Page 145 of Unmasked

“We don’t know yet. We won’t until the trial starts and they bring them into the room.”

“Alright.” A shaky breath left her. “How many more stitches? I need to get up and start moving around.”

Lord Oxley looked up, glancing at me. I saw his worry. He didn’t want her doing this any more than I did.

“Almost done, Intended.”

“Good.”

Penelope’s lids closed as she continued to hold her head up. She jerked through the punctures, pushing her fingers into the wood each time he stuck her. But there was no patience from those waiting.

“Five minutes!”

My head jerked over to the dais where the Magister and Judic still sat. I grabbed Penelope’s hand, glancing to Lord Oxley. He secured the stitch, nodding that he was done. Turning to Penelope, I met blue, bloodshot eyes. A smile pulled at the side of her mouth as she took me in.

“No one should be so beautiful when they’re afraid.” She paused, moving in my direction, pressing her lips into mine. “I always thought you were beautiful.”

“My looks are not what you should be thinking about right now.”

“But I am…” Her eyes went between mine, moving down to my lips, only to lift back up. “Do you know how much I love you?”

“If this is your way of saying goodbye⁠—”

Her smile grew. “But what a way to go. What an adventure we’ve had.”

My face sobered. “This is not the end of our adventure. Not even close.”

“But if⁠—”

“No.”

Her stare lowered for only a moment and she nodded, turning to sit on the table. “I love you no matter what happens. I’ll always love you.”

I stepped in, holding to the back of her head as I leaned down, kissing against her lips.

“Stop this death talk. … But I love you too. More than⁠—”

Her hand lifted and her finger pressed against my lips. She jumped at the shot Lord Oxley gave her.

“Tell me when I finish.”

I helped her stand, holding to her as she swayed. She reached for the shredded shirt on the table, looking down at her black sports bra, frowning. My stomach dropped, and Penelope brought my hand up, kissing it. She let me go almost just as fast, turning and heading back to take her position before the dais.

She wasn’t okay. She wasn’t well enough to fight, and we all knew it. Lord Oxley stepped in next to me, keeping his voice low.

“She should be better here shortly. Just… not for long.”

I turned, my brows going in. “What do you mean?”

“She was at too much of a disadvantage. The shot.” He stopped, lowering his voice even more. “Just a mild stimulant. It’ll give her a burst of adrenaline. It’ll buy her some time, but once it wears off, she’ll crash. And she’ll crash hard.”

My eyes widened, and my pulse sped up to dangerous heights. Penelope stood a chance, but for how long? If this wore off mid-fight, it would put her back at a disadvantage. It could get her killed. She had a little time, but not much.

“Trial Three is The Trial of the Blade. This trial is exactly as it sounds. It is here that you will prove whether you can defend not only you but the Unavowed. The Order does not accept weakness beside its king. Your physical ability will be tested. Your tactical thinking in combat is vital. Your very survival instinct is what will set you apart. Someone here today will die. Good luck, Intended.”

The door opened, and all eyes shot to Keith as he walked through. Penelope’s head went back and forth, and tears raced down her cheeks. The pain on Keith’s face couldn’t be hidden as he approached Penelope. A cart was wheeled out of the side door by another guard, and Penelope didn’t wait. She rushed up, throwing her arms around Keith, kissing against his cheek.

“Intended…I’m… sorry.”