Page 78 of Unmasked

A pause.

“Your Majesty, I believe the bulk of the uterine lining has shed. The heavy bleeding has lessened. What follows will be more… residual. I have her on a good amount of pain medication for both ailments. If you wish for me to prolong her sickness, I can do that, or I can just keep her like this. Sleeping. Minimal pain. I figure the first dose will be completely worn off in the next few hours. She should be waking up soon, but I can delay that if you’d like.”

I lowered back to the bed, remaining in a sitting position as I brushed back her hair.

“There’s no point in making her sick again unless we have to. I want her awake, but not enough to function or fight. Give her what you must but don’t keep her out completely.”

He nodded, walking over to the machine.

Laying on my side, I let my knuckles brush along the rise of her cheek, extending my fingers as I reached her hair. The door shut as the physician returned to my quarters.

For minutes I kept the contact light. I studied every angle of her features. I let my mind swirl over what I knew. Penelope had been with Theodore. She loved him. And not hours ago, my staff told me that he’d been rushed to the hospital with grievous injuries. I should have been happy, but I was mad I had paused the contract to begin with. I didn’t like that it fell on the same day that she lost their child. Or that she’d been pregnant at all. This all wasn’t just a coincidence—it was dangerous. Not that anyone would say or accuse me of anything. I still didn’t like it.

A soft cry had her lips separating, but she didn’t move.

I traced down her jaw, making a path just below the lining of her lower lip.

“Penelope, darling, I need you to hear me.”

I lowered closer, closing my eyes as I trailed my nose up towards her temple. Breathing in deeply, I let my hand flatten on the side of her face, holding her secure as I flexed my grip just the smallest amount.

Another sound left her. One, this time, a little louder.

“My physician says your stable now.”

I slid my fingers deeper into her hair, angling her head back as I lifted, hovering to look down at her lips.

How many times over the years had I fantasized about this sort of thing? There were always these moments. The calm before the storm. The good before the bad.

My breath was uneven as I licked my lips. I nearly moaned as I moved my thumb towards her mouth, separating it.

Moments passed, and Penelope’s knee drew up. She was getting more strength.

Try not to move.” I lowered her head, letting my fingers travel down her face… to her neck… lower, towards her shoulder. Stopping, I fingered the strap. Her body jolted and a small cry sounded. More, I moved my touch down, tracing her arm… her hip. When I got to her knee, I pushed her legs back closed. Straight.

I grabbed her wrist, bringing it towards my mouth to kiss. My lids went to close, but the discoloration had my eyes jerking open.

Pushing to sit, I turned her wrist, taking in the multiple scars along her forearm. Back and forth I twisted, only to see them on the top of her hands as well. My brow drew in, creasing as I lifted her other arm. It was the same. Scars. Some, more prominent than others.

Faster, my heart raced. I was so hard, I could have come on the spot.

She’d been restrained with something sharp. Probably metal cuffs. And she’d fought like hell to try to get free. She’d fought… through the excruciating pain of her skin splitting. There had to have been so much blood. So many screams.

Fear.

Yes… to have seen it in her eyes.

A moan left me as I drew her wrist to my mouth, sucking against it. I could almost taste the metallic tang of her very life as I sucked harder.

What sounded like a breathy cry left her, and lashes fluttered, but her eyes didn’t stay open.

I battled the need. Did I go back to giving her scars attention, or take something more?

I folded her hands back on her abdomen, cradling her head again as I angled her face back to me. My body was on fire as I scooted down, more to face her. I kept coming back to her lips. Back to the need to brutally kiss and claim her.

“You’re so strong. A fighter. I like to fight, too.”

I swallowed hard, closing my eyes as I eased my lips into hers. Her body was so soft as I hugged her more in my direction. As I broke away, my breath came out shaky. I laid my head down, positioning her head to face me. I couldn’t stop myself from picking up her wrist to bring between us. I didn’t look away from her as I let myself feel over the ridges of scars.