Chapter 41 041

Chapter 41 041

Claire's POV

Lucien didn't give me a response, his expression remain blank as usual like he was thinking about the next action to take.

I kept my eyes on Lucien, watching for any sign of what he was thinking. His face gave nothing away. Silas's hand trembled in mine and I held on tighter, trying to give him strength I did not feel.

Finally, Lucien moved.

"Shark."

The command rang out and within seconds Shark appeared in the doorway.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Remove the bindings."

My heart jumped. I looked at Lucien but he was not looking at me anymore. His gaze was fixed somewhere past us which was distant.

Shark moved quickly, kneeling beside Silas to untie the ropes. They fell away and Silas gasped, rubbing at his raw wrists.

"Claire." Lucien's voice brought my attention back to him. "Tell Marcy to prepare food for your brother."

Relief hit me so hard I almost could not breathe. He was letting Silas eat. That had to mean something. That had to mean he was not going to kill him right away.

"I will make it myself." The words came out before I could stop them as my eyes were beaming with so much excitement.

Lucien's eyebrow raised slightly but he did not argue. He just stood up and walked out of the room without another word.

I helped Silas to his feet as soon as the chains were removed and helped him to the couch.

"Thank you." His voice was hoarse. "Claire, thank you."

"Do not thank me yet." I guided him to sit in one of the chairs. "Just relax, I will be right back."

I practically ran to the kitchen. My hands shook as I grabbed a pot and filled it with water, Keep it simple. Something easy on his stomach after not eating for days.

Mashed potatoes was the first that came to mind and I knew that I could do that.

I worked as fast as I could, peeling and chopping and boiling. The whole time my mind was racing.

Lucien had not killed Silas yet. That was good. But he also had not said Silas was safe but I was still certain about it, I wasn't going to let that happen. Whatever that was going on between Lucien and I. There was no way I was the only one that felt it.

The potatoes mashed easily under my fork, I added butter and a little salt, just the way Silas liked it when we were kids. My eyes burned but I blinked away the tears. No time for crying now.

I carried the bowl back to the living room. Silas was still in the chair where I left him, his head resting against the back as He looked exhausted.

"Here." I handed him the bowl and a spoon.

He took it with both hands and ate like he had not seen food in weeks. Which maybe he had not. He did not even pause between bites, just shoveled the mashed potatoes into his mouth until the bowl was empty.

"More?" I asked.

He shook his head, setting the bowl aside. "No, that was perfect. Thank you."

I sat down in the chair next to him. Now that the immediate crisis was over, everything else started sinking in. Silas was here.

"I am so happy to see you." Silas reached over and grabbed my hand. "I really thought you were dead. But you look so good. You have even added weight."

I glanced down at myself. He was right. The constant meals at the castle had filled me out, made me healthier than I had been in years.

"I am being treated well," I said carefully.

Silas frowned. "But this is Lord Lucien. The hybrid who hates humans the most." He leaned forward, lowering his voice like someone might overhear. "No human has ever been allowed to serve in his home. How are you here?"

My mouth opened but the words stuck in my throat. How could I explain it? How could I tell him about the first time I met Lucien, how he had tried to kill me? About the bond that formed between us that neither of us understood? About the way he looked at me sometimes like I was the only thing in the world that mattered?

"I just got lucky, I guess." I forced a smile.

“With a ruthless vampire like Him, Luck doesn't work, do you live inside the castle?”

“Yes” I briefly spoke, could not bring myself to tell him I was at the same floor with Lucien because if I did, he would ask more questions and right now, I didn't have the answers to them.

Silas did not look convinced but he did not push it. Instead, his expression softened.

"Everyone misses you at home." His thumb rubbed across my knuckles. "Mother would give anything to see your face again. She cries every night, you know, Keeps your room exactly how you left it and with the rumors about your death, it has shattered you."

I lowered my head and felt my heart aches in pain, I had tried not to think about Mother too much since It hurt too badly.

"I miss her too," I whispered.

Silas sighed and it sounded like it came from somewhere deep inside him. "I know I am going to be killed. But at least I am grateful I got to see you one last time."

"No." I squeezed his hands hard enough to make him wince. "Nothing is going to happen to you. I am not going to let him kill you."

"Claire—"

"I mean it." I stood up, determination flooding through me. "Wait here. I need to talk to Lucien."

"Claire, do not do anything stupid……"

But I was already walking toward the door. I had saved Lucien's life. He owed me.

He had to see that, He had to understand that I could not lose my brother. Not now. Not after everything.

With that thought, I rose to my feet and headed towards the hallway. I did not know exactly where Lucien had gone but I would find him. I would make him listen.