Page 14 of The Sins of Silas (The Otacian Chronicles #2)

Chapter Fourteen

LENA

W hen my eyes fluttered open, they went directly to the clock at my bedside.

8:10 pm. Damn, I slept for a while.

I sighed, sitting up and rubbing my eyes so hard I saw stars. I wasn’t sure what everyone else was up to, but I could assume they all showered and rested just as I had…though my sleeping schedule had been the most screwed up.

My thoughts drifted back to that Vampire. Daris. I glimpsed at my wrist, free of any scarring thanks to Elowen, and wondered how the man had survived in that pass. How long had he been surviving? He could be hundreds of years old, for all I knew.

I yawned. I was decently rested, and now all I could think of was Roland and that damned kiss .

Did he even want me anymore? We’d hardly spoken since my confession about my miscarriage, and while he did mention he was eager to get me alone, he could have been teasing.

I decided to hell with it; I was going to go to his room. My hair was all down for once, and my curls were shiny and bouncy from my shower. I crossed my arms, unsure of what I was going to wear. I could head over in this, my shorts and long-sleeved shirt…but perhaps that was too forward.

I glanced around my room until my eyes caught my dresser. On it lay folded-up clothes with a note. I padded over, picking up the small piece of paper.

Some clothes to wear while you visit.

-Dani

I fingered through the garments, entirely grateful. I slipped on a new pair of underwear, then opted for a black dress, its length ending right above my knees. It was held up by two straps, and luckily, I didn’t need a bra with it. It was corseted in the back, accentuating my slim waist as I pulled the laces tight. Last was a fresh pair of socks and my boots, which I noticed had been cleaned.

I went back into the bathroom and studied myself in the mirror. I still looked drained…I still felt like a stranger was staring back at me.

My attention went downward as I examined Ryia’s necklace, wondering just how this piece of jewelry could provide me with answers of some kind.

Sighing, I peered down at the vanity and noticed a pouch with another note atop it.

In case you like to get dolled up, not that you need any.

-Dan i

Yep, I decided I really liked Dani. I reached into the pouch and grinned as I layered on black mascara, dusted blush on my cheeks, and put on some lip gloss.

To an unknowing eye, you’d never guess what I had endured the past couple of months. I had leaned out since I was last in Ames…starving will do that. But I still appeared healthy.

My mind was anything but.

Should I even go out? Should I even try with him?

I was startled by a knock at my door. Smoothing the wrinkles out of my dress and brushing my hair behind my ear, I opened the door to find Roland grinning, his smile quickly falling.

He was wearing a maroon tunic, tight black pants, and black boots. His hair had been cut—he must’ve done that while I slept. The sides were shaved short, the length on top longer, and styled off to the side with some gel.

My lips were parted as I took him in.

“Holy hell, Ginger Snap.” His eyes roamed over my body, and then his bright smile shone as we made eye contact. “You look stunning.”

I felt my cheeks heating but straightened my back. “I like your haircut,” I said softly.

His eyes sparkled. “Yeah?”

“Yeah…” I gave a shy smile, and then I cleared my throat. “I was actually coming to find you. I was wondering if you wanted to…hang out.”

He narrowed his eyes, a smile on his face as he replied, “ Hang out?”

I crossed my arms, mostly to hide the trembling of my hands. “I just wanted to get out of my room,” I muttered .

“Well…I’m headed to this spot Dani told me about. Drinks, dancing,” he said excitedly. “Want to come with me?”

My grin turned evil. "I'd love to come with you.”

Roland blinked, then barked out a laugh. “See! I'm rubbing off on you.”

I spared him a glance as I shut and locked my door. “My mind's first response to that is, 'I can rub you off.' I'd argue that you have corrupted me.”

He laughed harder, and my heart skipped a beat as he interlaced our fingers and gazed down at me in what almost appeared like adoration. “I'm so glad I met you,” he murmured lovingly. Then, he pulled us toward our destination.

The bar called Lost Anchor was lively, with many people already crowding the tables and couches scattered about. It was a rustic-style cabin that rested along the shore of the sea, with tall wooden beams and twinkle lights dangling from the ceiling.

There was a performer off to the side, playing guitar for tips. The sound was calming as people chatted and drank their cocktails. It was too early for the dancing to begin—Roland informed me that at around ten, the lights get low, and the now empty sunken room and stage in the center of this bar would be crammed with moving, sweaty bodies.

“So…” I drawled as I sat across from him at a high table, Roland handing me the fruity drink he ordered me.

“So…” He sipped from his first glass, grinning like a fool. He had ordered us two drinks each.

I swallowed my beverage, savoring the warmth that spread through me from it, then rested my cheek on my fist. “What'd I miss while I slept the day away?”

My eyes dipped when Roland pulled his glass away from his mouth, his tongue swiping along his bottom lip. His eyes scanned the menu before us. “Nothing much. I woke up around three, nearly cried when I ate something fresh, and got this haircut.” He motioned to his cropped hair, then smiled, his eyes lifting. “Then, I waited for you until I couldn't any longer, hence the knocking on your door.”

I returned the expression before my stare nervously lowered. “I can't wait to eat,” I sighed, peering down to scan the menu. Despite this place being on the water, there were limited seafood options. I decided to order herb-crusted chicken breast and a side of mashed potatoes, and Roland ended up doing the same.

“How original,” I teased as we handed our waitress our menus.

Roland's heated smile remained, and as I studied him, sipping from my drink, I couldn't understand how anyone could dislike him.

“Why is your group so annoyed with you at times?” I asked.

He scoffed. “Aren’t you always annoyed with me?”

I chuckled and glanced down, sipping my drink again. “Yes. In a good way, though.”

The corner of his lip raised. “Oh?”

I met his eyes and beamed when I noticed the amusement shining in them.

“Having been a higher-ranking soldier, I could be a bit of a dick at times,” he started. “There were times in training I would be…well, a cocky douchebag.” I laughed at his comment. “But honestly, Hendry, Edmund, and I get along perfectly well. They aren’t as bold as me, but I have their respect. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so eager to let me in on your little plan.”

That made sense. “And Silas? Where does his animosity come from?”

His brows drew together, his sight falling to his lap. “I’m not sure of that one. He doesn’t have much of a sense of humor.” He shrugged, and I couldn't help but notice a slight tremor in his hand as he downed his first drink. “Probably jealous,” he mumbled.

Silas always had the best sense of humor when I was close to him, but it was obvious he had changed a great deal. Was he actually jealous of Roland?

Both of them were beyond good-looking. I couldn't see it being that. Yes…perhaps if his feelings lingered, he would feel a certain type of way watching him flirt with me. But their conflict appeared to go far back.

“So,” I began, changing the subject. “See anyone you want to take to bed tonight?” I questioned boldly.

He smirked at me, then shifted his gaze around the room, puckering his lips and tapping his finger to his mouth. “That girl over there seems like a fun time, or perhaps her friend,” he commented, pointing to two elderly women sitting at the rounded bar in front. I giggled, and his hazel irises found mine. “Really, though, there's this beautiful, copper-haired woman I wish to take to my room.”

My face heated, and I laughed, eyes falling to the wooden table before looking out at the different people mingling around. My eyes landed on a man whose gaze was locked on Roland.

“It looks like that guy is checking you out.” I laughed, and Roland turned his attention to the handsome man .

“Hmm…perhaps if you weren't here, I'd explore that option,” he murmured.

I widened my eyes, and when he glanced back at me, he let out a chuckle.

“I actually do like both males and females,” he confessed.

“Oh…” I blushed as I sipped on my drink, glancing back at the toned man, who was now focused on someone else after Roland peered in his direction. Was he as attractive as Roland? No. But he was decent.

“Does that surprise you?” he asked while bringing his second drink to his lips.

“A little…” I admitted before I smirked, liquid courage filling my veins. “So, are you a top or bottom?”

He choked on his drink, and when I burst out laughing, a dazzling grin took over his face.

“My, my, Lena. I really have rubbed off on you.” He bit his lip. “What do you think?”

I studied him as I leaned back in my chair. Honestly, I couldn’t picture him with a male…he was so masculine. Though he, of course, had his pretty face.

My eyes trailed back to the man who had been gawking at him. He had a muscular build similar to Roland's, and his hair was short and dark. I shrugged. “I’d say you like to switch it up.”

He chuckled, sipping more of his drink.

“Well?” I pressed, and then my eyes widened at the sight of his reddening cheeks. “Oh. My. Gods! You are blushing!”

“No, I’m not,” he mumbled into his glass.

“Yes, you are!” I giggled. “I can’t believe I have made the Roland actually blush. Am I making you uncomfortable? Gods , I hope I am.”

He rolled his eyes and nursed his drink. I continued to study him with a shit-eating grin.

“Okay, fine…both have their…pros, I suppose,” he conceded, pulling his lips to the side, failing at concealing the enjoyment this conversation provided.

I was the one to blush now, picturing him with another male. “So, which do you prefer, guys or girls?”

He rested his knuckle on his cheek and let his smile loose. He thought for a moment. “Being with men is fun. But I prefer females. Most of the men that I'm attracted to usually don't return the feeling.” He shrugged. “Plus, I couldn’t see myself coming home and saying, “Hi honey!” to a guy.”

I tapped on my glass with my long nails. “So…men are more for excitement than love?”

His bottom lip protruded, and he nodded. “That’s a good way to put it…” He sipped. “Though I haven’t been in love before, with a male or female, so what do I really know?”

I couldn't help my inquisitiveness. “Have you been with any of the soldiers?”

“You’re awfully curious, aren’t you?” His eyes sparkled. “Just one. Not anyone from our group, obviously.”

I was about to open my mouth to ask another question when Roland held a finger to my lips.

“Now, my turn." His lip curved upward, his voice going low. “What do you prefer, Lena?”

My heart began to race. “What do you mean?”

He trailed his index finger over my bottom lip. “Well, I’m assuming you only like men.”

“That is correct,” I agreed, my eyes getting heavy .

“So, what’s your type?” he asked, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms. His self-satisfied smile was infuriating.

Damn him for getting me all hot and bothered.

I thought while staring into my second drink. “Tall. Tan. Tattooed. Dark hair.”

Silas. Roland.

I made an internal decision not to think of who else was my type, whose appearance was different from that of the two Otacian men.

“Hmm, it seems I fit the description,” he replied smugly, just as our waiter brought over our food. My mouth watered at the smell, and Roland and I were fairly silent the twenty or so minutes it took us to demolish everything.

“That was so good,” I huffed, leaning back and patting my belly. “Fuck bread, honestly. I want to eat like that every day.”

Roland placed his silverware on his now bare plate. “One day, Ginger Snap, we will be feasting like kings ourselves.”

I grinned and surveyed the bar, and my eyes widened to see Hendry chatting with some woman near the bar top. “Whoa,” I began, and Roland angled himself in his chair to look behind him.

It was rare to see Hendry with any facial expression, but here he was with a smile. Even from our distance, I could see the dimples in his cheeks. He had had a fresh haircut as well, the sides shaved and the hair on top lying at his brows. His mismatched eyes were focused on the woman in front of him.

A woman around the age of my mother.

Roland let out a soft laugh and turned to face me. “Yeah, Hendry has always been into the older ladies.”

My eyes rounded. “No way. ”

A glint of amusement shone in his eyes. “We’ve all given him shit here and there. But really, who are we to judge?”

I nodded slowly, my eyes darting back to Hendry. “I suppose you’re right.” I sat back in my chair, still surveying the two: the woman’s hand dragging along Hendry’s toned arm, the slight flush in his cheeks. She was pretty but clearly much older than him.

“You seem more surprised by that than by my confession.” His lips parted playfully. “Or perhaps you’re jealous?”

“Ha-ha.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s obviously handsome.” Very handsome. He had that type of beauty Silas did. Another sip. “But, no, I’m not into him like that.”

He looked back again at Hendry, who then noticed our attention. He narrowed his eyes, then rolled them before leading the lady presumably to his room.

“I had a thing for him before,” Roland commented, eyes on Hendry as he left the bar.

That caught my attention. I sat up in my chair. “For Hendry? You did?”

Roland set his empty glass down. “I did. A small crush. When I was fifteen…before I’d ever been with anybody before.” He laughed, crossing his arms. “Hendry was eighteen at the time. He was strong and clearly the tallest man in any room you walk in.”

It was true. He had to be around 6’6”.

“He easily could’ve beaten the shit out of me for coming on to him. But he was kind. He didn’t humiliate me or treat me differently. He just apologized and said he didn’t return the feeling.” Roland gazed at the dance floor again, a band now setting up, and a small smile crept its way on his face. “He still wished to remain friends, though. I appreciated that.”

“Do you still have feelings—”

“Gods, no.” Roland chuckled and gave a shiver of disgust. “I view him now as a brother. Edmund, too.” His smile fell, eyes dropping to the ground. “Same as Silas…even though he hates my guts.” Before I could interject, he continued, “But what about you, Ginger Snap?” His hazel eyes became half-lidded as he studied me. “Do you have any feelings for someone?”

My heartbeat quickened, and I smiled bashfully before chugging the remainder of my drink.

As I placed my empty glass down, the lights went off, and loud, sensual music began to play from the band on stage. People began cheering, making their way to the dance floor, moving against each other in dances I had never seen before. The women were slowly rubbing their hips on the men behind them.

The lights started to flash, and the woman singer on stage began to belt. I stared in wonder.

Roland stood, reaching for me. Without exchanging words, I placed my hand in his, and we wandered into the crowd.

Normally, I would be way too shy to attempt anything like this, and if I did, I would be apologetic the entire time. But the drinks made me confident, so I turned my back to Roland. Whether it be liquid courage or Roland’s natural confidence, I didn’t know, but he placed his hands on my hips, sliding them down my thighs. As I felt the bass vibrating in my chest, I began dancing, grinding up on him and not caring who saw.

I leaned my head back, resting it on his chest as we continued to dance against one another, and I let my eyes shut, savoring the feel. Not two enemies. Not two fugitives on the run. Just two friends living in the moment.

I let out a soft moan as I felt him harden against me. “Roland,” I breathed, though I wasn’t sure if he heard over the blaring music. Chills spread across my body as his lips pressed against my neck. A soft kiss followed by a light nip of my skin.

I smelled him now…vanilla and sandalwood. It was intoxicating.

I ground against him harder, and he groaned, turning me to face him. His eyes met mine with profound fixation before focusing on my lips. My heartbeat quickened, and before I knew it, Roland’s hand slid behind my neck, angling my face up to him.

He whispered into my ear, “You were headed to me before I knocked on your door, weren’t you, Lena?” There he went, using my name as a sexual weapon.

Why did I love it so much?

I nodded.

“Why?” he purred.

“You know why,” I murmured, our breaths now mingling.

Those beautiful lips curved into a half-grin. “Not good enough, Ginger Snap. Tell me.”

I swallowed. “I want to fuck you,” I confessed.

Roland’s eyes widened at my bluntness, and I couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled in my chest. My laughs quickly evaporated as Roland pressed his mouth to mine, his free hand snaking around my body to grip my ass through the soft fabric.

He grunted into my mouth, then pulled away. “My room. Now.”

I left with him. We drunkenly stumbled up the steps in the inn, giggling like children as we made our way to his room when we passed Era in the hallway. Her eyes enlarged just as a knowing smile crossed her face.

I guess what we were about to do was obvious.