Page 56 of The Sins of Silas (The Otacian Chronicles #2)

Chapter Fifty-Six

SILA S

L ena was behaving…oddly. Perhaps it was an attempt to play things off.

Guilt consumed me every time I looked at Era or held her against me. It was wrong to be unfaithful to her. The only thing I kept telling myself was, ' Pretend like it was one more time you made love to Lena in the past,' though I knew it wasn’t the same.

And I couldn’t get her out of my damned mind.

I loved Era, and I knew she loved me. But our relationship had started out as a mutual benefit. I was required to get married. It was difficult enough putting it off as long as I did, and Era needed an escape from her shitty family.

I had grown to love her, but it was never like what I had with Lena. Had I known she was alive, I never would have touched another female.

All the Mages, along with Dani, were glamoured again—rounded ears and, in Dani's case, eyes with pupils. Lena's long hair was kept in a braid that was resting on her chest.

I couldn't help but stare at her from the side and note the ease on her face. How was what we had done not eating her alive? Not just the guilt, but the overwhelming desire for more?

I couldn't keep my hand off myself when I showered this morning, biting my lip to contain my moan as I stroked myself to the thought of her naked body and the faces she made while I was driving myself inside of her.

I am a wretched man.

My arms were around my wife's, holding the reins of our horse as we headed for Wrendier. After spending my last moments at Saoirse's grave, we left. Torrin had mentioned how one of the ancient temples was on our way—Temple Celluna—and that it would be a good place to take a break.

Every night that passed until we got there drove me mad. Lena continued to ignore me, hardly even flitting her eyes in my direction. The only bit of peace I had was that she remained in her own tent, not sharing one with either Roland or Torrin.

I didn't initiate with Era, and surprisingly, she didn't initiate anything with me. Just a few soft kisses every night before falling asleep.

Temple Celluna was unlike anything I had ever seen. The white, concrete building was enormous, the very top shaped like a dome. In its intricate design, thousands upon thousands of flowers and leaves were etched into the material. It was miraculous. It had to have taken years to complete.

It had been five days since we left Faltrun, and by some miracle, it had been an easy, danger-free trek.

“Each of the temples has nine points…nine exits,” Elowen began.

Lena loosened a breath. “Nine points…for nine Gods.”

Elowen's head was craned, studying the architecture just as Dani spoke. “I never knew why each temple was designed in such a way. Now, it makes sense.”

“Who runs these temples?” Hendry asked Dani, who sat in front of him.

“Human clerics,” she responded. “As I'm sure you all know, humans worship the same Gods we do…same names and all that. They just believe the Gods had no hand in creating us magic folk…that we are abominations. Anomalies.”

“Sounds like a great place for us to visit,” Merrick drawled with a fake smile. Era turned her head, smiling at his humor.

“Why are they constructed in such a way, then?” Erabella asked. “The nine pillars…”

“These temples were constructed hundreds, if not thousands of years ago,” Viola answered, “when our kinds coexisted. It is only in the recent centuries that humans have shifted their beliefs.”

“Will we even be welcomed here?” Hendry narrowed his eyes as we were getting closer. “What if they have grown corrupt?”

Dani shrugged. “Then we kick their asses. I dunno.”

Roland chuckled. “Can you imagine? Fighting clerics? That just sounds wrong. ”

As we approached the looming building, the summer sun beaming down on us, no one came out or attempted to stop us from getting closer.

“It's quiet,” Lena noted, those stunning eyes searching.

We halted our horses before one of the nine entrances. Pausing for a few moments, and still no sign of life, we hesitantly dismounted our rides.

“Now, be a good little horse for us, Donut, and wait out here,” Roland cooed as he stroked his horse's mane.

We all hiked up the many steps leading up to the temple, and as we reached the entrance, Lena began to step in. I instantly tugged at her arm. “Hey, we don’t know if there are any traps.”

“This place feels…right,” she said, slowly staring up at me. “You don't feel anything off, do you?”

I shook my head, releasing her from my grasp and whispering, “No, but that doesn't mean regular enemies don't reside here.”

She smiled, and the sight sent my heart racing. “I think we could take any other enemy.”

I swallowed, and before she could take the first step inside, I did.

And my shoulders slumped at the sight.

Clerics lay mangled and deceased, their blood splattered against the marble interiors. Black swirled against their flesh, and I knew instantly that the Lord of the Shadows was responsible.

The rest of my friends filtered in, all gasping, covering their noses. This battle had been brutal, and judging by the state of these bodies, it had to have occurred a few weeks ago. The smell was revolting enough to make your eyes water.

“Bloody hell,” Dani gasped. “What a mess.”

Elowen gagged, and Edmund grasped her shoulders, leading her back outside.

“We should survey the space,” Lena said, wincing as she held her hand under her nose. “The necromancer must've been searching for the Weapon here…or looking for answers of some sort.”

“Or he is just a sick fuck and enjoys harming others,” Merrick replied.

“I agree with Lena,” Torrin interjected, eyes trailing upward. “The sanctuary is at the top of this building. I believe the stairs circling upward lead to it.” His eyes scanned the surroundings before noticing a set of double doors. “My guess is that leads downward—to the altar room.”

“I'll search the sanctuary,” Lena offered.

Before Torrin could offer, I said, “I'll go with you.”

Lena gave a simple nod, and I noted a feathering in Torrin's jaw. “Fine.” His eyes slid to his cousin. “Merrick, you come with me. We'll check out the altar room.”

“What about the rest of us?” Dani asked.

Lena turned to the Warlock. “I was thinking that you and Vi scout Wrendier. Considering it is only a day away, I figured you two could fly…see if the kingdom seems anything like Faltrun.” She swallowed, her fingers brushing her collarbones. I noticed she did that anytime she was nervous. “For all we know, Ulric could've joined forces with them, as well. I don't want to go through what we did again. We need the upper hand.”

Dani nodded. “In an eagle form, we could probably reach the kingdom in five hours and be back another five after that.” The Warlock glanced at Viola. “You up for that?”

Viola 's full lips pulled into fake consideration. “Let me think, stay in this eerie temple, or soar the skies…” She grinned. “Of course, I'm up for it.”

I smiled at her. She was wearing the silver hair rings I purchased for her. They looked badass and beautiful at the same time wrapped around her braids.

“Hendry and Roland, you two keep watch with Elowen and Edmund.” I glanced at my wife and at the bow and quiver secured at her back. “You too. Stay close to Hendry.”

She nodded, and the men obeyed. As Torrin and Merrick headed for the altar room, Viola and Dani shifting and soaring into the sky, I followed Lena up the marble steps.

She was silent, eyes darting to and from each body that littered the steps. Blessedly, as we ascended, the smell grew less and less pungent.

“I have a question for you,” she asked, and my pulse picked up. She angled her head toward me as we continued up the steps. “What do you know of your mother's father, Ramiel?”

My brows lowered. I wasn't expecting that to be the topic of discussion. “Not much. I never met him.”

She sighed. “Damn.”

“Why do you ask? And how did you know his name?”

“Do you remember your favorite painting? The one in the art gallery in your castle?”

I nodded slowly, unsure where this conversation was going. “How do you know my favorite painting?”

She frowned. “I…your mother told me.” Gears appeared to be turning in her mind, but she shook her head. “Anyway, I remembered the painting title.” Her green gaze slid to me. “Rebirth.”

My brows drew together. “As in the God of Rebirth? ”

“I think so.” She focused on the steps before us; there was still a ways to go before we reached the top. “Your mother had told me her father had it commissioned in Faltrun. Well, when I was investigating the art shop in town, I saw that it had a sister painting titled Purification.”

I swore.

“I know,” she agreed. “The crazy part? Your mother's father titled the paintings and came up with the descriptions.” She was a few steps ahead of me when she halted, turning to face me. “It makes no sense. Why did Ramiel commission paintings that reference two of the new Gods? Why are those new Gods symbolized in the Otacian crest?”

My eyes flicked between hers. “I wish I knew.”

She chewed on her lip, eyes dropping. “Asael Nefeli is the name of the painter. Apparently, Ramiel came back to Faltrun last year and said something that had Asael fleeing to Halsted and becoming a part of their army.” Her eyes flicked back to me. “And apparently, he told him to…to save me.”

Goosebumps spread across my skin. “Save you? From what?”

“Hell, if I know.” She turned, continuing up the steps, boots clicking as they touched each one. “I don't know how Ramiel knew of me…unless your Mother told him of me, told him my name.”

“But why would she think you in danger? Other than at the time, the obvious.”

Lena stopped again. She looked over her shoulder. “What do you mean, the obvious? She didn't know I was a Mage.”

“I know. But she knew of our relationship, one that would not be accepted.”

Her brows drew together, eyes going to the floor before she resumed walking .

“No matter, it doesn't make sense for her to tell her father about it, especially if the man wasn’t really present in her life. Where does she hail from, by the way?”

“Eretesia. I'd assume my grandfather still resides there.”

It was quiet between us for a minute. “Your mother was a good woman. Perhaps her father, too, disagreed with the treatment of my kind. Perhaps he, too, was a witch sympathizer.”

“Doubtful he remained one, considering how she was killed,” I muttered bitterly, feeling a little winded after walking up so many steps despite how fit I was. When we finally reached the pronaos, thankfully clear of bodies, I grasped her hand.

She stilled, nervous eyes flitting up to mine.

“We need to talk about last night.”

Swallowing, she pulled her hand away. “There are more pressing matters, Silas, than where I was. Why do you even care?”

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, then let out a dry laugh. “Are you really asking me that?” I dropped my hand, stepped closer, and backed her into the hallway's wall. I closed in, placing my palms on the concrete on either side of her head.

“I shouldn't have reacted that way afterward.” I acknowledged gently. “I shouldn't have left you in tears. I don't loathe you, not at all, Lena. I loathe the situation we are in. I loathe how I feel because it would be so much easier to feel nothing for you at all.”

Her eyes turned to saucers. “S-Silas…what are you—”

“I love you so damn much,” I breathed, my face falling. “It kills me not being able to have you. It kills me to think that could be the last time I ever make love to you and that I left you in such a way afterward.”

I'd never seen such widened eyes on Lena's face. Her head slowly shook back and forth. “I… what…when—”

“You don't have to say anything.” I pushed off the wall, stepping back. “I just…I'm sorry, Lena.”

I sighed through my nose, head falling, and ambled toward the Sanctuary.