Page 87 of From Frost to Flame

“I’ll explain later,” Silas said with a chuckle before addressing his pack. “We’re all bruised but safe. Lex is sick, and I suspect The Ravenous One will come to collect him soon. We must prepare. Castor, put Julian and Mora in the west wing. The rest of you, meet me with the troops within the hour.”

After sounds of confirmation, Silas walked him to the door and the whole pack followed.

“Is there a reason everyone’s coming with us?” Lex asked.

“Lex is going to be fine. I promise,” Silas assured. “When we kill The Ravenous One, he’ll be able to start the healing process. You can help by preparing for battle.”

They hesitated but ultimately scattered.

Silas's suite had many rooms, including a study, a library, and lounges throughout. His bedroom was as regal as he was. Lex was gingerly laid on a large canopy bed neatly made with white satin pillowcases, matching sheets, and plush blankets. Like most of the castle, there were large arched windows, but instead of sunlight pouring in, sheer blue curtains filtered the rays into a dim light, harmless to Lex’s skin.

He smiled up at them as Silas laid him back in the bed. “You kept the curtains up. Did they grow on you?”

“I simply hoped you’d come back,” Silas said, placing a kiss on his forehead. “Even if it was just to yell or tell me you hated me. I couldn’t have you burning if you ever did.”

As Lex lay back on the bed, propped up by a pillow, all the memories of early morning kisses and late-night drunken giggles seemed pressed into the fabric. “I’m glad I’m back despite the circumstances.”

“Me too.” Silas sat on the edge of the bed and unlaced Lex’s shoes. “There’s something I need to explain. My pack is instinctively protective of you because you’re my mate. I don’t think they wereaware of their attachment, but now that you’re back and in such a weakened state, I think their instincts have kicked into overdrive.It’ll calm down eventually, but I’m sure it’ll be overwhelming for a while.”

“They were hurting the entire time we were apart?” Guilt wrapped around him.

“I knew it would, but it would have hurt them more if my mother had slaughtered you. Missing you isn’t so bad by comparison.” Silas crawled on top of him and undid the buttons of his shirt and pants. “You don’t need to worry about it. I’ll explain it to them later. If they’re upset, I’ll deal with it.”

“And if we leave Orion for good, like you suggested, they’ll be in even more pain, won’t they? If missing me caused hurt, I can’t imagine what losing their pack leader will do to them. Your pack needs your affection and attention. What will happen to Vega without his Alpha? Isn’t he destined to defend you until death or something?”

“It’ll hurt, but they’ll be okay. Vega can take the throne. He’s descended from kings and queens of the past and loves this kingdom more than anyone I know. I trust him to lead Orion when I’m gone.” After he finished stripping Lex down, he tied his long dreadlocks into a bun with a silk ribbon.

Once he undressed himself, he scooped Lex up and carried him through the pristine white suite.

Silas kicked open a door to a beautiful bathing balcony hidden behind two glass doors.

A waterfall that came from an opening in the marble ceiling filled a steaming pool of crystal-clear water to the brim. Crisscrossing green vines dotted with flowers covered the walls. Some blooms were made of delicate white petals that fell into the slow current of the waters, while others were made entirely of crystals that cast rainbows around the balcony. Over the ledge of the pool was a breathtaking view of the Kingdom of Orion under an orange and pink sky that hinted at a storm.

Lex hummed in pleasure as Silas walked him into the healing waters. He looked out at the white houses in the distance with their pretty blue roofs along the coastline, where many werewolves resided. “You know you need to stay. I can hear it in your voice. Even if you leave the crown, you can’t leave them. This wonderful place is your home. Dionysus can’t compare to this.”

“It was my home,” he said, grabbing soap and a fresh washcloth off the ledge. “I’m ready to say goodbye.”

“They aren’t the Herculean Clan. I understand your hesitance, but if I had listened to my past, I never would’ve come back to you. I can’t imagine if I didn’t take that risk,” he said as Silas poured warm water over him. “You should at least consider trying to stay.”

“I’ll consider it, but for now, we have more pressing things to discuss.”

“Will you actually think about it, or are you just saying that?” A surge of pain ran through his wrist and the compass flashed. He looked down and squinted at the needle that was pointed in Silas’s direction “It’s pointing north. How odd.”

“I bet it’s because she’s close,” Silas said, looking to the skies. “That’s why I need to talk to you before we run out of time. There’s a chance I won’t survive tonight.”

The words sliced through his heart. “Don’t say that,” he said curtly. “Of course you will.”

“In battle, you need to be realistic. My mother has never been this angry with me. Never been so cruel. When I try to kill her, I fully expect her to defend herself at all costs.”

“You’re going to be fine.”

“If something happens to me, can you promise me you’ll try to stay alive? I know you’ll be in pain, but it will ease with time. You deserve to live your life, whether or not I’m in it.”

“I don’t want to talk about you dying.” He scowled. “I don’t even want to think about it.”

“Lex, please.”

The uncharacteristic crack in Silas's voice made him give in. “I’ll try. But you have to promise you’ll do anything and everything in your power to come back to me.”

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