Page 209 of The Sins of Silas

“What, should I act on selfish impulse like you?”

I froze, eyes narrowing. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“You think I don't know?” He scoffed. “I've heard your thoughts, Merrick. Hear your inner battle. You desire the Prince's wife.”

I clenched my teeth together, shaking my head. “No, I don't,” I lied.

Another scoff. “You kissed her, and you say you don't want her?”

“I gave no permission for you to raid my mind!” I yelled. “How dare you!”

Torrin shrugged. “Is it any different than you reading my emotions?”

“It's completely different! Reading thoughts is far more an invasion of privacy.”

Torrin's jaw clicked before he said softly, “I'msurprised you did it.”

“Did what?”

“Took her memories. If she and Silas got back together, that would leave the Princess for you.”

“Believe it or not, Torrin, you're not the only Brighthell to act selflessly,” I uttered quietly.

“Then you understand my actions,” he said simply as we strode down more steps. “I would want Lena to choose me regardless, not just when she couldn't remember her love for a different man. But she wouldn't…because it's Silas who she wants. Now, and always.” He swallowed. “At least Erabella returns the feeling.”

I almost tumbled down the stairs. “What did you say?”

“She's attracted to you, that's for sure. She doesn't want to be but can't help herself. She ponders on that kiss more than you do, and that's saying a lot.” Torrin turned for the last time. “We have more pressing matters than discussing our messy love lives.”

“We've missed a year of cousin bonding.”

He cocked a brow at me. “And cousin fighting.”

A grin took over my face. “Yeah…and I missed both.”

It took ten more minutes until we reached the bottom of the stairs. A single black door stood before us.

“I'll go in first. You cover me,” Torrin ordered.

“I hate this creepy shit,” I muttered. I withdrew my crossbow, still getting used to the new weapon, and followed Torrinas he slowly pushed the door open. The creaking sound caused the hair on the back of my neck to rise.

Holding his flame, we crept into the eerie space.

The first thing I noticed was the heavy metallic odor. The second was piles of bodies stacked on either side of the room, inky swirls covering their skin.

“Fuck,” Torrin grimaced, covering his nose with his elbow.

As we walked a few steps forward, Torrin's fire illuminated someone kneeling before the altar.

Dead bodies were slumped against the walls, lying in the middle of the ground, yet one remained kneeling.

“Miss?” Torrin asked, slowly creeping ahead. “Are you alright?”

Slowly, the woman's head craned back toward us.

Torrin's flame reflected off her solid black eyes, and she smiled.

ChapterFifty-Eight

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