Page 4 of Unmasked

“Nothing serious.” He let out a breath. “Just… small obstacles we’ve now overcome.”

“Like what?”

The Reeve took out his phone, opening it up to read from the notes. “Ms. Penelope only lasted two days in her residence before we had to move her. Between the amount of press and the pedestrian traffic, the men didn’t feel confident being so scattered.”

“Smart. Alright, so she was moved.”

“Yes.” The Reeve’s eyes cut up. “Sort of.”

“What do you mean, sort of?”

“The new location was a few blocks from her parents’ townhome. Ms. Penelope refused to stay there. She wanted to go home.”

I paused, taking in his expression. “I’m guessing she won that argument.”

“She did. We managed to secure a townhome a few homes down from hers, but only one.”

“Shit.”

“Exacly. Half the men are there, and she has the other half staying with her and refuses to let them find other lodgings. She’s doing quite well playing the gracious hostess. The men prefer being close. They feel they can protect her better. So far, it’s working out rather well.”

I tried to keep the smile from my face.

“That’s good to hear. After the last year, hiring men as her detail is believable. She’s young, she’s alone. It might not be realistic, but her masked captor is still on the loose which works in our favor.”

“Indeed, Sire.”

I headed to the bar, making myself another drink.

“Has there been any sightings of the SLB or any of King Lawrence’s men?”

“Not yet, but we’re keeping an eye open at all times. Able will report tonight in our meeting with The Judic. I believe they had questions for him as well.”

“I’m sure they do. And what of Penelope? I know she’s just getting settled, but has she started training yet?”

The side of the Reeve’s mouth tugged back as he stared down at his screen.

“She has. I guess her parents had a ballroom. They’ve now transformed it into her training area.”

“You smiled.”

The Reeve’s head lifted. “I’m sorry?”

“You were smiling at your phone. What was so funny?”

Again, his mouth pulled back even though I could tell he was trying to stop it.

“Ms. Penelope is more advanced than the men expected. Able is impressed. It’s all he talks about. Apparently, she caught Jobe with her palm and busted his nose. Did your Intended show mercy?” The Reeve’s smile turned darker as his head slowly went back and forth. “She did not. She caught him in the throat before sending him flying back with a kick right to his stomach. I’m told it took him fifteen minutes before he could even swallow without it being a chore.”

My eyes widened and my words were weak. “She never went that hard with me.”

“Which is understandable. You are The Unavowed. Her issue is not with you, it is with the guard. Now, she can act on it freely.” He paused, pushing buttons on his phone. Mine alerted, and I pulled it from my pocket. “That is her new number. She’s training now but told me she’d call you after the meeting. Is there anything else, Sire?”

“No.” My head shook, and The Magister’s words came barreling back through. “You baby her…” And from what I just heard, I could have killed her because of it. Babied her… maybe I had.

I thought I had a good idea the power my Intended held. Perhaps I didn’t know anything about her at all. Our stolen year had taken more than memories. It coveted identity and had reshaped her. Changed her. Hell, it turned her into something I hadn’t anticipated.

Time had carved something new out of my future queen. Something I didn’t quite yet understand.