Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
It took a long, frigidly cold shower to calm me down after my session with Max, and I cursed myself for showing up late to the Ladies’ Dinner. I ended up stuck next to Vivian, and while Elaine sat far away, directly across the table from me, she was still too close.
But I had a friend on my side, at least.
As we waited for dinner to be served, the conversation gravitated between our training sessions and the clue we’d receive that night for the Scavenger Hunt.
It was almost fun.
Sadly, Merle’s unwelcome presence spoiled the affair.
He sidled up behind our chairs, leering over each girl’s shoulder as he passed.
When he reached mine, I couldn’t help myself.
“You’re not a Lady,” I said dryly.
Smiling down his nose at me, he nodded. “Observant, as always, Lady Everly.”
With no disdain in his tone and a polite expression on his face, I almost believed the act. He didn’t appear to hold a grudge over his removal during the Honor Challenge.
But the longer I stared, the more my skin crawled.
His deep brown eyes, a lighter shade than Max’s, held a sinister glare. “I take it you’ve recovered during your time at Pendragon. You must be so well…rested.”
“Yep.” I popped the p at the end and smiled without teeth. “It was the best of times. It was the worst of—”
“Ladies, I’m here with a few announcements.
” Abruptly moving past my seat, Merle spoke to everyone at the table.
“Having had a hand in designing your clues, Kingston’s presence will be scarce during this part of the challenge.
The privilege of kicking off the Scavenger Hunt falls to me, and sharing plans for your next Bonding Day. ”
I groaned, too loudly to cover it as an errant cough, and shrugged at Merle’s sharp look.
“Today, your lessons showed what you can expect for the next week. You have an hour to learn from every Knight each day, and to use any opportunity to proceed through your clues. Once training concludes, you’ll have a day to recuperate, followed by a day of fun with a special activity for us all, before your parents arrive for the Obstacle Course.
We’ll celebrate with the fourth party and then the race to the finish line begins. ”
Most of the girls exchanged looks at the way he included himself in Bonding Day. I made a mental note of the order of events because I kept forgetting what came next.
“For Bonding Day, we’ll partake in a time-honored tradition among most fraternities.
Creating pledge paddles. Often used in good-natured hazing, which Camelot Court does not permit, the paddles are a token of a young man’s time with his brotherhood.
” Merle spoke reverently, his eyes wistful.
“The journey and fraternal bonds made here remain inscribed in the wood long after a brother leaves his house.”
The brotherhood he deeply cherished, I viewed as sinful and filled with dangerous secrets, but it didn’t seem like the best time to voice an objection.
“With that in mind, you’ll create a paddle, and you may mark it with notes and clues you gather during the Scavenger Hunt. It can aid you as you attempt to secure the grand prize.”
I sat up straighter in my chair, my curiosity piqued.
He pulled a long piece of wood from behind him. It was about twelve inches long and shaped like one of the black leather spanking paddles Gia didn’t even try to hide in her bedroom. But it was about an inch thicker.
“The wood, harvested from lemon trees surrounding Camelot Court, symbolizes longevity and prosperity.”
My interest soured. Of course, Merle’s contribution to our challenge involved lemons.
“But that’s enough talk of journeys tonight.
For now, enjoy your meals. Keep in mind, your lessons shed light on the skills needed to be Queen of Camelot Court, and if you’re paying attention, will lead to the answers you seek.
The Knights will be along at the end of dinner to deliver your first clue. ”
Merle lifted the paddle and smacked it against his splayed palm. Most of the girls jumped, and his placid smile took on a decidedly creepy edge.
“Don’t worry, Ladies.” He tapped his palm. “It’ll be fun.”
Thankfully, once his explanation ended, he left the room.
All the girls exchanged looks again, but before anyone voiced their disgust, the servers brought in the food and began filling everyone’s plates.
Our collective focus shifted to eating, but as I chewed on a bite of pasta, I caught Morgan’s eye across the table. She ate silently, too, but arched a brow when we made eye contact.
I shrugged, unsure what to make of Merle now more than ever, before I glanced at the others. With her lip curled, Angela’s gaze skirted to the doorway more than once. Izzy smoothed her napkin over her lap several times. It seemed everyone might have Merle’s behavior on their minds.
Except Elaine, who was nonplussed and distracted, as usual.
“I can’t wait for the guys to get here.” She smirked at me across the table. “I hope Kingston brings my clue.”
Ignoring her, I made a mental note to talk to the girls about Merle as soon as we met up privately.
Once we finished eating, the dining room doors opened. The Knights entered, hands clasped behind their backs, and took their places behind their originally assigned Maidens.
Izzy turned to stare at Tristan over her shoulder, and I moved to do the same, turning to my right to see Landon and peek at Max.
But Vivian shifted in her seat before I got there.
Crowding my space, she bumped my elbow with hers. She jarred my arm and the glass in my hand. Wine sloshed over the rim, spilling onto the white tablecloth.
“What the hell, Vivian?”
Crimson bloomed across the lace.
She shook her head. “I—”
“It was an accident, Quinn,” Max snapped over Vivian’s head. “Don’t be so dramatic.”
Before I snapped back at him, Elaine chimed in. “Oh my God, Quinn. Can we have one event where you don’t make a mess of yourself?”
I glared across the table, reaching for my napkin to dunk it in my wine and hurl it at her, but Landon pilfered the damn thing before I grabbed it.
He leaned forward, dabbing at the spilled wine as he brought his lips to my ear. “Ignore her, Maiden. And remember where we are. He didn’t mean it.”
His husky tone giving a quiet command and defending Max while using his first nickname for me? It not only forced my body still. It sent a thrill right through me. And it paled in comparison to his lips brushing the shell of my ear.
I shifted to face him, but his quick tsk stopped me.
“Eyes forward.”
He pressed a kiss to my cheek, bringing his other arm around my body to set a box on the table in front of me. Then he caged me in with his arms.
I stared straight at Elaine.
My lips curved into a smile as Landon whispered in my ear, “Good girl.”
His lips left my cheek, and he stared at her, too. Her smug expression withered. Mine bloomed.
“You have what she wants, remember? There’s no need to fight an opponent you’ve already bested.” He turned back to me. “Time to focus on the grand prize.”
When he tapped the black lockbox, I released a breath, letting go of my annoyance at Elaine to focus on what he’d set in front of me. What I needed to get Max to drop his act. To save him from the Valencourt’s hold. And to free us all from Camelot Court’s clutches.
“This is our first clue?”
I scanned the table, noting each girl had an identical lockbox in front of her. It had a dial with four cubes that spun to input a combination. I lifted the box, searching for a scrap of paper or sticker with the code.
Landon chuckled. “He didn’t make it that easy on you.”
Peering up at him, a hint of excitement shimmered in his dark amber gaze. The reality of the moment hit me. If I solved the clues and made it to the end, I could do it. Win The Quest, take all their prizes, and walk away with mine.
“Welcome to the Nobility Challenge.”
The Knights spoke in unison, but my attention fixed on Landon. He bowed, eyes locked on my lips, before he straightened and stared down at me.
“You’ve got this, My Lady. I know you can do it.”
Emotion rose in my throat, and if asked about it later, I’d blame the sentimentality of the occasion for what I did next. I gave a slight bow of my head before meeting his gaze again.
Catching his lopsided half-smile, I smirked back. But my heart thumped wildly in my chest, and I whispered so that only he could hear me.
“Thank you, My Lord. I won’t let you down.”
His smile widened as he winked. “Inconceivable.”
After the Knights left and dinner officially ended, I wanted to thank Miss Alice in the kitchen. Everything had been delicious, and I’d spotted her hurrying back and forth between the kitchen and dining room while directing the staff.
When I didn’t find her, a staff member pointed to the hallway. She wasn’t there either.
“What’s up, Buttercup?”
I shrieked, jumping at Morty’s voice and his head popping out from the doorway across the hall. “What the heck, Morty? Why do you keep popping up out of nowhere?”
He shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. “I thought you liked surprises.”
Arms crossed over his chest, one ankle in front of the other, his posture appeared relaxed, but the serious expression on his face betrayed him.
“Are you…Morty, are you keeping an eye out for me?” I cocked my head, finding it hard to believe the guy who’d blown up everything the day he arrived had good intentions. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Well, that’s good. Since, you know, I’m not.” He pushed off the wall and started down the hall. “However, keeping an eye on you…? That might be a different story.”
I frowned, taking off after him. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why would you need to keep an eye on me?” I reached him near the creepy bedroom where we’d first met. “Or, better question, who asked you to keep an eye on me?”
“No one asks me to do anything.” He glanced over his shoulder and smirked. “Or, if they do, they quickly learn I don’t take orders.”
Miss Alice came around the corner. “What are you two doing back here?”
I whirled to face her. “Looking for you, actually. I wanted to thank you for the delicious dinner.”
Turning an adorable shade of pink, she waved me away.
Morty stepped up to my side and slung his arm around my shoulders. “Actually, I was coming to thank you, Miss Alice.” He tightened his grip so I couldn’t throw him off. “My new best friend, Quinn, here, tagged along.”
She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “What are you up to, Mister Dread?”
He groaned. “Ugh. I hate that name more than Morty.”
Using his distraction, I slipped from his hold and took Miss Alice’s hand. “Thank you. I’m glad I found you.”
She placed her hand on mine and squeezed. “I appreciate the kindness, dear. Now, run along.” She eyed Morty before winking conspiratorially at me. “And if you don’t mind a word of advice from an old lady like me, stick with those you trust and stick it to those you don’t. Alright?”
Patting the knife tucked in the pocket of my dress, I smirked at Morty. “A great idea, Miss Alice. I’ll do that.”
With that, I shoved my lockbox under my arm and returned to Camelot Courtyard. By the time I got there, Izzy, Angela, and Morgan sat at a table discussing our first clue.
“It’s weird that they keep telling us about our pledge paddles, right? Like, we get it. They’re going to make it weird and force us to bond with Merle over wood.”
“Ew, Angela.” Izzy scrunched up her face. “Unnecessary.”
Angela laughed, waving her off. “I just mean they don’t need to keep mentioning it. Isn’t it weird?”
Morgan’s forehead wrinkled. “I didn’t think it was, but now I do. Only because you won’t stop bringing up Merle’s wood.” She smirked, teasing Angela and elbowing her side. “Why? What are you thinking?”
Angela turned to me as I sat down. “Quinn, you’ll get it.
Don’t they keep going on and on about the paddles and journeys here like it means something?
Even what Merle said earlier—how they’re a symbol of a brother’s time with his fraternity?
” She leaned back in her chair and huffed. “I’m only saying I think it’s related.”
I shrugged. “Our first Knight did give us the lockbox.”
Izzy and Morgan’s skeptical faces turned contemplative.
“If she’s right, maybe our Knight from the Honor Challenge has the next clue?”
Vivian chose that moment to interrupt. “Why would you think that?”
I swiveled my head to the left, where she sat at a completely different table, not a part of our conversation, and narrowed my eyes at her. “Why do you care? Especially if you think it’s a dumb idea?”
“I didn’t say it was!”
She snapped her mouth shut, her cheeks pinking as she grew flustered.
My brow furrowed.
“It’s just a guess, Vivian.” I turned back to the others. “You’re spitballing, right? Throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks?”
Vivian interjected again. “What’s that mean? Is that a clue?”
I spun back around slowly. “It’s just an expression, Vivian. Something only the have-nots say.”
She frowned, clearly disappointed I hadn’t proven myself useful, and turned away. Sitting alone, with her arms crossed over her chest, her jaw clenched as she stewed silently.
I didn’t want to know what was on her mind.
Rolling my eyes, I faced the girls. “You could be onto something, Angela.” I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t think I can take another reference to his wood, but I did want to talk to you about Merle. He’s creepy, right?”
“Yes,” they said in unison, and I didn’t miss the affirmative grunt that came from Vivian.
Angela pursed her lips. “I don’t trust him.”
Morgan nodded. “Same. He was in my mother’s year of The Quest. She never expanded on what happened, but she warned me to come to her if I needed help. Not him.”
“He did give me what I needed for the Maiden Appeal, but I got the impression he was saving his own skin.”
When Vivian scoffed behind me, I side-eyed where she sat. “On that note, I’m beat.”
The girls understood my underlying message that two-seconds-of-Vivian-interaction-had-put-me-at-my-limit and smiled at me as I stood back up.
Angela smirked, glancing from Vivian to me. “Go rest up. Merle is shady, and trusting anyone here has its risks. It’s just the way it goes.”
Izzy frowned as I returned Angela’s smirk with a nod and said goodbye to Morgan, so I nudged her shoulder before I left. “See you in a bit, roomie.”
She forced a smile. “I’m right behind you.”
Inside our bedroom, I sat on the bed, pressing the lockbox between my palms and reviewing the information I had. If Landon, my Knight in the first challenge, had started the Scavenger Hunt, Max Dread could be my next stop.
Tomorrow, we had our second session together.
Maybe I’d get an answer out of him.
Or at least a clue.