Page 22 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Twenty-One

N early three months had passed since I learned of Silas’s identity. His birthday and mine were only days apart, me being born on September 21st and him on September 13th. Since the royal family always threw him a special party on his actual birthday, and obviously, only members of the Center were invited, we decided to celebrate ours together on my birthday. I learned a lot more about him in the past months of our being together, as he was finally able to be completely open with me.

He told me stories from his childhood, how his father had always been distant, so consumed with ruling, while he and his mother had remained close his whole life. Her previous aide, who was like another father to him, was named Quill Callon, the false name he gave me. He said it was rumored it was he who kidnapped his sister, Princess Aria, as he vanished from the village at the same time. I was surprised he would use the name of someone attached to something so horrific, but he said his mother never believed he did it. She still spoke fondly of him after all this time.

“Princess Aria…what do you think happened? And how was that for you as a child?” I asked, my head lying in his lap as he played with my hair. We decided to skip training today and were relaxing in the forest.

“I have a faint memory of only some of it. Being only five years old, it’s all a little blurry,” he frowned as he began to recall his memories, looking off into the distance. “I remember the panic of those around me, my mother’s tears, my father’s rage. I remember being put in my room and constantly being surrounded by guards. They would do a twenty-four-hour surveillance. It wasn’t until I got older that it finally eased up—once my actual training began.

“As far as what happened, I don’t know anything except they found her body in the woods up north. She was only a few months old…” He shook his head. “Just…horrific. Mother was always composed when she talked about her to me, but I know it had to kill her not having her daughter anymore.”

I chewed on my lip. “I’m surprised Ulric can rest not having found her killer.”

“He still tries to, but it’s nearly impossible after how much time has passed,” he said solemnly as his thumb grazed my cheek.

We lay quietly. Silence never felt awkward to us anymore.

“How has public schooling been?” he asked.

After I opened up with Silas, I decided to finally do school with other people, no longer feeling the need to be all cooped up by myself. I knew I would always fear being discovered, but damn, did I feel a lot less scared. If I could have a lover, surely I could have friends .

I smiled at how far I had come. “It’s been good. It’s only been a few weeks, but I think a couple of girls could make good friends.”

“No boys coming after my bride, correct?”

I cackled, rolling my eyes. “Oh yeah, they’re just lining up for me.” I did catch one boy in my class staring at me, but I could’ve had a booger in my nose or something.

“I wouldn’t doubt it. Hopefully, I won’t have to duel for your hand, but I will do it gladly if it comes to it.”

“You buffoon,” I chuckled and pinched his side. He squeezed me back, grinning widely.

“So,” I settled into his lap, looking up at him. “How was your extravagant party, Your Highness?”

Silas grimaced, then smirked. “Utterly boring, considering you weren’t there.”

“Hm,” I mumbled, then remembered something. “I wanted to give you a birthday present,” I purred, and I lightly touched his length beneath me, causing it to harden under my touch. I did it to tease, as I actually did have a present for him, silly as it was.

“Is that so?” His eyes danced with excitement. I thought he’d lean in to kiss me, but he reached into his jacket pocket instead. “I have a present for you, too,” he continued, pulling out a ring box.

I sat up, eyeing the thing in disbelief.

He chuckled. “Don’t panic, Flower. It’s not an engagement ring—yet.” He winked as he opened the box.

I gasped. In it was a dainty silver ring. In its center was a large sapphire with two more petite sapphires next to it. It sparkled, the sun filtering through from the trees above, illuminating the gorgeous gems that probably cost a fortune .

“Happy Birthday, Lena,” he smiled with flushed cheeks.

“Silas…” I breathed as I studied it. “It’s beautiful…but I can’t accept it.” I met his eyes. “I told you I don’t like you spending money on me.”

“Well, technically, I didn’t spend the money,” he grinned. “I told Mother about your birthday and how I wanted to get you jewelry, and she showed me this ring of hers.”

“It was your mother’s?” I asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, do you like it?”

I stared back at the ring in shock, unable to move.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “If you don’t, I plan on getting you plenty of jewelry over the years. Just let me know what you like and—”

I hurled myself at him, hugging him tightly and knocking us both flat to the ground. He gave a winded laugh and looked at me with delight.

“As if I would dislike anything you would give me.” I nudged him as I smooched his cheek. I sat up, and he placed the ring on my right ring finger.

I beamed at him. “A perfect fit.”

“Like it was meant to be,” he murmured.

I sighed. “My gift is not as good as what you gave me.”

“I told you before, your company is all I could ever desire.”

I bit my lip as I reached into my bag and pulled out a feathered pen and ink.

Silas blinked.

“A…quill.” I gave Silas an embarrassed smile .

To that, he burst out laughing, and the sight warmed my cheeks. “This is great,” he chuckled, retrieving the items from my hand.

“It was before I knew why you picked Quill—I thought maybe you were a…pen lover or something,” I mumbled.

“Well, I do love anything you get me, so I suppose that does make me a pen lover.”

“Pfft.” I laid back on his lap, and he placed the items beside him and continued stroking my hair. I purposely rubbed my head against his groin, looking up at him as he inhaled deeply.

He gave me his lazy smile. “What are you up to, Flower?” he asked slowly.

I smirked and flipped over so I was lying between his thighs. I went to unbutton his pants, and his hand gently stopped me.

“What if someone sees?” he whispered.

“Are you scared, Quill?” I teased.

He bit his lip to hold back his smile, then released me from his grip. I grinned as I resumed unbuttoning his pants, pulled down the zipper, and pulled his length out, trying not to flush as I held it and looked at him again.

We had slept together every time we met since I found out who he was, before training when I knew Mother was out, save for today. Mother relieved me of my delivery duties in honor of my birthday, so we went to the forest first thing this morning. No training today, and no sex yet.

I still hadn’t put my mouth on him. I wanted to, but the fear of doing a poor job prevented me. But I couldn’t hold back any longer. And what better time ?

I dragged my bottom lip through my teeth. Silas's eyes darkened, and he stroked my cheek with his thumb. It was rather risky attempting this in the woods.

Gods, Torrin, if you are out there, please leave.

I didn’t know if the supposed Mage still followed Silas, and I hadn’t heard anything from him since we last spoke.

“Are you sure you want to?” he asked softly, and I stilled.

“Do you want me to?”

“Desperately,” he grinned. “But only if you are comfortable.”

I answered with a smile and dragged my tongue up the length of him. He inhaled sharply, his jaw clenching tightly. I loved seeing how I could make him feel.

I did a few more slow licks, up and down, and his breathing hitched every time I grazed over the tip. I then wrapped my mouth around him and began to move my head up and down.

“Oh…oh my Gods,” he breathed, roughly gripping my hair. I glanced up as his eyes rolled, and he let out a deep growl. Pressure built between my legs, but this was for him, not me. I supposed I could give him a decent present after all.

I continued to suck on him, his moans like heaven in my ear. I couldn’t fit more than half of him in my mouth without choking, so I began to stroke the rest of him with my hand and continued to focus my mouth on the tip. He throbbed in my mouth with every flick of my tongue.

“Lena—” he growled.

I slowed, batting my lashes as he popped out of my mouth, my hand still holding him. “Yes?” My tongue trailed up him once more, and he groaned. His length was glistening with my saliva, and it was a significant effort not to strip my clothes off and ride him.

“You are intoxicating,” he whispered through half-lidded eyes. I responded with a smile, taking my time tracing my tongue up and down. He bit his lip, his cock pulsing with each pass. “You torture me with that tongue of yours,” he breathed.

“Torture?”

“Blissful…torture…” he grinned as he tilted his head back, his grip on my hair tightening. I took him in my mouth again, stroking him at the same time. His moans went straight to my core, and my hands began to tingle, my chest beginning to warm.

Damn magic.

I wanted to let it out; I didn’t want to focus on keeping the electricity at bay. But before I was forced to will it down, Silas pulled lightly on my hair, his moans increasing.

“I’m going to come, Lena,” he panted, and I quickened my pace, slowing only once he began to spill in my mouth, groaning loudly. I swallowed most, but some still dripped from my mouth as I pulled away.

He stared at me in awe as he caught his breath, and I smiled shyly. “What did I do to deserve you?” he respired. “I will never know.” He leaned forward, his thumb spreading his remaining arousal across my lips. “Intoxicating…” he repeated. “I am addicted to you, you know that?”

“That sounds unhealthy,” I teased, sucking his thumb and the remainder of him into my mouth. When his thumb slipped out, a devilish grin spread across my face. “Though I suffer from the same affliction regarding you, Your Highness. ”

He smirked. “Then it seems we are both unwell,” he whispered, then kissed my lips softly.