Page 101 of Knight Life In Vegas

The word was so simple, but it nearly brought me to my knees again.

“Ican’t.”

“Youcan. Don’t do to Charlotte what you did to me. Don’t you fucking dare make her feel like she’s unwanted, like she’s not as important as your job. I know what that feels like and it fucking sucks. She deserves more than that.”

My whole body was taut with tension, muscles aching from holding so still, from the weight of both of our sorrow. Charlotte hadn’t said anything to me about feeling that way. We had both been adamant about not wanting the bond for our own reasons. Had things changed?

“I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Then don’t. Put your money where your fucking mouth is and be here forallof us. Choose us.”

It wasn’t that simple, but I didn’t say that out loud. Maybe Bryce was right. Even if Charlotte didn’t want to keep me, I could still be here for my son, for my granddaughter, for the two little boys that were now legally my children. Would they care if I left? If they did…I couldn’t put another child through that.

I needed to stay.

“I’ll talk to my team and make a plan,” I promised.

Bryce stared at me for a long moment, confusion and pain clear in his eyes. “Really?”

“You’re right. I’ve let grief and fear have control for too long, been living a half life. You all deserve better from me, and the only way I can deliver that is if I step up and be part of your lives.”

Bryce laughed and hugged me again. “I’m really glad I dragged you back here to yell at you.”

We were a pressure cooker that had finally been released. I still had work to do, but the risk of explosive damage felt like it had finally gone away. “Me too.”

“Come on. Let’s go celebrate your omega.”

I let him pull me along so we could join the others, relieved and emotionally raw over our exchange. If leaving wasn’t an option anymore, how the fuck was I supposed to move forward?

Beau and Bryce slid into their seats, and I laced my fingers with Beau’s. “Everything okay?” I whispered.

Way too much distress had flooded down the bond from him. Every so often he would clamp down on it and muffle it, but however his conversation with Bryce had gone had made his control sporadic at best. It had tapered off right before they reappeared, tentative optimism replacing the torrent of pain.

“I think so,” he replied quietly. “It’s improved, at least, and we’re on the right path. He understands me more now, and I’m committed to working on things with him properly going forward.”

Bryce pulled Ava right onto his lap, her purr rumbling to life as she peeked over at me.

“I told Ava about the bonds. I figured you would’ve told Bryce when you left.”

“I did.” I still felt flickers of panic from him, but I leaned closer, tucking my head beneath his chin. He settled so quickly with my affection.

Dinner was already served, and we ate quietly, Beau and Francisco wedged on either side of me. Ava’s pack were manning the children: Sammy and Ollie sitting between Jesse and Micah, and Lucy on Luke’s lap, giving Ava and me a chance to fully relax. Half of my pack was in the show, and Francisco had been busy keeping me chilled out and getting to know Ava while Beau and Bryce had been hashing things out.

When we all finished eating and the dishes were cleared away, the house lights went down and back up to alert everyone the show was about to begin.

“Greetings one and all to Night of Knights!” a voice boomed over the speakers. “I am Arthur, King of the Britons, and tonight you will see my knights of the round table compete in feats of glory.”

I remembered the whole introduction from the last time I’d been here, and listened as he explained the knights each section would cheer for. With a surge of music, the knights raced out, rounding the arena so everyone could get a good look at them.

I let out an extra whoop of excitement when I caught sight of Eduardo and Dylan, playing Bedivere and Lancelot. Carmen as Guinevere came next with her Arthur, waving to the crowd as they crossed the arena to ascend to the royal balcony. Oncethey were seated on their thrones, Arthur began his narration again. “Fair maidens and noblemen, I have an announcement most joyous! Should you wish to train as one of us, be ye child or grown, local or traveler, our knights will be taking on squires! The riding and care of our noble steeds is a skill all knights must learn, and there will be lessons aplenty available, as well as camps where you may immerse yourself in the life of a knight.”

Excited whispers broke out across the audience, a small child behind us loudly asking their parents if they could be a knight.

“We also have a visiting royal tonight who will be assisting with the knight training, a former champion who has graced many an arena with her skills. Let us all welcome Queen Charlotte and her court to Camelot!”

The spotlight swung over to us and everyone clapped while my kids leapt up on their seats to wave to everyone.

“We have it on good authority that it is our fair queen’s birthday today.”

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