The Archer & the Flame (Whispers of the Night Ravens #1)

Chapter 30

I didn’t give Silas a chance to react, dashing through the forest at full speed. My blood heated at the sound of his footsteps behind me, hot on my tail.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he said as he chased me. “Are you sure you’re ready for the consequences?”

A thrill went through me. “I’ll take my chances.”

I had the home advantage, knowing the Yewdew Forest as well as I did, but I’d underestimated his tenacity as he pursued me, weaving through the trees with ease.

Hopping the steps up to the gatehouse two at a time, I passed the sentry in Sal’s usual position, shouting my apologies as I rushed past, Silas following close behind.

“Getting tired yet?” he said between breaths.

“You’ll need to try harder than that to wear me out.”

“I’m planning on it.”

We crossed the courtyard, the sentries pausing their sparring to watch us, but I didn’t slow down, knowing exactly where I was leading him.

I ducked into what remained of the north tower from its isolated position at the farthest reaches of the castle grounds. The roof had caved in long before it had become home to the Night Ravens, and it had been deemed unusable. Some even claimed it was haunted, but I’d learned the truth during my punishment. A sentry used his Air Blessing to make the wailing noises when he was bored on the night shift.

I jumped over a gap in the staircase, hearing Silas land behind me, soon reaching the circular room halfway up the tower that was as high as I could go.

“You’ve made a fatal error,” he said, catching his breath.

“Perhaps I wanted to be caught.”

He prowled towards me, cold stone meeting my skin as I backed into the wall. He braced his arms on either side of me, trapping me in his embrace. “Then I’d better make it worth your while.”

His lips were scorching as they met mine, setting my blood on fire. I didn’t hold back, tearing at his clothes as he kissed me vehemently, every moment in his embrace making me crave him more. I would never get enough.

When we broke apart, I leant in, desperate for more. Silas stopped me, his body hard against me as he pinned my arms above my head. “Keep them on the wall.”

I bristled at the order, immediately disregarding it and dropping my hands.

A wicked grin crossed his face as he caught me by the wrist, restraining me with more force this time. “Don’t move.”

“Why?” I asked, struggling against him.

“Because I want to test how long you can last without touching me.”

His words stoked the flames of my desire, my core already aching and wet for him. “You’ll be waiting a long time.”

“Then you underestimate me.” He released my hands to untie my trousers, agonisingly slow as he rolled them down my hips. I held onto the cold metal of the unlit torch for support, curious to see what he would do next.

“I won’t hold back,” he said, his voice thick with lust.

“I’d be disappointed if you did.”

He unlaced my boots one foot at a time, freeing my legs and tossing my trousers to one side, baring my bottom half. I didn’t know what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t Silas lifting me, bracing my thighs onto his shoulders.

“Hands,” he growled, as they slipped from the torch in surprise, lowering his head between my legs once I’d complied. At the delicate brush of his tongue against me, I ignited.

“What? Fuck!” I said, hitting the wall as my back arched.

Silas didn’t stop, his tongue whisper light as it circled my clit. I nearly lost the challenge immediately, wanting to grab onto him as I writhed against him, but my pride refused to let him master me so easily.

Still, I wouldn’t last long, even with Silas drawing it out. I had never let anyone do this before, afraid it would feel too intimate, which I’d apparently been right about. All things considered; I was hanging on admirably well until I locked eyes with Silas. He smirked, pushing my thighs open wider.

A loud moan escaped me as he finally put me out of my misery, his hot mouth exactly where I needed it. My hands slid down the wall, scrambling to grip onto something as he feasted on me, his tongue feeling like it was everywhere, all at once.

I lost control of myself somewhere along the way, overtaken by my need, my fingers sinking into his hair, my body convulsing as he kept up his relentless rhythm.

My heart swelled with the intensity of my feelings for him. Silas wasn’t just someone I would trust unquestionably, my closest confidante, but a bright flame to chase away the darkness in my soul.

He shifted and then his fingers plunged into me, each stroke bringing me closer to release as his tongue continued to tease my clit.

I came apart with a sob of pleasure, nearly crushing him with the power of my climax. Rather than showing any sign of discomfort, slowly, deliberately, he tasted me, looking downright obscene as satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He would be the death of me.

“I need you,” I said, the words as shaky as my legs.

“I’ll never tire of hearing you say that,” he replied, lowering me to the ground, keeping a firm grip on me until he was satisfied I could support my weight.

Neither of us messed around, the time for games over. Silas removed his cloak, laying it on the dusty floor in a chivalrous gesture, but otherwise didn’t bother to undress. I freed his cock from his trousers, hiking up my shirt so I could watch him enter me.

“Better than the memory?” I couldn’t resist asking.

“There’s no comparison. A memory could never do you justice,” he said, breathless.

His thrusts were unhurried, savouring the sensation of us finally being able to enjoy each other again. I trailed my hand down his cheek, caressing it with the tenderness he brought out in me. “I can’t believe you’re real.”

“You’re one to talk. Let me worship you like you deserve.”

His cock pushed into me harder, coaxing a sigh from my lips, but still he continued his slow pace. I lifted my hips, allowing him deeper, rewarded by Silas’ sharp intake of breath.

His hand travelled under my shirt, cupping my breast, but when his thumb brushed my nipple, it was hot. I jerked at the unexpected sensation, in surprise, not pain.

“Last time, we didn’t have the opportunity to explore my Blessing. It would be a shame for you to miss out again.”

His other hand joined it, Silas drinking in every reaction as he toyed with me, varying the levels of heat from his fingers, the contrast a cruel tease. All the while, he fucked me with his unrushed pace.

I was close, Silas sensing it and finally unleashing himself. He grabbed my hips, anchoring himself as he pounded into me, my thighs slick from his teasing.

“Together,” he urged, reaching to where our bodies joined, heat kissing my clit. I shattered, losing all sense of reality, only aware of his teeth grazing my neck as his release claimed him.

We laid on his cloak panting for a while, not wanting to part, but then I shivered and he slipped out of me.

The light had faded around us, the room barely visible in the growing darkness. “We should get ready. It’ll be time to head to the library soon.”

“Duty calls. I promise to behave if you’ll share the bathing pool with me.” His gaze softened. “I don’t want to be apart from you just yet.”

“Fine, but we can’t be late.”

At nightfall, Eldon waited alone for us in a small room adjoining the library. It was occupied by a long bench; several glass tubes evenly spaced along its surface. I clasped Silas’ hand as he took it all in.

“I hope you don’t mind the change of scenery. I thought it wise to conduct this experiment away from the books. In my experience, they don’t fare well under direct flame,” Eldon said.

“How will this work?” Silas asked hesitantly.

“I've filled these vials with oil extracted from palai, a root found in Drei possessing the unique quality to preserve something in its current state permanently. It should contain Silas' magic if we can determine the right method of infusing it. We’re going to test three variables that our research suggests would have the highest chance of success.” Eldon walked behind the bench, standing behind the first vial. “Igniting the oil directly.” He moved to the next. “Slowly heating it to its boiling point.” His steps took him to the end of the bench, where he held up a scrap of parchment. “And finally, burning something before combining it.”

“How will you know if it worked?” I said.

“We won’t, for certain, though I’m hoping Silas here will be able to sense any remaining traces of his Blessing. We’d need to administer it directly for confirmation.”

“I’m ready when you are,” Silas said, resolute in his determination.

Eldon nodded, guiding me by the shoulders to the edge of the room. “We should stand back.”

Silas pointed, his brow furrowed in concentration. Inside the tube, the oil caught fire, blue flames licking at the glass.

“Keep it going,” Eldon said, watching intently.

Silas’ eyes narrowed as he maintained his focus, his hand steady. The flames danced before burning out, a thin line of smoke rising from the liquid. He didn’t falter, moving onto the second vial, until the contents bubbled and steamed, only half of it remaining afterwards. Finally, for the third, he burned the parchment while he held it, following Eldon’s instructions before submerging it in the oil.

When the glass had cooled, Eldon poured them into three potion bottles, beckoning Silas over.

“Can you sense anything?” he asked.

Silas closed his eyes, his fingers brushing against each one. “I don’t know what I’m looking for. There’s maybe something, though it’s weak.”

“Can you identify which one?”

Silas shook his head. Hope died in my chest. We were so close. We had to be.

I couldn’t fail Dorea after everything we’d been through. I would never forgive myself. “What if I took all three to Valtarra? Would there be any harm if she ingested them?”

Eldon frowned. “We wouldn’t learn which worked. The results would be inconclusive.”

“Dorea doesn’t have the luxury of time. I’m sure Silas would support future experiments, but right now, all that matters is helping her.” Tears danced in my eyes. “Please let me do this for her.”

I braced myself for the dreaded words. We can’t save everyone.

Eldon rubbed his head. “There’s a chance it won’t heal her,” he said, “but I’m willing to let you try.”

I ran to him, engulfing him in a relieved hug. Silas laughed as Eldon broke free, brushing down his clothing and staring at me in horror.

“Never do that again,” Eldon said. “I must insist.”

“It’s my influence, I’m afraid.” Silas explained. “I’ve softened up those hard edges of hers.”

I took the potions from Eldon, carefully tucking them into my pack. All that remained was convincing Reuben to let me be the one to deliver them to Dorea.

I only hoped we’d done enough.