Page 180 of The Sins of Silas

His smell fell, his mouth parting as he exhaled.

“Would you…would you like to come with?”

He blinked rapidly, his eyes filling with tears as he smiled, nodding his head. “Yes, I would like that very much.”

I beamed back at him. “Well then, fetch your things. We leave tonight.”

I wandered through the kingdom by my lonesome, wishing to get some answers to a question that had plagued me ever since I arrived. I angled my head toward the sign looming above an oak door.

The Artist's Guild.

I strolled in and was met with a smile that quickly vanished at the sight of my appearance.

I didn't care. I wasn't going to hide my ears here. I walked forward despite the woman's wide-eyed stare, scanning the various paintings, sculptures, and drawings displayed.

The worker—or owner, I supposed—crossed her arms over her chest as if she was cold. “What can I do for you?” she asked nervously, tucking her green hair behind her rounded ear.

I kept my eyes on the paintings as I wandered around the spacious room. “A friend of mine had a piece commissioned here. It was called 'Rebirth'.” I turned to her, noticing her flinch.

I refrained from rolling my eyes.

“D-do you know the artist's name?” she asked.

I shook my head, eyes trailing over the masterpieces once more. “Unfortunately, no. I only remember the description:Death by a lover's fire.”

To that, her caramel-colored eyes grew even more expansive. “Oh…oh Gods.”

I cocked a brow at herjust as she rushed out from behind her desk. “The piece you speak of…my brother painted it.”

“Your brother?” I asked, unsure why she was acting panicked.

She nodded toward a room in the back. “Follow me.”

I hesitated but decided to obey. There was nothing she could do to harm me. She'd be a fool to try.

I followed, keeping a tasteful distance until the woman stopped. She pointed her delicate hand to a painting before her, one hung higher than the others.

I glanced underneath at the engraving.ASAEL NEFELIwas listed as the artist.

The painting was nearly identical to the one in the castle, although instead of orange and red hues surrounding the dark smoke, the flame was white. Silver sparks appeared to be shooting out from the chaos, sparkling like starlight.

White flame and silver sparks.

My eyes flickered to the name of the painting, and my heart ceased beating when I beheld the description.

Purification: The rise of the phoenix.

“What the fuck,” I breathed, then shifted toward the young woman, narrowing my eyes. “Why did your brother name his painting this? What does this all mean?”

“I don't know,” she said calmly. “A dark-haired man came into our business fifteen years ago. I was just a little girl at the time—my brother was only fourteen. He was a prodigy, far more skilled than anyone his age.” Her weary gaze flitted to the artwork. “It was his first major commission. The man said it was for his daughter: The Queen of Otacia.”

My mind reeled, remembering Ryia's words from all those yearsago.

“This piece was gifted to me by my father. He had it commissioned by a talented painter in Faltrun. He named the piece Rebirth.”

Henamed the piece.

“Who was the one who named the pieces?” I asked.

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