Page 250 of The Sins of Silas

I loved seeing such a bright smile on my friend's face with his arm wrapped around her. I loved seeing the admiration in his eyes when he glanced at her.

My gaze trailed down to his carbonado fingers, moving upward to brush against his lover's skin lightly. To think only a few months ago he was about to die…only to be saved by those we were sworn to kill.

I sighed, my stare trailing over to Hendry, who was filling a glass for himself and Roland.

Hendry had been the first of us all to lose his virginity, but he'd never tell us the story of how. Not only that, but he’d also never had an actual girlfriend, just late-night rendezvous with strangers. Strangers who were middle-aged women.

I never quite understood why he preferred them.

I was standing off to the side, waiting for Lena to enter. I could only assume that she was getting dressed in an ensemble to rival Lucretia's, who wore a massive, sparkling blue gown. Kismet sat on her lap, wearing a tight, navy silk dress—certainly less flashy than Lucretia's, but still beautiful.

I waited and waited and waited, and then there she was. It was of great effort to keep my face neutral…impossible.

Lena walked in, accompanied by an ensemble of the Supreme of Nereida’s servants. Her gown was made with the most stunning hues of purple and light blue, tight and sleeveless, until right above her knees, where the gown spilled out onto the floor. Its design glittered in the light.

It reminded me of the few Sea Nymphs we’d seen, their captivating tails.

Her copper waves were in a half-up, half-down style, just like how she’d worn it when we met. Only this time, it was far more intricate, with seashells and pearls spread amongst her tight coils.

My knees threatened to buckle at the sight. She was so fuckingethereal.Really, the word ethereal didn’t do justice tohow intoxicating she was. She was otherworldly, her beauty ineffable. No one on this planet could compare.

I watched as Valter’s eyes skimmed over her, a smile growing on his face. Jealousy crawled its way through me. I didn’t blame other men for looking at her with desire—how could they not? I couldn’t, however, eliminate the feeling of wanting to smash in anyone's face who did.

She wasmine.

Valter seemed like he was about to make his move, but I quickly weaved through the people separating us and swooped in first.

“May I have this dance?” I requested as I reached out my hand to her.

This close, I could see the way they did her makeup. Shades of blue and purple surrounded her eyes, making that warm green appear ever brighter.

Lena’s cheeks stained with color at the sight of me, and a small smile tugged at her lips as she replied, “Of course.”

I put my hands around her hips and pulled her against me, her hands crossing behind my neck.

“I see Valter is rather fond of you,” I noted, my eyes narrowing ever so slightly as I watched him across the room. He wasn’t looking this way; he was simply conversing with another guest at this ball.

“Ha, I suppose so.” She lifted a brow. ”Are you worried he'll woo me?”

I snorted. “I am more worried about how it'll come across if I kick his ass in front of everyone here.”

She giggled, and I twirled her in my embrace. “You are such a buffoon.”

“You are such a beauty,” I whispered, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

Her glassy eyes met mine as I drew away. “So are you...”

I blinked, then bit back my grin before the two of us laughed.

“I may have had a little too much wine while they got me ready,” she admitted with a chuckle.

“You deserve a good time,” I replied softly, so desperately wanting to drag my teeth down the side of her neck.

“We all do.” Those damn green eyes greedily took in my face, her fingers running through the hair at my nape.

“Lena,” I growly quietly. “You can’t do that here.”

She tilted her head to the side, giving me innocent eyes. “Can’t do what?”

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