SONG RECOMMENDATIONS: MY DEMONS BY STARSET.
Connor's hand trembled with fury as he pressed the blade against Silas's throat. The sweat beaded on his brow, his eyes wild, unblinking. "Connor, no!" Lucinda's voice cut through the tension, but he barely heard her.
Federick gently took Theodore's hand, leading the boy out, though Theodore cast anxious glances back at his mother.
Silas's gaze never wavered, remaining calm, almost mocking, as if the blade against his throat was nothing more than a bothersome insect. "Because it wouldn't be a gentlemanly thing to do," he drawled, voice dripping with condescension.
Connor's grip tightened on the hilt, rage boiling over. He was prepared to spill blood right then, right there, but Silas merely shifted his eyes to his guards. "Stand down," he ordered, his voice a low murmur that held absolute authority. The guards obeyed instantly, not even a flicker of hesitation.
The disregard was like a slap to Connor's pride. He was shaking now, breath hitching, and Lucinda saw it—the moment he realized how little of a threat he was in Silas's eyes.
"Connor, why don't you put down the weapon and let us speak like civilized people," Lucinda said, tone deceptively gentle.
"We have long passed the time of being civilized with this brute, my Lady!". Lucinda's hands rose to press against her temples, fingers digging into her skin as if she could force the headache away.
"This murderer has crossed the line," Connor spat, his voice trembling. "Plotting to have you killed and now holding you against your will in his estate."
Silas's eyebrow quirked in mild amusement.
"We both knew he was a crooked bastard from the start," he continued, more to himself. "He should crawl back from whatever hellhole he came from and burn in it."
Lucinda could see how this could ruin Connor. "Do not fret, Lucinda. I would have you and Theodore out of here—"
"And where would you have them go?" Silas's tone turned sharper, more pointed.
"Certainly far away from you!" Connor shot back, voice rising in anger.
"Enough, Connor!" Lucinda's voice lashed out, sharp and commanding. It sliced through the tension, and Connor flinched as if struck. "You will apologize to the viscount. He saved us. You have no right—"
"But Lucinda—"
"Apologize, now." Her tone was ice, her eyes blazing with fury. It was a side of her Connor had rarely seen..
His gaze flicked to Silas, whose expression remained infuriatingly unreadable, and Connor's fist clenched involuntarily. "Your lady and Theodore go nowhere," Silas declared, finality creeping into his voice. "They are with me now."
Before he could stop himself, Connor's fist connected with Silas's face. The room fell deathly silent, the sound of flesh meeting flesh echoing like thunder.
Silas stumbled back, a hand rising to his face. Yet, as his eyes met Connor's, there wasn't anger—only a chilling, detached curiosity. He raised a hand to halt his guards, who had surged forward, eager to intervene. Connor, breathing heavily, turned to Lucinda, hoping to find some form of approval, some vindication for his actions. Instead, he found her gaze fixed on Silas, worry etched deeply into her features.
Connor's heart twisted painfully, and with a bitter sneer, he stormed out, muttering curses under his breath.
"Get a kit!" Lucinda demanded, a thread of panic unraveling, and one of the maids hurried out. The others stared, uncertain, but she dismissed them with a wave of her hand.
"Let me see," she said, voice softer, almost gentle as the door clicked shut behind the last of them.
"It's fine, Lucinda," Silas replied, a hint of laughter dancing at the edges of his words. But when her gaze hardened, he relented, lowering his hand with a boyish tilt of his head, as if amused by her insistence.
The gash on his lip had deepened, blood pooling. Her breath hitched, eyes meeting his. There was something raw in his gaze, something that made her look away, fumbling with the vials.
"Stay still," she murmured. "This is going to sting."
As she turned back, she caught the slow, deliberate flick of his tongue across the wound. He held her stare, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Her hand shook only slightly, but the force with which she pressed the spirit-dipped cotton to his lip was anything but gentle. He hissed, a low, breathy sound that sent heat rushing up her neck.
"With such pressure, one would think it's a metaphor for your lips," he teased.
"If I wanted, I don't — no, wouldn't know whether to kiss you or stab you"
Why not both. The pain adds to the pleasure deliciously"
He smirked at her suggestively as she shook her head at him.
"Forgive the behavior of my knight," she muttered, focusing on his wound once more. "I'm sure he didn't mean what he said."
Silas studied her face, eyes narrowing as if he could dissect her thoughts. "I mean what I said," he stated, his voice suddenly devoid of its usual playfulness.
"I can't let you both go back there," he continued, and she looked up, the cotton forgotten in her hand. "You wanted to know what happened?"
She nodded.
"I didn't trust your ex-fiancé, so I placed someone to watch over your estate," Silas began, his voice a low murmur. "Two nights ago, I received word of suspicious activities. You were attacked."
He paused, and for the first time, Lucinda saw the shadow of something that might have been fear in his eyes. "I got there as fast as I could, praying I wasn't too late." His voice faltered, and he turned away, jaw clenched.
"When I arrived… the assassins were already down, a bloodbath." He studied her expression and found she was unaware of what Theodore had done. "And then I saw you. Your skin… you were pale, your veins…" He trailed off, a haunted look crossing his face.
"I thought I lost you," he whispered, his voice raw. "And Theodore… he begged me to save you, Lucinda." He took her hand, his fingers trembling. "I never want to see you both helpless again. Never."
He leaned forward, forehead almost touching her clapsed hands. "So forgive me if it's against your wishes to return. Your estate is simply not safe, and this won't be the last attempt on your lives."
Lucinda felt her resolve falter, her own fears echoing his words. "So stay," Silas murmured, voice almost desperate. "Please."
Her heart ached at the plea, and for the first time in years, she felt the urge to lean on someone else. For Theodore's sake, she nodded.
Silas released a breath, a rare, unguarded smile flickering across his face. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with a sincerity that left her momentarily breathless..
The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Lucinda closed the box and sat on the mattress, her eyes fixed on the flames.
"I never imagined it would come to this," she murmured, almost to herself.
Silas's voice was low, barely interrupting her thoughts. "You're safe now. Both of you."
"For how long?" She didn't look at him, her gaze unwavering on the fire. "Safety is an illusion, isn't it?"
"Perhaps. But it's one I intend to keep."
A slight scoff escaped her lips. "You're always so sure of yourself."
"Only when it comes to you," he replied, softer this time. "And Theodore."
She finally turned to him, eyes searching. "Why? Why are you doing this?"
Silas didn't answer immediately, his gaze dropping to the flames. "Because someone has to."
"That's not an answer," she pressed.
"It's the only one I have," he admitted.
They sat in silence, the warmth of the fire washing over them.
"You can't protect us forever," she said, voice tinged with something that almost sounded like resignation.
"No," he agreed, "but I'll try."
Lucinda looked back to the fire. "You'll never understand, will you? What it feels like to be powerless."
"No," Silas said, his tone uncharacteristically gentle, "but I'd give everything to keep you from feeling it again."
Her expression softened, just for a moment, before the mask slipped back into place.
"They'll have to pay," Lucinda murmured, a storm brewing in her eyes. her mind was still at that moment—the flash of a blade, her son's terrified screams, the searing pain along her ribs. They had come for her, and worse, they had come for him.
"What would you have me do?" Silas asked, watching her carefully. "Your wish is my every command."
She turned to him, eyes hardening. "I've been away for far too long. The queen must return to the board. They've must not forget who they're dealing with."
"And when you're there?" Silas probed.
"I'll remind them," Lucinda replied. "Piece by piece, until their world crumbles."
Silas nodded, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "Then I'll be by your side, as always."
"Good," she said, her gaze returning to the fire. "Because I plan to win."
And silas intend to make sure she will. The how? and when? Will come in time.
They have all the time to make their mark. And he intend for it to be one for the history book. This kingdom. Their continent Naria, won't know what hit it.