Page 70 of The Sins of Silas (The Otacian Chronicles #2)

Chapter Seventy

SILAS

T he ballroom was nothing short of amazing, just like the rest of this city. Sparkling chandeliers made of blue crystals hung from the high ceilings, matching the shimmering throne at the front of the room. An enormous table was filled with the most decadent desserts, and on the other side of the room, a large drink fountain trickled with a spiked punch.

Era's head was still bugging her. She looked beautiful, though, with her orange and gold gown.

She was with Elowen, who wore a bright pink ruffled gown that matched the shade of her hair. Edmund was beside her, and that same shade was woven into the design of his grey suit.

I loved seeing such a bright smile on my friend's face with his arm wrapped around her. I loved seeing the admiration in his eyes when he glanced at her .

My gaze trailed down to his carbonado fingers, moving upward to brush against his lover's skin lightly. To think only a few months ago he was about to die…only to be saved by those we were sworn to kill.

I sighed, my stare trailing over to Hendry, who was filling a glass for himself and Roland.

Hendry had been the first of us all to lose his virginity, but he'd never tell us the story of how. Not only that, but he’d also never had an actual girlfriend, just late-night rendezvous with strangers. Strangers who were middle-aged women.

I never quite understood why he preferred them.

I was standing off to the side, waiting for Lena to enter. I could only assume that she was getting dressed in an ensemble to rival Lucretia's, who wore a massive, sparkling blue gown. Kismet sat on her lap, wearing a tight, navy silk dress—certainly less flashy than Lucretia's, but still beautiful.

I waited and waited and waited, and then there she was. It was of great effort to keep my face neutral…impossible.

Lena walked in, accompanied by an ensemble of the Supreme of Nereida’s servants. Her gown was made with the most stunning hues of purple and light blue, tight and sleeveless, until right above her knees, where the gown spilled out onto the floor. Its design glittered in the light.

It reminded me of the few Sea Nymphs we’d seen, their captivating tails.

Her copper waves were in a half-up, half-down style, just like how she’d worn it when we met. Only this time, it was far more intricate, with seashells and pearls spread amongst her tight coils.

My knees threatened to buckle at the sight. She was so fucking ethereal. Really, the word ethereal didn’t do justice to how intoxicating she was. She was otherworldly, her beauty ineffable. No one on this planet could compare.

I watched as Valter’s eyes skimmed over her, a smile growing on his face. Jealousy crawled its way through me. I didn’t blame other men for looking at her with desire—how could they not? I couldn’t, however, eliminate the feeling of wanting to smash in anyone's face who did.

She was mine .

Valter seemed like he was about to make his move, but I quickly weaved through the people separating us and swooped in first.

“May I have this dance?” I requested as I reached out my hand to her.

This close, I could see the way they did her makeup. Shades of blue and purple surrounded her eyes, making that warm green appear ever brighter.

Lena’s cheeks stained with color at the sight of me, and a small smile tugged at her lips as she replied, “Of course.”

I put my hands around her hips and pulled her against me, her hands crossing behind my neck.

“I see Valter is rather fond of you,” I noted, my eyes narrowing ever so slightly as I watched him across the room. He wasn’t looking this way; he was simply conversing with another guest at this ball.

“Ha, I suppose so.” She lifted a brow. ”Are you worried he'll woo me?”

I snorted. “I am more worried about how it'll come across if I kick his ass in front of everyone here.”

She giggled, and I twirled her in my embrace. “You are such a buffoon. ”

“You are such a beauty,” I whispered, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

Her glassy eyes met mine as I drew away. “So are you...”

I blinked, then bit back my grin before the two of us laughed.

“I may have had a little too much wine while they got me ready,” she admitted with a chuckle.

“You deserve a good time,” I replied softly, so desperately wanting to drag my teeth down the side of her neck.

“We all do.” Those damn green eyes greedily took in my face, her fingers running through the hair at my nape.

“Lena,” I growly quietly. “You can’t do that here.”

She tilted her head to the side, giving me innocent eyes. “Can’t do what?”

She lightly tugged at my hair, and I felt my cock swelling in my pants.

I leaned my head forward, my lips mere centimeters from her ear. “I have little self-control around you as it is.” She let out a breathy exhale, and I grinned. “But you pulling my hair?” I jerked her closer, pressing my erection against her torso. “The threat of me bending you over a table and taking you in front of everyone should frighten you.”

I withdrew ever so slightly, pleased to see the goosebumps covering her skin. Pleased to see her half-lidded eyes.

“I wish you could,” she uttered, her eyes sinking to my lips. “I wish…”

Dangerous. This was way too dangerous.

My hands tightened on her waist, and Lena’s doll-like eyes gazed up at me. “I wish I could stay like this with you. In this moment. ”

It was hard to ignore the pain behind her expression. The same could probably be said of me. But this was supposed to be a fun night. A happy night. If anyone deserved one, it was her.

“You know I do, too.” I twirled her, another sweet giggle slipping free of her lips. I held her close to me again. “Let’s try to make it last as long as we can.”

I pulled her even closer, and we began to dance to the slow tunes. Her chin rested on my shoulder, my arms holding her against my chest. “I imagined us being like this, you know,” I murmured into her ear.

We stayed like that for a few moments, slowly swaying to the music. “I did, too,” she replied with a gleam in her eyes. “Even though I knew we couldn't have it. I imagined many evenings like your birthday ball…like the Summer Solstice festival. Dressing up with you and just…having fun.” A few more notes played before she said, “I have missed having fun with you, Silas.”

I closed my eyes, running my thumb along her back. I knew we were dancing on an exceptionally fine line—knew that anyone looking at us must have had raised eyebrows at the affection we were showing one another. But at that moment, I didn’t care.

“I am so grateful you’re alive, Flower. It still feels like a dream most days.”

She pulled away, her hands still resting on the back of my neck. The energy between us was undeniable.

“You are so damn beautiful,” I whispered.

I wanted so badly to kiss her—wanted to meet the strokes of her tongue with my own. Wanted to feel myself buried inside her again. Wanted—

“Silas . ”

Lena jumped, and we broke our gaze to see Erabella standing beside us, hands on her hips. I then realized the slow music had already stopped and moved on to the next song.

She turned to Lena with narrowed eyes. “I’d like my husband back if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, right, of course.” She bashfully backed up, dusting her dress off.

“Valter wanted to see you, by the way,” Era added, her gaze flicking to the handsome Prince at the front of the room.

“Oh! Okay.” Lena turned to me and gave me a soft smile. “Thank you for the dance, Your Highness,” she said quietly, giving a cute curtsey before walking away.

My eyes were still following her when Era questioned, “What was that?”

“What was what?” I asked dishonestly, putting my hands inside my pockets.

“I’m not stupid. That wasn’t just a friendly dance!” she hissed, stepping forward into my view. “You two practically had your tongues down each other’s throats!”

I chewed the inside of my cheek, staring off into the distance. “We’ve been through a lot. We were just…talking.”

“Do you have feelings for her?”

My eyes shot back to hers.

Era’s lip trembled, her arms crossing as she asked me again, “Do you have feelings for her, Silas?”

I didn’t have it in me to lie anymore, nor did I have it in me to tell her the truth.

I hesitated. I fucking hesitated.

I hated myself when I saw my wife’s face crumple, and as she went to turn away, I grasped her arm. “I’m sorry, Erabella… ”

She refused to meet my stare for a few moments before she shot me a glare over her shoulder, a single tear trailing down her face.

I released her arm and watched as she hurried out of the ballroom.

I should go after her—convince her that it’s her that I love. My feelings for Lena aside, she was my wife, and I would choose her.

But I couldn’t…because I wouldn't.

I angled my body in the opposite direction, wishing to drown my sorrow in liquor once I saw Lena in Valter’s arms, smiling as they danced to the more upbeat tune that was now playing.

This Prince seemed kind—just. He seemed like the type who would never be led astray, whose morals would remain despite anything life threw at him.

Lena fit in with the people here. They treated her with the respect she deserved, unlike Otacia, who viewed her as a mere peasant. As a monster.

She deserved better than me. Better than my kingdom. I knew that. But I didn’t know if it was possible for another to love her as much as I did.

I trekked to the punch bowl, filling up another glass.

Viola had her arms crossed beside it, staring off at those on the dance floor. Her purple braids were freshly styled—tight to her scalp. But unlike before, where all her braids reached the ends of her hair, this time, the intricate design remained on her scalp, the rest of her long hair loose and curly. Well, aside from the few braids scattered throughout, adorning the silver rings I had gifted her. A few of her curls were pulled loose, framing her face .

She looked fantastic. In her pointed ears dangled a pair of diamond earrings, and the sparkling grey gown she wore seemed even brighter against her smooth, dark skin.

“Don’t dance much?” I asked lightly.

Her purple eyes slid to mine, her lip curving upward. “Not as much fun without a date.”

My brows drew together. “I thought you and Merrick—”

“He dumped me just before this.”

My eyes widened. “O-oh. My apologies.” I turned my head, noticing that the Empath was nowhere to be seen.

She shrugged, sipping her drink. “It's not like we were actually dating. I will always love Merrick. But he was right. He and I aren’t a match in that way.”

“Still hurts, I imagine,” I mumbled, sipping the sweet drink. The alcohol burned in my throat, a warmth blooming in my chest. Just what I needed.

She shrugged again, and I gave her a half-smile. “You’re a beautiful woman, Viola. Surely there is someone here who’d wish to have a dance with you.”

She quirked a brow at me, and I downed my drink before holding my hand out to her.

She analyzed my offer for a moment, then cursed, throwing her drink back. When she grasped my hand, I led her to the dance floor.

Viola was a confident woman, but as my arm went around her waist, her almond eyes darted up to mine in uncertainty.

“I like the new look," I said, motioning to her new hair.

She grinned as we began to sway. “Thank you. I've been dying to have it done—I'm thankful there are people here who know how to work with my hair type.” She hesitated. “And I'm really grateful for the hair rings, Silas.”

I laughed through my nose. “I know you are. I'm glad you like them…unless you're wearing them out of pity.”

She laughed loudly, her body loosening as we continued to move to the music. “I love them,” she assured me.

“Who would’ve guessed that in the span of a few months, you would go from wishing to decapitate me to being my dancing partner,” I teased.

She laughed at that. “I still may wish to decapitate you.”

I snorted, then twirled her around. When she was back in my arms, she asked, “What was that with Lena?”

I flexed my jaw. “What do you mean?”

“You two were behaving very…intimately.”

I stared into Vi’s eyes, then decided to hell with lying. “I am in love with her.”

Viola’s eyes bulged, a small gasp leaving her lips as we continued our dance. “What did you say?”

“I am in love with Lena.” I shrugged in defeat, sighing as I did so.

“Does…does Lena know?” she whispered. “Does she feel the same?”

“It is complicated,” I replied quietly.

“No kidding. Have you told Era?”

“She…” I ran my hand along my face, then wrapped it back around Viola’s waist. “She asked me just now about my feelings. I froze.” When I met Vi’s violet gaze and saw that her eyes were filled with compassion and not judgment, I decided to continue. “I don’t wish to hurt her. I care for her, too. Be she and I—”

“Aren’t a match in that way?”

I supposed Viola did understand. I nodded.

Her lips turned upward. “Who would’ve guessed the Prince of Otacia would be confiding in me his relationship drama? That we’d be…”

“Friends?”

She failed at holding in a smile. “Yeah. Friends.”

I chuckled, twirling her around. “I certainly wouldn’t have believed it if you told me so months ago.”

She stared off while we swayed. “I can’t imagine an arranged marriage to someone you’d never met prior being wildly successful,” she continued. “And I suppose you can’t help who you catch feelings for.” Her eyes widened. “Wait… wait —”

“Yes, Lena is my Soul-Tie,” I whispered, and Viola blinked rapidly. “Apparently, your seer is the one who told her so, more or less.”

“That is why she saved you,” she breathed. I resisted the urge to cringe. It wasn’t a lie, just not the full story. “Why you helped save her…holy Gods.” She glanced over my shoulder, peeking at Edmund and Elowen, who were dancing a few feet away. “What are the odds?”

“Odds that make one believe the universe is on our side.”

To that, she beamed. “I am happy I was wrong about you, Silas.”

I returned the expression, my eyes trailing along the dance floor. My gaze caught on Dani, who was in their male form, a woman in his arms as they danced.

When I peeked back at Vi, she was staring at him. “What’s holding you back?” I asked.

“Hm?” she slowly broke her gaze.

I gave her a knowing look. “Aren’t you interested in Dani? ”

Her eyes flared, her cheeks heating as she hissed, “No!”

I chuckled, twirling her around. “My apologies.”

I didn’t suppress my smile, and Viola sighed. “Fine. I have had…thoughts.”

I quirked a brow. “Oh?”

She squeezed my side. “Don’t say anything.”

“I wouldn’t dare. I rather like my head just as it is.”

She grinned, rolling her eyes. “She…challenges me. She makes me laugh. And, obviously, she’s breathtakingly beautiful.”

“You aren’t into her male form?”

Vi blushed. “I like it, too. Very much.”

“Best of both worlds, I suppose,” I chuckled.

She laughed, too. “I imagine so.” Her eyes fluttered back to Dani, the Mage woman in his arms giggling at a joke he must’ve said.

“I think you should go for it.”

Vi laughed through her nose. “Yeah, right,” she replied sarcastically.

“I mean it.” I gave Vi a warm smile when she spun her head toward me. “I have a feeling Dani feels the same toward you.”

“You’ve talked?!” she hissed.

I sucked my lips in, pretending to zip them closed.

She bit the corner of her lip, then glanced over to Dani again. He met eyes with her this time, a crooked smile taking over his face.

“Go,” I said. “Life’s too short for unexplored avenues, no?”

Vi shot me a grateful grin, and I inclined my head just as she made her way to Dani, his eyes flaring ever so slightly, finding their way to mine.

I gave Dani a wink, and as I watched Lena exit somewhere with Valter, I decided to turn in for the evening. There was no point being here without her.