Page 69 of Love Is A Draw

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Unclaimed. Forgotten.

“If she loses,” List sneered to the customs officer, “she can return to the Pale with her relic.”

Victor’s fists clenched. His mouth went dry. There was no honor in this. “He’s a legend, not a relic.”

“And you are nothing.”

She looked up. No fear. No doubt. Onlytrust me.

He turned back to the board.

Moved.

She answered.

He responded again.

She repeated her move.

And again.

His breath caught.

A third time—same reply.

The customs officer harumphed. “That’s repetition.”

A beat.

“Draw,” Gail said softly.

Victor stared at the board. Then at her.

She’d seen it. All along. She hadn’t played to win. She’d played to refuse to lose.

Not a checkmate.

Not a resignation.

A draw.

List growled, eyes blazing. “That’s not a win?—”

“No,” the customs officer interrupted, his voice suddenly hard. “But it’s not a loss either. And your agreement was with the title—not the outcome. No winner means they split the prize.”

“They are both the Black Knight!” Greg gave Fave a meaningful look, and they applauded.

“All hail the Black Knights!”

Dmitry looked at them both. “You two. Together.”

Victor barely heard the cheers. The roar. The tide.

He only saw her.That spark. That certainty. That girl he loved.

Victor didn’t move. He couldn’t. His chest rose and fell in silent heaves.

Gail rose slowly, her hand trembling slightly, and offered it to him.

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