She smiled. “I’ll let them know. Now, you spill because I’m not waiting for Mom to get all the details.”
I filled her in on everything that had happened since we last talked. Her eyes grew wider and wider as I relayed my morning activities, and her mouth dropped when I told her what Kingston had shared.
“First, you’re a goddess. And fuck, I need to get laid. Also, what the hell is that bitch Elaine’s problem?”
“No idea.” I shook my head. “Seriously. She was so nice when I got here.”
“I remember! And to think she lulled you into a false sense of friendship when you first met her.”
“Right? I guess I can’t blame her for having it bad for Landon. Obviously, I understand the appeal. She’s just taking it so far.Marriage? A forced betrothal her parents set up?” I groaned. “What the fuck is wrong with this place, and why is everyone acting like this is completely normal?”
“It’s totally whack. I mean, we assumed as much based on the rules of The Quest, but who does this?”
“Elaine, apparently. So, when Landon gets back and talks to Kingston, he has to tell him I’m not the Hail Virgin Mary he thought I was, and crush all his hopes and dreams.”
Gia grimaced. “I was wondering what you meant when you saidifI’m still here by then to my mom.”
“It could be over at any minute.” I chewed on my nail, forcing myself to own the feelings that thought brought up. “I don’t…”
“You don’t want it to be over.” Gia’s mouth tipped up. “I get it. But, you know, this doesn’t mean what happens with you and the three of them has to end, right?”
I shrugged, glancing at the bedspread and fidgeting with the edge. “It could, though. They might not be able to date outside theirpeople, and if it came down to leaving to be with me, they might not want to leave…Or worse. They might not be able to. Although, Kingston did say he wanted to.”
“What do you think Landon and Max will say?”
“Landon said he wasn’t leaving me again, but I don’t know what that means if Kingston has to stay. He’s his, too. Their friendship…It’s more than this place. That’s all I really know about it, though.” I glanced at the closed door to Max’s room next. “And Max swears he hates Camelot Court, but sometimes, I worry he has deep ties here that he can’t get away from. Not completely, at least.”
“What makes you say that?”
“He recited my Maiden application word for fucking word. Trying to prove I’m not an idea in his head. Before telling me he was done lying to himself and wanted to move forward.”
Gia snorted. “Yeah, dude bro isintense.There’s no denying it, but that sounds like he’s chosen to use his hotness for good instead of evil. That’s agoodthing, Quinn. What has you worried?”
“Why did he even have my application, for starters?” My brow furrowed as I tried to put my fear into words. “There’s also his history with Kingston and Landon. Plus, whatever happenedto the Maiden who died last year. Not to mention his past withyou-know-who.”
She sat up higher in her chair, her eyes narrowing. “Are you thinking he’s still involved with her?”
“No, but he has secrets, too. What if they come back to bite us in the ass?”
“What makes you think they will?”
I ticked off the first things that came to mind. “Our history? Recent events? My past trauma? Life’s penchant for giving me lemons? Take your pick.”
Gia hummed thoughtfully. “But…you do realize most of that isn’t actually about Max, right?”
Reluctantly, I nodded.
“So, what happens next?”
“We keep going with the next challenge like this isn’t hanging over our heads. But I worry it won’t be as simple as Elaine just taking Kingston as her prize and everyone being totally fine with it. And since I can’t save the day anymore…”
“You just have to wait and see? God, that sounds awful. Do you think you could talk to Kingston and get more info?”
“He did say he wanted to share more with me. I’m just not sure what that meant. Any time his phone goes off, he has to run and deal with a crisis. Remember how I used to love the idea of being a princess?”
“Mmhm.”
“Well, I take it back. Royal life is the opposite of a fairytale.”
