Page 51 of Fated for his Flame

Shi snorted, then immediately tried to cover it up.

“What?” I asked, leaning forward. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Uh, nothing, nothing at all.”

“No,” I told her. “You can’t do that. Why did you snort? What’s that supposed to mean? What aren’t you telling me?”

For several long moments, Shi was silent, having an internal debate with herself, judging by the twitching on her face. “It’s just Silas didn’t exactly volunteer for it.”

“He didn’t?” I frowned. “Then why else would he have been there?”

“Maybe you should ask him,” Shi said uncomfortably as she angled in toward the family estate. “We’re here.”

“Yeah,” I said, my mind elsewhere.

Silas had wanted to take me for a mate … hadn’t he?

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chloe

I ran my hands over the dress, admiring the smoothness of its material. Whatever it was, it seemed to be the same make as the glanis that were the everyday wear for most women in the Isles.

So different than the clothing I’d worn to the Dragon Isles and not just because of the ultra-lightweight communications gear that had been sewn into the seams of it.

That equipment was still there. I’d left it in place, not wanting to risk taking it out and getting caught until I had something to report. Then, as I spent more time with Silas, I justified my lack of reporting in by saying I had nothing worth breaking radio silence for.

Now, I looked at it anew and questioned my judgment. Was I really not trying to set it up because I felt I had no information to give? Or was I trying to avoid doing something I knew would hurt Silas if he found out?

A part of me felt stupid. I’d let myself be deluded into thinking things between us were real. That it was really good, and perhaps, I could stay in the Isles for the rest of my life. I’d been happy and lost in the role I was playing. A role I’d started to believe I could permanently assume.

Now, however, I had to wonder just how much of it was the truth. Shi had refused to divulge more information, but it was clear the circumstances of Silas choosing me as mate were different than what I’d thought.

I looked up as multiple thumps sounded on the roof.

“That will be them,” Shi said from across the room where she sat perched on the edge of a sofa. She’d assumed that position immediately and hadn’t left, constantly picking at her fingers, a surefire sign of nervousness.

I wondered just how confident she actually was that things would get sorted out.

We rose and left the sitting room, heading toward the stairs that led down from the roof. The men were already coming inside and halfway down the steps by the time we came into view.

I slid to a halt at the sight. Azarel was leading the way, his face a mask of cold anger. Silas matched him step for step on his father’s right, a matching look on his face, despite the swelling, though it had subsided greatly. Caleb mirrored Silas. The father and his two sons, a united force at last.

Caine had made a large serious mistake that night, and I wondered just how badly his house would suffer for it.

Something he and I have in common, it seems.

Silas’ anger eased somewhat at seeing me, but it was replaced quickly with confusion as I crossed my arms and waited for him to come to me. He had a lot of explaining to do.

As they approached, he leaned in and whispered something to his father before peeling off and approaching me. The others went right on by. Azarel ignored my existence, while Caleb gave me a nod before he was attacked by Shi, who flung her arms around him in relief and let herself half walk and half be carried off.

“What’s wrong?” Silas asked once we were alone in the hallway.

“What’s wrong?” My well-crafted statement fell apart at the simple question as a lot of emotions came pouring out in a jumble I couldn’t detangle before speaking.

“What’s wrong is, on one hand, everyone wants to kill me. On the other, I’ve got someone who apparently never even wanted to have me around in the first place. I’m not sure what’s truth or lie, and I’m supposed to be damn good at figuring that shit out!”

I paused, breathing hard, shocked at how much I’d let slip out in that one unguarded moment. Was my anger really at Silas? Or was it at myself for letting things get out of hand and falling too deep into my cover without questioning it from his side a little more?

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