Page 111 of Unmasked

“Yes?”

I stepped in, taking the nightgown and panties from him and placing it on the bed. When I led him to the chairs in front of the fireplace, he sat down, watching as I took a seat in the chair across from his.

“The shower can wait. Talk to me. You said you were thinking a lot about duty and love. I feel like between The Order, our home, Rosemoor, and Glenbrae, I’m being pulled in a million different directions. You said we’d figure it out. Help me do that.” Tears welled, but I kept them in. “I feel like this is the beginning of something bad.”

Vaughn closed his lids, taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, I saw the fear he tried to keep hidden.

“It’s only bad if we let it get that way. Come here.”

But he was already leaning forward to bring me into his lap. I nuzzled my face into his neck, hating the heaviness in my stomach.

“How will we do it? How will we manage? I’m an hour away. This… this is a full-time job. So is The Order. Then, there’s you. I’ll never get to see you. If you stay at The Order, and I’m here. Or…” my voice lowered, “you get the Crown back, I won’t see you at all.”

“Not true. You can run Rosemoor without living here. We can take a trip here every few days. There are video calls. Helicopters.”

My head reared back, and I laughed. “I suppose there are ways.”

“Always. Just as I said. We are unstoppable. Never forget that.”

I melted into Vaughn’s body, feeling vibrations go off from his phone. He adjusted me, keeping me close as he pulled out his cell and brought it to his ear.

“Reeve.”

“Unavowed.” Able’s voice was barely audible as I listened in. “I’m not sure if it’s anything to worry about, but we had an alarm trigger on the south entrance. It seems like before our men could check it out, the person was already gone. It might be nothing, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I’ve doubled the guard at the entrance, and we’ll keep an eye on the cameras.”

“Perfect. Thanks, Reeve. Let me know if anything changes.”

He hung up, placing his phone down and pulling me deeper into his chest. “Speaking of our home, I forgot to tell you, the tunnels are just about done. We should be ready to move in by the time you leave here.”

“Home. I like the sound of that. Our home.” I yawned, and Vaughn sat me up, unfastening the necklace around my neck. He reached over, placing it on a small stand resting on the table. I watched it sparkle as it hung from the hook, facing towards my bed.

“Life is hectic for you right now, Penelope, but soon it will get better. We can get settled in. You can continue to heal and learn your duties. We’ll take things slow now that—” He stopped. “Now that… there’s no rush anymore. That’s all I’m saying.

“No rush?” Learn my duties? Vaughn, what about my training? What about the trials?”

“There’s plenty of time⁠—”

“No.” I wiggled from his arms, standing. “I’m not waiting anymore. Losing the baby changes nothing. I’m doing the trials on schedule.”

“Penelope—”

“Don’t try to talk me out of it. I’m doing them, Vaughn. Marry me or don’t. That’s your decision, but I’m getting this out of the way for when we’re ready.”

“And if you die? This isn’t a test to take lightly.”

“I know that. I don’t take it lightly.” I stood taller. “I’m doing the trials so we can finally be official… and nothing is stopping me.”

CHAPTER 36

King Lawrence

To think I’d be facing the lanky, lean young man from the pictures my father had received more than a decade ago had been my first mistake. Sure, I expected Vaughn to look older. To still sport the big curls and perhaps even still have that dark charm about him.

The towering man who faced me last night was not the man I had prepared myself for. I thought I was big. That I was tall at a good inch over six feet. Vaughn was taller. Wider. Lean like me but more muscular. Bigger. He was handsome with shorter hair on the sides, and dark length on the top just long enough to begin to curl. He dressed as a man who had no worries over money. He traveled with just as many guards as a king—as me.

The gold watch he wore.

The expensive leather dress shoes.