Page 5 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Four

W hen we returned to the cottage, I quickly handed Mother the sage before she insisted Quill and I wait outside. The last thing we needed was for him to see her enchant the elixir. I thought he’d finally leave, but he said since he was heading back up to the Inner Ring anyway, he’d stick with me until my task was complete.

How annoying.

Though, if I was being honest, it was nice being in the company of someone other than Mother.

Quill had his hands in his pockets and didn’t bother to hide himself staring at me.

“I…” I started. “I planted most of the flowers around the cottage.” I internally cringed. I was not too fond of small talk, but the awkward silence was a tad worse.

“Really?” he asked, now scanning around our home. “You didn’t strike me as a flower girl. ”

My cheeks heated.

Why would a dirty peasant girl with anger issues strike anyone as a flower girl?

His smile finally returned as he met my eyes. I twiddled my thumbs, turning to view my work.

“It helps…taking the time to tend and grow something.”

“Helps what?”

I stared at the vines trailing up the side of my home.

It helps deal with all the rage inside me…deal with the pent-up magic that wants out more than anything.

I never expressed to Mother the difficulties I had…how awful it felt to just exist on a day-to-day basis. She had enough to worry about.

Before I could respond, Mother flew open the door and handed me back my crossbody with the new elixir and scone, the fabric still damp from the broken brew from earlier.

“It’s 9:30. You’re going to have to hurry.” She glanced at Quill and gave a warm smile. “Thank you, again, for all of your help.”

He nodded, giving her a dazzling smile. “My pleasure.”

“Let’s go,” I mumbled.

We quickly made it to the first home, where a lady had purchased a single scone, the one that bitch took a bite of.

I knocked on the door and smiled as a woman answered the door.

“Delivery from Waylon’s, ma’am,” I chirped as I handed over the wrapped scone.

“I thought it would never get here,” the woman whined. She shoved the copper into my hand and then shut the door, not even giving as much as a thank you.

“My Gods,” Quill breathed. “I did not receive reactions like that. ”

“That’s because you are one of them,” I muttered. I looked again at the giant clock tower built in the Center; its time was visible throughout the entire kingdom.

9:43 a.m.

“Come on, let’s get this finished.”

We quickly strolled past an area that gave an excellent view of the castle. I stopped in my tracks every time I passed it, glaring upward. Today, the sun beamed down on its intricate obsidian exterior, casting an imposing shadow over the Inner Ring. Its gothic style was both chilling and stunning. I couldn’t help but marvel at it every time.

Quill stopped beside me, studying me as I looked up in awe.

“I always wonder what it’s like up there in the Center. Never having to struggle or starve or use cold water,” I said with quiet resentment. I met eyes with Quill, who looked at me like I was a kicked puppy.

“I don’t need pity…I was just thinking out loud,” I said quietly while averting my eyes.

We continued walking and came up to the last house. I had grown to know Gerald and his daughter Guinevere, who was around my mother’s age. Gerald was sick with some disease, making it hard for him to get out of bed these days. My mother’s elixirs had shown significant improvement in him, allowing him to enjoy his daily walks again these past weeks.

I took another deep breath.

“Do you want me to do it?” Quill offered softly.

“No,” I sighed. “They are nice.”

I knocked on the door, and Guinevere answered, her usually beaming face nowhere to be found .

“Oh, Lena,” she cried. “I’m sorry. My father passed away a few days ago…”

I froze, my eyes finding their way down to the elixir in my hand. Mother’s words came back to me. “I don’t do the full potency of my power. Just enough to slowly heal over time.”

The amount she was using must not have been enough…

“I will still pay for this, of course,” she reassured me as she touched my shoulder. “This has been a great help to us. Seeing him go to his favorite coffee shop, walk around while enjoying the weather…it has been a blessing.”

My shoulders sagged. “I’m so sorry for your loss,” I said solemnly. “Don’t worry about purchasing this. It’s—”

“No, I want to.” She carefully retrieved the elixir from my grasp. “You never know when something like this will come in handy again,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

I nodded, attempting to keep my lip from quivering. She handed me the copper.

“Tell Minerva I said thank you.”

I nodded, and she shut the door.

Quill and I stood in silence, and I wiped away the one tear that rolled down my face. I stiffened as he ran his hand up and down my back in a comforting motion, goosebumps spreading across my body in response to his touch.

“You've offered them a wonderful gift,” he whispered. “You can’t always save everyone…”

“We can’t save anyone,” I corrected softly. “Can only help ease their suffering. At least we were able to do that. ”

I turned to him, unable to look him in the eyes. Seeing another look of pity would send me over the edge. I extended my hand, holding the little bag of bronze I had just received. “I already spoke with my mother. She agreed we would give you this for your help.”

“I appreciate that, but—”

“Just take it!” I shouted as my eyes shot up to his. His golden eyes widened, and he stepped back. “Please, don’t look at me like you’re too good for our money. Take. It.”

His lips went into a tight line as he eyed the coin pouch. He reluctantly took it, and I sighed in relief, my shoulders drooping as I looked at the ground.

I stiffened as he gently grasped my chin and tilted my face upward. My stomach flipped as my eyes met his, the morning sun illuminating the striking honey hue of them.

“I do not think any less of you for living in the Outer Ring, I hope you know,” he said confidently. “Not even a little bit. In fact, you are the most fascinating person I have ever met.” He gave me a lazy smile.

I felt my face flush. “You don’t need to lie to me,” I breathed, trying not to focus on the butterflies in my stomach. The corner of my lip turned upwards. “You damn brown-noser. Most fascinating person? Please.”

He snorted. “I’m not lying.” His eyes danced as he brushed my hair behind my ear, utterly unaware of the pointed cartilage that was hidden with magic. “Your attitude excites me, actually.”

Chills once again went down my body at the smokiness of his voice.

No, no. I will not fall for an Inner Ring boy.

“You’ve only seen a fraction of my attitude.” I crossed my arms. “I don’t think it would be as exciting at its full capacity.”

He chuckled. “Is that a challenge, Lena?” he purred. The sun beamed down on us, his golden skin looking even more beautiful against the light. It was certainly a contrast to my pale skin, which could blind someone if they looked at me too long.

He must be playing with me. I swallowed, and after a moment, I broke our gaze when I glanced at the clock.

9:58 a.m.

“Oh my Gods!” He recoiled at my reaction. “I have to get back to the Outer Ring!”

He whirled towards the clock and, with no words, grasped my hand and started pulling me toward my home. “They’ll arrest me if I’m still up here!” I cried.

“That won’t happen. We’ll make it,” he assured me.

And we did, with just seconds to spare. He ran down the steps with me as I caught disapproving gazes from the guards now stationed at the entrance.

We stopped to catch our breath after a few steps into the Outer Ring. Just in time.

After a moment, I couldn’t help but start laughing at how close we were. Quill, still catching his breath, looked at me with happy surprise.

Once my laughing died down, I just smiled at him. “Thank you again. You really saved my ass today.”

“It was my pleasure,” he replied, once again with that lazy smile that was beginning to affect me.

“How can I repay you? ”

“Didn’t you already?” he asked as he waved the coin bag.

“Oh, right,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Although,” he continued, “you could repay me by showing me Amethyst Pond, the place you told me about.”

“I knew the copper wasn’t enough,” I smirked.

“As I told you, the money is unnecessary.” He stepped closer. “It is just an excuse to see you again.”

My heartbeat quickened, and then my smile faded.

I couldn’t get close to anyone. Certainly not in any romantic sense. I didn’t want that anyway. Getting close to him would put us at more risk, and I would not have it.

I glanced at the sword on his back.

Still, there was one way he could be useful to me—one way he could actually help in giving me back some of the power that I always denied myself.

“I’ll show you Amethyst Pond on one condition.”

“Alright,” he said with an intrigued look.

“Teach me how to fight.”

He blinked.

I told myself I was not interested in him or his friendship. But learning to fight in a way that had nothing to do with magic could be just what I needed. Gardening could only help so much with all the pent-up trauma I had.

“I don’t know anything about fighting nor how to use my dagger properly. You said it yourself—it doesn’t hurt to know how to protect myself. I want to know everything you do.” I stepped closer to him. “Teach me.”

He considered, pulling his lips to the side .

“Very well,” he said after a beat, then turned to walk away.

“W-when will I see you again?” I exclaimed.

He half turned to me, giving me his signature lazy smile. “Soon, my Flower.” And he strode away.

I just stood there, comprehending all that just happened.

Flower? That’s my nickname?

I slowly turned toward the cottage and tried to hold in my smile.

Flower. That bastard.

I wore a grin the whole way home.