Page 44 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Forty-Three

LENA

A fter my shower, I dressed in the clothes Silas had laid out for me. The same prison attire as before. I clicked my tongue as I examined it. I guess I shouldn’t have expected another one of his wife’s garments.

I got dressed, wincing at the pain, and sat back on the bed.

What am I supposed to do now?

At least Silas had left my cuffs off. I sighed as my eyes surveyed the room.

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to explore.

I stood again and made my way to the walnut dresser that stood across from the bed. The top was pretty vacant, as this fort was only used by the Prince in between battles. I located a brush and a hair tie on the dresser, presumably Erabella’s, and brushed out the knots I had before putting my long, damp hair back in a braid. It fell just below my waist.

I hesitated but opened the first drawer and lifted a lacy red pair of underwear, the matching bra still lying inside.

I guess it would hurt to explore.

I jumped as the door opened, dropping Erabella’s garments and quickly shutting the drawer, but not in enough time for Roland to miss what I was doing.

He chuckled and leaned against the door frame, then smirked while he crossed his arms. “Damn, Lena, of all things I would expect to see you doing in here, I was not expecting a panty raid.”

I rolled my eyes and groaned, plopping myself back on the bed. “What do you want, Roland?” I asked in a tone laced with displeasure.

He sauntered over to me. I expected another smart-ass comment, but when I looked up at him, he just wore a frown. “I came to see how you were doing. And,” he said as he held out a pair of cuffs, giving me a guilty smile, “to put these on.”

“Pfft. Whatever.” I looked down at my lap. I suppose Silas wouldn’t trust me like this forever.

Roland gently grasped my chin, tipping my face to him, and my stomach dropped, the gesture taking me by surprise. His hazel eyes studied me, looking over all my wounds. He just shook his head as he dropped mine. “I’m happy that fucker is dead,” he said coldly.

“Wasn’t he your friend?” I mumbled, holding my wrists out.

He scoffed as he placed one on each wrist, leaving them separate, thankfully. “Friend? Don’t insult me. We both are higher-ranking soldiers, but that’s about all we have in common. He’s been a piece of shit the entire time I’ve known him. ”

I remained silent, observing my now bound wrists.

“I’m sorry this happened to you, Lena,” he said softly.

“What are you doing?” I challenged, shooting my glare at him. “You’re marching me to my death. Don’t go acting like you give a shit about my well-being.”

He crossed his arms, and I took note of his massive biceps in the navy-blue tunic he wore today. “Last I checked, Ginger Snap, I am not the King. I don’t make orders; I follow them.”

“I didn’t peg you as such a beta,” I said with a condescending sneer.

He tilted his head back and laughed, then grinned at me. I didn’t smile back.

“Are you hungry?”

“What?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“I’ll grab you some food. Something that isn't disgusting prison slop. But—” he smirked. “You have to say please.”

“Like hell I’ll beg you for anything,” I retorted.

His eyes lit up with excitement, and I couldn’t help but be attracted to his expression. I wanted to slap myself for feeling anything but disgust for this man.

“I plan on holding you to that,” he purred, then headed for the door.

Cocky bastard.

I decided to lie in bed, as there wasn’t much that I could do being locked in this room. I certainly didn’t want to see any more of Silas’s wife’s lingerie. I simply stared at the metal wrapped around my wrist.

Such a terrifying invention.

How did the King even have this invented? Who invented it? I couldn’t even begin to guess. I flinched when the door opened, and I turned, expecting to see Roland with some food.

But instead, Silas walked in. I sat up in the bed and crossed my arms as he walked over and sat on the bed, keeping his eyes on me.

“That elixir you used to put Edmund to sleep,” he queried. “Do you think it would be possible to make enough for all of my men?”

I raised a brow and thought about it. “How many are there?”

“Two hundred and twenty-seven.”

“That would be…a lot,” I said. “Why do you ask? Do your killing machines have insomnia or something?”

He glowered at me. “I’m brainstorming ways to get your people out.”

I gaped at him. “You…you're actually considering releasing us?” I asked incredulously.

“If that’s what it takes to get you to leave.” His eyes trailed over me. “Plus, I have my own agenda as well.”

“Oh yeah?” I questioned. “And what’s that?”

He shook his head. “We’ll discuss that later. Would it work? ”

I thought on it some more. “Finding the ingredients again, making that amount, and attempting to do it secretly would prove difficult.” I paused. “Perhaps I could make a distraction?”

He raised a brow, clearly thinking my idea was stupid.

“I don’t know…” I muttered and huffed as I leaned my head against the headboard. “Some Mages are able to conjure up portals,” I said softly. “But no one in my village nor I know how to. Save for Igon and…” I left the rest unsaid, a lump forming in my throat at the thought of him. I rubbed my temples and groaned. “I just don’t understand why he picked me.”

Or why I was telling Silas this. He sat on the edge of the bed. His body now angled towards me.

I continued quietly, “I don’t know what I’m doing.” I lowered my hands to my lap. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I…I wasn’t meant to be a leader.”

I looked into his golden eyes, and he just studied me, his expression unreadable.

“Most of us don’t have a choice when it comes to being a leader,” he replied.

“I know,” I mumbled. “But you were born into royalty. Igon was a master seer, which proved beneficial in keeping the safety of all of us…up until now, of course.” I sighed. “There’s nothing special about me. I don’t have any gift or people skills or—anything.” I shook my head. “I just don’t know why.”

“I thought you wielding fire was special?”

I scoffed. “Special? It’s a tragedy.”

He looked at me with a perplexed expression .

“Elemental magic is only developed when you go through certain events. Ice is devastation. Electricity is from being in love. And fire? Fire is rage. Not just regular rage, not just anger—people feel anger all the time. It is from a mixture of rage, devastation, and hopelessness. By having your heart completely broken.” I fixed my gaze on him. “I got my ice the moment I left you, knowing I would not see you again for a long time, if ever. Knowing what I would be putting you through.” I let out a dry laugh. “And you know when I got my fire?”

His eyes bounced between mine, and I trembled, realizing I wouldn't tell him. I fucking couldn't. Couldn't even think of it.

He clenched his jaw when he realized I wouldn't say, but his face slightly softened.

“Some look at elemental skills as powerful, especially fire,” I continued bitterly. “I just see it as being weak—that my body sunk to such a low that it allowed this magic to surge through me. Some see it as evidence of things I have overcome. I haven’t overcome shit.

“I’m still devastated. I’m still heartbroken. I’m still fucking angry .” I let out a shaky exhale. “Uncuff me. Let me be to blame for letting everyone escape. You can release everyone, and when I make a scene, they can sneak off. You can keep me here; use me as your example. I can hold the soldiers off while they escape.”

He cocked a brow. “You can hold off over two hundred soldiers?”

“Yes.”

He frowned. “Absolutely not, Lena.” He shook his head. “This whole thing is for getting you out. I’m not having you go down for all of them. There would be no chance of your survival.”

“I don’t care.”

He tensed, and my eyes went to his clenched fists .

“I don’t care if I die If it saves everyone else. Perhaps…perhaps that’s what Igon meant.”

You will be our savior, Lena Daelyra.

“No," Silas snapped.

“Silas—”

“No!”

I startled and looked away, pulling my legs close. What if Igon did just mean the savior of our people, as in the people of Ames? I assumed he meant all Magekind…but how was I supposed to accomplish that? Then again, I wouldn’t have had to save the people of Ames had Igon not sounded the alarm of surrender.

Godsdamn seers and their inconspicuousness.

After a moment of silence, Silas looked back at me.

“And electricity?” he asked quietly. I knew what he was really asking.

“I had spent my whole life suppressing my magic until I arrived in Ames. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it began to develop when we were in Amethyst Pond,” I responded softly, and Silas inhaled sharply. “That’s why sometimes…it felt like sparks were flying when we made love.” I gave an embarrassed smile. “At least for me, it did.” I looked down, studying the sapphire ring he gave me. “Some Mages, I guess, let it release fully. Apparently, the feeling is like no other.”

I was surprised my comment caused him to blush. “It wouldn’t kill your partner?”

I laughed through my nose. “No. The type that is released during battle is different than the love-making kind. Otherwise, I would’ve electrocuted you when we were in that pond. ”

Color stained his cheeks further, and then we were interrupted by the door opening, a smiling Roland entering with a tray of food, his grin disappearing the second he saw Silas.

Silas’s expression shifted back to frowning. “What the hell are you doing here?” he demanded. Roland stilled.

Shit.

“I asked him to get me something to eat,” I lied. “I…I just was really hungry. I apologize.”

Silas turned to me with an eyebrow raised. I looked back to Roland, whose shoulders relaxed a little.

“So, you decided to bring her your meal?” Silas asked him.

I darted my eyes to Roland.

He brought me his meal?

“What can I say? She’s very persuasive,” he purred and winked at me, causing me to cringe.

Tone it down, for fuck's sake.

Silas’s frown deepened.

“I figured the beaten prisoner deserved a decent meal, La’Rune.” He plopped the tray on the desk beside the bed.

“I didn’t realize that was your call.”

Roland tensed, and then Hendry's tall form entered the room. Gods, the man had to be at least three inches taller than Silas. His mismatched eyes just studied us.

“Era wants to see you, Your Highness.” he drawled. “I do wish not to be a messenger boy.”

Silas nodded. “I’ll be back…” he peered at me. “And we will finish our discussion.” He shot Roland a glare before exiting with Hendry.

Roland and I just stayed in silence for a moment .

“Thanks, Lena,” he said with a half-smile, “Silas would’ve had my balls for showing kindness, though I may not be out of the woods just yet.” He ran a hand through his finger-length brown hair that was kept short at the neckline, looking at the now-closed door.

“Do you show this kindness to all of the prisoners?” I muttered as I stood, eyeing the food on the desk, my stomach rumbling at the smell of it. It had been days since I last ate.

He smirked. “No need to get jealous, Ginger Snap. My kindness only applies to you.”

I crossed my arms and walked over to him, looking at him in disbelief. When I got in front of him, I realized I didn’t even know what to say.

“I am not jealous.”

He leaned in close, and my breathing stuttered. I felt his breath on my neck, spreading chills and that stupid heat across my body once more.

“I have a feeling I could make you jealous if I tried,” he whispered in my ear as his hand lightly grazed my arm. I flinched, but I didn’t push him away.

“You are delusional,” I breathed.

He let out a low laugh, his breath grazing my ear, and my eyes fluttered shut. When he finally pulled away, my lids opened to find him gazing down at me.

What is with this guy?

“Enjoy your food,” he said quietly with a soft smile, then headed for the door.