Page 43 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Forty-Two

SILAS

“ W hat is going on, Silas?” Era fumed. We moved into a spare room in the Western Hall to talk privately after I placed a new set of clothing on the bed for Lena, the running water letting me know she was still showering. Erabella stomped the entire way. “Why was she wearing my nightgown? Why didn’t you come to bed last night? Did you fuck her?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and let out a long exhale. “No, Era, I did not fuck her.” Nor had I ever given her a reason to suspect me of being unfaithful.

I contemplated what excuse I could come up with, but I was falling short. Had this been another prisoner this had happened to, I still would’ve killed those men. Rape would forever be unacceptable to me. But would I have treated the prisoner with as much care as Lena? No. Would I have dressed them in Era’s clothing? Absolutely not .

“We aren’t…we aren’t fucking savages. Witch or not, that woman saved Edmund, saved Roland.” I hesitated. “She saved me, too.”

Era raised an eyebrow. “Saved you, how?”

I explained to Era how one of her friends was a shapeshifter and how she nearly ripped my head off before Lena jumped in front of me and blocked her, sending her friend crashing into the ground. Had she not done that, I surely would’ve been dead.

Era crossed her slim arms, her brown eyes narrowing. “Why would she do that? It makes no sense.”

I tensed. It made perfect sense. But I couldn’t tell her why.

“It don't know,” I lied. “Regardless, I couldn’t let her believe I had any part in what happened to her, nor that I supported it. I wanted to make sure she knew I was grateful for what she did.”

“And now what? She will be killed once we reach Otacia, anyway. So why does it matter?”

“Because…” I let out a deep sigh. “Because I am letting her go.”

Era looked at me like I had sprouted a second head. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“She will fight me on it, but I won’t let someone who saved my life be killed. I can't.” My fingertips drummed at my sides. “So, I will be letting her go. I just need to figure out how to do it without anyone noticing right away…”

“Silas, have you lost your mind?” she hissed, looking around the room in case someone had snuck in. “If your father finds out—”

“I don’t give a fuck what he thinks,” I snapped. “I need to go talk with Edmund,” I muttered, rushing out of the room before Era could protest .

Halfway to the room Edmund was being kept in, I ran into a pain in my ass.

Roland.

“So. Word has spread.” He smirked, stopping me in my tracks. “Jones, Geoff, Daerin, and Rurik. Dead. Killed by you in a rather vicious manner,” he simpered.

I glared at him and wondered who the hell he thought he was. “Do you have a problem with that?”

He put his hands up. “Not at all, boss man. I hated Rurik. You knew that.”

Rurik was a grade-A asshole. Hardly anyone could tolerate him, even a cocky son of a bitch like Roland. After what happened when we were boys, what Rurik was willing to let slide when it came to his treatment, I was sure he wouldn’t lose sleep over his death.

He placed his arms back down, a frown now taking over. “Is she okay?”

My eyebrows knit together.

Why the hell does he care?

“She will recover,” I said flatly. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have matters to attend to.”

I continued forward, my shoulder bumping into him. He grunted but didn’t bother saying anything else.

I entered the room, finding Elowen sleeping next to Edmund. What was left of his left arm and right leg were heavily bandaged, and all he wore was black lounge pants. Like most soldiers, his body was heavily toned, though his skin was free of any ink. He was sitting up against the headboard, rubbing Elowen’s back, and was startled when he saw me.

I raised my eyebrow, and he looked back down at her, then continued to rub her back more.

“She can’t die, Silas,” he said quietly.

Edmund was the closest thing to a best friend I had, save for Era and Hendry. When my intense training began after Mother died, Edmund and Hendry were the only lights that I had. The only ones who, without a doubt, had my back.

I walked closer and pulled up a chair, plopped down, and crossed my ankle over my knee, studying him carefully.

He dragged his thumb over her cheek, and she didn't even stir. The continuous use of her magic must've drained her.

Edmund then looked up at me. “She saw something in me. I’m not sure what, but she did not have to beg to save me. She didn’t have any reason to show me kindness, but she did.” He sucked in a breath and bit his bottom lip. “Please,” his voice cracked.

I studied her petite form nestled beside him, her golden brown skin a stark contrast to Edmund's fair complexion. It reminded me of how Lena's skin compared to mine. I loved how dark my hands had looked pressed against her soft skin when we were together.

I crossed my arms as I assessed my friend. “What do you expect me to do, Edmund?”

“I…I don’t know.” He shook his head, his blond, wavy hair swaying with the movement. Then he paused, nodding to himself. “ I know Ulric would never spare one of them…never let anyone who did go unpunished.”

My eyes widened at the ridiculous plan that I could see him getting to. “Absolutely not. I will not let you take the fall for everything.”

He gave me a sad smile. “I’m useless with a missing arm and leg anyway, man.”

My brows knitted together. “Don’t say that. I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

He looked down at Elowen and ran his hand lightly over her pink hair. “And I’m not letting anything happen to her.”

I chuckled as I lowered my crossed leg, causing Edmund to frown at me.

“You know,” I said quietly, peering over my shoulder, then looking back to Edmund, “the Mages may have something I need.”

Edmund's frown deepened. “Are you suggesting you have a plan?”

“Not yet. But I am attempting to devise one.” I ran my hand through my hair. “Lena said she won’t leave unless I let go of everyone.”

“Wait…you talked to their Supreme about this? Why?”

I leaned forward in the chair, resting my elbows on my knees. “I suppose it didn’t feel right leading her to execution when she saved my life as well.”

Edmund’s green eyes shot wide, and I told him what Lena had done before I nearly lost my head.

“That’s crazy, man. I can’t understand why one of them would stop your death…even mine is a surprise. But you?” He winced. "No offense. ”

I nodded. I knew if it had been any other Mage, I would have been dead without a second thought.

Any other Mage would've been dead, too. Because I wouldn't have hesitated.

Edmund continued quietly, “I have a feeling you would say the same thing, though, if you were in her position.”

He wasn’t wrong. I would never leave without my men, sacrificing them while running away like a coward.

I sighed once more and leaned back in the chair. “It won’t be easy sneaking out nearly a hundred people,” I muttered.

Edmund's eyebrows raised. “It sounds like you’re actually considering it.”

“I suppose I am,” I said with a half-smile that quickly faded. Elowen stirred but still remained asleep.

“If we had the support of the Mages…if the sources are true, and there are more of them out there, I could perhaps have the numbers to overthrow my father.”

Edmund’s eyes bulged. “What?” he whispered incredulously.

“I have considered it for a long time. I only trust you and Hendry, and we alone wouldn’t stand a chance. But these Mages are powerful, and if we had higher numbers…if we spoke to the independent kingdoms that have resisted Otacia’s control—”

“What you’re saying is treason,” he whispered.

“Would you support me?”

He looked down at Elowen. “You know I would. I’ll always be on your side.” He resumed caressing her face. “I just don’t understand your sudden change of heart. You’ve hated them as much as your father…you’ve never shown mercy. Not since we were young, anyway.” He gave me a wary glance. “Did Lena saving you really affect you this much?”

I contemplated his question. “It just showed me that perhaps I have placed my anguish in the wrong direction. You know I have always hated my father.”

“As have I,” he muttered. Edmund never enjoyed killing. His older brother was a prime soldier, and he joined our army because he aspired to be just like him. Even though his brother was killed by a Mage that he was attempting to capture, Edmund never felt hatred as I had. As my father had.

I nodded to him and, really, to myself. “I’ll need to speak with Hendry. And then with Lena.” I stood up and brushed my pants. I paused with my hand on the doorknob when Edmund spoke again.

“Silas?” he said, and I turned my head towards him. “Thank you for hearing me out.” He gave me a soft smile. “I’ve dreamt of the day you become King. It will be a great day for Otacia indeed.”