He twitched, and then his eyes slowly opened, meeting mine. He winced as he lifted his head and rubbed his neck.
“I’m sorry for taking your bed,” I whispered.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he mumbled groggily as he sat back in the chair with his arms crossed. He was still wearing the same outfit. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore. But better.” I looked away awkwardly. “What…what exactly happened to them?” Considering the blood staining his clothes from before, they must've had an intense beating.
“They’re dead,” he said plainly.
My head whirled towards him. There was no remorse on his face, no sign of guilt.
I glanced down and nodded, content knowing those monsters were no longer alive, then observed the deep blue nightgown I wore, not noticing it until now. It was made of silk and hugged nicely around my body, though my breasts were barely held in.
“Where did—” I went to ask where it came from when a knock on the door, followed by a figure’s immediate entry, startled me.
Strolling in was Erabella, wearing a red nightgown similar to the one I wore, along with a black robe that was trailing on the floor behind her. Her body stilled when she saw me, and she frowned, quickly shooting her eyes to Silas.
He stared at her, waiting for whatever she was going to say.
“Can I talk to you?” she asked him in a pissed-off tone.
He inhaled and stood, glancing at me as he made to leave. “You should shower, Lena. There are towels and an extra toothbrush in my bathroom. I’ll bring you a change of clothes.”
Before I could respond, he walked out the door, Erabella giving me a glare before following. The door shut behind them, and I decided a shower would help relax my muscles, assuming the Prince at least had hot water.
I shut the bathroom door behind me and stripped off my nightgown. As I went to reach for the lever in the shower, I caught my reflection in the mirror.
Holy Gods.
Two black eyes, though they were fading, I’m sure thanks to Elowen. My neck was adorned with several hickeys and bite marks, and my arms were bruised.
I looked terrible. I glanced away, intent on enjoying this shower, and turned on the water. I put my hand under the trickling stream and sighed in relief.
Hot. Thank you.
I stepped in, let the hot water trail down me, and instantly released my sob as I recalled what those men did to me. What Rurik did to me.
I was happy they were all dead. Men like that didn’t deserve to exist. I could only hope they were suffering Valor’s wrath in the Underworld.
I scrubbed and scrubbed. I felt dirty and disgusting, and I didn’t know if any amount of soap would ever make me feel clean again.
Chapter Forty-Two
SILAS
“Whatisgoingon,Silas?” Era fumed. We moved into a spare room in the Western Hall to talk privately after I placed a new set of clothing on the bed for Lena, the running water letting me know she was still showering. Erabella stomped the entire way. “Why was she wearing my nightgown? Why didn’t you come to bed last night? Did you fuck her?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and let out a long exhale. “No, Era, I did not fuck her.” Nor had I ever given her a reason to suspect me of being unfaithful.
I contemplated what excuse I could come up with, but I was falling short. Had this been another prisoner this had happened to, I still would’ve killed those men. Rape would forever be unacceptable to me. But would I have treated the prisoner with as much care as Lena? No. Would I have dressed them in Era’s clothing? Absolutely not.
“We aren’t…we aren’t fucking savages. Witch or not, that woman saved Edmund, saved Roland.” I hesitated. “She saved me, too.”
Era raised an eyebrow. “Saved you, how?”
I explained to Era how one of her friends was a shapeshifter and how she nearly ripped my head off before Lena jumped in front of me and blocked her, sending her friend crashing into the ground. Had she not done that, I surely would’ve been dead.
Era crossed her slim arms, her brown eyes narrowing. “Why would she do that? It makes no sense.”
