He stood glowering in his brother’s direction, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or a bad omen.
Last night, before we’d fallen asleep, I remembered what he’d said about my escape from Ben being lucky. I’d shared how Morty gave me the knife. And Max’s fierce warning not to trust his brother still echoed in my head.
Morty had been a giant question mark on the trust fall scale at Camelot Court, even with everything I’d pieced together, and the ways I’d realized he’d protected me, Max assured me his motives and alignment rarely showed until it was too late.
I didn’t know enough of their history to understand why, but I trusted Max, so whether I’d use my Secret Questions remained up in the air.
“Our parents have arrived for the Obstacle Course and the last party of The Quest, which takes place tomorrow night. While it’s been common during the events of Alumni Week for progress to pause, that won’t be required this year because of its delay and timing change.”
He dropped that morsel of information as if it meant nothing, but his message was loud and clear.
If parental pressure dictated their actions as much through Alumni Weekend as it had through everything else, I wouldn’t have the same expectations the others did. Gia’s parents, following my arrest, had decided to stay home. Her dad was building a case in my defense and wanted to avoid a conflict of interest, but Gia would arrive this afternoon.
While she gave Camelot Court a run for its money, I’d do what I needed to do.
Which meant that during the party, the one thing my biggest adversaries had thrown in my face repeatedly—my lack of parents—could be what gave me the lead.
My chance to get ahead. To win.
When Kingston signaled to the Knights, they approached each of us, including Morty, who took Ben’s place in front of Camille. As Landon waited for Kingston’s next signal, I side-eyed Morty. His dark brown eyes sparkled with mischief, and until I figured out what he was up to, I couldn’t trust him.
Because, good or bad, Mortywasup to something.
I met Landon’s gaze. “If I have a chance to win during the party, I’ll need to go to him, won’t I?”
Landon kept his voice down so only I heard him. “You might. Do you think you can trust him?”
“I don’t know. He gave me the knife, but how had he known I’d need to use it?” I chewed on my lip, too afraid to mention my night with Max without being overheard. “Hopefully, I won’t need to use the Secret Questions at all. And it’ll be fine.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “It’ll be fine.”
“Totally fine.” With a rush of nervous laughter, we shared a smile. I shook my head in disbelief. “I can’t believe we’re finally at the end.”
His grin changed, losing any trace of unease and filling with pride. “I had no doubt you’d make it here. Not once, Maiden. I hope you know that.”
Emotion swelled in my chest, thinking of how far we’d come since the first challenge.
How far I’d come, too.
“I do, Buns.” I returned his fervent smile, words rising on the tip of my tongue that finally had to be let out. “Landon, I?—”
But Kingston cleared his throat, and Landon took my hand, leaning in to place a kiss on my cheek.
His lips lingered on my skin, warming my whole body with a single touch, and the gentle rumble of his voice in my ear assured me that even if I never got the chance to say it out loud, it didn’t matter. Landon saw everything.
And he knew it.
He’d always known.
“I love you, too, My Lady.” Pulling back slowly, he held my stare before bowing his head. When he released my hand, heleft behind the scrap of paper bearing my first clue. “Now, go do what you have to do, so the next time I say those words, I can address you properly.”
Blinking away more tears, I nodded.
The enormity of the moment with him, with The Quest—all of it hit me at once.
While the other Ladies and Knights disbanded, I closed my eyes and drew in one slow, deep inhale.
I needed to catch my breath to make it to the end.
