Page 130 of Uncrowned

I was ecstatic.

No… Phenomenal.

“Your loyalty is noted. Cheer up, Theo, we’re in Miami. This is the best thing that’s happened all year.”

“I am happy that you’re finally not biting my head off. Of course, we still have to get Penelope and Marian⁠—”

“We’ll get them.”

“You heard The Reeve.”

Theodore looked further down the jet, taking in the large team of guards I had from The Order.

“Are we sure we can trust Bastian Allard’s guard? That man is clearly not loyal.”

“Not to Bastian, no, but who would be? The world thinks he’s so great. They have no idea who he truly is.”

“Do you think we’ll run into him? He left a few hours before we did.”

I laughed. “I can only hope.”

“That sounds like a threat.”

“He knows we’re coming.” I tapped against the chair. “I made sure of it.”

“Vaughn… do you find it odd that Marian brought Penelope with her?”

I couldn’t deny it. It wasn’t just odd, it was baffling.

“It is, but I’m not going to complain. It’s almost been a damn year. Maybe the SLB has backed off and we just haven’t heard about it yet.”

“Maybe. What if things don’t go well with Bastian? What if this is a trap?”

“If it were a trap, Mr. Prescott would have warned me. He told me King Lawrence is losing favor. He’s neglecting his duties and pushing away those he needs the most right now.” Again, that damn smile resurfaced. “People in high places are starting to talk. They’re starting to pull to me. This is great news for when I get my evidence. It’ll help with the transition.”

“And Bastian?”

I swatted towards Theo as if the question was nothing. “If the bastard doesn’t want to die, he’ll stay out of my way. I’m taking them both, whether he likes it or not. Marian’s mother, Melissa LaRoe, is dead. Elec, the Main Master of the Gardens, killed her not days ago. I heard it directly from The Collective High Council this morning. They’re sending me a link of the video to prove it. I’m told Elec lost it. It was gruesomely… amazing. Rumor is that she messed with his mind with that hypnosis stuff and manipulated him too.

“Anyway,” I continued, “Mr. Prescott gave me a free pass to take what I am owed, and I’m not passing up the opportunity to make Marian pay. Especially now that shit has hit the fan.”

My head shook in amazement. “He says they’re ending the LaRoe line. All are dead in her family but Marian, and from what I hear, they may kill her anyway. I, of course, petitioned to have her, but I wasn’t the only one. Her bloodline is supreme. She may be forced to marry immediately, and they know that’s not what I want her for, so I’ll only have a short window for revenge before I have to return her. Time is of the essence.” My lips pulled back, and I couldn’t stop the happiness surging through. “The tables are finally turning.”

“They always do.”

Theodore and I unbuckled as the plane came to a stop. I stood, going through the motions as we unloaded and headed for the hotel. We were running behind. We hadn’t expected Penelope to leave. Had we been prepared, we could have retrieved them before they left for the states. As it was, now we’d not only have to face her security detail but Bastian Allard’s as well. And he had a jumpstart on us by a few hours. They both did—he and Marian.

It was a disadvantage, but I wasn’t worried. It didn’t even matter that I had his guard in my pocket. Bastian knew better than to get in my way. We’d had a run-in close to a decade before. Crossing me made him a target, and he was too big of a coward to try again. He may have been putting up a front as a warning to save face, but he’d have his men stand down when the time came, or I’d destroy him.

Cars and buildings blurred as we headed to the hotel, and for once Theodore kept quiet. I kept seeing flashes of Penelope. Of her wearing the blindfold. Of us together. Did she look the same? Was her hair longer? Shorter? How would she react when she finally saw me again?

A year…

A fucking year apart.

It was a tragedy.

It didn’t seem real.