9. Vaughn
Vaughn
“I know the trials are law, but I’m asking you to consider the risk.
My Intended is not safe. She leaves in five days.
The king has already tried to manipulate Theodore—offering titles and trying to intimidate him.
I would never ask you to make an exception—I’d never overstep—but I’m before you asking as your concerned king, work with me.
If we wait, Penelope could be in danger.
If she is mine in name, she has reason to refuse this trip. ”
The Magister’s voice deepened. “We uphold tradition. Without the trials, she is not a queen. You know that.”
I shifted but pressed on. “And you know that she’ll pass.
She is my queen. There will not be another if something happens to her.
” I took a deep breath through the continued threats that wanted to come.
“Giving us your blessing and allowing us to marry could save her from being placed in harm’s way.
It gives her an out without causing scandal. It could work.”
The Magister leaned forward. “And if the king presses to know who her husband is? You risk not only both of your lives but The Order.”
My head shook. “He won’t learn the truth. What matters is stopping her from going now—before we risk losing her.”
A long moment passed before the Magister sat straighter in his chair, across from me.
“The king’s threat is real. I will agree with you on that. But bending the law will break us from within. It cannot be done. If you wish to marry her now, she must undergo the trials. Is that what you want?”
A deep sound rumbled in my throat as I fought not to pound the side of my fist into the table.
“She is not ready.”
“Then you will wait.”
The bow of my head was slow. My glare was set but I didn’t aim it at them. I stood, turning to leave the Gathering Room. Each step came down harder than the next. My stride was fast and determined. It was dangerous, and every guard I passed lowered their head as I went by.
Reaching into my pocket, I took out my phone, dialing Penelope. Two rings passed before she answered it, winded. I knew she was probably training, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“Hey. You’re early. I thought we were going to go over—”
“Why was my family truly removed from power?”
Seconds passed, and footsteps padded in the distance.
“It was a fabricated betrayal to justify seizure of power.
Turning, I headed down my hallway. My mind raced.
She couldn’t go to Scotland. Not with him.
She couldn’t.
“What was the first queen’s greatest failure?”
“She wasn’t able to reclaim the throne in her lifetime.”
My head nodded, even though she couldn’t see.
“What is the purpose of high society gatherings?”
Penelope got quiet. I opened my study door, practically slamming it behind me. A sigh left her.
“Power displays. Alliances. Influence.”
“When do you refuse power?”
“Vaughn…”
“You have to answer.”
Again, she got quiet.
“You refuse power when it costs autonomy … or weakens long-term control.”
I sat down at my desk, closing my eyes.
“What is the cost of becoming queen?”
… “Everything.”
“I don’t want you to go to Scotland.”
“I know you want these trials over with, but I’m not ready. I still have much to learn. Katia… she escaped us earlier.”
My lids snapped open.
“You saw her?”
“King Lawrence sent me flowers. Able is allergic so I went to put them outside, in the back. I caught her off-guard. We both froze, but then I threw the flowers and vase at her. She started to come for me. I guess we were both going after each other, but she stopped because she saw Able come out behind me. She did say I made a big mistake before she ran. Her speed. Her skill. Vaughn, she scaled the back wall like it was nothing. By the time Able jumped up there, she was already gone.” She paused.
“If I can’t even keep up with her, I stand no chance in the trials. ”
Flowers—King Lawrence—Katia.
More, my anger flared, but she continued.
“This ends on Holy Night. I want to implement our plan then. She can’t stay away.
She lost control over me, and it’s driving her insane.
I saw it in her face. Her determination will lead her wherever I steer it.
I want to deliver her to The Order. That gives me three days before I leave.
After that, you can do whatever you want with her. ”
“Done. I will let The Reeve know to be prepared.”
“Thank you.” She paused. “Everything is going to be okay. I know we don’t like what I must do, but the four days in Scotland will pass quickly, and I’ll be back before you know it.
The king will lose his interest, and then we can focus on the trials.
No more distractions. Just me, working my ass off to become your wife. ”
A weak laugh left me, and I let out a deep breath.
It can’t come fast enough. I want this over. I want you as my queen.”
“And I will be when I’m worthy. You deserve that.”
My brow creased, and I shifted in my chair.
“Do I deserve it?”
The question was more for me than her.
Penelope paused, and ringing had me looking down as she video called me. I hit the button, taking in her concern.
“Talk to me.”
My lips twisted. “I do not feel worthy of you. You’re learning. You’re fighting. You’re stepping into a role that could very well kill you. Not just in the trials, but in life. It’s only going to get harder once you’re my queen.”
“Are you not hunted? Were you not born into a life you did not choose? Have you not put in the work to be king?” She got quiet, letting me take in her questions.
“Life is full of sacrifices, Vaughn. We all must face them. It’s what we do with what we’re left with that deems our worth.
Not anyone could run a country. King Lawrence is a prime example of that.
The country is falling apart. Half the people hate him.
He threatens war on any country who doesn’t agree with his every demand.
You should be king. You are worthy, and when I am fit to stand by your side… we will rise.”
“Yes.”
Penelope gave a nod. “Good. No more questioning our path. We are worthy of each other, and I choose this life, no matter what happens. I accept the risk. Now, talk strategy with me. We know of our plan for Katia. Have you discovered whether any Masters will be at The Highland Hunt?”
I rocked forward, sitting up straighter.
I was the lucky one. Penelope was every bit the queen.
“Anthony Reynolds, The Marquess of Summerlyn.”
“Oh.” Surprise lit her tone. “I know of Lord Summerlyn. I don’t know him, personally, but I do know of him. Didn’t he—.”
“Request to buy you from me?” Jealousy had me throwing her a look. “He did.”
Her smile sparkled. “I’m sure he’s kicking himself for that. I’ll be sure to give him a hard time. This is good. He is trusted, yes?”
“He is. He’s a good man. I believe him and Theodore have gotten rather close lately. Not publicly, but here, at The Order.”
“Excellent. I will speak to Theodore about him over dinner. We have a date tonight.”
A sound left me and she paused.
“Vaughn, is that a pout I detect?”
“What? Of course not.”
“It is. You’re jealous of my date.”
“I am.” I smiled.
“But I only kiss you.”
I leaned forward, biting against my lip. “…Which makes me the luckiest man in the world.”
“It does. Do I get a repeat of last Holy Night, because if that’s the case, I may come a little early again.”
“And stay the night like before?”
She licked her lips. “I’m going to get in more trouble if The Magister finds out. I’m okay with that.”
“I won’t tell if you don’t.”
Something flashed over Penelope’s face causing my brow to draw in through her emotion.
“What is it?”
“I miss the days where we’d lay in bed for hours and just talk. The basement room. You have a home. From what I can remember of it when I escaped, it was beautiful. Do you miss it?”
My lips parted, and those days barreled through, filling me with warmth and love. With… longing for how things had been so much easier then. She had been so innocent but strong.
“I do miss it. I bought the house just before I took you. I haven’t been back since you left. At first, I couldn’t bear to be there without you, but then with Redmond dead and The Order… I’ve been so busy."
“It had the underground room.” She paused through her thinking. “Can we tie it into the tunnels?”
My lips parted. “I… I don’t see why not. They run relatively close. What are you thinking?”
“I think if I were to live there, we’d have access to each other whenever we wanted.
I’d have access without anyone ever seeing me leave at all.
I will be running The Order while we try to win you back the Crown.
I think it’s a great cover. It would be quite the journey underground, but we could figure it out. ”
Have Penelope any time I wanted? Share a life with her, a home—be somewhat normal?
It was a dream. A dream I could make happen.
And I needed this. Not just for her, but for the part of me that craved a life like my parents used to have.
We once had a home as well. Had my mother had direct access to The Order—had guards posted at the entrance just below, would she have lived? Could she have escaped and survived?
Penelope’s safety came first.
Things were going to change, and I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.
“Bring movers in. Have them pack up your things while you’re gone. I will have our home ready by the time you return.”
My jaw tightened as the thought settled in.
She was leaving in five days, and nothing would stop her from walking into his world.
I wasn’t ready.
I prayed she was.