Page 131 of The Sins of Silas

“Lena,” he breathed, his voice hoarse. His fingers weaved through my hair as he held me. “Lena…how…?” He pulled away gently, his fingertips running up my cheeks, analyzing me as if I were not real, as if it were a dream.

His face, aside from a busted lip, was still as handsome as always, but the circles under his eyes showed how weary he was. My eyes bounced all around him. He was still muscular, but he had leaned out tremendously. And his hair was much shorter now, justlike everyone’s here, though it looked like it had been a couple of months since it had been shaved.

On both wrists were metal bands with those glowing, red gems. He wore what everyone here seemed to wear, prison clothes that resembled those in Otacia: a brown t-shirt and matching bottoms.

I trembled, afraid of the answer to the question I had to ask. “How long?”

Tears slid down his face. His voice cracked as he answered, “A year.”

My face crumpled, and another sob broke free as I pulled him into my embrace again. My fingers drifted through his short platinum hair as I held him, and he ran his hand along my back in a soothing motion, comforting me as we both cried. Just like Torrin to be concerned about me whenhehad been the one enslaved all this time.

Nearly the entire time he’d been gone, he’d beenhere? Did Igon send him to Faltrun? Did he know this was to be his fate?

I could sense Merrick and Elowen walking up behind me, and I sniffed as I pulled away again, holding Torrin’s calloused hands in mine.

“Torrin.” Elowen’s voice was broken as she whispered, “Is that really you?”

He gave her a sad smile, tears still streaming down his face. His eyes slid to Merrick, who was gaping at him.

“You’ve been here this whole time?” Merrick’s voice was rough, and I could tell he was trying to keep from crying.

Torrin’s lip trembled as he nodded, and then his eyes went to who was standing behind his cousin.

Silas held Torrin’s stare. There was no warmth to his expression, just shock and anger. So much anger. His hands were held in fists at his sides.

Torrin was declared an enemy of Otacia over five years ago when he fled into the night with us. A conspiracy was formed that he was a part of the Queen’s murder. A part of mine.

“Holy Gods…I…I don’t understand,” Edmund whispered, and I knew this was the first time the Otacian men had seen the man who had trained them without his glamour—with his pointed ears.

“You’re a Mage?” Hendry’s mismatched eyes were blown wide. “You…”

I had never seen such shock on Roland’s face either. Before the men could continue, I spoke. “Torrin and I met in Otacia a little over a year before I left.” My eyes went to Silas, his golden gaze burning through me. “He is the one who provided my Mother and me safe passage to Ames.”

“Torrin is my cousin,” Merrick said to them. “Elowen’s, too.” He gave her a soft smile. “Not by blood, but all the same.”

Silas’s fists were now trembling, but it was Roland who spoke. “Word has been spread that you were a part of the Queen’s assassination.”

I had never heard such a stern tone from the normally playful man.

“That is bullshit,” Torrin spat. “The Queen was nothing but kind to me. I would never have wished her harm.” His eyes skated to Silas. “I know we have much to discuss, Your Highness,” he said with gentleness to his tone. “But despite your father and your kingdom’s treatment of my people, I grew to love Otacia. It was only when the kill order was put into effect that I left.”

Silas’s voice was low when he said, “TheMagethat killed my Mother, did you know of her identity?”

Torrin shook his head. “As far as I knew, Amatta was human. I hardly spoke with her.” His voice became sharp as he said, “And even when she was publicly burned to death, there was no proof. I saw no pointed ears, no magic on display.”

“Are you saying she wasn’t a Mage?”

“I’m saying I knew nothing of any of it.”

“We don't need to interrogate him right this second,” I interjected, squeezing Torrin’s palms in silent comfort. His coffee-brown eyes traveled to mine. He gave me a gentle smile.

Before Silas could persist, Merrick’s gasp caught our attention.

“Oh, my Gods,” Merrick breathed.

A man with a striking resemblance to Torrin walked forward, and a woman with golden hair and brown eyes was at his side. I noticed her hair wasn’t shaved, just like how Polly's wasn't.

“Merrick, Elowen, you are so grown,” the man whispered, face crumbling.

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