Page 236 of The Sins of Silas

“You say that,” I said quietly. “But I know you care for Era, Silas. I know that you love her…just as I love Torrin.”

His brows lowered, a deep sigh releasing from him.

I shook my head, eyes dropping. “I tried to get him to try again with me…we kissed on the sand last night.”

“You wanted to be with him?” Silas asked softly.

I nodded, guilty eyes lifting to meet his. “As far as I could remember, it was he who I lost my virginity to. He and I have this history between us…” I shook my head, tears filling my eyes. “It just kills me to hurt him.”

“You are the onewho isn't ready,” he realized.

I leaned my head against his chest, holding him tight. “I am ready. I never wish to be intimate with anyone else again in my life. I want you and only you. I just…telling the others is what makes me nervous.”

Silas held me tighter. “Then we don't have to. We can be committed to one another in private while we navigate the unknown.” He paused. “I'll admit…I am nervous about ending things with Erabella. She gave up everything to help me. Committed treason…and to leave her without her title…”

“Then we wait,” I whispered, tilting my head up and kissing him slowly.

“I won't sleep with her again. I swear it.”

“I know. I won't sleep with anyone else again, either.”

My eyes slowly fluttered open, Silas’s arms holding me close to his chest. We had made love a handful more times after getting out of the tub, and I don’t know when I drifted to sleep nor how long we had been resting. I gazed up at him, sleeping peacefully, his youth more pronounced with his features so soft. His black hair was messy, and his lips were still swollen from our kisses. My heart warmed at the sight of him and the sound of his heart beating against my ear.

I realized this was the first time in our entire relationship that we had been able to sleep next to each other in bed. I had fallen asleep in his arms the first time we made love, but he was gone when I woke.

But here he was. My thoughts wandered to where my friends might be. I hoped they were okay, but I found myself not worrying too much because I was so happy lying here with him. If this really all was a test…surely my friends had succeeded, too.

Silas shifted beneath me, and in his sleep, he nestled in closer to me before his eyes slowly opened.

I stared into the pools of honey that were his eyes, and he gave me a sleepy smile.

“Good morning, Flower,” he murmured and planted a kiss on my forehead.

“Did you sleep well?” I asked sleepily.

“Better than I ever have.”

I grinned. “Me too.” I dragged my finger along the tattoos on his neck, focusing on the artwork. “Are these phoenixes?”

I had never truly studied the design, but now that I did, I noticed the feathers, the beaks, and the flame.

“They are,” he murmured. “My mother loved them. Of course, now, with all this prophecy bullshit, I’m wishing I’d picked a different tattoo.”

I continued stroking his skin. “I like it…love it, actually.”

He let out a hum. “Let’s just hope the God of Rebirth isn’t a dick.”

I giggled, and Silas kissed my lips softly. As he pulled away, my smile faded.

That sound…

“Silas…the birds,” I breathed as I shot up, taking note of the room filled with sunlight. Birds sang from outside, and when I pulled back the curtains covering the window beside the bed, I gasped.

Nothing but lush, green fields were in the distance. Not a trace of snow anywhere.

“My Gods,” Silas whispered as he stared off from behind me.

We quickly got dressed, grasped our bags, and rushed outside of the cabin. A warm breeze blew through as blades of grass danced, and the sun beamed down, warming my body.

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