Page 4 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Three

“ Y ou did WHAT?” Mother screeched. I had told her what happened at our market stand, and upon only hearing the minute details, she decided to close for the rest of the day. When we returned to the cottage and I told her the whole story, she was furious.

“He wanted to help, so I—”

“So, you gave a boy, who you’ve never met, the rest of our orders? He probably just left with everything, Lena!”

“He saved it from being stolen in the first place, plus he looked like he had at least some money. I doubt he needs to steal food.” He didn’t look poor like us, but he didn’t necessarily look rich either.

“Or maybe, since you gave him directions with the amount of money we should be making, he’s fulfilling the orders and keeping the money for himself!”

My heart sank.

My Gods, I’m a fool .

Mother just looked away, shaking her head, beginning to make the elixir once more.

“I’m…I’m so sorry.” The kindness, the kiss on the hand, he knew what he was doing. He completely fooled me. I hung my head low and went to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me as I pressed my back against it, and slid onto the floor. I sat there in silence for a moment.

Another thing I messed up. I was an idiot to think he wanted to help.

I buried my face in my hands and sobbed quietly.

Nearly thirty minutes went by. I could hear clanking dishes and hurried footsteps coming from the kitchen while Mother attempted to remake the lost items. I knew I should be in there helping, but my shame kept me paralyzed to my wooden bedroom floor. Plus, I would probably find a way to mess that up, too.

I stared ahead at my small bed, the ivory sheets and peach-colored quilt calling my name. It was thin but just enough to keep me warm at night. Across from my bed was my pine dresser, and a brass-framed mirror was sitting on top of it. I didn’t have many cosmetics, but near it lay a soft pink blush, mascara, and red lipstick. The blush and mascara were worn frequently, but I never felt there was an occasion for such a bold color on my lips.

I stood up and walked over, realizing I probably had black streaks staining my face. I glanced in the mirror, and staring back were my red, puffy eyes and, sure enough, black droplets running down my cheeks .

I hated myself. I hated feeling this way, too.

I wasn’t ugly. In fact, I didn’t mind my bright green eyes and the flecks of gold that warped through them. Mother said they were just like my father’s. I fetched a cloth and began wiping the tear streaks away, feeling sick to my stomach.

My red-copper hair was tied in a half-up style, which I opted for most days, with a bun tied in the back and a few loose pieces pulled out in the front. I could see my own pointed ears, even if no one else could. Mages know now that their ears must be glamoured to appear like the rounded ears humans had.

No, I wasn’t ugly. But my insides sure as hell were.

I was nothing but a shell containing so…so much rage. I couldn’t think of the last time I felt happy. I couldn’t think of one thing I had truly done right in my life.

Just as I was going to go down another downward spiral of self-loathing, I heard knocking at the front door. I froze, and as Mother opened the door, I heard a familiar voice.

I quickly exited the room, and standing at the door was Quill, holding my crossbody and handing Mother the bag of money that we had earned.

His eyes met mine.

“You came back…” I whispered as I retrieved my bag from him. I was so grateful I cleaned up the smudged mascara.

He frowned. “Of course I did,” he stated, handing it over. “I was waiting where you told me to, but you didn’t show. Thankfully, your home is marked on your map.”

My cheeks flushed .

Mother was peering through the sack of copper when she spoke. “Oh, that was my fault.” She looked at him. “I couldn’t believe someone from the Inner Ring would help us, truthfully. I convinced Lena here of that. But I was wrong.” She pulled out a generous amount of the copper pieces and held her hand to Quill. “Thank you so much for your help.”

He glanced at her extended hand and gave a soft smile.

“Payment is not necessary. You earned that money, not me,” he said kindly.

Mother looked at him in confusion and then back at me. I gave an uncertain shrug back in reply.

Then, her eyes shot open as she glanced at the simmering pot on the stove.

“Oh shoot!” She ran over and then glanced at the wall of dried herbs that hung above the counters. “I didn’t add sage, and there’s none left.” She ran her fingers through her hair, not caring if it fumbled up her bangs, and shook her head. “I need to run outside the wall and get some.”

“No, let me do it,” I insisted. “Finish up the rest of what you’re doing. I’ll go.”

“I don’t want you outside the wall alone, Lena.”

Before I could respond, Quill stepped in. “I’ll go with her.”

I whirled at him. “I can take care of myself.” It came out colder than I intended, but I couldn’t stand appearing like a helpless little girl. My mother gave me a disapproving look.

Quill, to my surprise, chuckled. “Oh, believe me, I know that. You almost gutted that girl after all. ”

My eyes widened, and after a second of silence, Mother quietly asked, “What does he mean, Lena?”

“Alright,” I ignored her. “Let’s go then.” I retrieved my cloak from the hall tree and rushed out of the house, Quill following close behind.

We headed to the entrance to the kingdom, or in our case, the exit. Large steps went from the gates that were kept open, all the way to the castle, the Rings being the only thing breaking them up.

“What was that about?” he asked.

“She doesn’t know about the dagger,” I muttered.

“You’re not allowed weapons?”

“That’s not it…” I trailed off. “If she knew I purchased this dagger, it would be me admitting that I should learn to defend myself. Which…I just don’t wish to have that conversation with her.” I couldn’t tell him Mother would be even more insistent that I start practicing my magic. No, I could never tell him anything relating to that.

“It’s not bad to know how to protect yourself, should the opportunity arise.”

“You say that as if you have experience,” I replied.

He let out a soft laugh. “No, thankfully, no real-world experience. But I have had a lot of training,” he said, eyeing the weapon resting on his back. “Better to be prepared. ”

I gave a slow nod and looked away. We marched on, the silence between us eventually becoming awkward until he spoke again.

“How old are you?”

“You ask a lot of questions,” I murmured. “Sixteen, and you?”

“Sixteen.”

I gaped at him, and he chuckled. “You seem surprised by that.”

“You appeared older to me…” I mumbled as I glanced away.

We made it down the entrance steps, then to the bridge that separated Otacia from the outside, and I could feel Quill tense up beside me. I glimpsed at him and saw that his carefree expression had vanished, and his jaw was tightly clenched.

“You alright?” I inquired softly.

His chest rose, then fell. “Yes,” he gritted out.

I looked up and waved to the guard I saw anytime Mother and I scavenged. He was too far up to have a discussion, so I didn’t know his name, but he always gave us a big smile and an enthusiastic wave. He had to be around Mother’s age.

“Don’t tell me you’re scared, Quill,” I teased. “You’re supposed to be here to protect me.”

I felt him relax as he let out a breathy laugh. “Don’t worry, I’m more scared of getting on your bad side than whatever’s out here,” he teased back.

I gave him my middle finger while trying to contain my grin, his surprised yet amused look satisfying me. I glanced back up at the guard, who looked at me with a puzzled expression.

I know, seeing a little thing like me being vulgar is surprising.

I chuckled. I wasn’t short, maybe 5'5”, but my reddish hair and big eyes made me appear a lot more innocent than I was. Someone like Quill, nearly a foot taller than me and built like no sixteen-year-old I'd ever seen, seemed much more mature. However, I suppose it would’ve been a brow-raising action from him as well, being from the Inner Ring and all.

So many of them acted like they had sticks up their asses. But I hadn’t scared off Quill thus far. Yet.

We crossed the bridge, and Quill took another deep breath. I studied him as he took in the surroundings with broadened eyes.

“It’s so…vast,” he whispered.

The sun had cast a golden light on the trees of the Western Forest, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of pine. I could see wonder flickering in Quill’s eyes as if he were utterly captivated by the view of the forest.

This wasn’t even close to the most beautiful part, either.

“Yes,” I said tenderly. “Have you…never seen it?”

He ran his hand through his raven-black hair. “Uh…not in a very long time.” He scanned the forest again, then met my eyes with a dreamy smile. “It’s breathtaking.”

I studied him more, trying not to fall in love with that look. Then I looked back at the trees, at the various shades of green, and smiled as I listened to the calming sounds of birds calling to one another.

Perhaps I do not appreciate the scenery as much as I should.

I gave Quill a grin. “If you think this is breathtaking, you should see Amethyst Pond.”

Curiosity sparkled in Quill's eyes. “Where’s that?” he asked.

“About a half-hour into the forest. It’d be best for you to see it without expectations and on a warm day,” I replied. “Perhaps another time, come this way. The sage should be over here. ”

We wove through the trees, branches cracking under our feet. Abruptly, I got this feeling of…being watched. I slowed simultaneously with Quill, who must’ve sensed the same thing.

“You feel that?” he asked quietly.

“Yes,” I whispered. I held my breath.

The feeling was dark and cold—strange. Chills spread across my body, and the hairs on the back of my neck raised. But just as I began to panic, the feeling was…gone.

I let out a shaky exhale.

“Does…does that normally happen?” Quill questioned, eyes darting around the forest. “What was that?”

“I’m not sure…and no.” I wrapped my arms around myself, looking up into the trees around us.

“Have you encountered any witches in this forest?” he whispered.

I shot my gaze back to him, acknowledging the worried look on his face. Witch was a common slur for my kind. I hated it.

“No. No, I haven’t,” I said coldly. My eyes traveled away, and I resumed walking toward our destination.

He would never treat me with kindness if he knew who I was. I can’t forget that.

I thought back to the conversation Mother and I had earlier. I could create friendships…so long as my mask was on. But I had no interest in that. I didn’t see a point.

We continued quietly to a familiar area where I knew sage was planted.

“Here,” I said while pointing at the plants. Blueish-purple flowers appeared in clusters, and I knew I had found what I was looking for .

I crouched down and began to snip off the leaves of the plants with the small clippers in my bag.

“That smells…earthy,” he said with a scrunched-up face as he watched me.

“Baby,” I teased. “Be happy we aren’t out here picking valerian.”

I could feel him pause, so I looked up at him again, his expression pleasantly surprised.

“What?” I asked plainly.

“You’re just…not like anyone I’ve met before.”

“How’s that?”

“Well, normally, the girls I meet are—”

“Polite? Soft-spoken? Enthralled by you?” I retorted.

He blinked. “Well, yes, something like that.”

I let out a fake laugh. “Welcome to the Outer Ring,” I muttered as I resumed my snipping.

“I didn’t mean it as a bad thing…” he said quietly.

I paused. “Pfft” was the only response I could think of. I finished gathering enough sage to last us for a while, hopefully, and stood back up.

“That should be enough. We should hurry back.” I breezed past him, heading back to the kingdom. We walked the rest of the way in silence.