Page 81 of From Frost to Flame

“Stay put for me?” Silas said, ignoring Julian. “I don’t want you walking on your ankle. Besides, maybe this place is like the garden and there’s a Mirrorscape hidden close by.”

“If you hurry, I can wait. Julian is bitter after being burned again and wants to get moving.”

“Be there before you can blink.” He turned to Castor and nodded for him to follow. “We need a way down twenty floors.”

Castor gave him a grunt in the affirmative, and they walked in silence through the stacks until they found a doorway. It led to a winding staircase made of stone and cloaked in shadow. “Hopefully the stairs are stable.” He took a step forward, and Castor gripped his arm and pulled him back.

Silas scowled as his brother forced him to bare his forearm. Etched in ink was the Hercules constellation.

“You are the only one left in the world who shares this with me. I still remember giving this to you when you were old enough. Your mother was so livid she nearly crushed me to death.”

His brother’s voice was melancholy as he traced the stars with a light touch. “Castor...”

“I don’t understand how you could leave the pack behind, but more than that, I don’t see how you could leave me.” His eyes welled with tears as he stared down at the tattoo. “She took everything from me, too, you know? All I have left from that part of our lives is you. Maybe that’s selfish, but that’s what hurts most. We’re not brothers by blood, but I thought we were still family. Did you think of me at all when you made this decision? After everything we’ve been through, did you even consider my feelings when you planned to leave me truly alone?”

“Of course, I did!” Silas huffed, pulling his arm away. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you; I was trying to repay you for all you’ve done for me.”

“Repay?” He furrowed his brows in confusion. “Why would you ever think you had to repay me?”

“My mother took your real family and forced you to be my protector all those years ago. You fulfilled your duty tenfold. I couldn’t have survived living with her without you. I wouldn’t have bothered to be king without you. I’m so grateful, and I know the debt I owe can never be repaid, but I’m trying to make up for all you’ve done by letting you go. I tried to go after her alone so you weren’t dragged back into her clutches again, but I failed. I figured moving away was the least I could do. You always end up taking care of me, but you don’t have to anymore. I want you tolive your life and build a family that’s not forced on you. You deserve more than to take care of a cursed brother you never asked for.”

“Silas, I need you to listen to me. I survived that night because I wasn’t in my bed with the others. I was in the woods trying to figure out a way to save my best friend. When we got to Orion, I introduced you as my brother because that’s what we are. I know how many times your mother said no one could ever care for you, but I’m telling you: I wasn’t forced to do anything. I chose you as my little brother. You don’t owe me. Get that nonsense out of your head.” He put a hand on Silas's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “If you go, I go. Just like always.”

Unsure what to say, he pulled his brother into a tight embrace. In that moment, he was a small child again, holding Castor’s hand as they walked up to Orion’s gates for the first time. Anxious about what was to come, but sure he was going to be okay with his brother by his side.

“Why aren’t you even considering staying?” Castor asked as they pulled away and started down the dark staircase.

“Now you sound like Lex,” he mumbled, not in the mood to debate this again. “It’s impossible. I’m changing. You know what happened last time werewolves discovered what I am.”

“Orion has been good to us. The Herculean Clan was broken and backward. The rest of the clans may be open to this.”

“And if they’re not? I can’t live through that again.” The sound of chains and the lighting of the pyre drifted through his memories. “I won’t do that again.”

“You’re positive the change is coming then?”

“It seems that way,” he mumbled. “Holding this form and keeping my emotions in check is getting harder.”

“They allowed an alleged orphan with no name to wear the crown. Don’t think so little of our people.”

“An orphan is one thing. A halfling is another,” he said, shaking his head. “For now, I’m planning on settling down elsewhere. Lex has a house tucked away on the coast of Dionysus. I like the idea of moving there, if his family will have me. I could hidein peace. I can get creative with hiding my tentacles away and if I slip up, few will ask questions there.”

“I suppose I wouldn’t mind living with Julian and Mora by the sea. They’re sweet when you get to know them.”

“They’re a couple, Castor,” Silas warned, knowing that look. He had seen it on his brother before he disappeared with pretty strangers for the night. “Lex says they’ve been together since they were human. Entering a relationship that old wouldn’t be easy.”

“What can I say, I like a challenge,” he said, with a smile. “Plus, they’re smart, funny, and even you have to admit they’re beautiful.”

“Always such a romantic,” he said, shoving his brother. “Let’s hurry. I’m nervous about them being alone too long.”

“I’m sure they’re all fine,” Castor said, waving a hand dismissively. “They can handle a few minutes away from us. Besides, it’s a library. I bet your mother hid her last soul in a harmless book.”

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