Page 41 of Knight Life In Vegas

Before I could ask him what he meant, the show was over, and three of the knights were trotting over to us. Panic dug in its vicious claws as the identity of the third knight became all too apparent.

Francisco smiled down at me from his horse. “Hey, duchess. Nice to finally see you again.”

In all my imaginings of seeing her again, not one of them included the sheer panic in her eyes. Okay, breathe. There had to be some explanation. She wasn’t afraid ofme,was she?

“Can I escort you to collect your children?”

She looked uncertainly to the alpha next to her. Who was he? Was she panicking because she was already with him and had been with me secretly? The thought made me queasy. Myduchess was just as beautiful as I remembered, with her bright hazel eyes, soft mouth, and sweet flush to her cheeks.

“I’ll come with you,” he said to her, adjusting the baby in his arms. Was that one of hers too?

I had far too many questions about her and not nearly enough answers. Her fingers locked around his suit jacket sleeve as they stood, leading me deeper down the path of assuming she had been stepping out on her alpha without permission. Was he a scent match?

Her lemon meringue sweetness reached me with her movements, renewing that primal knowledge that she was meant to be mine. I exchanged a look with Dylan, his eyes wide, pupils blown, and lips parted as her scent reached him too. Eduardo had the same mask of shock and longing on his face as well. That cemented things then.

She was ours.

“I can walk by myself,” she squeaked out.

“Please.” I wasn’t proud of how much begging was in my tone. I just needed a few moments with her. Maybe her alpha would be open to a pack and I wouldn’t have to resign myself to feeling like my chest had been hollowed out forever. Her scent had already begun to fill it back in, but I needed more than that.

She chewed her lip indecisively before carefully opening her grip on the other alpha. “Okay.”

“How do you feel about horses, duchess?”

Her gaze slid from my face to the sleek black gelding I sat on top of. “I love them.”

“Do you want to ride him with me?”

Longing was plain in her eyes as she reached her fingertips to touch his inky flank. “I’m allowed?”

“The boss says it’s fine.” I offered her a smile, hoping it would help put her at ease. The hints of burnt sugar in her scent had me on edge, my instincts demanding I fix it.

“I’ll be right back,” she promised the other alpha.

He frowned. “I’ll follow along.”

“Hop up on the edge,” I instructed, watching her carefully step onto the ledge of the arena. I cradled her hips and let her sit down sidesaddle in front of me. We didn’t have a ton of space, and she locked one arm around my waist to keep herself steady. I gave the horse a light tap with my heels and he made directly toward where her children were sitting with our Arthur and Guinevere.

“Are you afraid of me, duchess? Did I do something wrong last time we were together?”

She shook her head hastily. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…I just…” Tears slipped over her cheeks.

“Okay, let’s do a lap so your kids don’t see you crying. Talk to me. What happened?”

“I’m trying so hard and fate isnotlistening to what I want.”

I squeezed her a little closer, purring softly to soothe her, and breathing deeply of her scent: lemon, butter, and sugar. “Could you elaborate a little?”

She clung tightly to me, burying her face against my chest. “I don’t want scent matches. I don’t trust it. I don’t trust myself…”

“Did you think disappearing on all of us would make the match go away?”

“Wishful thinking. I shouldn’t have; I know that. It’s not fair to anyone.”

We rounded the arena, the few guests that still remained being entertained by our other knights for photographs.

“You’re right. It’s not fair,” I agreed. “But it’s not like we’re gonna shackle you by the ankle and force you to be with us. Can’t we at least have the chance to get to know you?”

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