"What, no kiss for saving you from jail?"
"Sure, but I don't think your father and I are on kissing t
erms quite yet," I said.
She laughed and pulled out her rolling suitcase. "Wait, before we go in, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"What?" I was suddenly very careful about checking the zippers on my luggage.
"In the car, before I made you stop. You were saying something and it sounded kind of important. What did you want to talk about?" Quinn asked.
"Oh," I said. "I just wanted to know if you want to join me for the competitor’s cocktail hour later on. I know you said you changed to the fun tournament, but you can come as my date."
"I'd love to!"
I followed her light stride into Caesar's Palace and into the opulent lobby. I could not spare the marble statues a single look. All I could think about was Quinn. It was crazy, but she still did not know how much I loved her. I had almost proposed in the car, but she still smiled at me the same as she always had.
It was a relief when my clan members materialized out of the crowd near the registration counter. "Did you hear?" Artemis asked.
Alan shook his head. "Of course he didn't hear. He's been a little busy."
"Oh, then let me, please?" Tony asked.
Milan pushed him aside. "No, this is just too good. I'll tell him."
"Tell me what?" I asked.
"Anya has been barred from playing," Artemis, Tony, and Milan said together.
I turned to Alan. "What are they talking about?" I asked.
"Turns out the Green Witch Ayaan is known for more than just her shady plays against our girl Arrowa, here," Alan said. "She was cited by the tournament organizers as 'play that does not befit the tournament spirit.'"
"She went on a tirade about the freedom that Dark Flag permits and how that is the whole point of the game," Artemis said. "Really, it just turned into a wicked witch monologue. Ended up sounding like some serious jealousy."
"She railed against you as limiting the game's potential with your moralistic overtones and clan hierarchy," Alan said. "Some people agree with her, but the major consensus is that Dark Flag has turned out to be a mirror for what we wish society to become, not the way we fear it is heading."
"Don't worry," Milan said. He patted my cheek. "You came out looking like a hero."
"Still," I said. "I hope it’s enough to offset the whole police arrest thing." The night flashed through my memory again and I reached for Quinn's hand. All I cared about is that she forgave me and we could move past it.
Quinn squeezed my hand. "It’s a great story now," she said. "The hero betrayed by someone close to him, tricked by a beautiful but underhanded rival, and finally cleared of all wrongdoing."
"By a true savior," I said. I pulled Quinn close to me and kissed her on the lips.
"Well, it’s about time," Milan said.
"Oh, I'm so glad! Didn't I tell you, Alan? I told you," Artemis said. She elbowed Alan sharply in the ribs.
"I know, I know," Alan said. "I mentioned the whole jealousy thing. It’s not like Anya was the only one that noticed how Owen looked at her."
Quinn buried her face in my chest. "Her?" she asked. "I'm standing right here."
"Yes, you are," I said. "Clan, I think it is about time I introduce you to my girlfriend, Quinn Thomas."
Their good-natured jokes and comments faded. The whole gold spectacle of the Caesar's Palace lobby faded, too. For a moment, there was just Quinn and I.
I held my breath. I should have discussed it with her before, but it just seemed right. I hoped it was right. I hoped for more, but this was the first step and I did not want to stumble over it.