He shook his head. “No, but I caught him sneaking out of the castle once. I was shocked no one else seemed to see him.” He ran a hand through his white-blond hair, laying messily across his forehead, the rest of the length just below his jaw. “I decided to follow him, and that’s when I saw—”
My eyes bulged. “You didn’t see us—”
“Nothing inappropriate!” He blushed and shook his head. “I saw you two in that park of yours. Laying together, eating treats. Then it made sense why the last few months he’s seemed so…happy.” Torrin crossed his arms. “I never mentioned it to him or anyone. But I recognized you right away. It appears he has told the Queen of you, though.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded.
“It’s dangerous for him to sneak out like this.”
“For him or me?”
“The Queen may be on your side, but the King is another story.” He leaned close, gripped my arm, and whispered into my ear, “I know what you are, Lena Daelyra.”
My whole body went numb, and his grip on my arm tightened. “Keep your curtains drawn when you are practicing magic. You never know who is peering through.” He pulled away, staring intently into my eyes. “I am like you.”
I couldn’t respond. I couldn’t breathe.
He knows. An Otacian guard knows I am a Mage.
“I will be in touch,” Torrin said before he departed, and when I opened the door to my home, Mother ran to me crying.
“Lena! Dear Gods, where have you been? I thought something had happened to you! That note—” she cried, pulling me close. That’s all it took for me to break down and weep into her arms. She pulled away, concerned.
“What happened to you?” she demanded, holding my face.
And so, I told her everything.
Chapter Nineteen
SILAS
Icannotbelieveshefollowedme.
I began to undress in my room, changing into my training attire. I ran my fingers through my hair after my tunic and breeches were on, wanting so badly to run out of my room and explain myself.
She probably hates me now.
I sat on my bed and started to slip on my leather boots when I heard a knock on the door. I knew it wouldn’t be her, but I couldn’t stop my stomach from flipping at the hope of it.
“Come in,” I mumbled.
The door slowly opened, and Mother walked in.
“Well, that could’ve gone better.” She shut the door behind her and crossed her arms. “Why haven’t you told her, Silas? I thought you were going to weeks ago.”
I sighed, slipping on the other boot. “I was going to, but…” I trailed off. “I just never found the right time.” I shook my head and bit down on my lip. “I can’t stand that I must wait to see her. She has to be furious with me.”
“Yes, she is,” Mother said softly, uncrossing her arms. “But she does love you, son.”
“How could you know if she loves me?” I muttered.
“I just do.” She walked over and sat next to me on my bed. “Giving her time to process and cool off won’t be a bad thing.”
Mother was always insightful—always seemed to know how and when things would work out. Still, I sighed.
Just under three months ago, Mother had come to me with an offer. To sneak out of the castle for one morning and finally be able to see part of the kingdom. Ever since I was young, when my sister Aria was kidnapped and killed, I had been trapped in this Godsforsaken castle.
I was grateful when my training had started. I learned the way of the sword and other forms of fighting alongside future soldiers, and that’s where I met my best friends, Edmund and Hendry, and one of my biggest inspirations, Torrin.
