Page 73 of Unmasked

Seconds passed.

The Reeve reached out, knocking on the door.

“Talk to me. Tell me you’re okay.”

Deep breaths sounded, and a cry left her. Again, she started to become sick. My head shook repeatedly as I paced.

“Come on, Ms. Penelope. Talk to me.”

A sob. “Hurts.” Another loud cry. “Rowan, call Vaughn.”

“I already have him on the phone.”

“Somethings not… right.”

Again, she heaved.

“What the hell happened,” I growled. “You’re sure she didn’t get into anything? No drinks? No food?”

“No. Not that I saw. We were there, and it hit.”

“Earlier. What did she eat?”

The Reeve paused.

“A banana and yogurt. That’s it. I didn’t even see her with a drink.”

“Shit.”

No. This wasn’t right. He did this. Somehow, he did this.

Deep breaths left her, and Rowan didn’t knock. He opened the door. Penelope was laying on the ground, barely propped up by the wall. Her coloring was so off, just as Theodore’s had been. I felt my heart stop.

“Reeve, we got company! King Lawrence is pulling up.”

Mark’s voice cut through the air. Rowan cursed, picking up Penelope and carrying her back to the seat.

“Unavowed, I’m going to have to call you back.”

The line went dead, and maybe part of me did as well. Penelope could barely keep her eyes open. Her body was limp, and her lips were taking on a blue hue.

“No, no, no.” The Reeve patted against her face and boots stomped in, coming towards them.

“Your Majesty.” The words came out pained from The Reeve as King Lawrence walked past the guards. “What are you doing here?”

“It looks like I’m saving The Duchess’s life. Go home. We’ll take care of things from here.”

He swooped in, trying to pick up Penelope’s unconscious body. She wasn’t even responsive anymore.

“Sire, I can’t do that. I’ve vowed to protect the Duchess. I can’t be released by anyone but her. If you’re taking her⁠—”

I heard the gasp and grunt before I could process that the camera had lurched forward. The king jerked his arm back, revealing a dagger coated in blood.

“No!”

Mine and Marks yells overlapped. I could see the king, spinning to Mark, thrusting the knife as The Reeve crashed to his knees. My door burst open and Able slid up next to me, breathing heavily as the angle pitched forward and Rowan’s camera went dark.

“My jet.” I pushed against Able’s shoulder. “Get my jet ready. They’re taking my Intended.”