Page 110 of Uncrowned

“You kissed my queen?”

“I didn’t have a choice. They were on to us. Shit.”

I pulled him up, smashing my fist into his face again.

Theodore let out a loud groan, not even trying to defend himself as I jerked him back upright. Rage was roaring through me but also… understanding. I hated it, and there was nothing I could do about the war waging inside me. Despondency—Despair. How could one feel like they couldn’t go on another minute, and yet know they didn’t have a choice?

“You made your point to them. If you ever kiss her again, I will kill you⁠—”

“I won’t.”

“Well?” I shook as I tried to get control. “What happened after that?”

“Fuck.” He wiped the blood running down from his nose. “We agreed to meet Mondays/Wednesdays/and Fridays at four.” At the hope that hit, Theo shook his head killing it instantly. “I saw the look on the lead security guy’s face. There’s no way in hell they’re letting me back in that building. I’m going to try, but I don’t see it happening. I’m sorry. I tried everything I could think of. I knew you were going to be pissed, and I was right. Shit. I think you chipped a tooth.” He let out a groan as he winced and spit out blood.

“I should be burying my blade in you. I’m not sure if I want to do that or hit you again. Start walking before I think too hard on it.”

“It was the only way.”

My teeth ground into each other as I started following him. “She kissed you back? A second time?”

“Yeah, but it wasn’t like what you think. It was for you. Definitely not for me. It was in the way we were talking. She said she missed you/me very much. The pain. There was so much in her eyes. It was all for you.”

Aching took over my chest as possessiveness fought with love. For seconds I couldn’t speak. My head shook as I opened the door. When I opened the next door, the guards were waiting. We headed straight as I led us to my study.

“Did she tell you what this mystery thing was that she was referring to?”

“Art History.”

“What?”

“She was an Art History major. She emphasized the history. She’s going to start meeting with society there at the building so she can ‘get to know them’. I told her it wasn’t a good idea⁠—”

“She’s not.”

“I told her. She said that if she was going to take her place in society, she must know people.”

“This is about me.” I cursed. “She wants information, and she’s going to try to get it through them. I shouldn’t have told her of my search for evidence.”

“Unavowed.”

My eyes cut over. “Yeah?”

“She said she’s doing okay. Marian is taking good care of her. She’s working at their company, filing papers. Her and Marian eat dinner at the restaurant at the very top of the building every night. I don’t think she wants you to worry. You will, and I don’t blame you, but let’s give her the benefit of the doubt. She’s safe in that building, that’s for sure, and… Penelope…”

He paused, letting me open the door to my study. We headed inside, and he grabbed a handful of tissue from my desk, collapsing to the chair and making himself at home in the leather. Blood was drying on his face and staining the top of his shirt. As he stuffed tissue into his nose, I could see him get lost in thought.

“Penelope is strong. I have no doubt about that. And she’s wicked smart. She played that room like a fiddle. She’s up to something. It might pay off to see what it is.”

“Or it might kill her. She’s safe but from whom? The ones keeping her there may be the very ones who try to take her out. I don’t know their motives yet. I know they’re interested in me, but not which way their political affiliation leans. It could be good or bad. Neither of us will know until it’s too late.”

I jerked my chair out from the desk, collapsing into it. The weight of the world was sitting on my chest, and all I wanted was my future queen. From the way things were going, I had no idea when that might be.

“Did she say anything else? Is she going to call me?”

“She said she’d try. Honestly.” His head lifted, and he sat up higher on the chair. “I’m not sure she should. Or will. I’ve been in the game a long time. I can read people.” He paused, his eyes staying glazed through memories. “There’s a determination in Penelope that I think we might be underestimating. She has something in her head, and I’m not so sure she’s going to jeopardize that. She may be young, but she seems to know what is at stake.” Again, he got quiet through his thoughts. “Then again, she’s very good with words, so she may be able to pull off talking on the phone. I’ll continue to try to see her, but I think we should back off if it doesn’t work out. Let her see what she can uncover. You may be surprised.”

I didn’t want to back off. I wanted her here, with me.