Page 43 of Unmasked

The room rocked, and the smell was too much. Vaughn moved fast, understanding what I couldn’t say.

“Right here.”

Vaughn grabbed a small wastebasket, barely getting it under my mouth before I heaved. His hand was holding back my hair, and I could feel myself swaying as my stomach tried to expel everything it held. By the time I was finished, I was nearly falling out of my chair. I grabbed the water he held, washing my mouth out.

“What did it?”

“What?”

“What made you sick? Was it lying down or…”

“The smell,” I managed. “I can’t⁠—”

His face softened.

“What are you thinking?

“You’re not sick, Penelope… you’re pregnant.”

“What?”

I looked at Vaughn, my eyes widening through the claim.

“I think you’re pregnant. You don’t have a virus. You’re having my child.”

My mouth opened to argue, but I shut it as I began doing calculations in my head.

My last monthly was… roughly two weeks before we left for Miami. I’d come here…had sex with Vaughn the very first night… that was weeks ago….

“I’m late.”

“Pregnant.”

“I’m…” My hand went to my stomach. “I can’t be pregnant yet; I have The Trials.”

Vaughn’s features tightened.

“I have The Trials,” I repeated. “I thought this would take longer. I thought—Already? So fast?”

I stopped, pushing the plate of chicken and sides away.

“Vaughn… what do I do? I can’t be the queen unless I pass The Trials. I… I can’t have our baby and not be married. I…” My lips parted, and I pushed to stand. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Calm, Penelope. It is fast, but we’ll figure this out.”

“I have to do The Trials now, before I can’t. I have⁠—”

“Penelope.” Hands cupped my face, and Vaughn’s mouth pulled back to the side. “We’ll figure it out.” His face softened even more. “I think we’re having a baby. Nothing is better than this. Do you know what this means?”

Silence reigned before us.

“The line lives,” I whispered.

He smiled bigger. “The line lives. This is the best news. The only news that matters.” His hand slid over my stomach. “We tell no one but those closest to us. The news cannot get out yet. But… love…” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “A baby.”

“It could be a virus.”

“There’s only one way to find out.”