Page 28 of Unmasked

“On it, Sire.”

The Reeve left the study, and I went back to pacing as my mind stormed through the facts.

Penelope had to go.

To decline the initial invitation from the palace would have caused talk. But then he called… That spoke of his invitation being on more of a personal level. It spoke of intention, and now it was clear. He planned on choosing Penelope—unless she could give him reason not to, which had been her intention before.

Maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing.

Or maybe… the king had plans of his own.

CHAPTER 8

Penelope

For days I focused on nothing but training. I fought. I learned. I let myself get lost in preparing for the trials. I knew Vaughn was upset over King Lawrence’s invitation, but there was nothing I could do but attend. It would be nothing. A mistake on the king’s part. Once he saw what a cold, standoffish prude I’d become, he’d surely see his mistake and move on.

That was my plan. I’d be whiny. Weak. A woman afraid of her own shadow.

If that didn’t work, I’d turn into a witch. I’d do whatever I had to to leave a bitter taste in his mouth so he left me alone.

The trials needed to be my focus.

Not the king.

Not Katia.

The trials.

Yet… the two were never far from my mind. I saw them when I swung. When I made impact against my attackers. I saw everything.

I didn’t see this…

Achoo!

Able’s eyes were red-rimmed as he sneezed for the millionth time.

Achoo!

“I can’t take it. Switching the flowers to another room did nothing. I can’t…. stop…”— Achoo! “Can you tell King Lawrence to not send anymore? I think I’m…” He paused, his lids lowering as his lips parted. I waited for the sneeze, but he groaned instead, pinching his nose. “Allergic.”

“Poor Able. I will throw them out. How about that?”

“Please. You’d be a true saint. I… can’t—” Achoo!

I laughed, heading into the sitting room to grab the vase. At seeing Theodore walk up, I picked up the flowers, running for the front door. I pulled it open just as he stepped onto the porch.

“Oh, for me? You really shouldn’t have.”

I looked down at what I held, laughing and waving him in. The loud sneeze behind me had me cringing.

“Sorry, come in. I have to get rid of these. Able has allergies. I’ll put them in the back.”

I jogged through, swinging open the back door and jolting to a stop as I met green eyes. They were just as surprised as I was.

“You.”

I didn’t think. I threw the vase right at Katia with every ounce of hate I had for her. She easily deflected it, sending roses and water flying out in all directions. Her gaze jerked over my shoulder.”