54. Penelope
Penelope
“Shhh.”
I couldn’t break my stare from Drayton as he cradled Marian’s trembling body.
I couldn’t feel my hands. I wasn’t sure when I stopped breathing.
The guilt over what I had allowed swallowed me whole.
I knew the reasons behind Vaughn’s decision.
I even understood and supported them. That did not erase how devastated I was.
The aftermath was far worse than I could have imagined, and it made me sick.
I was barely hanging on—barely able to stay in place on the floor as I watched her body jolt and become aware.
“Marian. Shhh, Marian. Calm down, it’s me. Marian.”
She pushed against Drayton’s chest, her head lifting and her legs kicking as she began going wild.
“D-Don’t hurt me. Don’t hurt me.”
“Marian, look at me. See me.”
“Don’t hurt me!”
“Marian.”
She was juggled, but Drayton held on. She was looking around confused and completely lost.
Her stare stopped on the guard at the door, and she clawed at Drayton even worse, trying to move inside his jacket as he fought not to drop her.
“Marian. Marian.”
The angry, loud tone made her freeze in place. Her head tilted back and she finally looked up to him
“D-Drayton?”
“That’s it.” He let out a deep breath, pulling her in so that he could hug her. “I got you. Calm. You’re going to be okay.”
Her head shook, and she looked around the room again.
First to the guards and then to me and Vaughn.
I was crying so hard that I couldn’t breathe.
Her face was so damaged. The entire side was dark purple and swollen.
So swollen that there was a laceration on her cheek.
They hadn’t just beaten her, they’d decimated her to extremes I couldn’t comprehend.
“W-water?”
Her voice was hoarse, barely even recognizable. Elec quickly walked off, heading to get her some.
“How bad is it? How hurt are you?”
Marian glanced back at us, only to face Drayton again. “Bad.”
“Do you think anything is broken?”
“I… don’t know. I… don’t—Just me.”
The last was so quiet, I wasn’t even sure I heard correctly.
Just her… No… Something inside me was shifting.
Something I hadn’t felt before this moment.
Not just guilt or my betrayal. I was angry again at the guards who were under Vaughn.
Who represented him. I was furious that they relished in their power to destroy women, even if they viewed them as nothing but slaves.
It had me looking down even as the tears continued to leave.
“Here. Drink it slowly.”
“You can place me down. I can sit.”
“Can you stand?”
At Drayton’s question, I felt my gaze lift again.
The moment he eased down Marian’s legs, she cried out. Blood raced down her inner thighs, dripping on the floor. Horror had Drayton’s gaze cutting up to Vaughn murderously.
“I need—I—the blood.” A cry left her as she doubled over from the pain. “I need something.”
Vaughn headed over to them, and I felt myself rising higher onto my knees. If I went to them, if I moved, Vaughn might force me back to my room. But I wasn’t the only one worried. I didn’t miss the concern I’d caught from his profile as he got closer.
“What is happening?”
“She needs a doctor.” Elec’s voice was threatening as he addressed Vaughn. “A doctor. Now. Or you’ll never get your heir. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Heir?”
The men wouldn’t look at Marian, and Vaughn’s jaw tightened while he nodded to Elec.
“I’m going to lift you again, Marian. I know it’s going to hurt. Just hold onto me.”
But she already was. Drayton brought her back into his arms, and she swayed, almost passing out again. As they talked, Vaughn pulled out his phone making a call. My stare went back and forth. I couldn’t stay down anymore. I headed for Vaughn, trying to stay out of his way as he approached them.
“Follow me.”
Vaughn held under my bicep as we led everyone into the halls. When he got to a room a few doors down from mine, we stopped.
“Here. You can put her on the bed. There are towels in the restroom if you need to put some down. The doctor will be here soon. Elec, a word, outside.”
Marian and Drayton disappeared behind the door, and Elec’s ice blue gaze cut right through me. He slowly lifted his stare to Vaughn.
“You’ve crossed the line.”
Vaughn’s head shook. “Not even close. I was generous, and you know that. Show me the video. You say you killed Melissa. I’m not satisfied with the clips I was sent.”
“You’re not satisfied seeing me torture or take her apart? I have her body parts displayed across The Gardens as warning to those who think to cross me. What more do you want?”
“I want to see what’s not mainstream. I don’t trust that it’s real. Show me more. Show me the other pictures you have. Because I know you have them. I would if she hurt me.”
Elec’s face tightened through the anger, only to go lax. He took out his phone, pulling up the pictures and handing the cell to Vaughn.
“That’s what was left of her after I finished. The bitch deserved it. She—”
“She made you kill the woman you loved.”
Elec’s gaze narrowed. “Who told you that?”
“You’re not the only one with connections.” Vaughn flipped through, pausing, and handing him his phone. “You did well. She was an evil woman. She deserved to die and would have had you not taken care of it. She made a mess with my Masters.”
“And with you, if I hear correctly.”
It was Vaughn’s turn to glare.
“I don’t know how she did it. I would have died before I voluntarily gave her that information.
Regardless, it won’t happen again.” He pointed to Elec.
“I know you share her gift, and I’m watching here.
” Vaughn’s finger pointed up, motioning along the top of the hallway.
“Do not bring that into The Order unless you want war. Do you understand me?”
“Crystal.” Elec put up his hands in surrender, but I didn’t trust his smile. “I’ll be on my best behavior. So long as you are…”
Vaughn didn’t reply. He eased me forward, leading us towards my room. The door shut behind us, and Elec disappeared back with Marian and Drayton. As we approached my door, my four guards were already waiting.
“No one is to come in this room. That man I was talking to,” Vaughn gestured with his head where we’d been standing with Elec, “he is dangerous. Do not look into his eyes. Do not even let him talk. Cut him off and call me immediately.”
My door was pushed open, and Vaughn shut it behind us. He squeezed his lids, only to blink them rapidly.
“That man is dangerous to anyone he comes around. Fuck, my head. When his voice deadens like that, it’s like listening to static.
I don’t like it. You heard what I told the guards, Penelope.
Stay away from Elec Wexler. Do not talk to him or go near him.
Ever.” He pulled me into his arms, hugging on tightly, only to pull back and kiss me.
“How are you?”
For seconds I couldn’t speak. “Not good. Your guards—”
“Later.” His voice hardened, and I knew he understood my worries. “Not now. I have to go make some calls. There are terms I want to make sure are not left out of our deal. I’ll be back for you when I can. Do not leave this room. But prepare. The night is far from over.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re angry at me.”
I stayed quiet, watching the tablet’s screen as footage from the Throne Room came in. Vaughn wouldn’t let me be present for the ruling, but he was allowing me to watch. It just happened to be with The Reeve, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold my tongue.
Not that my opinion mattered. I was no one here. The Unavowed’s Intended, but that didn’t hold much weight. As far as he knew, I might not even make it through the trials. I wasn’t sure if The Reeve liked me very much, but he was talking to me, so it was a start.
“Penelope. We have no secrets at The Order. You are one of us. If you’d like to say something, you have the right.”
“I have the right to state my opinion, but my opinion means nothing.”
“Not true. It has weight. Vaughn has chosen you as his queen. You have the potential to pass the trials. If you’d like to say something, I’d like to hear it.”
I took in Vaughn talking on the phone but wasn’t sure what all I should say.
It wasn’t my place. Not yet, and my thoughts on his guards were for nothing.
He may have led them, but he didn’t make the orders, Vaughn did.
This had been Vaughn’s decision. Venting to The Reeve accomplished nothing.
If anything, it displayed weakness. Instability.
I was not weak nor was I going to go against a king’s decision, even if he wasn’t appointed yet. I knew my place.
“Alright. You don’t wish to say anything? Now’s your chance.”
“I have nothing to say.” Wrong… I had a lot.
“That’s okay. You don’t have to. I already know.”
I turned, taking in brown eyes.
“If you know, why did you ask?”
He smiled. “You’re loyal to The Unavowed. He will be pleased.”
“It was a test? Vile man.”
The Reeve laughed. “You will make a fine queen.”
“If I pass the tests or live.”
His face sobered. “The trials are not for the uncertain. You must go in believing you will make it. You have to be the queen. If you don’t go in with that mindset, you will fail before you even get to the fighting portion.
” He paused, his lips twisting. “Being queen is more than a title. It is a lifestyle. An aura. It is belief of oneself that erases all doubt. When you walk into a room, you won’t need a crown to demand attention.
You are the Crown, Penelope. You have to find the queen inside you, and once you do, never let her go. ”
My lips separated in understanding as I slowly nodded. It was movement on the screen in my peripheral that had me turning back to Vaughn.
“The ruling.” The Reeve lowered closer. Vaughn’s voice echoed through the room as he spoke to the person on speaker.
“They’re here. You may continue with your decision.”
“This was not an easy decision after weighing the evidence and agreements. The Collective High Council takes everything into account. Our responsibility to all involved cannot go without mention. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the cost. Sometimes, the cost is too high, and elimination is the only benefit. In the case of Marian LaRoe...”
At the pause, my heart stopped. This wasn’t about justice. It was about blood.
“Marian is to be owned by Drayton Pennington, where they are bound by a betrothal contract to The Black Line’s choice of heir.
They are to marry at The Order by witness of The Council, and they are to attempt to conceive with a witness this very night.
There is no more negotiation. Our ruling is final. ”
A heartbreaking sob left Marian, and her body shook through the cries. The room was silent as the line went dead.
“Marriage, tonight?” Drayton looked between the men. “A witness in the room while we try to conceive. Seriously? Marian can barely even walk. She’s not ready for something like that.”
“The Council has decided.” Bram’s face held no emotion as he kept eye contact with Drayton. “It must be done. Find a way. You marry in an hour.”
Vaughn stood, motioning for his guards.
“Prepare the chapel.”
“I’ve got to go.” The Reeve picked up the tablet.
“The Unavowed will come back for you soon.” He paused.
“You’re upset about your friend, but The Unavowed knows what he’s doing.
You know that which is why you stayed silent.
You don’t like it, but you understand. You understand us, and that’s what matters.
That is how I know that you’re going to pass the trials. And that you’re going to be queen.”