Page 135 of Unmasked

“If you loved him—” He stopped. “Let’s not argue. I really don’t want to fight with you. I’m sorry. I… I am sorry. Let’s talk.”

“Lawrence—”

“I’ll be at Rosemoor tomorrow. You should come.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Anger again leaked into his words. Penelope glanced at me and I gave a nod for her to tell him.

“I undertake The Trials tomorrow.”

Silence. It lasted so long that we all moved in to see if the call was still connected.

“Can’t you die from those?”

Penelope’s breathing came out broken up, and I quickly took her hand.

“It’s possible.”

“No. …Bullshit. Don’t you dare do it. Marry me. Be with me. You don’t need to do some stupid trial. You’re worthy. You don’t have to prove that to me or anyone else. What sort of man would let you do that? No one that loves you.”

The beast inside me slammed through. I opened my mouth, but Penelope’s hand came out, pressing into my chest as she shook her head.

“Vaughn doesn’t want me to do the trials any more than you do, but it is a requirement, so I will do it.”

“A requirement for marriage… to him.”

“Yes.”

He made a throaty sound—a denial. “Marry me. Did you not hear that I asked you?”

“I did, and I thank you for the offer, Your Majesty⁠—”

“Lawrence.”

Her lids closed.

“Lawrence. Thank you for the offer, but I will undergo the trials tomorrow. I will pass them, and then I will pursue a future with Vaughn. I ask that you please respect my decision as I would like to stay on good terms with you. I’m truly sorry⁠—”

“Good terms? If you want to be on good terms, you will pack your things and let me come get you.”

“Don’t give me that ultimatum.”

“I’m giving it. You don’t belong there. You will come here. You will be with me until I fix you. Until I can get you better and make you see.”

“I see fine right now.” She let out a long exhale. “Lawrence, you have to stop this. I don’t want to keep having this conversation with you. I am in love with⁠—”

“That is not love.” He paused. “You’re going to pack.”

“I said no. I’m doing the trials tomorrow.”

“Dammit, Penelope. Alright… You’re not hearing me clearly. Your mind is… altered.”

“Your mind is altered.” Her fingers pressed into the table. “I’ve had enough. I refuse to keep sounding like a broken record. You are not respecting my decision.”

“Because it’s the wrong one. Pack. Your. Things.”