Page 235 of The Sins of Silas

I heard Silas turn off the water, and I continued staring at the window as he walked up beside me.

“How are we going to survive this?” I whispered.

He kissed my shoulder. “One day at a time, Flower.”

I turned to him. “And our friends? Do you think they survived?”

His jaw flexed. “I hope so. I still don’t understand how the weather changed so drastically.”

My thoughts drifted to Immeron's words back on Mount Rozavar before we embarked on this journey.

“…the trial that awaits at The Valley of Awakening. I don't know much of it, but there is a border between regular land and that of Nereida. It is said to show those who cross through it the truths of themselves.”

My gaze fell to my hands, still in disbelief that the frostbite had vanished. Silas held my chin and lifted my gaze to his.

“Take a bath with me?” he asked.

I smiled, then squealed when he scooped me into his arms and carried me to the bathroom. Because of the lack of light, I could barely see as he placed me into the hot water. I let out a soft moan as I lowered myself further in. The porcelain tub was deep, and thebubbles, paired with the scent of orange and vanilla, comforted me.

“I have a request,” Silas said as he held a candle to me. I let out a soft laugh as I brought my fingertips to the wick, lighting the candle and revealing Silas’s beautiful face. He grabbed a few more, and after I lit them all, he placed them in different parts of the bathroom.

He smiled at me as he lowered himself in, and I couldn’t keep away from him. I went forward and lifted my soapy hands to his face, pulling his lips to mine. He laughed against my mouth and placed his hands on my hips, pulling me on top of his lap.

I started kissing his neck, and he moaned softly. I could feel him stiffen underneath me, but as much as I wished to make love again, I stopped kissing him and held him tightly, resting my head on his shoulder and letting out a sigh.

He lightly brushed his hands up and down my back, his cheek resting on the top of my head.

“We never had the opportunity to bathe together in my room in the castle,” he murmured. “But I had dreamt of it many times.”

“What, my cold shower wasn't good enough for you?”

He laughed, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “I did enjoy fucking you in there…even if we were freezing our asses off.”

I leaned my head back, raising a brow. “Even when we heard my mother return, and we had to pretend it was just me in the shower?”

“Oh, especially then.” His smile grew. “I enjoyed watching you attempt to converse with her through the door while my cock was inside of you. How uneven your words were as I moved in and out.”

I shook my head, then kissed his mouth, running my hands through his black hair. “You deviant.”

“You loved it.”

“I did,” I admitted, feeling his length brushing my sex as I straddled him under the water.

“How can I go on after this?” I asked quietly, my hands trailing up his back, caressing the skin that had seen such abuse.

“What do you mean?” he mumbled.

“How can I return to pretending like there’s nothing between us?” I pulled away. “How can I be happy when you are with her? When I can’t openly show my affection? When I shouldn’t be showing affection at all?” I dropped my eyes. “It isn’t right to continue doing this when you are with someone else…even though I want to so badly.”

“I know…I know,” he whispered. “I need to figure out how to end things with Era. I know that.”

“You'll actually leave her?” I asked quietly.

He nodded, kissing my temple. “It certainly can't go back to how it was before. I don't know how she will take it. I don't know how anyone will.”

“I don't want to pressure you if you aren't ready,” I insisted.

“I am more than ready.”

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