Silas stood glaring, the calm before the storm, as I filled Torrin in on everything. The attack in Ames, Igon's death, him naming me Supreme. I told him of Forth Laith, leaving out my assault, and told him of Immeron and the mountain. He was especially pale-faced when I told him of the necromancer and of the occurrences in Forsmont.
“My Gods.” Torrin shook his head. “I…I can't believe Igon is dead. And you being Supreme?”
“Insane, right?” I laughed softly. Gods, it was so nice hearing his voice.
Torrin offered a warm smile, one that caused my heart to skip a few beats. “I was going to say fitting.”
My cheeks began to heat just as Silas said, “Explain.”
Torrin turned his attention to the Prince. “What do you know?” he asked, his arms crossing over his chest.
“That you left Otacia the same evening Lena supposedly was killed." He shook his head. “I thought this whole time it was you who did it. You who betrayed our kingdom, you who played a part in my mother’s death.” His eyes went to me, then back to Torrin. “Though Lena is alive, and you two seem rather fond of each other.” His fists clenched. “So, explain.”
“Torrin had nothing to do with what happened with Ryia, but when we were in Fort Laith, I didn’t trust you yet. And I feared ifI mentioned Torrin, knowing the kingdom sought him, it would cause more harm than good.”
He darted his gaze between us, his lip curling.
“I remember you two being friendly at my ball. Were you…did you…”
“No,” Torrin and I said simultaneously.
“It was Torrin who escorted me home the day I was arrested. He told me that day he was a Mage and, later on, proved it by removing his glamour.”
Silas's eyes continued to shift between the two of us, brows remaining lowered as he focused on Torrin. “Were you a spy?”
Torrin swallowed, but his expression remained neutral. “I was to keep an eye on things for the sake of my people, yes.”
Torrin told Silas of his ability to read minds, about Igon’s orders, and told him how he was meant to be in Otacia all that time.
“So, for the majority of our relationship, you kept this secret?” Silas asked me. “You had this…connection with Torrin?”
“Silas, I never wanted to keepanythingfrom you—”
Silas snorted, though he found nothing funny.
I turned to Torrin, needing to tell him an important detail. “Kayin spoke to me, Torrin.”
His eyes bulged. “What?" he breathed. “When?”
“When I was on Mount Rozavar. She told me she was in Otacia. She…she didn’t seem well.” I chewed on my bottom lip, then winced. “I’m assuming you aren’t able to hear her, even if she tried to reach out.”
His eyes were weary as he shook his head. “No…I’ve heard nothing. It has been quiet in my head all this time.”
My lip wobbled, and Silas asked, “Who is Kayin?”
“A seer,” I responded. “Torrin and I haven’t ever met her face-to-face, but we have been able to communicate with her telepathically. She…” I dragged my hand down my face. “She is the one who told us awful change was coming, to leave for Ames the night before your mother’s death.”
Silas’s eyes flared, and just as he went to shout, I raised my hand. “But I know she was not responsible. She only saw that it would happen. Believe me, she was working with Igon, and he very much respected Ryia.”
“I can’t fucking believe any of this.” He let out a dry laugh. “Do you even hear yourself?!”
“Silas—”
“I never knew you, did I?” His lip curled as he looked me up and down. “You are a stranger to me.”
He went to storm off, but I grasped his arm. He shoved me off and continued to move anyway.
I sped up to him, leaving Torrin. “Silas!” I hissed, looking around at all the weary eyes around us, at my friends’ raised brows. “Just let me explain, dammit!”