Page 126 of The Sins of Silas

“The news has spread faster than Despia's plague,” Viola muttered just as I strolled up to the campfire my friends had set up. Summer was upon us, and being able to enjoy the pleasant nighttime breeze with them, drinking wine and telling stories, was the highlight of my days.

Torrin's nervous eyes met mine from his spot on the ground. I frowned.

What is it?

“Who actually gives a shit?” Merrick responded, inhaling a puff of whatever herb he was smoking. Elowen was scowling at him over the smell. Torrin said nothing. “I feel bad for whatever broad is stuck with that bastard.”

“What bastard?” I asked, a soft blanket wrapped around me as I sat next to Torrin. He was stiff, his eyes now glued on the fire.

“Silas La'Rune,” Elowen responded.

I froze, my stomach flipping.

“Rumor has it the Prince has a wife,” Viola answered, her voice becoming muffled as my head struggled to grasp her words. “The first step to him becoming King one day.”

I blinked. Over and over and over.

“Gods, I am not looking forward to that day,” Elowen murmured, hugging her knees. “Do you think he'll be worse than his father?”

Silas is married.

Silas has a wife.

“Excuse me,” I said quietly, placing my glass on the ground, discarding my blanket, and walking off. My friends thought nothing of it, continuing their conversations as I strode away—faster.

Faster.

“Lena!”

I could just barely hear Torrin call out for me, the heat inside me and around me taking all my attention, all my energy.

Fuck, I was burning. I continually thought of Torrin's words to me, words that have helped me all these years.

Calm the flames.

Calm the flames.

Calm the flames.

I hadn’t felt this level of rage, of devastation, ofbrokennesssince the first time I got my fire.

I knew it was bound to happen one day, Silas moving on. In fact, I was surprised it hadn’t happened sooner. But fuck, it still hurt.

I had already lost our child, and now that he was married to someone else…I had lost him.Forever.

Torrin grabbed my arms and cursed, his hands flying back. “Lena, we need to get you in the lake,” he said in a panic.

“No! Just go away, Torrin!”

The lake. That actually sounded good as I stared at the water just steps away, the moonlight reflecting off of the ripples.

I didn’t want him near if I was going to combust, and that’s surely what it felt like.

I'd already scarred his hand. I didn't want to hurt him ever again.

“We’re going!” he growled, not taking no for an answer. He hissed as he grasped my arm, pulling me toward the body of water.

“LET GO! I don’t want to hurt you again!” I pulled back, and to my despair, fire shot out of my palms right at Torrin. My eyes widened in horror as I watched the blast of flame head for Torrin’s face.

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