. I worried I’d pushed too hard. Even though I hadn’t, not really.
“What did he tell you?”
Landon’s careful question made me even sadder.
I took his hand to squeeze it, reassuring him before lacing my fingers with his. “That he blames himself for what happened to her.”
Landon frowned. “He didn’t blame me?”
I shrugged, not sure it would help either of them to get into what he’d said. “Mostly, he said he should’ve tried to save her. But he didn’t think he could, for some reason, so he went to you. I think…when he looks at it clearly, he’s more mad at himself than you.”
Landon’s frown deepened, but there was no malice in it. He just seemed…lost. Staring at her photo, that only deepened.
“He wouldn’t have been able to save her.”
“Maybe…” I studied his features. “Maybe that’s something he needs to hear. I mean, I’d play messenger for you guys on this one, but with all the secrecy around it, I’m not sure it would help if it came from me. Maybe if he heard that from you…”
“Maybe.”
He brushed my hair back from my face, weaving his fingers past my ears to take hold of me. “You know I’d do anything for you, right?”
“Even that?”
He nodded. “Even that.”
Then, he kissed me until the dark thoughts faded from both our minds and the hope that things could get better when their secrets came to light was all that remained.
When he wrapped me in his arms, I sighed into his chest. “Thank you. And, Buns, you know I?—”
“I know.” He smiled and kissed me again before leading me from the room.
He never needed me to say it. Landon always knew, but I was starting to think I wanted to say it anyway.
As we took our place in the parlor, I searched for Max and Kingston while also noting the other Ladies and Knights who had arrived.
Specifically looking for Delulu Barbie to see if she wielded the axe she thought she had to grind.
Didn’t have to look hard.
Her death glare aimed at my hand on Landon’s arm raised the hair on the back of my neck.
When she caught my answering what the fuck is your problem, bitch face, she pulled a move I’d be saving in my petty playbook for later.
She held up her left hand, examining the back of her fingers right where she imagined a priceless D’Arthur engagement ring would eventually sit.
Landon’s soothing tone stifled the low growl building in my throat. “Easy, beautiful.”
Kingston walked in, sending me the briefest hint of a smile before schooling his features. He didn’t even look at Elaine.
Which pleased me immensely.
But before I got overly excited, Max stepped into the room with enemy number two. Although, Vivian’s status had been downgraded since I learned of Drake D’Arthur’s preferred methods for torture. And parenting, of course.
Max shot me an apologetic look, but I’d been led into the room by Landon the same way Max had led Vivian. So, it was all part of the horse-and-pony show we’d signed up for.
Well. The one I’d signed up for. I still suspected I was the only one here who’d been given a choice in the matter.
But all of that distracted from the bigger point.
Despite our many differences, Vivian and I shared one thing in common. Our ability to walk unassisted.
And yet, The Quest decreed we had to be led into these gatherings as Ladies.
Because back in medieval times, or when the Camelot Society had created Camelot Court—1796, according to the by-laws—women had needed a man’s help to walk.
No doubt around the same time it would’ve overwhelmed their brains to vote on big issues. Like the rules of The Quest and expectations for future Maidens and Ladies.
But I was getting sidetracked internally.
“Welcome, Ladies, to phase two of The Quest.” Kingston greeted the crowd and refocused me. “We begin phase two with the Courage Challenge, and a series of trials designed to test your ability to think on your feet, choose wisely, and work with the resources you have, while fear distracts you.”
Oh, perfect.
So, I’d been preparing for this my whole life. Sweet.
“After the first trial, we have the third party. Two more trials complete the challenge, and then our parents arrive for our annual Alumni Weekend as the fourth challenge begins.”
I scanned the crowd, spotting Izzy Gold and Tristan Léon sharing a look at the mention of their parents. Elaine practically danced with glee, but it occurred to me that most of the other Ladies and Knights weren’t so eager.
Vivian looked like she’d swallowed something foul, but I chalked that up to her Resting Spoiled Wench Face.
My eyes narrowed, though, when she glanced at Max.
He’d crossed his arms over his chest as soon as Kingston began his speech. I’d figured that was because Kingston was playing the role of King. Except, now, rage emanated off him so clearly it was like he had those squiggly lines around his head that they added in comics.
And when Vivian glanced at him, he shot a glare in her direction so palpably furious, even she couldn’t breeze past it.
She diverted her gaze, dropping her head and staring furiously at the floor.
What was it she’d said to me that first day? About how the best way to win was to know my adversaries?
Her reaction to Max’s ire told me very little. Same with her dejected pout aimed at the floor.
But when she realized she was doing it?
The way she stiffened, straightened up, and schooled her features revealed a lot more.
What she did when she noticed me staring at her?
Well, that was just predictable, but somehow, more telling since I’d been paying attention before that. Her eyes widened quickly before they narrowed. Lips parting in surprise before she snapped them shut and sneered at me from across the room.
“Don’t worry, Quinn. I’m sure we can find a place for you at the party, even though you’ll be the only one without parents.”
Deflecting.
Max snapped his head in her direction, but I shot back before he jumped to my defense. “I’ll have parents there that weekend, V. But your concern for my well-being is noted. Thanks.”
She examined her nails. “Hiring people off the streets to pose as family doesn’t mean you have one.”
“Please.” I scoffed an airy laugh. “I’m poor, remember? As if I could afford that.”
“I assumed they’d be homeless. Obviously . And therefore, in your budget.” She smirked, and her eyes darted around the room as I rolled mine.
“Guess you still don’t know everything, then.”
When I shrugged, her head whipped back toward me. “What the fuck does that mean?”
My hackles rose. “Why do you care?”
She snapped her spine straight again and shut her mouth.
I narrowed my gaze, observing her as she frowned and fixed her attention on Kingston. She didn’t look at me through the rest of the introduction.
But I couldn’t keep my eyes from circling back to her.
“Ladies, I understand tensions are high as we near the end of The Quest, but for this challenge, you’re on the same side. Your available resources include each other, and you’ll want to put aside old rivalries to get through it.”
Kingston ran a hand over his suit as he spoke, as if readjusting his appearance to slip into the role he had to play. Something I’d seen him do before at the Maiden Appeal.
I took it as my reminder that he’d said that for show, reined in my need for blood, and nodded at him.
He smiled at me, briefly and barely perceptible, but I caught it this time. When he turned to Vivian, she still had her nose in the air like a spoiled brat, but she adjusted her dress and nodded at him, too.
“Thank you, Ladies.” Kingston scanned the rest of the crowd before clapping once. “Alright, well. Then, it’s time to tell you what exactly you’ll be facing next.”
“Kingston?”
Elaine pulled everyone’s eyes to her, but her sickeningly sweet smile and eager gaze remained on Kingston.
“Yes, Elaine?”
“Will all the Ladies and Knights be moved into Camelot Courtyard today?”
Kingston nodded, and Elaine smiled wider until he spoke again. “All but Miss Everly, who remains in the East Wing due to her two attacks.”
“With three bodyguards? Isn’t that a little overkill? It’s only us here now.”
Kingston’s spine stiffened at her questioning, and the look he gave her would’ve put anyone else in their place.
But his delusional future bride wasn’t deterred.
“I mean, I know we were involved in that, but seeing how I apologized to Quinn and we’ve all been allowed to continue The Quest, I doubt you or your father still believes we’re a threat to her.
And if the point of this is to use each other as resources, don’t you think limiting those resources by separating three of them puts us at a disadvantage? ”
“That’s a decision for the head of the Camelot Society to make, Elaine.”
“It just doesn’t seem fair.” She pouted, dropping her head. “Maybe some of the other Ladies—I, for one—wouldn’t mind getting to stay in your wing of the house. You know, since?—”
“That’s enough, Elaine.” Kingston’s voice cracked like a whip through the room, silencing any further argument.
And I wasn’t going to lie, turning me the hell on, too.
“Knights, tonight, we meet to discuss plans for the remainder of The Quest, and so I can review your roles in this challenge. As the first and last Knights at our table, Landon and Max will oversee the escape rooms.”
My eyebrows rose, and murmurs broke out amongst the other Ladies, who were equally surprised to hear we’d be tested using escape rooms.
I barely contained the urge to rub my hands together, since escape rooms were one of my favorite things to do with my dad.
That thought caught me off guard.
Not because it made me sad, which it did, of course, the longer I thought about it. But because, for the first time since the accident, I’d thought about something we’d shared without being overrun by grief immediately.
My excitement was genuine and pure, and while sadness crept in at the edges, it didn’t take away from the joy the memory brought with it.
Was that how healing happened?
Slowly, quietly, until one day, the battle to overcome it didn’t feel as great?
I’d never thought of it like that before.
Kingston cleared his throat to quiet everyone.
“Yes, the escape rooms will test your courage, critical thinking skills, and your ability to collaborate. You’ll be scored throughout the trials, both on your individual performance and the success of your groups.
Scores will be tallied at the end to create an order for the next challenge. ”
Curious glances and whispered questions rippled through the circle of Ladies, and I practically begged Kingston with my eyes for more information.
Landon chuckled beside me when I bounced on my feet, but Kingston maintained his composure, trailing his gaze over each Lady before he landed on me.
“For now, that’s all I can tell you, but the groups for the first trial will be announced later today. For tonight, settle into your rooms, feel free to explore, and spend time with each other.”
I huffed and sank onto my heels.
Kingston’s lips twitched, but he stared out at the whole group before closing the introduction.
“Fight with courage, Ladies. The games have only just begun.”