Page 132 of The Sins of Silas

Merrick ran up to him, finally releasing his cry as he hugged the man tightly. Elowen examined them, unsure fully of who they were.

More tears spilled from Torrin's eyes, and he grinned when he looked at me again. “I found my parents.”

My eyes widened, his hands still in mine, and I glanced back at the couple. Tobias and Josie Brighthell went missing when Torrin was sixteen years old, meaning Merrick was nine and Elowen was four the last time they saw them.

“Have you been here this whole time?” Elowen cried softly, walking forward. Merrick hugged Josie next.

Tobias, Merrick's maternal uncle nodded, moving to give Elowen a hug, squeezing her tight. “I'd say I'm so happy to see you, but that would be a lie.” He pulled back, grasping El's shoulders, eyes flicking between her and her brother. “What are you doing here?”

Torrin and I stood up just as Merrick replied, “It's a long story. How didyoutwo end up here?”

Josie's eyes fell. "We made the mistake of leaving Ames one morning. Not leaving permanently…but Tobias and I wanted a morning to ourselves—wanted to roam the roads and see scenery other than that of our little town.” She shook her head. “We planned to be home before dinner, but we were poisoned on the road. Faltrun was looking for slaves even back then.”

Tobias gently caressed his wife's back. “The poison they used weakened our magic, causing our glamours to fail.” His watery eyes lifted to Merrick's. “When they discovered our magical identity, they didn't kill us. No, they decided to keep us, poisoning us daily—just enough to keep us from fighting back.”

“Dear Gods,” Elowen murmured.

Josie gave her a sad smile. “Only once the cuffs rolled out did the poisoning cease.”

It was evident the two were weak. Dark circles, slim bodies, and skin littered with scars. It was a miracle so many years of abuse hadn't killed them.

“What type of poison?” I asked gently.

Tobias shrugged. “We aren't sure what, exactly. The first time they used it, it was a dust that they blew in our faces. They tainted our meals with it afterward.”

My head flew to Silas. “Otacia must've gotten that poison from here...perhaps they are distributing it.”

Silas's frown remained, even as Josie said, “You've seen it before?”

I nodded gravely. “Yes. The Otacians used some dust in Forsmont just days ago.”

It was quiet as Tobias's eyes narrowed, studying the Prince. “Silas La'Rune travels with you,” he noted. "That is most shocking."

There was clear animosity there. It seemed that Silas's reputation had spread even to those down here, enslaved. It was silent for a moment between us all until Elowen spoke again.

She seized Edmund's arm. “As does Edmund.” She brought the soldier forward, his cheeks flushing at the action. “My boyfriend.”

Torrin’s eyes turned to saucers. “Estielotis your boyfriend?”

Edmund held Elowen close to his side, and she leaned her head on his chest as she said, “Soul-Tie.”

Torrin glanced between the two of them, then grinned. “He is a good man.”

To that, Edmund’s lip trembled, honored by his once superior's kind remarks.

“Though make sure you lie and tell him the ceremony starts at an earlier time for your wedding day.” Torrin smirked. “Estielot could never be on time for anything.”

Edmund blinked, and then, despite everything, tipped his head back and laughed. “You got me there, Brighthell.”

Hendry and Roland were smiling; even Merrick was, too, but Silas still wore a frown, eyes narrowed.

Torrin's gaze settled on him. “The three of us should speak privately,” he said as he glanced between Silas and me. He glimpsed over at his parents, then at his cousins. “You all have plenty to catch upon.”

Torrin held my hand again, guiding the three of us over to a corner away from everyone. We weaved through bodies, some looking up at us with tired eyes, some so broken they remained staring at the ground.

When we finally stopped, Silas and Torrin were staring daggers at each other. I nervously stood at Torrin’s side.

“How are you here?” Torrin began. “Together, I mean?”

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