His Perfect Lyra

Lyra's POV 

Why didn't he say anything?

The silence dragged on, pressing down like weight on my chest. My eyes burned again. It wasn't just tears—it hurt.

I rubbed at them with the back of my hand, still stuck there on the floor.

Then…

A hand moved mine away. Fingers slow, deliberate. Wiping my tears for me.

Silas.

I should've pushed him away.

But I couldn't. Not now. Not when he might really give me away to someone worse.

His hand cupped my face, his voice quiet, level.

"Are you saying you need me? You want me to keep taking care of you?"

I looked up at him. That same unreadable expression. Calm. Blank.

I couldn't tell if he was serious or just playing games again.

But I wanted to live. I wasn't ready to risk whatever came next.

"Yes… I need you."

The words left my mouth soft, almost too quiet.

His hand dropped away like nothing. Like that wasn't enough for him. His face still had that pity look.

He was waiting for me to say it right. I could feel it.

I dropped my gaze to the floor. My voice came out awkward, uneven.

"Silas… I need you."

Silas's tone changed. It wasn't loud, but it felt lighter.

"Really? You need me?"

I nodded once. "Yes."

Then he asked, and my chest tightened up:

"Then… will I get to see your smile?"

Of course. That was what he really wanted.

Smiling—

That was harder than any chain he'd put on me.

I tried to answer, voice low:

"I… have trouble with my smile. It looks silly when I try. I'm sure you—"

My words cut off.

Silas was looking at me with something softer now. Sad. But happy too.

"It's okay," he said. "As long as I get to see your smile."

He really wasn't going to force it. He wanted me to give it to him willingly.

That was the sickest part.

I swallowed hard and asked the thing I couldn't stop from slipping out.

"If I smile… you'll keep me?"

His answer was so quiet I barely caught it.

"Yes. My little sweet Lyra."

That voice…

Soft. Warm. For once, not cold.

And I hated it, but I felt relief. Like something uncoiled inside me.

Then he asked, calm like everything was normal again:

"Can I hug you?"

His hands didn't grab me. Just hung there, low, offering. Waiting for my answer.

I didn't have a choice.

If staying with Silas was survival, then that's what I'd do.

I gave him a small nod.

Silas moved in slowly. Arms wrapping around me like it was something delicate.

I didn't hug back fully. Just my fingers clutching lightly at his shirt, enough to make sure I wasn't falling apart.

The hallway was quiet. Dark, except for a little light from the other end.

Quiet enough to hear his heartbeat. Calm. Steady. Like nothing was wrong.

But I knew better.

Looks like I'll have to play along for real.

Be his woman—until I can get out of here.

Better start working on my smile.