Page 97 of Uncrowned

“It’s going to take time. You have that with me, Penny. You can stay here as long as you’d like. I mean that.”

“You’re too kind. Thank you.” I searched her beautiful features. “…Marian, I’ve lived a very sheltered life. I find that I’m a little lost and behind compared to people my age. My parents controlled my life. Cassandra asked if I had an email today. I don’t. I felt like a child. And then our talk about ordering books. It was always through my mother’s account. I’ve never had accounts online. I’m so far behind. I want a life. I want an identity. Does that sound selfish?”

A genuine smile appeared. “Not at all. If you ask me, I think little things like that may actually help you move forward with your healing. How about we leave here and look into a few things.”

“Really? You’d help me make accounts and emails?”

“I would love to.”

“And I can get whatever I order delivered here? Is that safe? Can I do that?”

“If anything, you can put it under my name and get it delivered here.”

“Perfect. That’s just… perfect.”

CHAPTER 32

Vaughn

I held up a small copy of a painting, looking between the man in the picture and the one before me.

Theodore didn’t appear amused at my analyzing gaze. If anything, he looked pissed, which was better than afraid. I could respect that. I wouldn’t have it any other way. As our ‘second’ in the past, I had hoped for a prospective acquaintance again. From what I could see of the good-looking man who stood just over six feet, I might have gotten lucky.

“I don’t really see the resemblance, but it has been over two hundred years.”

Theodore’s arms came to cross over his chest as he stared me down.

“It’s rumored you’re dead.”

“Many wish that were the case. Tell me, Mr. Hart, what do you know of me?”

He didn’t look impressed which had me smiling.

“You’re the Black Line King. The Blacklisted King. The traitor⁠—”

My finger pointed. “That’s a lie.”

“I didn’t say it was the truth. You asked me what I know. I’m telling you what I’ve heard.”

“The Mastersons were not traitors, and neither was your family.”

“Little good it does us now. Neither of us holds a title.”

“Yet.”

Theodore’s head jerked, and his lids narrowed.

“You speak of treason.”

“You can’t speak of treason against an illegitimate king. I am king.”

Green eyes went wide.

“You could die for that.”

“I’m supposedly dead anyway. They’ll try again if they find out the truth. Do you want to guess why?”

“Because you’re the rightful king?”