43. Vaughn #2
“And that is your right.” Mr. Prescott stood, and we mirrored him. “I will inform The Council on where you both stand.” His hand reached for Penelope’s. “It was nice meeting you, Intended. Best of luck on your trials tomorrow. I can’t wait to work with you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Prescott. I look forward to it.”
He nodded, heading for the door. The moment it shut, I turned back to Penelope.
“I think until after the ball, you should refrain from going to Rosemoor. Hold your meetings over video. Let’s see how this turns out.”
“I think that’s a good idea. I’ll email Jarrod and let him know. I just need to get my laptop from my room.”
“I’ll walk with you. You can set up in the study. I have a meeting with the Judic for tomorrow. I’ll head over to them after I get you settled in.
We left the meeting room, winding through the halls. As we approached the bedroom, the sound of her phone had both of us looking at each other. I slowed as we approached the guard.
“How long has that phone been ringing?”
The four men looked at each other.
“It’s been nonstop for the last few minutes, Sire.”
I glanced at Penelope. “Since you hung up with him.” I pushed open the door, walking over and picking up the phone. I hit the button, bringing it to my ear.”
“Penelope will not be talking to you anymore. If you have something to say, you can say it to me.”
Silence. Deep breaths came through.
“You’ve ruined her.”
My lips pulled back on the side. “I happen to think she’s perfect.”
“Perfectly brainwashed. You killed her. You will kill her.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because I’ve heard about the trials. She can’t fight a man to the death. She’s not strong enough. She’ll die.”
“Penelope is stronger than you think. She will live, and then we will marry.”
He laughed, low, full of darkness.
“You think I’d let her marry you? Penelope, a duchess of my making?”
“She will marry me. Duchess or not makes no difference.”
“She’s not marrying you. She’s marrying me.”
I let my stare go to Penelope’s. She was worried. Her eyes were round, and her hands were clasped before her. She didn’t need this stress right before the trials. She needed to relax. To have her mind clear from worry.
“King Lawrence.” I closed my eyes, reaching to the bed’s canopy to hold and squeeze against. The words tasted like venom on my tongue, but I forced them from me.
“I do not wish to fight with you over Penelope. You realize her danger and yet you add to it. We both are, and it needs to stop. Do you not think she’s afraid?
That I, myself, have not tried to deter her from these trials?
I want her in the best headspace for when the time comes.
She says that’s tomorrow, and I can’t stop her.
I won’t. You attacking her… you must know this isn’t good for her.
Penelope has only ever talked good about you.
She said the two of you were close friends. ”
“…She said that?”
“More than once.”
Silence.
Penelope reached forward, grabbing my hand and bringing it to her mouth to kiss. I curled my top lip back to show her I couldn’t stand what I was saying.
“She… is my friend.”
“And as her friend, she needs your support in whatever decision she makes. She could very well fail one of the first two trials tomorrow and never make it to the fighting section. If she does that, she might need your support. After all, you’re both working together at Rosemoor now.”
“…Yes. We are.” He got quiet again, and I knew his mind was weaving through manipulations. “What happens if she fails one of the first two?”
“We can’t marry, and she has to attempt it again at a later date.”
More silence.
My heart pounded. Fury festered. I hated him. I hated talking about The Order with him. I hated that I was having to pamper and try to calm this grown man like a child. I wanted to smash his face in and have him choke on his own blood. But Penelope… I couldn’t risk her life.
“I see. It’s history stuff, right? Like politics and scenarios?”
The white-hot rage had the wooden beam cracking under my hold.
“That’s right. It won’t be easy.”
Slight hesitation. “I want to talk to her.”
“She’s not here. That’s why I’m answering her phone. She’s training.”
“When she’s done, then. I have to talk to her. I must apologize.”
“I will let her know, but she was pretty upset. I make no promises she’ll return your call. I will tell her what you said though.”
“Great.” His voice turned firm. “I’ll be waiting for her call.”
“Don’t. Penelope doesn’t forgive easily, and you truly upset her. If you push, she might pull back even more. You can see her at the ball. Perhaps you both can patch things up then.”
“…Right. The ball… Try to get her to call before that.”
“Goodbye, King Lawrence.”
I didn’t wait for a response. I hung up, wanting to physically harm someone. To release this pressure that left me wanting to explode.
“Thank you. Thank you. I know you didn’t want to do that.”
“I feel dirty.”
Penelope laughed, kissing my hand again. Just seeing her mood shift, I knew it had to be done.
“This is great. It buys us time.”
“That’s right. Get your stuff.”
My stare lowered, lifting back to meet with hers. There was so many things that I wanted to say. Threats. So many reassurances.
I said nothing.
King Lawrence wanted me dead. Well, two could play that game.
My family had been hunted.
Murdered.
It was time I turned the tables.
Maybe, this time, Death would be on my side.