Page 149 of Unmasked

“Did I say how proud I am of you?”

I smiled as he rinsed me off.

“You did.”

“You are so strong, Penelope. And worthy. More worthy than I am. The Order will thrive under you.”

“I wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for you.”

I lifted my hand, trailing the tip of my thumb over his bottom lip.

“You taught me what it was to be strong. It was always there but it was smothered. Weak. You awoke me. You showed me not just who I could be, but what I could be. Vaughn… we did it. We made it through the hardest part. Together, nothing can stop us.”

His lips ravaged mine. Vaughn pushed his tongue into my mouth, moaning as he grabbed my ass.

“Dammit. Later. Tomorrow. You can barely stand. Everyone is waiting.”

“Well, I am the queen. Maybe they can wait a little longer?”

He laughed. “You can barely stand. Imagine if I had my way with you right now.”

My lips twisted. “I’d take the pain. I’d never make the celebration. I’d fall asleep the moment we were done.”

“Exactly. Come.” He dried me off, leading me to our room. He opened the closet, frowning as he pulled out a dark blue dress with gold trim. Small lions were embroidered along the edge of the sleeves, and I gasped as I leaned in, running my finger over them. “You can’t wear this. Not with your back.

“Oh yes I can. Put some gauze over it.”

“No way.” He went back in the closet. I grabbed a pair of panties, sliding them on as he returned with a black, silk dress. It was backless and cut low where the front was conservatively high. He unzipped it, and I stepped in. As he pulled it up, I slid my arms into the thin straps that rested on the outer part of my shoulders. Zipping it up, he grabbed my hips, placing a kiss between my shoulder blades, between the lacerations. “Perfect.”

Turning, I walked over, grabbing the brush and slowly running it through my hair. Twisting it, I grabbed pins, trying not to wince as I secured it back from my face.

“For the celebration.”

I glanced up in the mirror, gasping as I caught the glistening from diamonds. Vaughn headed up, and I turned to face him. His smile was radiant as he lifted the crown, placing it on my head.

“I dreamed of this day…” He took pins from my hand, securing it on my head. “I dreamed, and here we are.”

“And now I get to see you in a crown. That’s a first.”

More, he smiled. “It’s been a while.”

“Get used to it.” I grew serious. “We’re going all the way. We’re getting that evidence and making it public. There has to be a way.”

“Later. Tonight is your night.”

He took out his keys, disappearing back into the closet as I moved to my vanity. Clothes shuffled behind me as I applied a light amount of makeup. When Vaughn returned, he was wearing a new black suit, and his crown was the same dark iron as his throne. I stared up in fascination. Where his was dark, mine was light—beautiful.

“I think I’m in love.”

He laughed, opening a large box. My smile melted as I took in the gold, sapphire and diamond necklace.

“Vaughn…”

“Turn.”

I obeyed, holding my breath as he put it around, latching it behind my neck. My fingers came up, touching the square gems that were twice as large as my fingertips.

“Almost perfect. One more thing.”