Three roses, with thorny vines wrapped around Excalibur as it crossed in front at a diagonal.
I jumped toward it, sinking my weight directly on the stone.
A sob of relief escaped me when it sank in. It had to be a release for a locking mechanism. Something that had to be pressed to remove the sword.
Keeping my foot on it, I grabbed for the dais.
When my fingers brushed the stone, I reached farther, stretching for the hilt, but it was just out of reach.
I pushed up, pointing my toes and extending. So fucking grateful for all those years of dance, even if I never did it again.
Because if I just reached a little farther…
I looped my pinkie through the handle, and the sword slipped out an inch.
A loud clunk echoed in the cavern. It secured the stone beneath my feet, locking it in place as I darted forward.
I ripped the sword free from its hold.
As soon as it escaped its resting place, air swept over me.
In the ceiling of the cave, a hole opened above me, light streaming in and blinding me as the darkness was forced away. Like the moon in an eclipse, it slid aside and revealed the sun.
No one was less surprised than me when Max Dread appeared, shouting into the cavern, “Quinn?”
I’d never been so happy to hear him call me by my name.
“Max!” I shouted, holding the sword at my side.
He dropped into the cave like a goddamn action hero, and I flew at him. Launching myself into his arms. Wrapping my legs around him. And praying he’d never let go.
When he crushed me in his hold, I choked out a sob of relief. But reality crashed over me quickly.
“Max, Landon is down there!”
I pointed to the water on the other side of the ledge.
He rushed to the edge of the upper level where we stood, carrying me. Refusing to let me go.
My eyes widened in horror as we looked over.
“Max, the water!” It spiraled downward now, draining fast. “It could be pulling him down!”
I fought my way out of his hold, racing to the stone dais and trying to force the sword back in.
But it wouldn’t budge.
I jumped on the stone with roses, but it didn’t sink. No matter what I did to return the sword, the water wouldn’t stop.
Dropping it, I rushed back to the edge and searched for a way down. “Max, we have to save him! We have to help them!”
My leg was already flung over the ledge, reaching for a foothold when Max pulled me up.
“What are you doing? Let me go!”
“Princess—”
“No!” I screamed as he yanked me away. “Landon!”
