Page 10 of The Sins of Silas

Tears began welling in my eyes as they trailed over to Mother's sleeping figure. I would be leaving her for the first time in my life come morning. But she would be safe up here.

She would be safe.

“I never mentioned something to you,” I lowered my voice, meeting Merrick's eyes.

He frowned, eyes swirling dark once more. I scooted closer to him and went in to whisper again. I ignored Merrick’s scent, or at least tried to. Somehow, he always smelled like fresh snow. Perhaps it was from his continuous use of ice magic.

“Igon gave me a message before he died. ‘Only through the fire can the phoenix be reborn from the ashes.’” I searched his eyes. “Does that mean anything to you? I can’t comprehend what he meant by it.”

Merrick pondered momentarily as Silas and Erabella returned from wherever they had been. My eyes scanned the pair, and I triedmy best to ignore their slightly disheveled hair and the subtle flush to their cheeks. Silas wouldn’t meet my eyes.

I felt my fire rising, and my eyes averted to the ground.

Calm the flames, Lena.

I felt Merrick tense as well, and when I glanced at him, his darkened eyes were on the two of them. Before he could question me—because I knew like an idiot my emotions soared just now—I pressed, “Well?”

The wind blew his silver-white hair, currently unbound and falling just past his chest. His eyes were narrowed, planted on the ground for only a moment longer before his eyes returned to normal. “No. I…I don’t understand it one bit.” He crossed his arms as he gazed into the fire.

Silas and Erabella spoke quietly to their men before situating themselves in their shared bedroll. Still, Silas avoided eye contact with me.

“He spoke to me in my mind, Merrick.”

Merrick whirled at me, his eyebrows raising.

“Right before he died, Igon spoke to me in my mind. I don’t know how.”

His jaw clicked, and as my head began to fall, he softly tilted my chin so my eyes could meet his. “I am sure you aren’t meant to figure it all out right now.” He let go of my chin and patted my shoulder. “Rest. Don’t stress all that needs to be figured out—easier said than done, I know.” He gave me a lopsided grin. “But get some rest. Tithara only knows when we will be able to get some again.”

Wasn’t that the truth…

“You should get some then, too,” I suggested.

His smile faltered. “I will.” His eyes shot to Edmund, who was now holding Elowen’s hand as he beamed at her. “Once I know that bastard isn’t going to sneak off with my sister.”

I laughed through my nose as I stood, about to make my way to my own bedroll. “I’ve never seen you so overprotective, Merrick.”

“I’ve never seen Elowen…” he began, then sighed, looking at me over his shoulder with a small smile. “Goodnight, Lena.”

“Goodnight.” I looked back for just another moment, catching the sight of Elowen giggling at something Edmund said, him watching her as if she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

Soul-Ties.

My traitorous eyes shifted to my apparent mate. His eyes were closed, his wife tucked into his side.

I felt that pang of pain in my chest again and didn’t feel it ease up, even as I stared off into the stars, even as I drifted to sleep.

Chapter Three

LENA

The mountain was a sea of murmurs the next morning, my people observing warily as our group prepared for the journey south.

Merrick. Elowen. Viola. Silas. Roland. Hendry. Edmund. Erabella. And me, their Supreme.

The handful of days since escaping Fort Laith had drawn us closer together, along with the training we committed to and the small talk that ensued. Still, we weren’t entirely comfortable with one another. I imagined it would be a while before we got to that point, understandably so.

The morning began with Ayla bringing us all our new attire, along with Ashton, one of her sons, who brought the armor they had crafted. Immeron’s entire family, all five sons, their wives, and Ayla, had spent this week either making our items or traveling to Forsmont for extra supplies.

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