Page 147 of Unmasked

I helped Penelope walk, noticing how weak she was. Her cries were lessening, and she was taking deep inhales to calm herself.

“S-Sacrifice.” Her jaw was chattering. “Last trial.”

“And you’ll pass it.” I held to her face, making her eyes stay focused on mine as Lord Oxley rushed to stitch up her arm. “You’ve got this, love. You’ve got this. We’re right there.” I leaned in, kissing her hard. “You can do this.”

Her head nodded, but she was delayed. She was calming… but slowing. Crashing. She reached out, holding to my shirt as the needle began puncturing her skin.

“He was a good fighter.”

“Yes. He was.”

She was quiet, staring out to the side in a daze. A long moment passed before she lifted and her eyes came back to me. “You can say it now. You love me…”

I laughed. “More than the sun. The stars. The moon. The earth. The air I breathe… I love you more than anything, Penelope. I’m so damn proud of you.”

“I’m not done yet.”

Her face drew in from pain, but she kept her focus on me.

“You’ll pass. I know you will.”

“I hope…”

I kissed her again, holding securely as she returned to rest her head against my chest. Lord Oxley was moving fast, working to stop the bleeding and close the wound. All I could do was turn and take in The Magister and Judic who were talking in hushed tones.

More time. Until…

“One minute!

Penelope’s head lifted, and she looked down at her arm. She was delayed again. Her lids were swollen and heavy as she fought to keep them open.

“Almost done.” Lord Oxley glanced up. He finished the tie, nodding. I helped Penelope stand. She straightened, kissing her fingers and placing them on my cheek. When she broke away, I felt empty. Suddenly… afraid for her.

Slowly, she made her way to stand back in front of the dais. She took in the smeared blood on the floor from Keith, who had been removed from the room. The Magister wasted no time going right into his speech.

“Trial four is The Trial of Sacrifice.”

The room grew heavy through his deliberate hesitation.

“You have proven your knowledge. You have demonstrated your loyalty. You have shown that you have the ability to survive and protect our king.” He paused. “None of that matters… if you’re unwilling to give up what defines you.”

Penelope shifted on her feet as she slightly swayed.

“You stand before us as Duchess. A title restored to your family after generations. A title your bloodline did not lose… but preserved.” He paused, tilting his head. “Tell us, Your Grace, how was it preserved?”

Penelope’s head lowered, and I saw her shoulders go in. She rotated them, forcing them back up as she took in The Magister.

“By choosing David Evans. By…” a pause, “turning against King Vaughn.”

Her words were quiet. I felt myself swallow hard.

“Your line did not fall with the Crown,” The Magister said, deeply. “They survived it. They were rewarded for it. And now.” He paused. “Now you stand beside the very bloodline your family helped destroy. Tell us, Duchess… what is the value of a title built on betrayal?”

The room was silent as she let out a shuddering breath.

“It has no value, Magister.”

“Then why do you still carry it?”