Page 200 of Unmasked

Theodore Hart.

It was Penelope and Vaughn entering the room that hurt the worst. Not just in my chest, but from my step backwards. I was cowering… I was afraid. And where I retreated in fear, the rest of the room lowered to their knee in respect.

The couple walked forward, coming to stand not ten feet away from where I was shackled. Where Vaughn’s glare didn’t leave mine, Penelope wouldn’t look my way for long. She was out of it. In a daze, like I had been. She stared ahead at the men standing and filling the seats, but I knew she probably didn’t see them.

The robed figures at the dais all sat down except the one at the very top. The veiled face turned to me, and his voice was deep as it cut through the room.

“Lawrence Evans, by order of The King, The Judic, and The Council, you are hereby presented for formal judgment. You are charged with violation and unlawful entry into The Order, and the forceful abduction of Queen Penelope. You are charged with acts of violence against her person. You are further charged with the offences of treason, murder, and assassination against the Masterson bloodline as well as a fraudulent reign. You stand here not to defend yourself… but to be dissolved.”

My mouth parted. “Dissolved? What do you mean? Is this not a trial?”

Silence.

“You have already admitted your guilt. Our evidence is sufficient and standing right here.” The veiled man’s hand rose to gesture to Penelope. Her face was slightly pale, and she seemed to wince as she tried to hold still. She was in pain… because of me.

“Your evidence,” I continued, “is… she—” I stopped, hating how the fear kept locking up my words. “I made a mistake. I thought I loved her, and I’m sorry I hurt her. I just wanted Penelope as my queen⁠—”

“A role that clearly does not exist.” The man at the top of the dais stressed. “You were never the true king, Mr. Evans. Your line was traitorous, and they were all frauds.” He paused, lifting his hands to those in attendance. “We will make our way to the Ritual Room.”

“R-Ritual?” My eyes darted between the men at the dais to Vaughn and Penelope. Guards gathered in, unhooking my chains, but I didn’t care about those or the pain. I dove towards Penelope, more falling through the weakness. Vaughn pulled her into his side before I could even get close. “Please! Penelope, I beg you. Q-Queen Penelope. Queen, please. What is happening? What are they going to do?”

She eased from Vaughn’s arms, giving him a reassuring nod before walking closer to me. I was on my knees, and guards held to each shoulder. I could see people in my peripheral watching… waiting to see what she was going to say. All I could do was stare up at her, pleading to her with my eyes.

She couldn’t let them hurt me anymore. She wouldn’t, right? This fear was the punishment. Hadn’t I already paid with the rapes? The beatings? My entire body was one cane mark after the next. I was a body of nothing but broken, red lines. I’d paid! My body was barely functioning. I was bleeding. I was broken, and not just physically. Mentally, I was shattered. She had to know that. Surely Vaughn bragged to her about what he’d had done to me.

All those guards…

All those hours…

The laughing.

The degradation.

“Please, I’ll do anything. Let me go. I’m not king. I’m n-not. I’ll publicly confess. I’ll go far away. I’ll never bother you again. You’re Queen. They listen to you. … Please. You have to have mercy. I messed up. I’m sorry.”

Blue eyes met mine, but she stayed silent. Vaughn stepped in behind her, but I was sure she didn’t even notice. Her stare was locked on me, and it was just as hard as she was.

“Do you know how hard it is for me to look at you? For me to look at myself?” The words were almost inaudible. A long moment passed. “There comes a time when we have to be honest and admit to ourselves whether we’re salvageable or sacrificial.” She stepped in closer. “You are not salvageable. You are not beneficial. And you’re most certainly not safe to be around. What you do have is blood, and that is valuable.”

She clasped her hands in front of her, continuing.

“We’re going to use your blood in conjunction with ours, and we’re going to cleanse the stain your family has put on not just the Masterson line but so many others. The Evans’ reign is over, and I wouldn’t save your life if it meant ending mine.” Disgust flashed on her face. “Now stand up like a man and walk to your death with a little nobility, because it’s the last thing you’ll ever do.”

The guards pulled me to my feet. Before I could think to speak, Vaughn was already leading Penelope away from me. People were crowding out of the room, and I kept my eyes lowered through each painful, shaky step.

Nobility.

An Evans… noble?

With each shaky, unstable step it became more laughable. There was a first time for everything.

Noble.

Honorable.

Brave.

All I had was this walk. But it was more than that. The moment I left the large room, I saw firsthand what I was truly facing. Just past the doors was a crowd of people.