Page 168 of The Sins of Silas

I gave it two knocks, and after a moment, the handsome, platinum-haired man pulled open the door.

He looked so much better now, all clean and in clothes that weren't tattered prison rags.

I smiled up at him softly, and he returned the gesture.

“Hey,” he murmured.

“Hey.” My grin grew. “You gonna let me in?”

His smile became coy as he laughed through his nose, stepping aside to let me amble into the room. On his nightstand was a bottle of whiskey, and beside it was a glass filled with the amber liquid, nearly empty.

He closed the door behind him, and instantly, the energy in the room shifted.

We stared at each other for a moment, and my lip wobbled before I quickly wrapped my arms around him, holding him close. He smelled just as I remembered…like cedar and a rainy morning.

Home.

“I have missed you so much,” I breathed, then pulled back to gaze into his eyes. “Gods, I want to stab you for leaving without a word.”

He held me close and let out a soft laugh. “I have missed you. Terribly.”

“How could you leave, Torrin? After everything that happened, after what we said…”

Torrin’s jaw clicked, and he pulled back, looking back and forth between my eyes.

He didn’t want to say.

“Surely our tryst wasn’t that bad, was it?” I asked sheepishly.

To that, Torrin’s eyes widened, his face flushing. “It wasn’t badat all.” His hands slid down my arms. “Which is why I had to leave, even if Igon hadn't encouraged me,” he admitted quietly.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He swallowed, my eyes flitting to his Adam's apple as the lump retracted. “My feelings for you grew too strong, Lena,” His arms fell back at his side. “You and Silas are fated for one another. Not you and me. And I couldn’t take it. Couldn’t take that it would never be me.”

“Torrin…” I shook my head, pinching the bridge of my nose.

He glanced away for a moment, then met my eyes with a half-smile. “You and Roland, huh?" he said, changing the subject. "That’s quite a surprise.”

My eyes widened, my face heating. “How…?”

Torrin tapped at his temple. “I heard his impure thoughts.” His hand dropped back to his side. “Silas also told me.”

My stomach flipped at the mention of Silas's name. I winced and sucked in my bottom lip. “Are you angry?”

A crease formed between his brows. “No, I want you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

I shook my head. “You need to wantyourselfto be happy. You do everything for everyone else, Torrin.” I brought my hand to my chest. “Ishould’ve been the one to leave Ames. That was your home.”

He grasped my hands. “It wasourhome.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, and butterflies filled my stomach. “Plus,” he pulled away with a smile, “Igon would’ve told you to leave if it was meant to be you.”

I took in his face, his beautiful eyes and soft lips, his wispy hair and smooth skin. This man…this man who had always protected me. Always did what was best for the sake of the world and never for himself.

My words were just above a whisper. “Do you think he knew?”

I didn’t have to clarify the unspoken words.Did Igon know you would be enslaved?

Torrin's eyes dropped to the floor as he thought it over, and then they rose again to meet mine. A crease was between his brows as he said, “It is likely.”

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