Emotion lodged in my throat at Landon’s whispered question because I wasn’t sure how to answer. Kingston’s quiet battle with his secrets broke my heart. My fear for all of them grew stronger with each new discovery at Camelot Court.
But I nodded from where Landon had tucked me under his chin, needing to hold onto a tiny bit of light in the darkness.
I looked back at Kingston. “Kingston, if Max promises to be on his very best behavior, can he have a bike, too?”
Kingston returned my teasing grin with a genuine smile, but he caught the lingering heaviness in my gaze. His features softened as he nodded. “Perhaps one with training wheels first. Just to start him off slow.”
“Ooh. Good call.”
“Gee, thanks, Dad,” Max grumbled under his breath. “Maybe I’ll just steal yours.”
“Hm.” Kingston tilted his head like he was actually considering that. “It’s a bit on the nose, don’t you think?”
When I chuckled, Max rolled his eyes. “Har, har. You two are a fucking riot.”
Smiling, Kingston nodded to me. “I’ll just go put the bike away and come meet you.”
“Okay.” I smiled back, watching him go with an ache in my chest but grateful for a minute with my two Knights.
Max assessed me, his dark eyes hunting for a hair out of place. “Sounds like you enjoyed yourself today?”
“It was…heavy, actually.” I flicked my gaze to Landon before I glanced over my shoulder. “I need some time tonight. With him, to process everything before I talk about it. Is that…”
They shared a look.
Max eyed Kingston as he pulled off to the side of the house, before arching a brow. “Yeah, of course. You good, though?”
“I’m good. I promise.”
He nodded. “Then do what you need to do, Princess. I’m not going anywhere.” Dropping a kiss onto the top of my head, he shrugged. “Except to bed now that you’re home. You know where to find me.”
“Bathtub,” I teased him, nodding seriously. “Got it.”
He winked, sending a shiver down my spine that under other circumstances would’ve had me jumping and latching onto his back like a koala to go with him.
Once he’d gone inside, I looked up at Landon as we stood on the porch, waiting for Kingston to return. As he stared out in the direction Kingston had gone, Landon’s frown and furrowed brow caused a pang in my chest.
“Is he…” He swallowed. “How is he?”
“Sad, but he understands.” When his features tightened, I cupped his cheek. “He doesn’t blame you, Landon…you know that, right?”
Landon sighed. “He never does. Even when it’s warranted.”
He fell quiet, his eyes never leaving the path Kingston had taken while his hold on me never loosened. I wanted to ease the pain between them, but I didn’t know how.
“We’re going to find a way out of this. I can share more with you tomorrow. Tonight, I?—”
“Quinn, you don’t have to explain. You need time with him. He…I know he needs that with you, too.”
“Yeah.” I peeked up at him. “But maybe tomorrow, we can all spend some time together?”
Landon leaned down and pressed a kiss against my lips, the corner of his mouth lifting at the hopeful expression on my face. “As you wish.”
When he pulled back, he straightened, and I turned to find Kingston walking up to meet us, the mask he’d removed earlier now back in place. Landon nodded at Kingston and gave me one last smile before releasing me. Kingston’s mask slipped as he nodded to Landon.
“I’ll take care of her for you tonight, mate.”
My heart clenched, thinking of the way Kingston had said that to Landon after our dance at the first party. At the time it had seemed like a reminder to Landon that Kingston wasinterested in me. It had sent me into a bit of a self-aware spiral, wondering if I’d be forced to choose.
