Page 48 of Unmasked

“The child is here and you will protect them, because if anything happens, you are responsible. You,” I exploded, shaking and letting him go. I glared down at them. “She leaves this evening. If you haven’t figured out a way to make her stay by then and something happens… mark my words… you are guilty, and you will face the consequences.”

“Unavowed—”

“No. If the law cannot protect her, then the law is the problem. Figure. It. Out.”

I turned, feeling nothing but a maliciousness I’d never felt before. It festered, burning my insides as I left the room and headed for The Place of No Return. Footsteps pounded as they caught up, and The Reeve stayed at my side, not speaking but showing his support.

Seconds passed as we went from one hall to another. My mind was swimming. My thoughts were carving pieces from my resolve. The truth left me, and I couldn’t stop it.

“Something bad is going to happen.” My jaw clenched, even as tears burned my eyes. “I feel it in my gut. Something bad—and she won’t call it off. She’s going, and I can’t stop her. No one will help to stop her. If I say no—if I refuse—” I gave a quick shake of my head. “I am in an impossible spot.”

“Her, the child… or The Order.”

I glanced over, nodding.

“Maybe I’m overthinking it and it truly does turn out okay. Penelope thinks I am worrying for nothing. But what if I’m not?”

A long moment passed.

“There’s no way of knowing, Sire.”

I nodded, hating that he was right. The guards opened the main doors and I went through, pulling the key from my pocket. When the door opened, the smell of urine was overwhelming.

Katia lay on the ground, wet and covered in dirt as she stirred. She was still wearing the clothes she’d been in when she ran into The Order. I hit the dim lights and she covered her face, trying to push up.

I kept my tone hard and unfeeling.

“Hose her down, give her the slave garb, and brand her in her cell. Do not unchain her. Penelope won’t like it, but my Intended’s revenge is over. Tomorrow, she gets me.” I looked over to The Reeve. “In the meantime, let the guards get acquainted with her. Every single one of them.”

Fear and tears filled Katia’s eyes, and dark hair swayed as she shook her head.

“I-I know t-things. I-I—K-King Lawrence.”

My lids narrowed, and I stilled.

“What about him?”

“He wants Penelope. He-He⁠—”

Anger flared.

“Everyone knows this.”

“He has a temper.”

“I know this, too.”

“He… He…”

“You’re stalling. You will not take a minute more of my time away from her.”

I turned to leave as she screamed out.

“He won’t stop. He will have her! He will have her!”

I left the room, feeling my hands shake through the itch to strike something. Through the need to bury my fist inside a man’s body and tear him apart with my bare hands. Preferably the king who walked in my place.

“Sire.”