On the drive back to Pendragon, the need to see Max—truly see him—grew so strong my chest ached.
Each mile we drove closer loosened the tight, achy feeling, lessening the tension while sharpening my awareness of it. A pull existed inside me and refused to leave. It wouldn’t lessen. It wouldn’t rest.
Not until I closed the divide.
As if a string had been tied around my heart, it tethered me to the three of them, leading me back to Camelot Court. It had drawn tight with the physical distance between us, and tugged heavier with the rift between me and Max. I didn’t know if my plan would work, or how I’d live with that feeling if I failed.
I didn’t want to consider what might happen if I couldn’t help Max, or if he didn’t find a way out of the Valencourts hold.
If he married Vivian, he’d lose the life he wanted. The one I’d glimpsed during the Honor Challenge, with quiet days away from the crowd. A normal life where he’d been happy.
I didn’t know if I’d regret it—not fighting louder or making a scene, every day for the rest of our lives—if Max traded that life for one where he was trapped. Chained to Camelot Court. Unable to get out of a world he hated.
And stuck doing all of it withher.
All because he couldn’t live with the consequences of going against them. Because of what that might meanfor me.
Unable to stop fidgeting in the car, my leg bounced so hard, I shook the whole thing when we idled at a red light. Gia placed her hand gently on my knee, and I settled, right before we turned back into Pendragon Estate.
“It’s going to be alright, Quinn. You’ll see.”
She winked, and right on time, two pieces of my heart came into focus. Kingston waited by the door as we approached, and Landon stepped outside to join him as the car pulled up.
They came down to meet me, worry creasing both their foreheads. Kingston pulled my suitcase from the back while I hugged Gia and climbed out.
The urge to wrap my arms around them was harder to resist than I’d expected, but as soon as I stood beside them, the tension in their expressions eased.
The ache inside my chest did, too.
As we waved Gia off, I leaned into Landon’s side.
“Tell me.” He requested quietly.
“I’m justscared.” I admitted softly, as it all weighed heavily on my mind and heart. “Gia and I hunted for answers today. And I feel better about Max.” I filled them in on everything I’d learned at the diner and what I’d found in Max’s notes to me. “I’m less scared having you both here right now, but I wish?—”
I shrugged, mouth twisting with sadness.
Kingston’s smile and longing stare assured me he wanted to wrap me up in a hug as much as I needed one.
“I thought about Max’s motivations for doing this while you were with Gia. What I mentioned outside the police station is true. My father’s response, when we returned last night, confirmed it.”
Landon’s body tensed.
“What happened?” I glanced up at Pendragon, aware Drake D’Arthur wasn’t allowed to outstay his welcome. “And where is he—your father?”
Kingston scrubbed a hand over his face. “He left. After he went after Ben?—”
“Ben?”
“Yes. I thought he was coming for Landon. But he pushed past us and went for Ben, who was unconscious and recovering after his attack on you. Another Camelot Court Knight, who had made his life harder.”
I stared wide-eyed at them. “He attacked him?”
Landon nodded. “Not to say the bastard didn’t deserve it for what he did to you, but it was…”
“Brutal.” Kingston clenched his hands into fists. “He went into a fit of rage when Max shared what he had done. My father nearly lunged at him, after he’d torn through the house, shattering everything he could get his hands on. Something he had wanted to do for quite some time, I imagine.”
Kingston glanced at the house, so Landon filled in the rest. “His warpath continued until he found Ben in Merle’s private chambers. Well, the small bedroom off to the side, where he’d been recovering, and he grabbed him. Dragged him right into the middle of Camelot Courtyard for all of us to see.”
