Page 183 of Unmasked

I didn’t need him to continue. “Nothing has changed. Burn them all, minus the house in Esher.”

He gave a sharp nod, heading for Bram and the monitors. I turned, keeping a steady pace as I left the Throne Room. I turned down halls, making my way to mine and Penelope’s room. I shut myself inside, leaning against the barrier as I closed my eyes.

Heartbeats hit hard.

Screams and yells wanted to come.

The need to destroy everything around me was a feeling I couldn’t escape. My mind said, time. In time I would have Lawrence. In time, I could make him pay. In time, his life would be mine. That did nothing to extinguish the violence within.

A good minute passed as I tried to get control of it.

Two.

Three.

More…

Knocking had my lids lifting, and I turned, opening the door. Serious eyes were narrowed, and Elec lifted an eyebrow. His hand came out and it took me a moment to make sense of what he was holding.

“You haven’t eaten anything. You need strength. Eat it while you tell me what you’re going to do for Penelope.”

Confusion had me shaking my head.

“…Do for her?”

Elec pushed the sandwich into my hand, and I took a bite as he strolled in. I shut the door, turning to face him.

“Let’s not pretend we don’t know what she could be going through. If anyone knows, it’s us. She’s going to need you. A lot. She’s going to need more than that.”

I could barely swallow but managed as he headed to the dresser, picking up a gold brush, turning it in his hold as he picked up the matching handheld mirror.

“I will support whatever Penelope feels is best.”

He made a sound. “You could do that.”

I took another bite as he continued.

“Or you could let me handle it. I could fly in a medical team. They’d be here by morning. As for her mental care, I can help… ease the trauma she’s experienced. Not forget,” he rushed out. “Not unless you’d prefer that.” His mouth twisted. “But I am a doctor in this sort of thing. What’s she’s likely experienced.” He got quiet. “I don’t think I need to tell you the side effects. I will help both of you however you need.”

“You’d do all that for us? Why?”

A multitude of emotions flashed over his face.

“When I first met you here at The Order, I hated you. I thought you were a thug on a power trip. But… you let Drayton and Marion leave with me. What you did, it changed Marion. With the darkness, you actually helped her. You weren’t completely selfish in your actions.” He paused. “I understood it. And I saw something else too. I saw through your mask while I was here. Penelope’s as well.” He swallowed hard. “You love each other. The true kind of love. I loved like that once. … I was happy… and I had a child on the way. But—” His head gave a hard shake. He placed the brush and mirror down. Again, he pointed to the sandwich, and I took a big bite despite it was almost impossible to chew or swallow. “It’d be a damn shame to watch you both lose that love because of this. I want to help.”

“Thank you. I think we’re going to need it. I think—Penelope.” My head lowered. “She has to be okay because if she’s not.” I stopped, but Elec came forward.

“Penelope is strong. I’ve seen that. The way she handles The Order.” He forced a smile. “She’s a fighter. If anyone can get through this, it’s her. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she’s okay. I’ll fly in my team. We’ll get her the best care. You have my word.”

I nodded, studying his eyes.

“I feel I’m going to be forever indebted to you.”

He laughed. “Possibly. Then again, someday you may end up helping me as well. Let’s not think of that now. You came here for something.”

I finished off the sandwich, already feeling more energy as I headed to the closet. I opened the secret case in the wall, taking out the fake signet ring I’d had photographed and stolen from Lawrence’s underground room at the palace. I slid it on my middle finger, reaching in to grab the black iron circlet as well. I looked in the small mirror, easing the thin, dark band over my head. When I turned to face Elec, he bowed his head, cutting his eyes up to meet mine.

“Your Majesty.”