Page 27 of From Frost to Flame

“Arden,” he sputtered. “He wants the compass back.”

“And yet, it would have been faster to cut off his hand. Why execute a kidnapping?”

“He struck a deal with The Ravenous One. She approached him before Tartarus took her back. She said that if the vampire was returned to her alive, she’d help him conquer the realms.”

Terror flooded Lex’s heart. It was one thing to be given to tortuous fae. It was another to be presented toher. He would rather let the compass kill him. To his surprise, Silas's stoic expression faltered. It was only for a second, but pure fear flashed on his face before he tampered it down.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look afraid before.

“She asked specifically for him?” Silas asked, nodding to Lex. “You’re sure about that?”

“Yes. She asked for him by name. That’s all I know. Please. Please let me go.”

“I won’t be doing that. See, I have good hearing. I believe you said something about being lucky tonight.” His fingertips grew into claws, and the fae winced as they sunk into the flesh of his neck. “You said something about sharing with the others and a cage. I don’t like to share what’s mine.”

“I was just—”

Silas crushed the fae’s windpipe, and his pleas devolved into a pained gargle. His tattered wings flapped wildly like a dying fish on land. There was an awful snap, and the fae’s neck broke like a twig. Silas let the body fall carelessly at his feet.

Lex was transfixed by the corpse. The blood oozing from the man’s mouth onto the ground made him queasy. He fought to keep the vomit down.Silas lifted him onto his feet and turned him away from the carnage.

“You don’t need to look at that.” Already, his steely expression was replaced with brows knitted in concern. “Did he hurt you?” He carefully took the gag off and scanned Lex’s face for bumps and bruises.

“I’m fine.” Lex coughed a little on the bitter taste in his mouth. “He was a creep, but you showed up before anything too terrible happened.”

“You’re bleeding.” He wiped some of the blood on his forehead away with a thumb. “If you’re dizzy, you can sit down while I untie you if you need to.”

“I’m a little dizzy from seeing the dead fae, not the head wound. I’ll manage. If the world spins, I’ll sit.”

Silas was notably unsatisfied with that answer but moved behind him to undo the bindings anyway. “This is enchanted rope, so stay still for me while I get it off. I don’t want it to get tighter and hurt you in the process.”

His cheeks heated as Silas's fingers grazed his thighs while tugging on his bonds. The touch was so light, if he hadn’t known Silas was there, he would’ve assumed a flower petal kissed his skin. Lex loved this part of Silas. The way he could kill a man with his bare hands and still be this doting, ever-attentive man always amazed him. In these gentle moments, Lex believed he was the only thing in the entire world of Vela that mattered to Silas.

“There you go.” Silas stood and tossed the rope aside. “You can move now.”

“Thanks for saving me,” Lex said, rubbing his throbbing wrist. “Again.”

“I told you, you don’t need to thank me for that.” Silas caressed his face and still searched him for bruises. “You’re sure he didn’t hurt you?”

“Silas, I’m okay.” He stepped away, turning toward the house, but Silas snatched his good wrist. In one swift movement, Silas pulled Lex close and wrapped his arms around him.

At first, Lex froze in shock, then he melted into the warmth of his arms. Despite the dried blood on Silas's chest and all his conflicted emotions, Lex craved his touch. A sigh of relief slipped out of his lips as Silas pet his back as if he was precious.

“I’m sorry I killed the fae in front of you. I know you don’t like death. I should’ve been more considerate, but my anger at him touching you took hold. I’m ashamed of my actions.”

“It’s okay.” That flicker of hope that Silas still wanted him expanded into a flame. He peered up at him curiously. “Silas, can I ask you something?”

There was a bang, and his family appeared in the yard with him.Mora took his arm and ripped him away from Silas's embrace.

“Come on,” Julian said coldly. “It’s time to go, right, Your Majesty? You should grab your brother so we can all head out.”

“We were in the middle of something,” Lex protested, but Silas stepped away.

“No, he’s right. This house isn’t safe. I’ll grab Castor and your things. You three stick together. I’ll be back in a minute. If I’m not, hide in the trees.”

Once Silas was inside, Lex tore away from Mora’s hold. “That was rude.”

“You were letting him hold you like you were back together again,” Julian snipped. “What happened to using him as just a blood bag?”

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