Page 8 of The Lies of Lena (The Otacian Chronicles #1)

Chapter Seven

T hursdays had quickly become my favorite day of the week. My life had gone from painfully mundane to somewhat exciting. It was both a physical and mental challenge to complete all the exercises he planned for me, even with my daily practice. To keep my mind clear of dirty thoughts anytime he smirked or laughed or just looked at me was a whole other challenge.

By the third week, I was already noticing changes in my body and my stamina. Even though I wasn’t feeling relief from the pain of holding in magic like I always do, it certainly was a good distraction.

“You’ve improved a lot,” Quill commented as I finished my laps in record time. “Now, if you want to really start packing on muscle, you’ll need to focus on what you eat. And how much.”

I groaned. “I’m not ready to learn with a weapon yet?”

“Patience, Flower,” he said as he tousled my hair. I swatted him away, and he chuckled. “What do you eat on a daily basis? ”

I thought about it. We didn’t always have a ton of food in the house. We had been able to eat more these past few weeks, however, thanks to the Queen’s generous purchase.

“It changes, but usually baked goods—bread, pasta, soups. Pizza sometimes. You know…affordable things,” I said sheepishly, kicking at the dirt on the ground.

“Oh, right.” He rubbed the back of his neck and then paused, slightly blushing. “Do you need help with that, Lena?” he asked gently.

I glared at him. “We don’t need handouts. We’re getting by just fine,” I replied coldly. I knew it was a sweet gesture, but I couldn’t take him looking at me as helpless, as poor. It pissed me off.

“There’s nothing wrong with asking for help if y—”

“Just stop!” I yelled, the quiet of the forest even more apparent after my outburst. He clenched his jaw.

His jaw.

Gods, my mind was a scrambled, pathetic mess.

I shook my head. “Just stop,” I repeated calmly.

He approached me and gripped my shoulders. “You feel out of control. Believe me, I know the feeling.”

I gazed up at him, and his solemn expression made me believe him.

I lowered my brows. “Perhaps, but I doubt you know what it’s like to be poor,” I said quietly. “To be looked down on like you’re something different, just because you’re less fortunate.”

Just because you’re a Mage. How could he know the feeling of being hated for simply existing?

“I don’t…but I know how it feels to be dealt a series of cards you didn’t ask for. That you don’t want. ”

“And what cards are those, Quill?” I questioned.

He just gave me a blank stare in response.

I shook my head again. “Don’t expect us to relate on anything when you tell me nothing meaningful about yourself.”

His lips formed a tight line, his hands sliding down my arms and back to his sides in defeat.

After a moment of awkwardness, he spoke again.

“What is pizza?”

I turned to him and narrowed my eyes.

“What?” he asked.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

He frowned, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Even though the Inner Ring was so close, it was like a whole other world.

“You’ve never had pizza before?” I asked incredulously.

He gave a half smile. “Am I missing out?”

I laughed through my nose. “I think it is pretty good. Though it probably pales in comparison to Inner Ring delicacies,” I said, unable to hold the slight bitterness in my tone.

“You’ll have to show me sometime,” he said sincerely.

I looked at him with a raised brow, then smiled softly.

“Perhaps I shall.”

Quill proceeded to tell me how I should eat: higher calories and more protein. Instead of going through my normal exercises, Quill began to show me evasive maneuvers. No weapons were used, but he showed me some of his favorite ways to block hits. We did that for our remaining hours before I was thoroughly spent, and we wrapped up for the day.

We didn’t speak much on our way back. But before we reached the bridge leading back to the kingdom, I said, “Listen.”

His golden eyes met mine, and he wore an expression I couldn’t decipher.

“I am grateful for your help. I don’t mean to…” I sighed as my eyes fell to the ground, attempting to find the right words. “I don’t mean to get angry. I don’t really have an outlet for…for all I feel. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”

I was slightly startled when his hand took mine. I met his gaze once more, and it was as intense as ever. He studied me, his thumb dragging along the back of my hand, and I decided to keep going. “I just wish to know about you, too.” I frowned. “I suppose I don’t understand why you are so secretive with me.”

His jaw clicked. “It is not that I wish to be. It…it is complicated.”

I looked away. “Right,” I mumbled. His other hand found my chin, tilting me to meet his eyes again. The gesture set my heart racing.

“Ask me one thing, and I will tell you.”

I raised my brow. “Anything?”

He nodded. I tried to think of all the questions that I had and which were the most important. I settled with the first that came to mind.

“How did you learn to fight?”

He took a breath, and the hand that held my chin fell back to his side. “I am training to be an Otacian soldier.”

My eyes widened. “A soldier? ”

I didn’t know why I hadn’t considered it. He certainly had the build of someone who would be a soldier. Boys were recruited starting at age twelve but could start training later if they chose. It always surprised me that some parents would willingly enlist their children to fight, though being a soldier, a protector of Otacia, was one of the greatest honors one could have.

“When did you begin training?”

He grinned. “That’s two questions, Flower.”

My shoulders dropped, and he squeezed my hand. “I was twelve when my official training started. However, my parents would give me pointers before then. They wanted me to have every advantage when it came time to train with my peers.”

“You live with both parents?” I asked.

“I do,” he said with a frown. “I couldn’t help but notice I have not seen your father,” he hesitated. “If you wish not to speak on it, I understand.”

“No, it’s alright.” He traced his thumb along mine. I couldn’t tell him the truth, so I told him what my mother told those who asked. “My father passed away before I was born. I never knew him. Waylon was his name, which Mother’s business is named after.”

“I am sorry for your loss,” he said with apologetic eyes, and I felt guilt wash over me.

Another one of my fucking lies.

I gave him a small smile, and we continued to walk, his hand sliding free of mine. “I suppose I don’t know what I am missing.”

“Well, my father is alive, but our relationship is not one to envy.”

“How so? ”

He tensed. “He…he is not the loving sort—quite a cold man. I cannot recall ever even being hugged by him.”

I looked at him in sad surprise, and he gave me a pitiful smile before looking forward as we made it over the bridge.

“Do you train with the Prince?”

He stopped and frowned at me.

“It’s just,” I continued, “I’ve heard whisperings about the Prince here and there. They say he is a great fighter.”

Quill smiled slightly. “I don’t train with him per se, but he is training amongst us Inner Ring initiates.”

I gasped. “So, you’ve seen him?”

Quill quirked a brow and followed it with a smirk. “I didn’t take you for one of the many girls that gawk over the idea of the Prince.”

I rolled my eyes and nudged him with my elbow. “I do not gawk. I am simply curious.” I looked up at the obsidian castle as we entered the kingdom. “I just can’t imagine how lonely it must be for him.”

In a way, yes, I could.

As we continued our path to my cottage, I stopped and spoke again, lightly touching Quill’s arm. “Thank you, Quill. For letting me in a little.”

He smiled at me, and his face slightly flushed. His lips parted, but before he could give me a reply, a scream came from down the road.

Our heads quickly turned to see Otacian soldiers lined up, a couple of them dragging a woman and man from their home. I recognized them. Iliera and Xaro were their names. They were friendly neighbors, and Mother sometimes played cards with the brown-haired woman on Sunday afternoons.

“Please! Otacia is my home!” she cried .

“Otacia is no home to witches,” the soldier replied harshly.

No way.

People began to gather around, yelling slurs at the couple and spitting at their feet. When a Mage was banished from Otacia, they were thrown out with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The kingdom confiscated all belongings, whether personal or for survival. It was then up to the Mages to survive in the forests and find another place to live, though it wasn’t a surprise if hateful citizens decided to hunt them down.

The only positive was it was spring, so at least they need not worry about the elements.

The guards pushed them forward, the crowd’s words making me want to vomit. They were people, just like them. Good people. Iliera’s tears were overflowing, and then her frightened eyes met mine.

I didn’t show fear, anguish, or disgust like those around me. Instead, I gave her a grave nod.

My heart hurt for her, and she saw it in my eyes before I forced the expression away and turned to walk back toward my home.

I hoped she felt seen. I hoped she knew that in this kingdom—this world full of hateful humans…she was not alone.

I am not alone.

Quill followed me, remaining silent until I stopped at my cottage door.

“Lena?” He grasped my arm, and I slowly turned to him. “Witnessing that affected you,” he stated softly.

“Yes. It did,” I muttered.

“Is it because you don’t feel safe?”

Yes, but not in the way that you think .

“It is a scary thought," he continued quietly. "Their kind being able to blend in so easily…that they’re able to hide their ears.”

I squeezed my hands tightly, my nails digging crescents into my palms in an attempt to hide my shaking. “They were kind,” I whispered. “I knew them. And they were kind. I don’t enjoy the thought of them being thrown to the woods with not a single belonging.”

He looked at me with raised brows, and after a moment of silence, Quill replied, “What a beautiful heart you have.”

My brow furrowed as I looked up at him in surprise, and he gave me a warm smile in response. “I must go now, though I so badly wish to stay,” he murmured. To my surprise, he kissed me on the forehead. “I will see you next week. Practice those maneuvers.”

I nodded and watched as he strolled away.

I was left flushed and confused. My sorrow for the couple remained, but the thought of Quill’s words brought a small smile to my face.

I was used to the sadness that came with the hatred of my people. No, it wasn’t an everyday occurrence that Mages were discovered and thrown out of the kingdom.

As I entered my home, I wondered just how many of my neighbors held the same secrets that we did.