Page 32 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Thirty-One

T he rest of the afternoon was spent throwing fireballs in a river just outside of Ames’s border. Gods was I pissed.

Poor Torrin…why didn’t he speak with me? At least to tell me where he was going…

I sighed. Probably because he knew I wouldn’t let him go. Godsdamn bastard. I owed him everything—for Mother’s and my safe passage here, for my training, for my new home. He didn’t deserve to essentially be kicked out.

And for what? Silas had moved on. Even if he was my apparent Soul-Tie, people love and get married to people who aren’t their fated mate all the time.

I shot out blasts repeatedly, crying out in anger. The flames still raged inside of me; the release of my power was futile in extinguishing the pain. Tears poured down my face, and when my vision became too blurred to see straight, I stopped, my arms sagging at my sides .

“Are you alright?” a voice asked softly.

I turned slowly, blinking the fresh tears out of my eyes. There stood Mother, looking at me with concern etched on her face. The spring air blew around us, Mother’s bangs and shoulder-length copper hair blowing in the wind.

“No. No, I am not.” My lip trembled, and I gazed back at the river. Mother stepped beside me, and we both stared off in silence before she linked her hand with mine.

“What happened?” she asked gently.

I wiped my nose with the back of my free hand. “Igon is a filthy liar. That is what happened.”

Mother’s head quickly pivoted, and I willed myself not to set every tree in the vicinity on fire.

“He told me he was the one who sent Torrin away, after all this time.”

Mother gasped, her hand shooting over her mouth. “I don’t understand…why? Why the hell would he do that?”

I let out a humorless laugh. “I suppose anyone who makes me happy has to be taken away.” And to that comment, my cheeks heated. I had never told anyone what occurred between me and Torrin last year. Thankfully, Mother didn’t press. “You know how seers are,” I continued. “They can’t tell you anything directly. He won’t even let me know where he is…” My lip quivered, and sure enough, more tears followed. I shook my head. “Igon didn't appreciate Torrin's affection toward me, considering he isn't my Soul-Tie.” I released another dry laugh. “Torrin is so loyal to what everyone else wants of him—never doing anything for himself. I know he didn’t wish to leave his home. He was so happy when we finally made it back here. And now he’s gone…and it is all my fault.”

Mother squeezed my hand. “No, Lena. It is not your fault.” I went to shake my head, and then she took my other hand in hers and made me face her. “Torrin is a grown man capable of making his own choices.” She paused as if debating on what to say next. “I…”

“Just say it,” I muttered as I stared at the ground.

“I was just thinking about Soul-Ties…and how…how I don’t think anything would have kept Silas from you,” she said quietly.

I froze. I hated that my tears continued to pour. “I’ve kept away from him,” I replied, my voice just above a whisper. “What does that say of me?”

“You know it isn’t so simple. It’s life or death for you. It wasn’t for Torrin.”

I wiped my eyes, and even though my heart ached, my internal flames felt contained, or rather ice was now taking over. “It’s not like it matters. Silas is taken now. I will never have him.”

Mother pulled me into a hug, and I weakly returned the gesture. We stayed by the river for a while longer until I felt composed enough to return to the town.

Ever since our arrival in Ames, we’ve had dinner with the Astair family. Merrick had always skipped dinner with them, seeing as though he loathed his father, but as he and I grew closer, he decided to join in since I’d be there. Elowen really appreciated it, too, as she loved Merrick’s company.

Heildee and Vicsin were nearly done cooking, and Merrick and I were finishing setting the large oak table in their dining room. Mother usually would help Heildee as they both loved cooking, and sometimes Elowen, Merrick, or I would take over dinner duty. There were a handful of times Torrin and I had together as well.

I knew Mother had begun seeing a man in town named Phillip the past few weeks, and I assumed she was probably with him this evening. I was happy she found someone, as new of a relationship as it was. I gazed out the window, and orange sunlight was spilling into the Astair household, signaling that it would begin setting soon.

“Where’s Elowen?” I asked Merrick.

“Off healing Fabel’s arm. I guess she broke it climbing a tree today,” he replied. Fabel was one of the few children in Ames.

I merely nodded, and we were silent for a few more moments.

“What did Igon want?” Merrick asked while placing silverware by each plate. “I was surprised you didn’t come back to the pit afterwards.”

I shrugged, setting down glasses for everyone. “Just didn’t feel up to it.”

It was silent, and when I looked over to Merrick, his normal icy-blue eyes were swirling—now a deep charcoal. They changed that color any time he was reading the emotions of someone.

“You can’t bullshit me, Lena,” he said as the corners of his lips tilted downwards. I felt my heart speed up. Merrick wouldn’t be happy either, finding out our leader essentially banished his cousin. “What happened? ”

Before I could reply, the sound of screaming coming from outside made Merrick and me startle. “What the hell?” We glanced back at each other before bolting outside.

“What’s going on?” Heildee called from the kitchen, but we were already out the door.

I nearly fell to my knees at the sight. My eyes and Merrick's widened simultaneously as we witnessed an army of soldiers infiltrating the town, raising their weapons on the innocent people who remained outdoors.

Otacian soldiers. They found us.

“I-I need to find Elowen,” Merrick trembled.

“Go, I will fight.” I assured him, and he ran off in the direction of Fabel’s house.

Within moments, Ames was in complete chaos. Soldiers kept pouring in, attempting to capture who they could, or killing who they couldn’t. Their numbers were easily double ours, but magic was powerful. We could win. We had to. Blood was already spilling, that of both Otacian soldiers and people of Ames.

I looked around frantically, familiar faces fighting for their homes. When Otacia had put in place its kill order, its other territories followed suit. They made it their goal to capture as many Mages alive as they could—it seemed the King got a kick out of killing us for all his citizens to see.

But our people were prideful. If we were going to die, it would be protecting our homes and each other, not dying as entertainment.

I raced forward, dodging soldiers as they swung their weapons at me and using forcefields as necessary. I had never killed anyone before, but I had a feeling that was going to change. I didn’t see Elowen or Merrick, and I didn’t see Mother either.

Where are they?

Panicked, I turned to my left, and a soldier was lifting his sword at me. I pushed a forcefield into him, causing him to stagger back.

His wide eyes focused on me as he kept himself upright, his legs trembling beneath him. Gods, he couldn’t have been older than sixteen years old. I was not about to let this boy take me, but I couldn’t kill him either.

All I did was blink, and a shard of ice went clear through his throat. His eyes bulged, his blood spilling out as he collapsed on the ground. I whipped my head to Merrick, who made eye contact with me briefly before fighting off two men charging for him and Elowen.

I began to run to them, but I was slammed back—a man pushing me down with all his strength. I fell and landed on my tailbone, the force knocking the air out of me as pain shot up my back. Adrenaline coursed through me, and I raised my arm above my face and produced a forcefield to block whatever blow was coming my way. I took a chance to meet eyes with the man attempting to kill me, and everything stilled.

Not just any eyes. Golden eyes.

He froze with his sword about to strike, his eyes so wide that the whites were completely visible.

“Lena?” he whispered in disbelief.

My eyes welled with tears. “Silas,” I breathed.

I didn’t have time to process anything when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dark figure—a lion—charging towards us. Silas didn’t move, so lost in shock that he didn’t sense the threat coming towards him.

But I did.

“No!” I howled as I lunged in front of him, crossing my arms and creating a magical shield so powerful that when Viola crashed into it, she flung backward, shapeshifting back into her regular form. Her braids tumbled in front of her face as she gripped the grass and dirt, coming to a complete stop. Her head whipped up.

She was stunned. Enraged.

I quickly shifted back to Silas, who was staring at me with the same look, shaking as he still held his sword. He wore his crown, black Otacian armor, and a navy cape.

As his gaze burned into mine, the horns atop Igon’s tower went off, causing my head to whirl in its direction. It couldn’t be…

An order to surrender.

The Mages of Ames looked at each other in disbelief at the blaring noise. We were holding them off well. Why concede now?

I looked back at Silas and got to my knees, hands in the air, as did the rest of my people. Though we did not have a King, we followed our Supreme, especially when ours had the power of foresight.

Without saying a word, Silas sheathed his sword, grasped my wrists, and placed silver handcuffs around them.

I flicked my head up to observe them. They both had a red gem on either cuff that lit up when he locked them. A wave of emptiness washed over me.

My magic…I didn’t know how, but…it was gone .

Time went slowly as all our people were put in the magic-erasing cuffs. Panic washed over every Mage’s expression when they realized what this contraption did.

I had never felt fear like this. Without our ability to protect ourselves, there was virtually no chance of us escaping. What was Igon thinking?

And where was Mother?

I was staring at Fabel’s family, thankfully all alive, when Silas knelt before me. I hesitantly lifted my eyes to meet his.

“Where is your leader?” he asked coldly.

I analyzed his face. He looked so…different. His raven-colored waves were shorter than when I last saw him. The hair that once fell at his jawline was now trimmed at his neckline and sides, the top longer and lying loosely. Neatly kept stubble surrounded his lips, and a long scar trailed along the top of his left cheekbone and almost reached his mouth.

And his neck…only a small portion of it was visible due to his armor, but I could tell it was heavily inked.

He was beautiful. But there was no kindness in his eyes.

Before I could answer, a soldier flung Vicsin to the ground beside us.

“Father!” I heard Elowen cry. My eyes shot to her, and another soldier was gripping her arms, keeping her from running to her father's side. I didn’t even notice how close by she was. Vicsin coughed up blood.

“Their elected official,” the soldier stated. He appeared at least two decades older than Silas, with wrinkles creasing his forehead and grey hair speckled throughout his beard .

Silas held my gaze for one more moment before he stood back up, stepped over to Vicsin, and studied him with distaste. “Intel claimed their leader was an old man.”

“No, I-I am their leader,” Vicsin mumbled, blood dripping from his mouth.

He was trying to save Igon.

“What is your name?” Silas demanded.

Vicsin looked at him with hatred in his eyes. “Vicsin Astair.”

Silas cocked his head to the side. “I don’t enjoy being lied to, Vicsin,” he replied with malice in his smooth voice. Part of me couldn’t help but feel like that statement was also aimed at me. “Tell me where he is, and I’ll consider sparing you.”

Elowen was sobbing, that same soldier keeping her from helping him. I couldn’t see much of the man’s face, but his expression looked almost…sympathetic. “Please, please don’t hurt him!” she cried. Silas glanced at her, his dark expression not changing.

“Spare me to be killed with the rest in Otacia?” Viscin spat.

Silas clicked his tongue, returned his glare back to Vicsin, and cocked his head towards Elowen. “Maybe she will make you listen to reason?” He lifted his hand, and the soldier holding her paused before bringing her forward. “Put her on her knees,” Silas ordered, and the soldier obeyed. My whole body was trembling, streams of tears pouring down my cheeks.

Not Elowen … not sweet Elowen.

Silas unsheathed his sword and stalked towards her. He glided the blade against her neck as she wept .

“Don’t touch her,” Vicsin snarled. My attention went to Merrick, who, to no prevail, grunted as he strained against the soldier detaining him.

“If you can’t tell me what I need, then I’m afraid I’ll have no choice.” Silas’ voice was deeper than when I last saw him, or maybe it was the lack of empathy that made him sound different. That kind man I fell in love with…he wasn’t present. Not at all.

Vicsin looked to Elowen in despair. “H-he passed. I was put in charge,” he lied.

Silas clicked his tongue again, still looking at Elowen while tightening his grip on the sword.

He’s going to kill her.

“He must be in the tower!” I blurted out. Silas paused, then bent his head towards me. “Please, please don’t hurt them,” my voice cracked.

I could swear I saw a flicker of emotion on his face, but it was gone too quickly before I could tell. He craned his head towards Vicsin.

“See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” He removed the blade from Elowen’s neck, and as she slumped in relief, he raised his weapon at Vicsin.

Elowen shrieked, but before Silas could attack, Igon stepped out of the tower. Silas stilled, then slowly lowered his sword.

“Hello, Prince Silas,” Igon greeted in a pleasant tone.

Silas gave a smile, though it wasn’t a warm one. “You must be Igon.”

“The one and only,” he stated with a lazy grin, his arms raised at his sides. “Though I don’t believe I will be of use much longer. ”

Igon turned his gaze to me and then began to speak to me in my mind.

Only through fire can the phoenix be reborn from the ashes.

I blinked rapidly, not only at the cryptic message but at the fact that Igon could somehow speak in my mind.

When the hell did he get that power?

Before I could question him, Silas spoke.

“Enough. Where is it?” he pressed. “Where is the Weapon?”

Weapon? What the fuck is he talking about?

Igon studied him for a moment. “You won’t find it until it’s too late.”

“I am not here to play games.” Silas bared his teeth. “You have one more chance to reveal its location, or it will be your end.”

Igon remained silent, and only a few moments passed before Silas thrust his sword into his chest.

“NO!” I wailed, and instinct took over. I rushed to Igon’s side as Silas withdrew his blade, blood spurting out as Igon’s knees hit the ground. “No, no…” I wept as I studied his fatal wound. I couldn’t heal him; I couldn’t even hold him with these damn cuffs.

I looked into Igon’s widened gaze, and I thought of our fight earlier as I cried, “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.”

He shook his head and brought his hand to my cheek. “You—” He struggled to speak as his breathing labored. “—will be our savior, Lena Daelyra.” He shifted his gaze to Silas…and smiled , a real, genuine smile laced with…relief, was it? “I forgive you, son.”

Confusion set over Silas’s face, and Igon faced me again. His hand slipped from my cheek, and with a shaky hand, he reached into his pocket .

“A…memento,” he breathed, handing me a bronze compass. Blood began to pour out of his mouth, and I cried harder as he placed the compass in my dress pocket.

He turned to face our people. Many of their faces crumpled watching the end of a man so beloved…so kind. “Lena Daelyra is your new Supreme.”

My eyes broadened, and I heard gasps around me as Igon used the last of his strength to grasp my wrists.

“Find Oquerene,” he spoke in my mind. “Find…Kayin.”

I watched as the life left his topaz eyes, and when he sagged to the ground, I broke.