Page 161 of Uncrowned

For seconds I couldn’t speak. “Not good. Your guards⁠—”

“Later.” His voice hardened, and I knew he understood my worries. “Not now. I have to go make some calls. There are terms I want to make sure are not left out of our deal. I’ll be back for you when I can. Do not leave this room. But prepare. The night is far from over.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re angry at me.”

I stayed quiet, watching the tablet’s screen as footage from the Throne Room came in. Vaughn wouldn’t let me be present for the ruling, but he was allowing me to watch. It just happened to be with The Reeve, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold my tongue.

Not that my opinion mattered. I was no one here. The Unavowed’s Intended, but that didn’t hold much weight. As far as he knew, I might not even make it through the trials. I wasn’t sure if The Reeve liked me very much, but he was talking to me, so it was a start.

“Penelope. We have no secrets at The Order. You are one of us. If you’d like to say something, you have the right.”

“I have the right to state my opinion, but my opinion means nothing.”

“Not true. It has weight. Vaughn has chosen you as his queen. You have the potential to pass the trials. If you’d like to say something, I’d like to hear it.”

I took in Vaughn talking on the phone but wasn’t sure what all I should say. It wasn’t my place. Not yet, and my thoughts on his guards were for nothing. He may have led them, but he didn’t make the orders, Vaughn did. This had been Vaughn’s decision. Venting to The Reeve accomplished nothing. If anything, it displayed weakness. Instability. I was not weak nor was I going to go against a king’s decision, even if he wasn’t appointed yet. I knew my place.

“Alright. You don’t wish to say anything? Now’s your chance.”

“I have nothing to say.” Wrong… I had a lot.

“That’s okay. You don’t have to. I already know.”

I turned, taking in brown eyes.

“If you know, why did you ask?”

He smiled. “You’re loyal to The Unavowed. He will be pleased.”

“It was a test? Vile man.”

The Reeve laughed. “You will make a fine queen.”

“If I pass the tests or live.”

His face sobered. “The trials are not for the uncertain. You must go in believing you will make it. You have to be the queen. If you don’t go in with that mindset, you will fail before you even get to the fighting portion.” He paused, his lips twisting. “Being queen is more than a title. It is a lifestyle. An aura. It is belief of oneself that erases all doubt. When you walk into a room, you won’t need a crown to demand attention. You are the Crown, Penelope. You have to find the queen inside you, and once you do, never let her go.”

My lips separated in understanding as I slowly nodded. It was movement on the screen in my peripheral that had me turning back to Vaughn.

“The ruling.” The Reeve lowered closer. Vaughn’s voice echoed through the room as he spoke to the person on speaker.

“They’re here. You may continue with your decision.”

“This was not an easy decision after weighing the evidence and agreements. The Collective High Council takes everything into account. Our responsibility to all involved cannot go without mention. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the cost. Sometimes, the cost is too high, and elimination is the only benefit. In the case of Marian LaRoe...”

At the pause, my heart stopped. This wasn’t about justice. It was about blood.

“Marian is to be owned by Drayton Pennington, where they are bound by a betrothal contract to The Black Line’s choice of heir. They are to marry at The Order by witness of The Council, and they are to attempt to conceive with a witness this very night. There is no more negotiation. Our ruling is final.”

A heartbreaking sob left Marian, and her body shook through the cries. The room was silent as the line went dead.

“Marriage, tonight?” Drayton looked between the men. “A witness in the room while we try to conceive. Seriously? Marian can barely even walk. She’s not ready for something like that.”

“The Council has decided.” Bram’s face held no emotion as he kept eye contact with Drayton. “It must be done. Find a way. You marry in an hour.”

Vaughn stood, motioning for his guards.

“Prepare the chapel.”