Page 16 of The Sins of Silas (The Otacian Chronicles #2)

Chapter Sixteen

LENA

I woke up to the smell of vanilla and sandalwood…and sex. When my hazy gaze opened, I found that I was lying on Roland’s chest, our legs tangled together under the sheets.

“Morning, Ginger Snap,” he whispered sleepily, a lopsided grin showcasing those gorgeous teeth. His hair was tousled, presumably from my fingers running through it, and he looked…well…sexy as fuck.

“Hi,” I whispered back, a smile creeping over me.

“Did you have fun last night?”

I ran a finger down his hard stomach. “Too much fun.” Memories flashed in my mind: his thick, wet length in my mouth, his face as I rode him, his lips wet from licking me…

“Flushing at the thought?” he asked in a low purr .

I pinched his side, and he hissed, grinning widely. My eyes couldn’t help but notice the hardness of him under the sheet. I bit my lip and met his eyes as he ran a hand along my back.

“Can’t get enough, Lena?” He dipped his hand lower and squeezed my ass.

“You’re so damn cocky,” I laughed, then slid my hand that was resting on his stomach under the sheet, gliding my fingertips over the blunt head of his manhood. He inhaled sharply, his cock throbbing at the touch, and I tightened my hand around him fully and began to stroke.

“Godsdamn,” he breathed, his eyes, appearing more sepia-colored this morning, rolling back.

“I might argue that you are the one who can’t get enough,” I purred.

His half-lidded gaze found mine, and he smirked. “Yet you’re the one grasping my cock.”

I loosened my grip and gave him a playful smile. “Do you want me to stop?”

“Please, no.”

He moaned as I quickened my pace, then chuckled softly.

“Fine, you’re right. I can’t get enough.” He grasped the hand that was working him, halting me to a stop. He kissed my cheek, then whispered in my ear, “I want to fuck you again, Lena.” He pulled back. “May I?”

I bit my lip and nodded, and Roland pulled me onto his lap in a swift movement.

“You are so hot,” he whispered, grasping my breast with one hand and angling himself inside me with the other. My breathing hitched as I sat on his thickness, feeling deliciously sore .

Roland ran his hands along my back, then gently pulled me close so I was held in his arms, resting on his chest. His pace quickened, and I unleashed my cries of pleasure as he found both of our releases.

After a few minutes of lying beside each other, sweaty and thoroughly spent yet again, Roland and I had a conversation about our expectations. I told him I wasn't ready for anything serious, certainly not in the middle of a war, so we both agreed we'd have fun with one another—nothing exclusive unless that grew to feel right for us.

“Friends who fuck. That sounds perfect to me,” he had purred. I chuckled at that.

I snuck to my room, thankful not to have run into anyone in our group. I quickly saw to my needs, showered, and brushed my teeth, noting the slight difference in my expression in the mirror above the sink.

Satisfied.

I smiled to myself before spitting out the paste Dani was kind enough to offer, and after rinsing my mouth I scrunched my still damp hair with the provided towel and let it dry as I moved on. I fished through the bag of cosmetics Dani gifted me, and once I applied a fresh coat of mascara, blush, and the lip gloss again…it was the first time in a long while I felt like me.

After slipping on a black chemise and ochre corset, I made my way down to the dining hall, breakfast being served buffet style. I had a feeling one of the best parts of having Silas’s wealth during this journey would be the amazing food we could afford.

A pleasant aroma of coffee, sweets, and bacon filled the room. Silas, Era, Elowen, Edmund, and Viola were already sitting, so I quickly loaded my plate.

Carefully holding my dish, I sauntered over to my group and sat next to Edmund across from Silas and Era. Everyone was busy eating, so I began to do the same, shoving a forkful of syrupy pancakes into my mouth. I had to stifle a moan at how delicious it was.

I tried to keep my eyes off Silas, but his hair, too, had been freshly cut, and the style was remarkably similar to Roland's. In place of armor, he wore a dark shirt, the sleeves rolled up to showcase his golden, tattooed forearms. I wished I could study the designs, but I could only spare quick glances without it seeming odd.

He looked good. Really good.

When he caught my eyes for probably the tenth time, he asked me, “How'd you sleep?”

I tried not to choke on my pancake. “Good. Great.” My eyes nervously fell, and I resumed eating.

“You’re looking rather well, Lena,” Era noted with a smirk. “Very…well rested.”

I slowly lifted my glare, wanting to clobber her, but then my eyes sensed Roland. He had just entered and was at the end of the room, picking up a plate and speaking to Hendry. His brown hair was damp, and when his eyes met mine, a sweet smile fell over his face, causing me to suck in my bottom lip and look down at my plate again.

“I suppose I am,” I said with a soft laugh, cutting another piece of pancake. Era let out a similar laugh, and when I glanced up, my smile vanished, Silas’s expression causing my stomach to drop .

He was pissed .

Did Era tell him about last night?!

Oh fuck.

Wait, why was I worried?

If he’s upset, he should get the hell over it. He has a wife, after all.

My eyes darted back down to my plate, and I continued to cut my pancakes just as Roland and Hendry reached the table. Roland sat beside me, and Hendry sat next to Silas.

“Got enough pancakes, Ginger Snap?” Roland teased.

I went to stab him with my fork, and he chuckled. “What? I can’t be hungry?” I asked as I popped a forkful in my mouth. Three pancakes weren’t a lot. Well…jumbo pancakes…and bacon and eggs.

“You must’ve really exerted yourself, hm?” His eyes went down to my lips.

When I froze, his eyes playfully met mine, and he laughed softly. His eyes danced to his own plate, and he lifted a piece of bacon and took a bite.

I watched the column of his neck work as he chewed and swallowed.

Gods, he is hot. Annoyingly hot.

I refused to look at Silas, but out of the corner of my eye, I noticed his fist clenching where it rested on the table, revealing the whites of his knuckles.

Merrick was the last to arrive. He set his plate down, sitting beside Era.

“This really is an interesting development,” Era continued with a grin .

My eyes shot up, but Era was looking at Merrick over her shoulder, the Empath's eyes beginning to swirl dark. He studied her, then raked his gaze across the table.

Enough, for fuck's sake.

Merrick’s eyes settled on Silas, then Roland, then me. His dark eyes faded, and his cheeks grew red. “O-oh,” he stuttered.

“Uh…what’s going on?” Edmund asked slowly, his eyes skating between Erabella and me. Elowen looked over to me with a raised brow.

“Lena, can I talk to you?” Merrick asked quickly.

Tithara, spare me.

I sighed. “Yes,” I grumbled, scooting my chair away from the table to meet with him outside in the courtyard.

The breeze was cool this morning as I shoved open the wooden door. The sky was a light grey as if rain might be on the way.

I eyeballed him beside me as we walked, his silver-white hair lying down his back. When we were far enough away, standing near a tall willow tree, he turned to me with a cocked brow, his icy blue eyes going dark once more.

“You need to read me again?” I drawled.

He gave me a deadpan stare. “I’m not my cousin. Although with all the emotions I felt—”

“I slept with Roland.”

His eyes broadened, churning back to icy blue.

“I don’t see why it’s such a big deal!” I exclaimed, throwing my hands up. “Am I not a grown woman capable of making my own decisions?”

“Well, we know it’s a big deal to someone.” He crossed his arms. “I could feel his rage before even entering the room. ”

I rolled my eyes. “So he can fuck Era, and that’s okay, but I am not allowed to move on? How does that make sense?”

Merrick sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I wasn’t agreeing with it, Lena.”

“I know…I know.” I ran my hand through my hair and let out an aggravated exhale. My eyes flickered to the inn as I saw Silas heading our way. “Fuck me.”

Merrick’s eyes darted between us. “We’ll talk more later. Good luck,” he said with a wince as he patted my shoulder. He sauntered away, passing Silas as he trudged over.

I clenched my jaw. “I-I was just going back inside—”

“No,” he said sternly, halting me in place.

I didn’t bother to hide the annoyance in my voice. “What do you want?”

“Please tell me you did not fuck him,” he growled.

I blinked, then let out a humorless laugh. “Who I fuck is none of your business,” I replied sweetly.

He choked on a laugh, then looked away, waiting a moment before his furious eyes shot back to mine. “Why are you doing this, Lena? To hurt me?”

“Hurt you ?” I let out a dry laugh. “I have sex with someone, and you make it about you? You’re allowed to move on and be happy, and I can’t? That’s an attack on you ?”

His eyes darkened with fury, his fists shaking at his sides. “So, you admit it, then,” he said in a voice that was all too calm…it unnerved me. “You slept with him.”

“Yes. I did.” I crossed my arms, giving him my best fake smile.

His eyes flared, just for a moment, his chest rising and falling as he tried and failed to hide the signs of his rage. His body pressed closer, causing us both to fall back under the drooping branches of the willow tree.

“Do you know how easily I could kill him?” he taunted.

I craned my head up to sneer at him once my back hit the tree's trunk. “Do you know how easily I could stop you?” I didn’t bother saying kill. We both knew I’d never do that. “Don’t you dare fucking threaten me, Silas.”

I pushed him back with both palms, but he stayed firmly planted before me.

My gaze scorched into his. “I can watch your wife run her hands along your thighs, see your flushed faces when it's so obvious to everyone you two had just screwed,” I continued, my lip curled and my eyes now burning from the attempt at holding in my feelings. “But poor Silas can’t handle the thought of me sleeping with someone.” I tilted my head up further and looked at him down my nose. “Fuck off.”

I went to trudge past him when he grabbed my arm and pushed me back against the willow tree, holding me in place. Its long and narrow leaves blew around us in the crisp morning wind.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said in a low voice. He leaned down, and his breath brushing the shell of my ear ignited something in me I wanted to shove far, far away.

My body stilled, my heart hammering in my chest. Silas’s expression changed, too, his eyes dilating, his lips parting. His golden irises studied me, dropping down to my lips, then back to my eyes again as if in a battle.

We were protected beneath this tree—its branches hiding us from any onlookers.

My breathing picked up as he leaned in closer, his lips now grazing my ear. “You can’t actually be surprised that I’m angry. ”

I let out a shaky breath, my eyes falling shut. The dreamy scent of pine and citrus overwhelmed my senses. If I turned my head even slightly, my lips would graze the inked skin of his neck.

“I'm not, Silas…but am I not entitled to feel anger, too?” I whispered.

He stayed close for a beat longer, chills spreading across my body at the feel of his breath against my ear. I flinched as his fingertips trailed up my forearm, my chest rising and falling, my eyes squeezing tightly. I wondered if he would keep touching me under this tree…if his hands would find other places.

But then he drew away, and I thought I would faint at the lazy smile he gave me—Gods, how I have missed that face. Unlike before, though, his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

His smiles never reached his eyes anymore.

The expression faded as quickly as it came and went back to that stony look. “You can obviously do as you wish, Lena. But for the love of the Gods, please keep the flirting to a minimum. Unless you want Roland dead.”

His audacity was mind-blowing. I let out an incredulous laugh. “Very well,” I replied. “So long as you keep your flirting and groping and kissing to a minimum as well.” I walked in close, and it was me who whispered in his ear this time, my voice low and sweet. “Or perhaps I'll make a public display and fuck Roland right in front of you.”

I pulled my face back, and Silas’s pupils were dilated as he stared down at me and wet his lips. There was heat in his gaze…but it wasn't as much anger now as it was hunger.

The corner of his lip tilted up. “Cruel siren,” he murmured, and I shuddered as his fingertips grazed my cheek. “You drive me insane. ”

Holy hell, my entire body was fucking vibrating .

“Did he please you as I have?” he purred.

It went against every feeling I had. What I wanted was to say, ‘fuck it’ and pull his lips to mine. I wanted to taste him again. Feel his bare body pressed against my naked skin.

But I was upset. So, in typical Lena fashion, I lied.

“He pleased me even better.”

The words tasted foul as they came out, and the flickering of Silas’s expression nearly had me calling my bluff. But his hurt only shone for a moment before he cocked his head to the side.

“Then I suppose it’s better for us both that we have moved on,” he said quietly. He turned away, pushing through the hanging willow branches, and Ravaiana, damn me, I wanted to reach for him. But I resisted, even as it ate me alive.

I waited a few moments, collecting myself, steadying my breathing so my heated cheeks would fade before I returned to my friends.

I hated that he affected me this way. Half a decade later and my traitorous body still responded the same to him. Perhaps even more so, knowing just how much I couldn’t have him.

I suppose everyone desires what they cannot have, right?

I shook off my nerves, wandering back into the dining hall. I sat down at the table immediately after entering, shoving another forkful of now-cold pancakes in my mouth.

“Everything okay?” Roland asked me with a raised brow, and then he glanced at Silas, who wrapped his arm around Era’s waist.

“Yeah,” I said after I swallowed a mouthful. “Just peachy.”

My eyes darted to the opening double door, and in walked Dani. Her blue hair was up in a high pony, and she wore a tight navy shirt and black leather pants. The straps of her top crossed over her chest and wrapped around her neck, her cleavage visible through the opening.

“Good morning,” she greeted, a bright smile on her face as she crossed her arms. “I’m here to take the girls shopping.”

I raised a brow, looking over to Erabella, then El, then Viola, all of us equally surprised.

“Shopping?” Viola asked skeptically.

Dani’s blue eyes sparkled. “Hell yeah, shopping.” She plopped down next to her, resting her elbows on the tabletop. “After you eat, of course.”

“What about me?” Roland pouted.

Dani shot him a smirk. “Ladies only, I’m afraid. But don’t worry, Leroy will take you guys out to get some clothes, too. ‘Cause these—” She motioned to our outfits. “—beautiful as they are, are not fitting for The Freak Show.”

“The Freak Show ?” Edmund asked slowly. Silas narrowed his eyes.

“Yup,” Dani said, popping the ‘p’ as she leaned forward. “It’s only the best part of Forsmont.” She lowered her voice. “A circus where we Warlocks don’t have to hide. Well…not entirely.”

“I’ve always wanted to go to a circus,” Elowen said excitedly, and Edmund kissed her temple.

Merrick’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t acknowledge their affection otherwise. “I didn’t see any tents,” he commented, eating the last forkful of his waffles. “Where is this Freak Show anyway?

“I guess you’ll have to see,” she purred.

“We really have more pressing matters to deal with,” Silas interjected, but Dani raised a hand .

“An evening of fun won’t ruin your plans. In fact, it’s probably just what you guys need.” She drummed her fingertips along the wooden table. “Now, hurry up and finish eating.”

After breakfast, Dani led the girls out of the inn just as Leroy was entering. Roland not so subtly grasped my ass, and I even less subtly swung my fist into his arm. We both were grinning like idiots. I really enjoyed Roland…the lightness to his personality was honestly everything I needed.

I didn’t look to see Silas’s face, but I hoped it was red with rage. Served him right.

We ambled through the village, and I took note of how tall the buildings were. Tall and crammed. The cobblestone walkways were kept in pristine condition. Even with the drowsy weather, this place was radiating with ebullient energy.

I almost walked right into Vi when she halted to a stop.

“Wait,” Viola said. “You brought us to a lingerie store?”

“What?” Dani grinned, grasping the doorknob to an establishment with sexy outfits displayed in the windows. “This place has the best corsets.” Dani pushed through the door, the bell chiming above us, and waltzed inside, us following right behind. “We’ll find one for each of you and get the rest elsewhere.”

“I’ve never worn a corset before,” Elowen commented, eyes wide as she took in all the sexy apparel around us: corsets, bras, garters, and stockings.

“I’m sure Edmund will love it,” Erabella teased, and Elowen gave her a bashful smile .

Why is she such a pleasant person?! It’s making it hard for me to hate her.

“Oh, absolutely,” Dani added. “The Freak Show is a…sexy affair.” She ran her fingertips along a sleek black corset. “Well, it can be. The main area is a family event. Animals, clowns, food vendors.” Her cobalt gaze slid to Era’s. “But there are different tents. One side, my favorite, has exotic dancers on a stage—a variety of different performers. People dress kinky and have a lot of fun.”

It was Erabella’s turn to flush. “In front of the children?”

“Gods, no.” She grimaced. “Those who wish to dress more provocatively must cover themselves in the family areas. Once they enter the adult area, they can remove the outer layers.” She waved at the person working, who emerged from the back with a large grin. Dani turned her attention back to us. “I figure we get you guys corsets to wear with a dress, if you want, that is. Anything else you wish to purchase is fine, too.”

We girls slowly exchanged glances, then broke off, scanning the various items displayed in this quaint store. Eventually, everyone’s apprehension was replaced with smiles and giggles, holding up clothes against our bodies and asking what each other thinks.

Everyone but me.

I was off in a corner, studying a particularly stunning corset, when Dani strode up to me and crossed her arms.

I turned my head toward her, and we had a mini-staring contest before she eventually conceded.

“Alright.” She huffed. “What’s your deal?”

My brows drew together. “Deal? I don’t have a deal.” My eyes went back to the corset.

Would this be too much to wear?

“Is it because of what we are?” she asked quietly .

My head spun to hers. “What? No…I’m…I’m just surprised by your kindness,” I admitted, looking away. At her silence, my eyes tore away from the rack of clothes, once again finding her bright blue eyes. “Our kinds have been at each other's throats for a long time.”

Dani smiled. “While the Warlocks are magical beings as well, yes, there still is some animosity between our kinds. But you somehow convinced the Witch Slayer to be on your side.” She shrugged. “If you two can find common ground, if you can look past your differences, why can’t we?”

My eyes fell, and as her words registered, a small smile crept on my lips. “I suppose you’re right.”

Dani clasped my shoulder. “Get the corset. It’s hot.”