Page 92 of Unmasked

I held her to me tighter, burying my hand in her hair and bringing her forehead to mine.

“Shh. Summerlyn told me. Love, no. Shh. That wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t.”

“He killed The Reeve. H-He killed Rowan and Mark, all for me. Our b-baby.”

I sat on the edge of a bench, putting her in my lap as I rocked in a slow motion.

“None of that was your fault, either. You weren’t conscious, Penelope. The Reeve… he adored you. He asked to go—to protect you. He did his job, and with honor.”

Her sobs were so heavy it shook us both. I glanced toward the door that led to the hall of the Throne Room.

“Look at me.”

I cupped her face, but it was her that reached up, wiping tears I hadn’t even realized were leaving me.

“We finish this. We go in there and put down our ultimatum. They all heard me. You might have killed The Magister, but had they let me out, I would have done it myself. I warned him that if anything happened to you or our child—” The word got trapped in my throat. More of my dream left me as it clawed its way free from inside. “The Magister would have died. The Judic either accepts that and we start over, or I kill them, and we start over. They can decide.”

Penelope nodded, shifting on my lap. I didn’t care that carrying her showed weakness. I scooped her back in my arms, heading to The Throne Room. The echo of the doors slamming into stone was the only sound to greet us as I barged inside.

All the guards were in attendance, and they all surrounded the veiled Judic. I didn’t slow or hesitate as I got closer. And I didn’t look at anyone but them.

“She killed him.” My voice was deathly calm as I stopped before the kneeled men. “My Intended did what none of you had the courage to do. She. Killed. Him.”

I finally lifted my gaze, letting it sweep across the guard that kept their focus on us. Able didn’t budge. He didn’t let them sway him like they’d done before.

“You follow all these rules, and yet you forgot one of the biggest ones. To harm the Intended… is death.”

Silence.

“And yet, you let it happen. Look at my Intended. See what King Lawrence did to her.” My teeth clenched. “My Reeve is dead. They murdered him in cold blood. Mark is dead. He murdered him too. My child,” I growled out. “My child is dead.”

The room changed as the guards looked at each other, feeling the weight of my rage set in. They hadn’t known Penelope was pregnant, but they did now as I pointed at The Judic.

“You had one responsibility. To protect The Order. She. Is. The. Order. My child was The Order. And you failed.” My head shook. You don’t get to question what comes next. You… don’t get to deliberate or decide what happens. I warned him. I warned you all.”

My gaze flickered to where The Magister would have been.

“I told you she was in danger, that King Lawrence would hurt her or my child… and look what happened.”

I turned, showing them a glimpse of the brand on her chest. A sound left me, and I shook my head, walking over to put Penelope in the queen’s throne. When I turned back, I took in the hard stares of the guard who glared down at The Judic. They were ready for my word. Ready to do whatever I asked of them.

“The only reason you breathe is because I allow it. You exist because I have chosen not to tear this entire structure apart. The Order stands because of me. So hear me clearly when I say… if any of you speaks against what happens next… I will make good on my threat.”

Pausing, I looked up to my guard.

“The Judic remains… but under me.” My stare dropped to take in the veils. “You will answer to me. You will act through me. You will do whatever I say.” My voice lowered. “Or I will kill you.”

I stepped forward.

“Choose. … Do you accept my terms? Yes. Or no.”

Able pulled the hammer back on his gun. The click had the first Judic fisting the robe into his hands.

“Yes.”

The next, nodded.

“Yes.”