Page 228 of The Sins of Silas

He tasted like mint and sweet tea—like that drink he'd always order when we went to Hidden Rhythm.

I grunted against his mouth as his hand trailed down to my erection. I broke our kiss, our eyes expansive, chests rising and falling as we took each other in.

He was touching me. No one but Lena had ever touched me.

She died only a few months ago, yet here I was, being intimate with someone else.

But it didn’t matter, did it? She was fucking gone.

War was waging in my mind, and I was unsure if I could follow through with this. Roland leaned up, kissing my lips gently just as the door to my room flung open.

I hadn't bothered locking it, never expecting to have been in this situation.

My head whirled in that direction, my stomach sinking as I tumbled off of Roland.

My father’s eyes flared, his fists clenching hard. They were trembling as he turned his expression to Roland, who fearfully sat up in bed.

“So, this is why you insisted on defending him last year.”

It wasn’t like that at all. Yes, he was being attacked for his presumed sexuality. But I did it because his treatment wasn’t right, not out of feelings for him.

My father charged toward Roland, but I shot off the bed, blocking his path.

“It’s not his fault,” I insisted. “I initiated. I-I gave him no choice.”

“Silas—” Roland began.

“How long?” the King demanded.

“This was the first time.” I trembled. “I swear it on Mother’s grave.”

Ulric’s gaze was the most frightful thing I’d ever seen. He turned his attention back to Roland, who was shaking.

“I never want to see your face again. Get out.”

I could feel Roland’s gaze on me, but I kept eye contact with my father.

“OUT!” the King shouted, and Roland quickly fled the room.

When he was gone, my father's vicious glare found mine. “You fancy men, huh?”

“No.” I shook my head, willing my tears to stay put. “I don’t.”

“His hand was on your cock,” Ulric spat.

I inhaled sharply. I didn’t even know what to say.

“I…I’m just confused,” I whispered.

“You disgust me. You've been nothing but a failure in everything you do. And now you show me you're a faggot too.”

He grasped my arm, pulling me out of the room.

I was just beaten last night. This was going to be so very painful.

I sucked in my lips, my breathing uneven, my throat burning.

Bringing me to one of the extra bedrooms in the castle, my father locked me in there, leaving without a word. I slowly seated myself on the bed, dreading his return.

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