Page 68 of Unmasked

Pounding. So many footsteps were approaching. I could feel them in the floor. And spinning. Spinning.

“Calm, Ms. Penelope.”

Rowan pushed the phone in his pocket, gripping my shoulders. There was true worry in his eyes. He looked at me like I was a stranger. I felt like one.

“This is my room. My. Room! My space. My safe… space! Mine!”

King Lawrence raced in, jerking to a stop as he took in the mess and my hysterics.

“This is my room! Mine! What is he doing in my room? Going through my stuff! Is he here to hurt me? Mine! My room!”

King Lawrence gestured the guard to take the physician deeper into the room as he headed to me at a fast pace. Lords were crowding in around my door. Lord Summerlyn actually stepped in as guards were trying to push them back.

“No one should be in my room going through my things. That’s mine! S-Stranger! S-Stranger!”

King Lawrence pushed Rowan out of the way, pulling me into his arms. “Shhh. Calm. Shh. It’s okay. We’re going to figure this out.” His voice was clipped. Deeper than how he usually spoke. “I’m going to take care of it.”

I broke even more, falling into my old personality and embracing it. Somewhere throughout the internal chaos, I knew this was my moment. This was my escape.

“I thought I could do it. I—I” More heart wrenching sobs. “I can’t.” My head shook again in a panic. “No. N-No. I want to go home.” I twisted out of the king’s arms, racing for my bags that were laying open and scattered on the floor by my closet.

“Rowan, Mark! We’re g-going home. Now. Right now!”

“Your Grace⁠—”

I spun on the king, pinning him with my wild, maddening stare. Vaughn might be hurt. He might need me and I was here—with him.

“He says he’s your physician. He says he’s yours! Look at what he’s done. Why is he going through my things? What gave him the right?” Tears poured down my face. “I… t-trusted you.” My voice cracked as a sob tore free. “I trusted you! What if he would have hurt me? What if he’s the masked captor?”

Everyone’s face turned to the physician. Time stretched out as the king seemed to want to approach but wasn’t sure with how everyone was still watching.

I wiped my face, fighting through the thickening emotions to reign back in my composure. It almost felt impossible. Clarity faded enough for my mind jumped to calculations.

I gasped, pressing my fingers over my lips as I looked between the king and my titled peers still watching through my door. “I…. I apologize Your Majesty for my hysterics. I am… horrendously embarrassed.”

His face softened as he came closer.

“You don’t have to apologize. I’m going to take care of this, I promise. This was a grotesque breech of your safety and your privacy, and I am the one who is sorry. Please don’t leave.”

I let time pass as I lowered my head. “This is going to take weeks for me to overcome. I thought I was ready, but I’m afraid I’m not. My deepest apologies, Sire. I… I must leave. I pray you don’t hold this against me. I’m afraid a part of me may be broken after what I’ve been through. I’m trying so hard. I just can’t, yet.”

Turning to The Reeve, I kept my voice low. “Make the arrangements.”

He gestured to Mark, who nodded and picked up his phone. Rowan went into my closet, grabbing my clothes, putting them into the suitcases.

“Please.” King Lawrence grasped my shoulders from behind before I could turn back to him. I didn’t think in my weak Penelope mindset. I cried out, spinning and almost falling through the surprise. Instinct had my hand coming up as if I feared he’d strike. There was almost a fascinating hunger as he dove in to catch me. “Don’t go. Do not be afraid of me. I’m sorry about what happened to you, but I can help. Stay.” Tighter, he held, truly setting off my anxiety as I pushed my palms up to press to his hard chest. It only caused his fingers to dig into my back as he drew me in closer.

My eyes met Lord Summerlyn’s, and I didn’t miss the seriousness in his gaze. King Lawrence was the enemy, and neither of us were in a position to fight. Yet the king’s behavior went beyond what was decent. He should not be touching me at all.

“Sire, you have to let go. I’m not feeling well. I do not want to get sick on you.”

It took him a moment, but he let go, concern masking him. “If you’re sick, surely you shouldn’t leave.”

“The sickness comes from constraint. I can’t be… touched. I—I.” I took a deep breath, finding it harder to get a grasp on my emotions. I had to start pulling back from the old me, but her hooks were so set in.

Rowan zipped up the suitcases, heading to the bed. He put the snacks in the smaller bag and my purse. When he went to the bedside table, I saw him grab something, but I wasn’t sure what it was. He put it in his pocket, grabbing my suitcases to wait on me.

“That’s everything, Your Grace.”