Page 42 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Forty-One

LENA

M y eyes began to open slowly, and I started to take in my surroundings. I focused on the four posts of the canopy bed I was in, its deep red curtains pulled open.

My body ached…why did my body ache?

I turned my head. Elowen sat beside me, a golden glow emitting from her palms and drifting over my arm. “Lena!” she exclaimed when she caught my eye.

“Elowen? Where am I?” I asked groggily.

Fuck, my head hurts.

“We’re in the Prince’s headquarters,” she softly whispered.

At the mention of Silas, my stomach dropped, and suddenly I remembered everything that happened. I remembered Rurik and those men and—

He did this. Silas did this.

“Elowen, we must get out of here! He is going to kill me!” I trembled as I went to make it out of the bed, not caring that Hendry stood nearby. I hated feeling so helpless, but without my magic—

My eyes darted to my wrists.

No cuffs.

I froze, seated up in the bed, when the door slowly opened, and Silas emerged. His clothes and hands were drenched in blood. His eyes met mine, and fear overcame me.

“I will get that information out of you, one way or another.”

I quickly jumped up off the bed at the memory of his words, not realizing my injuries were still present. I suppressed a cry and held my ground.

“Stay away from me!” I shouted, my voice hoarse.

He looked at me…differently, almost in a defeated way.

“I’m taking a shower,” he said softly. I blinked, and he walked towards what I assumed was his bathroom. “Keep an eye on them, will you, Hendry?”

“Why is there blood all over you?” I questioned, terrified of the answer. Had he hurt more of my people?

He turned to me, an intense look on his face. “Those that hurt you did not go unpunished, Lena.”

I glared at him, and Hendry shifted his feet. “Should I cuff her? What if she throws fireballs at me?”

A small smile washed over Silas as he looked at his dark-haired friend. “Then you’d better watch out.” He grabbed the doorknob and went inside the bathroom. A moment later, the water running was audible. Hendry just stood there, ready at a moment’s notice to attack if need be .

I didn’t know how to feel…or what to believe, but I had my magic. Gods, it felt good feeling it coursing through my veins again. I don't know if Silas realized just how strong my powers were. How quickly Hendry could be killed.

Or perhaps he simply thought I wouldn't do it.

“Lena, you should sit. You still need healing,” Elowen advised me.

I sat down in defeat and pulled the covers over me once more. I had to think. I had to come up with a plan to get us the hell out of here. Elowen could heal me quickly, though if she did, they would realize she was taking her time with Edmund's wounds. Perhaps this time is just what I need to come up with a plan.

“Are you okay?” she whispered, her palms trailing above my body, the golden glow of healing magic lighting the room.

It took great effort not to curl into a ball and sob. Or light this room on fire. Instead, I nodded. “I don’t know what he’ll try next to get whatever information he thinks I have…” I muttered, my lip defying me by trembling.

“He had nothing to do with it,” Elowen said gently.

I whirled my head towards her. “What are you talking about?”

“When I saw you, I thought the same thing. Thought maybe he was torturing you for whatever information he thinks you have. So, I told him I would only heal you if he brought Merrick to me.” She grasped my hand in hers. “Silas didn’t lie. He had nothing to do with your attack. He didn’t know anything about it. And, somehow, he also has no desire to harm you. Merrick seemed confused by whatever emotions Silas was putting out, but he didn’t do this, Lena,” she assured me .

I didn’t know how to respond, so I nodded, my shoulders slumping. Elowen continued to heal me until the water shut off, and moments later, Silas re-emerged. His black hair was tousled and wet, and he wore a white sweater and black trousers paired with leather boots.

“Hendry,” he said calmly. “Please escort Elowen back to Edmund. I will let you know when we need her again.”

“Sire, she’s uncuffed.” His mismatched eyes darted to me, then back to Silas. “I can’t leave you.”

He waved him off. “It will be okay. That is an order. Now go.”

I gave a pleading expression to Elowen, not wanting her to leave me alone. She placed a hand on my shoulder.

“It will be okay, Lena,” she whispered. She looked at Silas with a fury I had never seen on her face. “If you lay a hand on her, I will let Edmund die.”

Silas blinked in surprise, then bowed. “You have my word.”

It was strange, almost like little bits of Silas from before was starting to peak through.

It must be an act.

Hendry hesitated, then led Elowen out, leaving Silas and me alone. I stepped off the bed, fire now emitting from my palm.

“Not a step closer,” I hissed as he neared me.

He froze in his steps. “I need you to know I would never have someone do that to you. Or anyone.”

“Right. I suppose burning at the stake is far more compassionate,” I said coldly.

He glowered. “We don’t do it that way anymore,” he gritted out.

We shared a moment of silence. I didn’t think he knew what to say .

“Why did you come to my cell?” I questioned. “Did my screams wake you?”

“I was coming to—” He sighed through his nose. “I was coming to apologize for earlier.”

“Apologize?”

“For putting my hands on you,” he said quietly.

I frowned, the fire surrounding my hand burning brighter. “Seems like something you and your men have in common.”

I was surprised to see hurt shine in his golden eyes. “I am angry, Lena. Very fucking angry.”

He took a step forward, and my flames flared. He froze in place.

“I desperately need to find the Weapon, Lena. My kingdom depends on it.” His eyes trailed over me, his gaze softer than before. “But regardless, even though you are my enemy, I do not wish to hurt you.” He gave me a pained expression. “And I certainly would never order anyone hurt you like…like they did. Would never support that towards anyone.”

I blinked and then closed my fist, the fire disappearing. “Your soldiers look up to you and serve you, Silas. What you do to people like me…why would…” I felt bile rise in my throat. “Why would rape be crossing the line?”

A look came across his face like he finally understood me. But he was clearly still conflicted.He just shook his head.

“You will need to give me time…but I’m letting you go,” he said softly.

I blinked over and over. Surely, I heard him wrong. “What?”

“I’ll find a way that we can sneak you out of here. Edmund still needs multiple days of healing, so it should be simple. Your mother can leave with you.”

I shook my head. “I’m not leaving my people. Either we are all freed, or I’m staying,” I argued.

His brows drew together. “I cannot just let everyone go, Lena.”

“Why not? You’re the Prince!” I yelled, throwing my arms up.

“Exactly!” he shouted. “I am just the Prince. I, like all my men, follow the King’s orders.”

“You’re telling me none of your men follow you ?”

He paused, jaw clenching. “Not enough,” he said quietly.

“Then you’ll have to watch me die with the rest of them,”I muttered bitterly, sitting back on the edge of the bed.

His jaw ticked, and we just studied each other. The scar on his cheek was more pronounced when he frowned. I wondered who gave it to him. Was it during training? In battle? Was it from a Mage defending themselves?

And the tattoos covering his skin…seemingly all of it, save for his face, paired with his tanned complexion, made those golden eyes appear even brighter. More beautiful.

My heart leaped in my chest, and I was the first to look away, crossing my arms as I did so.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him retreat into the bathroom. Moments later, he came back with a rag and bowl of water. I gave him a frown.

“Let me clean your face.”

I scowled at him. “I don’t need your help. ”

He disregarded me and sat beside me anyway. He cocked a brow, and I sighed in defeat, angling my body to face him on the bed.

He dipped the rag in, squeezed it, and gently patted it under my nose.

“I think your nose is broken,” he mumbled. “Will that take long to be healed?”

I winced at the pain. “Hopefully not.”

He dipped the rag back in the bowl, red now swirling in the water, before squeezing it again and dabbing it around my lips.

“You still have my mother’s necklace,” he murmured.

I met his amber eyes once more, and he submerged the rag again. “I have worn it every day,” I said quietly. “Do you want it back?”

He contemplated my question. “No,” he said softly.

His hand grasped my jaw, tilting my head away so he could run the rag along my neck. I tried to ignore how his touch made me feel.

“You have your ring still, too.”

I flushed and looked at the sapphire ring still on my right ring finger. “I’ve never taken it off.”

His voice was just above a whisper when he replied, “Neither have I.”

My eyes widened as I shot them towards his right hand, where a single silver band wrapped around his ring finger sat. The ring I gave him. I looked into his eyes, and he drifted his gaze away, standing up to dump the water out.

I watched as he carried the empty bowl and rag with him, making his way to the door to exit the room. “Try and get some rest.”

“Silas?”

He was just before the door when he turned to me .

I didn’t wish to say it. But I did anyway. “Thank you…for saving me.”

He tensed. “I could say the same thing to you.”

Then he left.

After Silas was gone, I cuddled up in his bed, which happened to be the softest mattress I had ever laid on.

Well, that wasn't true. His one at the castle was softer. But this was a very close second, and after how many days of unsavory sleeping conditions, I savored the feeling. Hated that I savored the scent of him that lingered.

I drifted to sleep, and when I awoke, sunlight was spilling into the room from the large stained-glass window at the back of the room, rainbow colors painting the space beautifully. I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and while taking in my surroundings, I realized Silas was sleeping at the desk beside me, his head lying uncomfortably on the wooden top.

He looked so peaceful when he slept; the hard lines of his face now softened. Despite his now rugged, dangerous look and the tattoos covering his neck and arms, he looked as sweet as ever while in sandland.

He twitched, and then his eyes slowly opened, meeting mine. He winced as he lifted his head and rubbed his neck.

“I’m sorry for taking your bed,” I whispered .

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he mumbled groggily as he sat back in the chair with his arms crossed. He was still wearing the same outfit. “How are you feeling?”

“Sore. But better.” I looked away awkwardly. “What…what exactly happened to them?” Considering the blood staining his clothes from before, they must've had an intense beating.

“They’re dead,” he said plainly.

My head whirled towards him. There was no remorse on his face, no sign of guilt.

I glanced down and nodded, content knowing those monsters were no longer alive, then observed the deep blue nightgown I wore, not noticing it until now. It was made of silk and hugged nicely around my body, though my breasts were barely held in.

“Where did—” I went to ask where it came from when a knock on the door, followed by a figure’s immediate entry, startled me.

Strolling in was Erabella, wearing a red nightgown similar to the one I wore, along with a black robe that was trailing on the floor behind her. Her body stilled when she saw me, and she frowned, quickly shooting her eyes to Silas.

He stared at her, waiting for whatever she was going to say.

“Can I talk to you?” she asked him in a pissed-off tone.

He inhaled and stood, glancing at me as he made to leave. “You should shower, Lena. There are towels and an extra toothbrush in my bathroom. I’ll bring you a change of clothes.”

Before I could respond, he walked out the door, Erabella giving me a glare before following. The door shut behind them, and I decided a shower would help relax my muscles, assuming the Prince at least had hot water .

I shut the bathroom door behind me and stripped off my nightgown. As I went to reach for the lever in the shower, I caught my reflection in the mirror.

Holy Gods.

Two black eyes, though they were fading, I’m sure thanks to Elowen. My neck was adorned with several hickeys and bite marks, and my arms were bruised.

I looked terrible. I glanced away, intent on enjoying this shower, and turned on the water. I put my hand under the trickling stream and sighed in relief.

Hot. Thank you.

I stepped in, let the hot water trail down me, and instantly released my sob as I recalled what those men did to me. What Rurik did to me.

I was happy they were all dead. Men like that didn’t deserve to exist. I could only hope they were suffering Valor’s wrath in the Underworld.

I scrubbed and scrubbed. I felt dirty and disgusting, and I didn’t know if any amount of soap would ever make me feel clean again.