Page 138 of Uncrowned

“I make the rules.”

“Alright.” My arms crossed over my bare chest, drawing his eyes exactly where I wanted them. “Let me get this straight. You want your queen amongst nobility in a dress so short that with one wrong move, I could show them what they don’t deserve to see? Do you want your Masters fantasizing over what you claim is yours? Because if you’re okay with that⁠—”

“Keep the damn panties on.”

I snatched the dress from the bed, trying not to show the relief over my win.

“You’ve changed,” he said, lowly.

I didn’t answer. I slid the dress over my arms, feeling it catch on my breasts. Vaughn’s hand came forward, and the movement had me latching to his wrist before he could get close. Something sparked in his depths as he watched me withdraw my hand.

“I don’t need your help. Can you please tell me where Marian is?”

Righting the dress over my hips, I watched in my peripheral as Vaughn inched in. Anger had me lifting my gaze.

“What are you doing?”

“Watching you.”

“Stop. Tell me about Marian.”

A small growl left him. “If you don’t want to be queen, then you don’t get answers.”

“So, if I say I want to be queen⁠—”

“It’s too late. You have to earn your right to be able to say that again. You, Penelope, may not be a slave, but you’re now equivalent to one.”

“Until when?”

He shrugged. “Maybe in time. Maybe never. I very well may keep you like this until you die.”

“Which seems to be a pattern for you.”

His eyes narrowed, and he stepped in dangerously close.

“Why don’t you elaborate.”

“Has there been so many that you’ve lost count?”

“Penelope, if you’re referring to⁠—”

“Stop it.” My hand shot up. “I don’t want to hear about your other women right now. I want you to bring me Marian and leave us alone.”

He got quiet, watching me.

“Women? You’re jealous that I chose someone before you?”

“Someone?”

His brow creased in confusion. “One, yes. Ten years ago. I was stupid. Impatient. She wasn’t a good match. She died in the trials.”

Confusion swirled around what I knew—what Katia had told me. Hadn’t she mentioned that word? I thought she’d meant in general. Not actual trials.

“What trials?”

Vaughn’s anger faded, and he sat on the edge of the bed, staring up at me.

“I cannot marry until I get The Order’s blessing. To do that, the woman I choose must pass The Queen’s Trials. It’s a mix of history and challenges. But even the history section has its repercussions if you answer wrong. The more you don’t know, the harsher the punishment becomes.”