Chapter 28
As I walk through the castle, I feel haunted by the recent events.
Thatcher walks these halls a free man, even though my brother’s blood is still on his hands.
Keeping this secret will keep Maines safe, so even if it kills me to walk around knowing what he’s done, I’ll take it to my grave if I must.
I wrinkle my nose at my stench, realizing I’m still wearing the same clothes from yesterday, stained with old blood.
Bathing comes first—I’ll only be mocked by her if I show up in this condition.
My bedroom door creaks loudly as it opens.
It feels like forever since I’ve been here, and just as long since I’ve had time for my own thoughts.
The constant buzz of people has accustomed me to noise, but now, I crave silence.
I peel the rotten clothes from my body and let them fall to the floor with a thud.
Looking in the mirror, I see my face splattered with blood, now black from the time that’s passed.
As I unravel my long braid, my hair falls down my back, the dark blood mixing with the strands, the texture crunching under my fingers.
My under-eyes are heavy and the purple tint of my skin makes my eyes pop in the dim light of the bathroom.
Stepping into the hot bath, dark water runs over my body, slowly draining away.
When the water finally runs clear, I plug the drain, letting the clean water surround me.
I rest my head against the back of the tub, closing my eyes before slipping under the water.
I let out a scream that churns the water, like a wave crashing over me.
Think, Briar! What does all this mean?
Still submerged, the sensation of waves crashes over me again, and I feel like I’m slipping back into the second trial. My mind races. I’m okay. Just breathe. I’m in my room.
When I open my eyes, a black figure stands over the tub. My head breaks above the surface, causing water to pool over the edges. As the water clears from my burning eyes, Silas comes into view, smirking against the far wall.
“Gods!” I yelp. “Are you trying to scare me to death?”
“Hello, Princess.” His eyes grow hungry at the sight of me. “Sorry to startle you.”
“It’s quite rude to interrupt a lady during her bath. Haven’t you heard? But I suppose you’ve never been one for invitations,” I reply, propping my arms against the edge.
He kicks off the wall and moves toward me with feline grace. My breath catches as he kneels to become eye-level with me. Picking up a cloth, Silas dips the soft fabric into the water and begins to wash my body. The warm water trickling down my skin almost makes me groan.
He lifts my chin with his finger, our eyes meeting. “I failed you in the third trial. I left you.” His eyes show deep sorrow.
“You didn’t have a choice. I asked you to save Rohhit,” I say.
“There is always a choice, Briar. I chose wrong. If you had died in place of Rohhit, I would have killed him to make it even. I hope you know that.”
I reach out, cupping his cheek, my bare breast exposing itself. “Tell me what you meant when you said you dreamed of me?”
He glances down, his eyes darkening as he swallows hard. “You tell me something of importance first, then I promise you’ll learn more from me.” He winks, and I release his face, angling my head.
I lean back against the porcelain tub. “I believe my mother is leaving me letters.” My gaze remains forward.
“But your mother…”
He trails off as I slowly look at him.
“I know how it sounds, but the clues are there, and I swear it’s her handwriting.
I feel something when I read these letters, like whoever wrote them shares a deep connection with me.
” I continue, “My mother was brilliant. She was the light in this dark kingdom. Kind, joyful, and patient—all the things I am not. She held this kingdom together for years, and I think she’s the reason people stayed for so long.
I think they continue to stay because they’ve seen how this kingdom can thrive when light shields the darkness.
The letters are under my mattress. I can’t seem to get rid of them.
They make me feel like my mother is here, watching over me. ”
He pauses, a silent understanding passing between us, then sighs. “I understand how that feels. To stay in a horrible situation because of someone so bright. You fear that if you leave, your world will be consumed by absolute darkness.”
I respond, my voice laced with calmness, “Who knows where our futures will take us? I think that’s the exciting part about living.
Each day is new and holds the unknown. Destinies can be changed—fates aren’t always set in stone.
We decide our futures.” I return the smile.
“Now, it’s your turn to answer my question.
A promise is a promise, and I take those very seriously. ”
I lean closer to him, resting against the edge of the bath as he acquiesces.
“My family has a reputation for being careless, ruthless, and awful in many ways. But that isn’t the case for all of us.
My father casts his disgusting ways onto his entire family by mere association.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done questionable things throughout my life, but there are good people in Andorwood.
I hope you meet them one day. I hope you see for yourself where I came from and why I’m the way I am.
” He smiles, but there is sadness behind his beautiful green eyes.
Still rubbing my back, his eyes travel down and back up. “For years, I dreamed of you. I didn’t know it was you until I heard your name and the announcement of these trials. When I arrived and saw you in the flesh, my world changed. My world changed for you.”
He lowers his head as if thinking carefully about his words.
“In my dreams, you stand before me, destruction surrounding us. I scream your name, but you don’t listen, or you can’t hear me.
My entire body—my soul—begs me to protect you, but I can’t.
For five years, I’ve watched you choose a darkness like I’ve never seen. ”
A tear forms in the corner of his eyes. “I’ve known you every night for years.
What I feel for you is deep—it’s a need I’ll never fill, and I can’t fight it.
Believe me, in the beginning, I tried. But I gave in.
I gave in to you. I vow to protect you, to worship you, and to always bow to you as my God, my queen. ”
I force him to look deep into my eyes with my hand. “I’ve heard you. In my dreams, someone calls to me. Silas, I don’t respond to your call because you save me. Every time I close my eyes, you’re the reason I wake up from my nightmares. My darkness deep within calls to the darkness inside you.”
He blinks at me, unable to speak at what I’ve disclosed. He’s not alone in these nightmares. He’s with me, and always has been.
His mouth collides with mine, a hunger in him unlike what I experienced before, as the weight of the world lifts from his shoulders.
His hands become tangled in my wet hair as he leans closer, the lip of the tub blocking our bodies from connecting.
He lifts me from the bath, water spilling all around us.
The cold air against my naked body makes me gasp.
Silas moves toward the bed, kicking open the bathing door.
He hugs me tight, my bare skin against his muscular body.
He lowers me onto the soft sheets, gentle and caring.
My hair pools around me like black water.
He stands over me, slowly removing his shirt but never allowing his eyes to leave mine.
The light from the fire dances off his toned stomach as he crawls toward me, his body towering over mine.
A thrill runs through my already molten core as I spread for him, desperate for his touch.
He kisses me once more, and a moan leaves my throat at his taste—our taste together. Perfect.
He parts my legs further with his knee as he lowers his body onto mine.
My hips begin to move against his, seeking the friction I crave.
His hands wrap in my hair, and his kiss becomes wilder as he jerks the hair at the back of my head, exposing my neck.
A yelp leaves my mouth from the sudden pain mixed with pleasure.
He travels down, making sure no area on my body goes untouched.
His mouth wraps around one firm nipple as he sucks hard, his arousal nearly breaking through his pants.
My hands move down his body toward the area I’m desperate to feel.
I take my time exploring his body, my nails digging into his back on the way down.
I reach into his pants, wrapping my hands around his hardness.
The length of him is enough to make me gasp.
A feral groan leaves his mouth as he twitches against my touch.
My other hand travels down to feel my own wetness.
Silas’s hand immediately grabs mine, stopping me from touching myself.
“So impatient, Princess,” he says, his voice deep and serious.
His hands and mouth leave my body, earning a huff from me. “No!”
He leans up, staring at my bare body. His gaze is almost as sensual as his touch.
“Stunning.” Silas grins wildly. “I promised you we would continue what we started last time—I plan to do so with no interruptions this time. Let me show you what our darkness can do together and what I can do to your perfect body.”
Hunger fills his eyes again as he grabs both of my hands, pinning them above my head. “Now, you are going to stay still until I tell you to move. Do you understand?”
I giggle, excitement making my heart race. “I understand,” I nod.
His eyes darken as he licks his lips. “Fantastic.”
Shadows swirl around his body as he removes his pants. His hand continues to hold mine on the bed, his other hand slowly moving to my center, finding my wetness as he plunges his fingers deep into me. A gasp leaves my mouth as I try to move my arms, wanting to claw at his touch.