Page 152 of Uncrowned

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Great. I have to go.”

“Unavowed.”

My lids closed. “Yes?”

“Were you aware that King Lawrence’s palace has its own underground as well?”

“Yes. I mean, I know the dungeon is underground. Storage rooms. So forth. I’ve looked into it before. I didn’t come across anything that seemed beneficial. Why?”

“How long ago did you look?”

“…Eight… nine years ago?”

“In the last three years, King Lawrence has made the underground his new wing. A special place just for him. The area that was once storage is now unpacked, and I hear he’s put it on display. A shrine, if you will. No one is allowed to go down there but his personal staff.” Mr. Prescott paused. “What do you suppose he has down there?”

My stare lowered through my thoughts.

“I have no idea. Have you heard something?”

“This birdy always hears things. Like… a certain king’s seal. One… I’d assume only you had. Tell me, Unavowed, would you happen to have in your possession the authentic king’s seal, your namesake’s signet ring with you?”

My hand shook as I lifted it, taking in the signet ring on my finger.

“I do.”

“And it’s the only one in existence?”

I swallowed hard. “That is correct.”

“Odd that King Lawrence would have an exact one in a display case in his secret room. Don’t you think? Or perhaps my birdy heard wrong.”

“The seal. The royal documents. They were forged. Jesus. We knew it.” I closed my eyes, trying to stop the way rage and validation shook my body. “How do I get down there?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t go down there. It’ll appear as if you planted it there. You’d lose all hope of taking your rightful place. The proof exists. Take heart in that. This is a marathon, not a race. If you start poking around, he may find out you’re not dead. Don’t give him reason to suspect you’ve rose from the grave or he may destroy it. The king is up to something, and it’s not looking good. I hear he lost it over Penelope going missing again. What do you plan to do about that?”

I grabbed the pen, tapping back against my desk.

“She must pass the trials. Once she does, we can get married. She’ll emerge from here as my wife. We’ll take our place after that. In a home. With a dog or two. Maybe a baby. Let people believe we’ve been honeymooning.”

He laughed. “So, you plan to hide her until you have her secured as your own. Smart. If he finds her before that, you may have a bigger battle than the SLB. He’s not a man who is told no, and she’s the only person to ever do that to him.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then you better get her to the altar before he does. I’m told he’s running out of time, and with the instability of the nation, he needs a way to win the people over.”

“And he’s going to do that with Penelope?”

“She’s been the talk of the tabloids for the last year. There are so many conspiracies on what is truly happening. If it were to come out that the king saved her or fell in love with her over his worry, it would win hearts. He needs all the support he can get.”

“We’re trying. I cannot marry her without her passing the trials. You know that. The Order is who I am. To defy the rules, my vows, it’s impossible.”

“I understand. Just keep your head on a swivel. Watch your back and hers. A betrayal rarely comes from someone we don’t know. If you lose her again, there won’t be any getting her back. Mark my words. She’ll be gone for good.”

CHAPTER 52

Penelope