14. Penelope
Penelope
Had the morning started out well?
It hadn’t lasted…
Vaughn wasn’t okay.
He barked orders. He jumped on anyone who got too close.
He refused to allow me to finish my revenge on Katia.
Even Theodore kept quiet through lunch. By the time I was leaving, he was a walking threat.
I wasn’t sure he was going to allow me to go, but he had.
He didn’t have a choice if we wanted to keep the upper hand on King Lawrence, and we both knew it.
“Remember,” The Reeve said, “if you need us, dust across your shoulder like so. Mark or I will come forward and speak with you privately and we will escort you out. For the first hunt tomorrow, we will not be able to attend, but we will be waiting for you to return. King Lawrence’s guard will be a heavy presence in the background, so if you need us, send one of them our way and we will not hesitate. ”
“Alright. I will.” I looked across the seat and then glanced in the back to Mark before I went back to The Reeve. “Can I call you Rowan all the time?”
His lips parted, and his hard features softened just the smallest amount. “Here, you may call me Rowan. At The Order… I am The Reeve.”
“That’s what Vaughn said.” I let a smile pull back one side of my lips. “I do like the name Rowan.” I let a second go by before I lowered my voice even more. “What if I were to say it in private, when no one was listening?”
The Reeve glanced back to Mark but nodded.
I went to say thank you but was unable as we began to approach the large airliner. My hand pressed into my stomach, and I swallowed through the slight nausea that rolled through in waves. The Reeve handed over a bag, and my lids narrowed as I read it.
“Ginger chews?”
“I had our men run out and get them this morning. They’re good for nausea.”
“Oh.” I smiled. “Thank you.”
He gave a nod.
As we pulled up, I opened the package, popping one into my mouth and putting the bag in my purse.
My door was opened by a uniformed attendant, and I got out, watching as more uniformed men brought Rowan and Mark around, inspecting them.
Our bags were taken out of the back, and as I was led towards the stairs, I caught a glimpse of King Lawrence speaking with an aide.
The sight had me pausing to look back at my men.
My pulse spiked, and I turned in time to see the king quickly disappearing.
“This way, Ms. Taylor.”
A steward guided me up the steps, but I couldn’t stop shaking. This wasn’t my world… it was King Lawrence’s, and as they led me into a spacious cabin, it was obvious.
I took in the plush leather seating, the flatscreen television, and the bar in the distance.
I was directed to a seat at the center of the lounge while Rowan and Mark were pointed to seats along the windows. Further back, I could see another cabin with more people buzzing around.
“King Lawrence welcomes you aboard, Ms. Taylor. May I get you a drink prepared for after takeoff?”
“Just water, please.”
The uniformed steward nodded before turning her attention to Rowan and Mark.
I glanced to the back again more nervous than I wanted to admit.
I hated having to be here. I wanted to keep Vaughn and The Order safe, but it was also society’s rules that forced me into this situation.
How many times had I rejected the king’s invitations?
Yet here I was, on his plane, headed to a hunt that I had no interest in being a part of.
I knew the elite connections were what was key, but I didn’t like that I was being forced into this.
Minutes passed, and I let myself focus on my plans as the door shut and we eventually taxied down the runway.
Take off went smoothly. I kept my thoughts on each guest and what I planned to talk to them about.
And the king… I had questions for him as well.
I just had to word it in a way that didn’t bring suspicion.
This wasn’t just a game of chess—this was life and death—the Crown… or treason.
Unbuckling, I leaned my head back, closing my eyes. My stomach rolled, but I pushed the feeling away, seeing Vaughn in the darkness.
He wasn’t taking this well, and I hated that he was so upset. Four days was going to feel like a lifetime to him. Perhaps if I called every night and reassured him I was okay, maybe he’d feel better.
My thoughts paused as I felt the energy around me. Something shifted, and it had me opening my eyes just as King Lawrence took a seat next to me. Not across from me, but close enough that I could feel the heat from his arm as he sat down and rested it next to mine.
He was wearing a matte black button-up shirt with the top buttons undone, paired with a black blazer.
He had on fitted, black trousers. The cufflinks he wore were a dark metal, matching the color of his signet ring.
My stare jumped up, taking in the blue color of his eyes amid his sandy, blond hair.
“Your Majesty. Please forgive me, I didn’t hear you come in.”
His hand flattened over my forehead just like it did all those years ago when we met for the first time.
“I feel we’re making this a habit, Ms. Taylor. You’re ill. Again.”
I didn’t try to hide it.
“I am. I’m still recovering. At least this time it’s not the flu. These little tired spells happen when I’m stressed. It’s a horrible disposition. I’m afraid I’ve battled it since childhood.”
“Is that right?” He leaned in closer, dropping his tone. “No need to stress when you’re with me. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of… just like before.”
“I’m okay, really.”
“I don’t think you are.”
His voice lowered slightly.
“You’ve pushed through sickness before when you shouldn’t have. This time, you’re going to let me take care of you.
Not kindness. Control.
I held his gaze.
“I assure you, Your Majesty, I am perfectly capable of managing myself.”
A faint smile appeared.
“I don’t doubt that. After what you’ve been through, you are the definition of strong. I do so want to hear about what happened. I’m afraid the details I’ve been given are rather vague.”
My pulse jumped, and I couldn’t ignore the manipulative interest in his stare.
“Perhaps when I’m feeling a little better, if that’s alright. I’m afraid it’s all rather.” I stopped. “Traumatic.”
“I was made to believe it might be.”
He scooted forward, turning more to face me, but his gaze lifted slightly, taking in Rowan and Mark.
“Do you feel safer with them? Is that why you preferred to bring your own men instead of relying on mine?”
Was he offended?
I couldn’t tell.
The nausea flared with my increasing pulse. I kept my tone low, weak, as I dropped my eyes, playing on my innocence.
“I apologize if that upsets you. What happened—I still have nightmares. These men make me feel safe. Had I not wanted to cause talk, I would have probably brought more.”
He nodded, standing, satisfied with whatever he was thinking.
But I wasn’t sure what that could be. He didn’t say a word as he headed back through the cabin to the area that had been full of people before.
I glanced at The Reeve and Mark, seeing their intense stares.
Slowly, I turned back to face the front.
I reached down, grabbing my purse from the floor and taking out another ginger chew.
Minutes passed, and I sipped my water. Just as I was starting to calm, King Lawrence returned, sliding back into the seat next to mine.
“I’ve made my personal physician aware of your condition. He’ll be ready in case you need him.”
“Your Maj—”
“I insist.” He licked his lips, lowering his gaze momentarily to mine.
“You’ll find I can be a very generous man.
I’m happy you finally accepted my invitation.
” He paused, his gaze cutting back over to my men.
“I’m guessing your fear is the cause of the earlier rejections?
Or… perhaps it was the horrible Agent Marchase. ”
My lips tightened, and he didn’t miss it.
“It wasn’t her. It was me. My loyalty is the reason. I am in a committed relationship, Your Majesty.”
“Ah.” His face hardened. “Theodore Hart. I can’t say our meeting was… productive.”
My gaze lowered. “He’s a good man.”
“But not a worthy one. Not of you.”
I opened my mouth to argue, instead, suppressing the emotion and switching gears.
“I was under the impression he came from a line of dukes. I’m not the best with history, but I do recall the Harts losing their title around the same time as my own family.”
King Lawrence’s face hardened.
“His family committed treason, along with others. It’s not a topic I like to talk about. As for your own family, I have been looking into that lately. Your ancestors claimed they had evidence of their innocence.”
“That is true. And they were ready to present it when King David died. His son, who took his place as king, refused to honor that request. Although, I’ve heard different versions.
My father was under the impression King David took the evidence before he died, which is why we didn’t have it anymore. Regardless, here I am.”
“Here you are… with me.”
Silence played between us, and I wanted to shift in my chair as his intense stare stayed focused on mine. Was he studying me? Attracted to me? I wasn’t sure how to react.
“It was a letter written by Archibald Taylor.” He didn’t elaborate but he didn’t need to. He had the evidence. I was almost positive, and he was leaving the ball in my court.
“Then, I guess you know more than I do. I trust you’ll do what you must. I’m content either way.”
He forced a smile, tilting his head slightly.
“You have fire. You care, but you won’t play my game.
Under that composed demeanor is a woman with bite.
I see her. And she’s new. She wasn’t behind those blue eyes the last time we met.
I knew she could be, but I hadn’t created her.
It would see your masked captor beat me to it.
I don’t mind. I can still mold you into the perfect queen. ”
It took everything I had not to slap him. I lifted from the back of the seat, sitting straight and losing the softness I’d masked myself with. I paused, making him wait for my words.
“A king does not mold a queen. A queen is created from death of character. Of ego. Death of self. Only a queen is able to decide whether she has what it takes. I am no queen, but if you’re looking for one…
” I kept my hard gaze focused on intimidating his.
“I could help you. I’m great at reading character. ”