Kingston
L andon found me near the edge of the room, stepping back after witnessing the way Quinn had left earlier.
It pleased me to see her now, smiling and happy.
Max Dread, once again, had stepped in where I couldn’t.
My father wouldn’t be too pleased to discover things turned out for the best, despite his attempts to control our futures. With both of them falling into place where they were meant to be.
Each suited to their positions, with underlying qualities I hoped every Knight—or Lady, one day—at future Round Tables would possess.
The ability to soften, to care and love, protecting the innocent by whatever means necessary.
He’d been a solid bet. Max Dread.
A sure thing.
No thanks to me, but simply because he’d been born for it. Just like Landon had.
Meant to be at my side, where they both would have been all this time were it not for my father, as the future left and right hands of the King.
When Landon approached, I sensed his unease.
He’d agreed to share my plan for the dances with Quinn. It hadn’t had the desired effect, but I couldn’t blame her.
And I would not push her.
“She needs space,” I said, glancing to my right, where Landon had taken his place naturally. “But it will be alright. And it was worth it for the chance.”
“I just came over to tell you she didn’t want to know. She doesn’t—she thought you were dancing with them to enjoy yourself.”
His expression did nothing to shield me from his anger. Try as he might to school his features, it ran through me as palpably as if it were my own.
I understood it.
I deserved it, but…
I drew in a slow, steady breath, letting it out as evenly as I could. “She’ll see the truth in the end. I have faith , Landon. I have to believe?—”
“If you’re wrong?—”
He wrenched his gaze from mine, and I was grateful for the few seconds he stared at her.
The time it took for him to say what I already knew.
“If you’re wrong, I’m leaving with her.”
The idea had been mine, but hearing him say it…clearly, forcefully, without any hesitation, it seared my chest like the brand. Burned like the poker as it pressed deep into my flesh. Running me through to puncture the vessel in my chest that beat with singular purpose.
“I know.”
He snapped his gaze back to mine.
“I already told her. If she chooses to leave, I’ll make sure you’re both able to go.”
“You know your father?—”
“I’ll take care of it, Landon.”
He stilled at the finality in my tone.
Confusion pulled at the corners of his mouth.
Followed by fear…guilt…pain.
Pushing off the wall, I looked away. I searched for Quinn in the crowd. Drank in the sight of her smiling, eyes closed and head pressed to Max’s chest.
My body shook with the desire to go to her, to explain and keep all this from happening.
But I turned back to face Landon, meeting his gaze one more time before walking away.
“I won’t make the same mistake twice.”