I applied the same outlook to our moment as I had with Izzy, and focused on enjoying the time we had together.
Laughing our way through them, Max and I shared not one but two dances. First, with him exaggerating the distance between us, as if a snooty chaperone circled our bodies. On the lookout for wandering hands.
We behaved. Barely.
Then, the music changed to a perfectly named song, even if it was out of place for the party theme. “I Don’t Dance…” I smiled. “How fitting.”
He twirled me, so quickly I didn’t see it coming, and he pulled me in close. Sliding his palm to my lower back, he pressed in as he rocked our bodies. With his eyes locked on mine, the rest of the room faded away, and the only thing that existed was his voice, singing along with the song.
Bringing back memories and feelings I hadn’t felt so powerfully in over a year.
An emotion so big it threatened to burst through my heart swelled inside me, and I didn’t care who was watching. I didn’t care about all the reasons I shouldn’t. I rested my head against his chest and closed my eyes, letting him sing and sway us to the music.
Some things were simple.
Some truths were black and white.
And whatever happened—whatever came next—in Max Dread’s arms, I feltsafe.
His voice rumbled softly in my ear. “You’ve got me in the palm of your hand…”
I met his gaze, nodding as emotion lodged in my throat. “You’ve got me, too. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, baby.” He spun me once and brought me back to wrap me in his arms. “I got you.”
Kingston
Landon 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.
