Page 27 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

“ H ow? How could this have happened?” I went into a full-fledged panic as soon as Mother and I heard the news first thing in the morning. My mind automatically went to the worst. Torrin and Kayin—they knew something was going to happen. She warned me last night. She knew!

Torrin seemed to respect and care for the Queen. Was it all an act? Did I make friends with those looking to kill the Queen?

There was no way Torrin would've agreed with such a thing…no possible way.

Then, my stomach dipped.

Silas…

My heart broke for my lover, and then the anxiety that he may be harmed next took over. Immediately, I went to put on my cloak, but Mother grabbed my forearm, tugging me back forcefully. “Where do you think you’re going? ”

“I have to see him. He needs me.”

“Lena, if you think the castle was swarming with guards before, it certainly will be now.” I went to break her clutch, and she gripped me harder. “You wouldn’t be safe. Even Silas wouldn’t be able to stop the King’s wrath, especially now that the Queen…” She couldn’t even finish the sentence.

“I can use the invisibility elixir—”

“And what if someone barges into his room while you are there?”

“He would protect me,” I said sternly.

“But would you want him to?!” Mother yelled.

I blinked rapidly. She was right. I wouldn’t want Silas punished for me. But still, how could she expect me to leave him in his grief?

Mother sighed, then slowly released me from her grip. “Wait until the evening.”

“But—”

“And please, please be careful. If I lost you…” Tears spilled down her cheeks.

“You won’t lose me,” I said softly. “I just…I cannot leave him alone in his distress.”

I agreed that evening would be best, even though it killed me to have to wait to see him. My thoughts went back to Torrin.

“When things change and go wrong, and you’ll know when that moment comes, you find me. Do you understand?”

If he somehow had a part in this…I would kill him myself.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally made my way down our path and crawled up the ledge, taking a beat to catch my breath. I didn’t know if Silas was in his room or not. It was almost 9:00 p.m., but given the circumstances, he could be in training, be with the King, or even be forced to sleep elsewhere entirely.

I sighed. After I surveyed the area to make sure no guards were around, despite having ingested an invisibility elixir, I began my way up. I was careful of my footing and was ready to make the final climb to Silas’s balcony when a force pulled me down.

“What are you doing here?!” hissed a voice.

My head whirled to see Torrin. There was a fierce rage on his face that turned to bewilderment as I charged at him and pressed my dagger to his throat.

“You…” I growled, shoving him back against the castle wall. “Tell me you didn’t have a part in this.” Tears began spilling out of my eyes, but otherwise, my face showed no weakness. Silas had said they were friends, but did he betray him? Take away one of the people he loved most? I didn’t even have time to register that my damned elixir failed. “Tell me!”

Torrin was taken aback. “Why do you always think the worst of me? Are you crazy?” He went to move, and I pushed my dagger harder against his throat.

“Move, and I will kill you,” I seethed. “Who is it? Who is Kayin, Torrin? ”

He clenched his jaw, angry brown eyes bouncing between mine.

“WHO?” I yelled.

“Keep it down!” he hissed. “Fuck,” he muttered in defeat. “I don’t know, and before you slice my neck open, I mean it. Kayin claimed to be a seer like Igon. She was somehow able to utilize my gift to speak with you, to speak with me. Turns out it wasn’t a shared ability but one that was…borrowed, somehow.”

“Damnit, Torrin! And you just trusted this voice?” I had trusted her, too. I was a damn fool.

He tensed. “She knew things only a seer could know. Trust me, I didn’t just believe her with nothing to back it up.” He sighed and gently touched my arm.

I shook it off. “What information did she give that made you trust her? When did you know?”

He bit his lip, clearly wishing not to tell me, then sighed. “Kayin told me three years ago that Silas La’Rune would find his Soul-Tie at sixteen years of age. That she would be a red-haired girl living in the Outer Ring…and that she would be a Mage.”

My body stilled, and I looked at him in disbelief. “Soul-Tie? I don’t under—”

“You two were fated for one another, Lena. A Soul-Tie connection is a gift from the Goddess Celluna—” He winced. “Kayin also said you were not well versed in the Gods or Goddesses.”

I widened my eyes. It was true I knew little of the Gods the Mages served, though I was aware they shared names with the human ones. I knew little of my culture at all. Mother and I were always so scared of being discovered that we kept most talk of heritage to a minimum.

And a Soul-Tie…that would explain why Silas would be drawn to someone like me. If something like that really existed, anyway.

“I knew to trust her when I saw you, Lena,” Torrin continued, my dagger still pressed into his neck. “And Igon had told me before I departed from Ames that I would have someone speak destiny to me. He didn’t specifically say who or what. But Kayin spoke just as he said the person would. Gave direction.”

“Why?” I pressed. “Why tell you all of this? And if she were truly on the Queen’s side, why didn’t she see this coming? Why didn't she stop it?”

“I don’t know.” His eyes bounced between mine in despair. “I was just as shocked by all of this as you. Kayin told me last night that she accomplished what she needed using my gift. And that she will speak to me again when the time is right.” He gazed into my eyes with intensity. “I swear to you, Lena, I had no idea that the Queen was going to be killed.”

I shook. “Kayin told me to go to Ames with you…tomorrow. Did she tell you that?”

“She did.”

“So, was it she who killed the Queen? And what of Silas? How do we know he is safe?” My lip trembled. “I won’t be going anywhere if I think he’s—”

“I know,” he interrupted gently. “The person responsible for the Queen’s death has already been captured. I know not the details, but apparently, the King discovered the scene shortly after the woman took her life.”

My stomach sank .

“A…woman?” I loosened the pressure of my weapon against Torrin’s neck.

His jaw flexed. “I haven’t been told who specifically was caught.”

“So, it could be her?”

“I…I don’t know,” he whispered.

I glanced up at the towering black fortress. Could Kayin be a prisoner in the castle?

“I can’t believe this,” I breathed as I lowered my dagger.

“Neither can I.” Torrin rubbed his neck where my blade was pressed. “I’ve known Ryia since I was seventeen. She has given me eight years of her kindness.” He shook his head. “Kayin clearly knew this would occur. It was fated. Horrible, devastating…and fated.”

I frowned at him, and then my expression softened when I noticed the glimmer of unreleased tears in his eyes.

He really was affected by her loss. Or a fantastic actor. I didn’t wish to believe the latter.

I felt an urge to hug him. But I desired to embrace Silas more.

“Be careful. I will keep watch until you are finished.”

I gave him a grateful nod and made my way up the balcony.

I cautiously peered into Silas's room. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, his face buried in his hands. He was still wearing formal clothes, not bothering to change into something comfortable.

I inhaled sharply, then lightly knocked on his window. He startled, understandably so, and met my gaze. His eyes were glazed over, a light shade of pink, and I could see the tears spilling down his cheeks. He clenched his jaw and looked enraged as he stormed to his balcony door.

I heard the intricate locks clicking before he flung it open, pulling me inside.

“What are you doing here?” he asked coldly as he turned to face me, his gaze intense.

“I-I came to make sure you were okay, I—”

“My mother was just assassinated—we know who did it but have no idea if they’re working with anyone. Or their motive.” He ran his hand through his raven locks. “It is incredibly dangerous for you to be here. If something happened to you, Lena, I—” his voice cracked.

I placed my hands on his face, turned his head down to me, and quickly pressed my lips against his. We shared a few slow, passionate kisses before I gently pulled away.

“I had to come here and try to comfort you.” I caressed his cheek while my other hand rested on his chest. “I am so, so sorry, Silas.”

His lip trembled, tears forming in his eyes, but he was trying hard to keep them from coming out, from being vulnerable. I knew that feeling better than anyone, though I spectacularly failed at it many times.

I continued to caress his face. “You can break down in front of me. Let everything out, whatever you need,” I whispered.

A muscle feathered in his jaw, and then he pushed himself into me, our lips clashing once again, only this time it was hungrier—more forceful. I gasped as he lifted me from under my thighs and carried me over to his bed, laying me down gently .

His expression was heartbreaking and lustful at the same time. He looked at me with intense desire, but the tears in his eyes were begging to spill over. Still, he sauntered over to the oil lamps lighting his room and began turning them off as I respired laboriously, desperate for his touch.

Once they were all off, only moonlight lit the room. Silas slowly undid his shirt, pulling it over his head to reveal his perfectly toned body.

I swallowed. He had only gotten stronger and leaner in the last year and a half. Though I supposed I had as well. I had filled out nicely, as Silas always ensured Mother and I were well fed, despite my protests against him spending money on me.

He crawled onto the bed, between my legs, and grasped my chin in his hand, tilting it to the side so he could nip at the space between my neck and shoulder.

He bit down lightly, and I hissed at the small hurt. He then began slowly devouring my neck. My eyes rolled back, and I let out a soft moan. I could feel his lips smile against my skin before he continued. His fingers drifted to the button on my pants, and I quickly helped, biting his bottom lip as I bared my body for him. He shucked my pants off while I flung off my shirt and bra, and then I was completely uncovered.

“You next,” I whispered seductively, gaining a wicked smile from him.

He unbuttoned his pants and slid them down just enough for his massive length to reveal itself, where it relaxed just at his belly button.

I let out a hum. “All of it. ”

He laughed softly and hopped off the bed to completely remove his pants.

He crawled back overtop me and met my gaze, but I craved seeing his face in detail. The moonlight was directly behind him, giving him a splendid view of me. I, unfortunately, didn’t get the same.

I inched forward and pushed him onto the bed so I was straddling him. His eyes were now full of mischievous excitement. That look further inspired me to shimmy my way down and slide his length into my mouth. I dragged my tongue all around him, focusing on the tip just how he liked.

“Fuck…” he whispered, and I let out a soft chuckle. “What?” he asked with a smirk.

“Such indecent language, Your Highness,” I purred against his cock.

He gave me his lazy smile. “Does that displease you, my Flower?”

“Nothing you do displeases me.”

I sucked him back into my mouth, and he tilted his head back. The moan he let out had me dripping. I already wanted to climb on top of him and ride him.

I continued my strokes, savoring the feel of the smooth skin of his cock in my mouth. He slid his hand into my hair and began pushing me down on him further. I tried hard not to choke, but, like always, he could barely fit himself halfway before I gagged. He pulled out.

“I’m sorry,” I breathed, my apology causing him to grab my cheeks with his right hand, forcing me to look at him.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Lena. Certainly, never in regard to sex.” He released my face and dragged his thumb against my lips. “Ride me. ”

He didn’t have to ask twice. I climbed on top of him, his hands gripping my waist, and I guided him inside me, my arousal soaking the tip of him.

He didn’t ease in, not this time. He slammed into me with all his might, and I cried out as I collapsed onto his chest.

“Keep quiet,” he murmured in my ear as he began fucking me. “As much as I enjoy hearing you scream, I’ll be thoroughly pissed if we have to stop.”

I bit down on his neck, sucking in his skin. He groaned with pleasure while continuing to slide himself in and out.

“Gods, Lena, you are so wet.”

He slowed his pace, pulling out completely before slowly pushing himself back in. I couldn’t hold in my moaning; it just felt too fucking good. But I tried to keep it as quiet as I could. After a few moments, I couldn’t take the slow-paced torture. I sat myself up and ground against him before moving my ass up and down. He hissed, and his eyes rolled back.

I appreciated the view while I bounced on him. His Adam’s apple protruded with his head lying back, and sweat dripped down his perfectly formed abs. I watched his breaths stagger, his stomach flexing as I drew out his pleasure.

It was of great effort to keep my magic contained; the electricity building inside me from the sight of him, for my love of him, was sending sparks throughout my body.

He was so fucking handsome. More handsome and perfect than anyone imaginable. I began rubbing my clit as I bounced up and down, and Silas admired me with dilated pupils, his eyes half-lidded. Then, a dark grin appeared on his face .

“I need to taste you, Lena.”

“Silas—”

He sat up and flipped us around, my back now against the mattress and Silas in between my thighs. I couldn’t object; I wanted it just as bad.

My legs were spread entirely as he began kissing down the sides of my thighs. My back couldn’t help but arch. Fuck, his teasing was driving me wild. I could feel his hot breath against my clit, and then he licked against the sides of me.

My heart was beating so fast. “Quill…” I breathed.

In a flash, he dragged his tongue down my center, and I covered my mouth as a loud moan escaped me. He licked around and around, then brought his focus to the bundle of nerves, flicking his tongue rapidly.

Fucking hell.

It never got old. In fact, it had only gotten better with time as we had both learned how to best please each other. I took my free hand and ran it through his hair, gripping hard. The noises he was making while devouring me were about to send me over the edge.

“Do you know how lovely you taste, Flower?” he mumbled against my sex. A moan deep from my chest came out at those words, and I felt him smile against me before continuing to eat my pussy. My left hand joined the other, both of them now tangled in his jet-black waves. I began grinding myself against his face, and he growled in response.

I never wanted this to end. But my orgasm was building, and I didn’t want to deny it .

Silas plunged two fingers into me, his eyes trailing over me with pure lust, and my body melted.

“You are so beautiful, naked in the moonlight, Lena. I could look at this view forever.” He curved his fingers upwards, them hitting a sensitive spot, and electricity internally erupted at the feeling of it. I cried out, and his tongue circled my clit as my body shattered into a million pieces, the release so pleasant I was wailing into my palm.

Huffing, he plunged himself into me, and the feel of his cock inside me after an orgasm was just what I needed. He began pumping his hips, sliding in and out, and I wrapped my arms and legs around his torso.

“Silas, you feel so good,” I moaned, my eyes fluttering shut at the delicious pleasure. Silas pressed his thumb against my clit and started making circles, and my moans only got louder. “It’s so hard to be quiet.”

“I know,” he panted. He moved his thumb faster, keeping a perfect pace as his cock stretched me.

“Yes, just like that.” The ecstasy was blinding, and before I knew it, another orgasm rippled through me. I was wailing at the same time Silas bellowed, needing only a few more pumps before finding his own release and pouring himself inside of me.

A few moments passed before he collapsed beside me and pulled me so that I was cradled against his chest, us both sweating and struggling for air.

“That,” he breathed, “was fantastic.”

It was by far the best sex we had. And with how many times we fucked over the past year, that was saying a lot. I leaned up and kissed his cheek, and he faced me with eyes twinkling like starlight .

“I am so in love with you, Lena,” he whispered, then kissed me gently.

“I’m so in love with you ,” I whispered back. He stroked my hair and rested his chin on the top of my head.

I was so relaxed I could pass out. But while the sex had given Silas a distraction, I knew there was dark, heavy emotion still within him. I moved over a bit and tilted my head up, causing Silas to look down at me.

For a moment, we just took each other in. And then I could see his tears forming, his jaw clenching once more, and then a single tear traveled down his cheek. The sight broke my heart.

I dragged my thumb softly along his cheek, wiping the tear away. His lip then began to tremble, and as I pulled him in close, he finally let go and sobbed into my chest.