Page 181 of The Sins of Silas

“Ramiel, the father of the Queen, named them. Asael was just told what to paint.”

My brow furrowed, bouncing back to the sister painting. “Why aren't they together?”

She shrugged. “He insisted one stay here—paid quite a bit of gold to do so. Said it was never to be sold.”

I studied the painting, searching for a sign, anything.

“Where is your brother now?” I pressed.

“He lives in Halsted…gave up painting to join their forces last year.”

That caught my attention. “He gave up all of this to be a soldier for another kingdom?” I asked skeptically.

Her whisky eyes remained on mine. “It makes no sense, does it?” Her eyes flitted back toPurification. “My brother loved painting. It was his passion, but when Ramiel returned last year, asking to speak with Asael privately, my brother returned pale-faced and trembling. Something he had said rattled him enough to have him packing for Halsted that evening.”

Ramiel…it sounds like this man knows something.

My head spun as I tried to remember the kingdom Ryia hailed from. Was it Halsted? No…perhaps Kalrael?

Silas would know this information. He never spoke to me of his grandfather, but any knowledge would be beneficial at this point.

“What is your name?” I asked her, softening my tone.

She hesitated. “Dagne. Dagne Nefeli.”

I nodded, eyes sliding to the painting one last time.

Death by a lover's fire…rise of the phoenix…

“My name is Lena Daelyra,” I told Dagne after a moment of pondering.

“I know.”

My brows knitted together, and I looked back at her.

“The Queen's father—Ramiel—told Asael of your name.”

“How? I've never spoken to the Queen's father before.”

But perhaps Ryia had told him about me…

“What did he say about me?” I urged, stepping toward her.

“He said you’d know of the paintings.” Her hands clenched the fabric of her dress. “And he told Asael to save you.”

I froze, my face dropping. “Save me? From what?”

She swallowed. “I don't know.”

“You can do this, Lena,” Dani assured.

I took a shaky breath, then began to draw the pentagram that evening. I etched the wordsAccipe corpus meum alibiin the Titharan language on the ground with chalk, and our destination, Mount Rozavar, written in the same language at the bottom of the circle.

After the bizarre experience at The Artist's Guild, I began my search for Silas, only to give up shortly after.

I still wasn't ready to face him. I knew he would persist, demanding I tell him what was wrong last night, and I wasn't ready for that conversation just yet. I wanted to be as emotionally stable as I could while attempting a type of magic I'd never used before.

He toldhim to save you.

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