Page 191 of Unmasked

A smile tugged at Vaughn’s mouth as he slowly approached. He waved his hand causing the guards to part down the middle. My chains were loosened and I turned, able to see a collection of large monitors on the wall.

“You don’t seem to understand what’s happening. Let me clear up any questions you may have.”

Vaughn took a remote from a guard whose arm was in a sling, and he hit the button, turning on the monitor in the center. A table of men appeared. I spotted The Sultan immediately. He was near the end of the table. It was an older man in a gray suit at the center that started talking.

“By unanimous order of The Council, Lawrence Evans is stripped of all royal authority and privileges formerly granted to his line. By willfully defying a direct command from The Sultan, unlawful trespass into sovereign Order territory, abduction of Queen Penelope, and acts of violence committed under false crown authority, Lawrence Evans has forfeited all rights to title and life.”

“Custody is hereby transferred to the new king, Vaughn Masterson, and to The Order for formal trial and judgment. If found guilty on any charge presented, the sentence shall be death.”

The man looked up to face the camera, and all I could do was continuously shake my head.

“Let the record show: the Evans reign has concluded.”

CHAPTER 64

Vaughn

Silence.

Had it ever been so beautiful?

So full of justice?

I hit the button, turning off the monitor. Lawrence slowly turned back in my direction, his blue eyes big and full of shock as he took me in. I crouched, resting my forearms on my knees.

“Do you understand now?”

His lips parted but no words immediately came.

“…She needed me.” A pause, but anger leaked back in. “Penelope needed me. She’s not alright.”

I impossibly pushed my emotions down.

“And you think what you did to her made her better?”

“Did to her? You mean what I tried to undo from you! You did that to her. She killed my doctor by throwing a knife halfway across a room. She caught him in the throat! She’s… dangerous.”

I paused. “Yes she is. Is that all?”

“You have to let me go. You can’t fault me for trying to help her.”

“Caning her—Raping her helped her?”

My voice boomed through the room before I could reign in my temper. I let out a slow deep breath.

Lawrence swallowed hard. “I didn’t rape her. Not… entirely. I showed her how I felt. I was mostly easy. Loving. She had to know how it would be between us if she chose me.”

“And she gave her consent for you to do this? Or was she under the influence of medication that took her choice away?”

A battle played across Lawrence’s face.

“She could talk. All I heard was you. Penelope wasn’t present. That’s my point. I had to show the real Penelope the difference between us.”

“You definitely did that. Now you’ll pay for it.” I stood, cutting my eyes to the Magister. “Have him taken to his cell. The trial is set for tomorrow at dusk. No one is to go into his room but me.” I glanced back over to Lawrence as he pulled at the cuffs, but I put my attention on the Reeve. “Leave him unchained. I’ll be visiting him shortly.”

Turning, I ignored Lawrence’s threats and yells as I headed for the door. The guards opened it, and I didn’t pause as I walked straight to mine and Penelope’s room. When I entered, she was already lying in bed, wiping tears as Elec sat at the edge of the mattress. Theodore was not far away, and they both stood and headed to me as I came in. Elec’s voice was low as he glanced at her but faced me.

“My team just gave Penelope the first pill. The next won’t be administered for twenty-four hours. This new medication has great results, but we’ve come to see that the second dose is far harsher than the first. She needs you. It’s going to be a rough few days.”