Page 39 of Knight Life In Vegas

My boys were wiggly little worms, overwhelmed with excitement that they were going to see knights jousting. Dinner was brought around: Cornish hens, dinner rolls, cups of soup, chunks of steamed vegetables, and potato wedges. Sammy and Ollie ripped into it like I hadn’t fed them a day in their lives. Beau held a chunk of steamed carrot for Lucy to gnaw on.

“She won’t choke on it, will she?”

“She should be fine. Just keep an eye on her.”

Beau fixed his gaze on Lucy, scrutinizing her tiny nibbles.

“I didn’t mean literally,” I said with a laugh. “You can relax a little bit.”

Eating a miniature chicken with my hands would have scandalized my ex. I was fairly certain he never would’ve allowed us to attend a show like this, but maybe we could’ve gotten away with the non-dinner option. Half the fun was the meal, though. I had a stash of wipes in my purse and we used plenty of them as we worked through the food. Beau looked distinctly uncomfortable trying to wrestle bits of the Cornish hen free to eat while also holding Lucy.

“Do you want me to take her?”

“You have plenty to manage with your own children. I’m sure I can figure out one meal.”

I wiped my fingers down carefully and with a look to him for permission, I dissected the meat, separating it out into more manageable sections for him to eat with one hand.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

By the time the food was finished, my boys were half-feral and ready to vibrate out of their seats when the trumpets blared, announcing the start of the show. I set the cardboard crowns the venue had provided on the boys’ heads, and added one to my own. Beau looked less than enthused, but donned one as well.

A man bedecked in emerald robes and a glittering crown swept out into the audience amid a sea of smoke. “Greetings, one and all, to Night of Knights!”

The audience cheered.

“I am Arthur, King of the Britons, and tonight you will see my knights of the round table compete in feats of glory. You have partaken of our fine food and drink. Now behold the colors of your section, for that is the knight you will cheer for tonight.”

He went on to introduce the knights by their Arthurian names: Bedivere, Agravain, Lancelot, Galahad, Gawain, Tristan, and Mordred. I wasn’t really brushed up on my Arthurian legends, so the names went over my head. We were in the yellow section and supposed to cheer for Lancelot.

The music started, and seven knights on horseback raced out, looping the arena gracefully. Seeing those beautiful animals made me ache for my childhood. I wanted to be up on one of those horses. Each of the knights paused in front of their respective sections, and when our Lancelot turned to smile and wave, it was like iced water pouring over me.

Shit.

That wasDylanon that horse. I stared down at my lap, afraid if I looked too long he would notice me.

“Allow me to introduce you to my magnificent queen, Guinevere,” the king announced.

I spared a surreptitious glance, seeing a beautiful woman with long black curls, dark brown skin, and a gown of sky blue joining the king in the middle of the arena. The audience cheered again.

“Who among you children present would like to sit with the king and queen to watch their champions compete?”

Sammy was up on his feet, standing on his chair, his arms waving wildly before I could even react to stop him. “Me!”

“Honey, sit down.”

That only made him jump harder. I stood to collect him, but he had gotten the king’s attention…and Dylan’s too. His green eyes widened when he saw me, and adrenaline ripped through my system at the recognition there.

No, no, no, no. I couldnotdeal with this tonight.

“My king, I see we have an enthusiastic young squire,” Dylan’s voice boomed. “The queen’s ladies-in-waiting will collect you, young sir.”

Oh lord.

Sammy looked like he was about to die and go to heaven when some of the servers from earlier, changed into more ornamental outfits, appeared in our section.

“Is it all right if he comes to sit with the king?” one of them asked.

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