Page 89 of Unmasked

“He is locked in a cell for attempting to go after you.”

My lips parted.

Not dead. Not hurt. A criminal? For trying to rescue me?

“You must understand, The Unavowed could have put The Order at risk if he would have faced King Lawrence.”

I took another step forward, still pointing the knife.

“King Lawrence poisoned me.”

Able’s head snapped to The Magister and The Judic as if he’d had no idea.

“King Lawrence… touched—” I nearly gagged. “And kissed me while I was incapacitated from not only that poison, but another. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t fight.”

“I knew you were taken but—” Able glared at the Magister. “You said she was fine. That we had time.”

The Magister ignored Able, going back to speak to me. “Do you not see the risk, Intended? Do you still not understand what it takes to be queen?”

I took another step, lowering the knife and feeling tears burn my eyes. Something in me didn’t just break at his words… it snapped.

“King Lawrence killed my baby with that poison. I know exactly what it takes to be queen.”

My tone was deathly calm, and I didn’t wait for his response.

I swung the blade wide, slicing through the veil at his throat. Material gaped open from the force, and blood gushed out like a faucet. The Magister’s body stepped, falling to the side as he attempted to reach for his throat. Blood crawled across the floor, and The Judic scrambled back. Guards looked around the room, half in shock, half in confusion on what to do.

I pointed the knife at The Judic, but my eyes cut to Able.

“Arrest them. Harm to the Intended or future queen is harm to the Crown, itself. Take them to The Throne Room so The Unavowed can choose their fate. I want the entire guard lined up.” I paused through the static beginning to infest my mind. I was fading again. Losing parts of myself. “I’m going to get my king.”

CHAPTER 27

King Lawrence

Maybe I should have been enraged. Afraid?

I was at first, but… no. How could I be any of those things when the challenge was too good to resist? I already knew I was going to win. Not just the kingdom. We’d already done that. But her. And not just win her—I’d humiliate him while doing it. I’d reduce his life into the inevitable—losing it all… to an Evans… again.

I could still feel my lips against hers. Still see her skin burned as I pulled back the brand.

Mine.

She was mine now.

I bit my lip as I let everything I’d discovered come together in my mind.

Greed fed me.

Adrenaline soared.

And the lust…

My jaw tightened through my need to get control.

How would it be to make her hurt now? To have her beg and plead as she wore my brand?

Maybe I’d give her another.