56. Penelope #2
“Fuck! God—Fuck!” Deep pants came from Drayton at the slice, and in that moment, I didn’t see him. I saw Vaughn… My body warmed, and butterflies took over, stealing me away.
I loved him. Had I thought I loved him before?
Awe increased—euphoria kept me captive. It was drowning out the screams as they returned from the rapist guards.
It even remained and silenced Drayton when the turn became his again.
My stare stayed on the man I loved. Time passed—beautiful moments of my future king, carving our creed right into Drayton Pennington’s stomach.
It made me smile when it shouldn’t have. I should have been terrified at what Vaughn was capable of. I wasn’t. I was proud. I liked it. What did that mean for me? Did I even care anymore? I loved him. Loved. Love.
Turn after turn… and I saw nothing but Vaughn.
The buzz of voices returning had me looking toward Marian.
She was pacing. Her beautiful wedding gown was more red than white.
She was saturated in blood. It was splattered over her face and in her hair.
The ballgown had large red blotches where the blood had soaked into the material.
The guards were mutilated beyond belief.
There were lacerations with gaping skin.
Muscle hung free from some of the wounds.
The larger guard wasn’t just missing his cock.
The entire area was mush where Marian had beat it with a meat tenderizer.
The smaller guard with the freckles hadn’t fared much better.
It wasn’t enough for her. Marian was pacing faster with every turn.
“Please.” The urgency in her whispered plea didn’t encompass how desperate she was feeling.
Left. Right. Back. Forth.
Her stare never left the guard that gave the signal. Her breath kept catching. She was gripping to the handle of the knife as she waited.
More yells sounded from Drayton. And her... She kept parroting his pain as though they were one. As if she could feel it.
“Last wounds, and then we’ll move on to their deaths, Mrs. Pennington. Better make it good.”
Marian pivoted on her feet, waiting like a caged animal. Waiting. Waiting! The guard nodded, and she didn’t pause. The fast steps had her sliding against the wet, blood covered floor, but she didn’t fall. She lowered beneath the bigger guard, pulling up the dress and sliding to her knees.
Pointing the blade up, she fisted the handle in both her hands, driving the long knife straight between the area where his sac had been and where his ass began. The guard’s body went rigid and blood waterfalled out across her lap as she twisted the weapon in a circle.
Multiple gasps rang out, and screams came from the smaller guard as he fought the restraints. But Marian didn’t stop. She pulled and pushed, carving and rounding a hole even wider between the larger guard’s legs.
Convulsions and a deep hum shook his body. Vomit shot from his nose and dribbled along her bicep and into her hair. And then… she screamed. It had my blood going cold as she stood and stared the man down. And just like that… she lifted his head and slit his throat.
Drayton began to yell again, but I couldn’t stop staring at Marian. She was hiding in her shell again. She was overloaded. Mumbling and crying through her madness. And yet… she inspired me. My awe went from Vaughn to my best friend, and I only prayed someday to be as brave and strong as them.
“Last two.”
Vaughn’s voice echoed through the room.
The smaller guard was already sobbing, letting out muffled screams. It drew Marian’s gaze up, but not for him.
Her eyes were on the crowd of Masters and guards.
She looked around the room, and I knew how hard it must be.
Numerous men attacked her. Maybe all of them.
I didn’t know, but Vaughn hinted it had been a lot, and my heart ached for her as she stared them down.
Standing, Marian switched the knife into her other hand.
She headed to the cart, and I saw her body sway.
She almost fell. It had me taking a step forward.
Marian wasn’t good. Her mind had undergone too much.
Her body seemed to be shutting down as she stared down at the weapons.
I knew I was going to be in so much trouble, but I couldn’t stop myself.
I raced from the hall, refusing to look at Vaughn as I burst through the guards.
“Two more. You’re a shark. You can do this.” Marian’s head turned to me, and she blinked hard as tears filled her eyes. Vaughn was nearly on me before I could catch my breath.
“You are supposed to be in our room.”
“Marian is my friend and the mother to our future heir’s betrothed. I will be here to offer my support as a good future queen would do. Isn’t that what etiquette would call for? That’s what you said you wanted. Am I wrong?” At his silent glare, I stood straighter. “I didn’t think so. Leave us.”
Marian blinked hard, almost appearing to sober. Vaughn’s rage wasn’t an act. His finger pointed right at me as some sort of warning, but he stepped back, turning and disappearing towards Drayton.
“He’s going to h-hurt you for that.”
I gave a half shrug, pulling Marian into my arms.
“I don’t care if he hurts me. He hurt you. I will never forgive him for that.”
Her arms tightened around me, and a sob followed.
“Don’t cry. Come on, Shark. Time to spill more blood.”
“I’m not—” Her head shook, and she held me tighter. “I don’t know that person anymore. You’re the shark, Penny. You always were. I told you.”
“You told me it was there. I didn’t want it to be. I was scared to face this. I’m not afraid anymore, Marian, and you shouldn’t be either. Look at me.”
She lifted, letting me wipe her tears.
“These men hurt you.” I scanned the room, increasing my volume so they could all hear me. “They hurt you, but someday, they will become just as much mine as The Unavowed’s. I will not forget this day. I will not forget this moment.” I turned back to Marian. “Neither will you.”
I leaned in, kissing her cheek.
“End this, Marian. Finish him.” I glanced to Vaughn who was studying me.
“I’m going to go now. I won’t see you before you leave.
I mean what I said earlier. I love you, and when you come back, because you will, I will be waiting for you.
Every second of every day. Shark.” I reached down, picking up a serrated knife.
“Shred him to pieces with these teeth. Show them all who you are. Show yourself. Remember.”
I turned, leaving the circle, watching as Vaughn’s stare followed me to the edge of the hall. I didn’t hide. I watched as Marian turned to the smaller guard. The quickness at which she swung the knife had me smiling. One slash. Two. Three. More.
She sliced this way and that, making an X over his chest. Chunks of skin were resting on the ground, and the guard’s face was so pale from the loss of blood.
“Shark.” She gulped down air, trying to catch her breath. “I’m a shark. I’m a shark.” She turned towards the crowd of guards that were eating up her every move, and she pointed the knife right at them. “I’m going to kill you all. I’ll destroy every one of you.”
With that, she thrust the serrated knife right through the middle of Simon’s throat, reaching for another knife off the cart and stabbing it into the center of the X on his chest. His body stiffened for only a moment before it went limp. I looked at Vaughn, nodding.
Now I could leave.
It was done.
Justice was served.
From the look on Vaughn’s face… at what cost?