Page 152 of Unmasked

Vaughn

With every high came a low.

Now that the celebration was over, now that the trials were finished, I saw the damage, and it left a heaviness behind that I couldn’t ignore.

The lacerations and stitches on Penelope’s back.

The scars that would come of them, along with the knife wounds.

The marks would never go away. On top of the permanent reminders, she lost the one thing she’d been trying to obtain her entire life. I knew what it was to strive for a lost title. I was living it. To get a taste of it, only to have it stripped away again, I couldn’t help the pain that came along with the guilt. Sure, a part of me loved hearing the anger in King Lawrence’s tone as she relinquished her title, but I saw the aftermath. I knew, even if Penelope pretended it didn’t matter, somewhere deep within, it did.

Full lips parted and I stayed on my side, staring at her sleeping form. She was on her stomach. Her arm was bent, her fingers resting near her lips, and the dark red comforter was resting just above her ass. She’d been out now for hours, sleeping harder than I’d seen her in a long time.

It was to be expected. Lord Oxley had told me enough when he’d given her the pain pills. But if I knew Penelope, she’d be ready to get up. She didn’t like sleeping too long. As I went to reach for her, her phone started ringing. Penelope’s lids flew open. She groggily turned for the bedside table, squinting as she took in the number. Quickly, she looked over at the clock.

“Damn. Almost ten?” She cleared her throat, hitting the button. “Reeve, hey, what’s going on?”

She winced as she sat up, drawing the comforter up to cover her chest. There was a pause as he said something.

“No, it’s okay. I needed to wake up anyway. What happened?”

More silence. I sat up, letting the transition of our roles sink in. A smile came, but also an unease as I wondered what was happening. I wasn’t sure I liked this new role swap. I wanted to be the protector. I wasn’t used to the idea of her leading The Order. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be.

“I see. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be there soon.”

Penelope hung up, turning to face me.

“There was a captain last night at one of the pubs by the port apparently drunk and hinting of Order business. They have him detained. It would appear someone new triggered the south entrance, but it could just be the man was homeless and looking for shelter. The Reeve is looking more into it.”

I nodded, watching as she crawled from bed and headed for the bathroom. I’d taken a shower and went through my morning routine hours ago. As I got up and got dressed, I listened to her try to speed through hers. She opened the door, her toothbrush in her mouth as she headed for the closet. Focus had her barely looking over as she grabbed a pair of trousers and a black silk button-up blouse to place on the bed. Not two minutes later, she was rubbing lotion on her face and coming back to take out a pair of stockings.

Captivation left me soaking in every move she made. Love kept me blissed out in a comforting peace. But possessiveness was never far behind. It lingered, promising to protect her. To never leave her side in case she needed me.

They may have tested Penelope on her ability to safeguard me, but the true threat would be focused on her. And I’d be ready for when that happened. Because it would. It always did.

“We didn’t bring The Order’s phone home with us.” Penelope paused in tucking in her blouse. “What if someone important tried to call and I missed it?”

“Love… come here.”

Penelope finished zipping and buttoning her trousers. She was fastening the belt as she approached. The worry on her face was real. I reached up, cradling her jaw.

“You are The Queen of the Order. They wait on you.”

“But… Mr. Prescott⁠—”

“Is your contact. The Council may be in charge, but that does not change who you are. They know this. You are the queen… You… You will call when you’re ready. That is the end of it. Okay?”

Full lips pressed together, and she gave a nod.

“How are you feeling?”

“A little pain. It’s not too bad. The medication is still working.”

“Good. Take a deep breath. Nothing that I’ve heard is cause for urgency. We get there when we get there.”

“You’re right.”

I gave her a reassuring smile. Penelope slid on her flats, reaching up to smooth over her hair. She had it in a bun at the nape of her neck again. Her makeup was natural minus the hint of charcoal eyeliner. As she walked for the bedroom door, I couldn’t help but soak it all in. Authority. She had it. Power emanated, and anyone I knew would be a fool to underestimate her.