Page 254 of The Sins of Silas

She grinned, rolling her eyes. “She…challenges me. She makes me laugh. And, obviously, she’s breathtakingly beautiful.”

“You aren’t into her male form?”

Vi blushed. “I like it, too. Very much.”

“Best of both worlds, I suppose,” I chuckled.

She laughed, too. “I imagine so.” Her eyes fluttered back to Dani, the Mage woman in his arms giggling at a joke he must’ve said.

“I think you should go for it.”

Vi laughed through her nose. “Yeah, right,” she replied sarcastically.

“I mean it.” I gave Vi a warm smile when she spun her head toward me. “I have a feeling Dani feels the same toward you.”

“You’ve talked?!” she hissed.

I sucked my lips in, pretending to zip them closed.

She bit the corner of her lip, then glanced over to Dani again. He met eyes with her this time, a crooked smile taking over his face.

“Go,” I said. “Life’s too short for unexplored avenues, no?”

Vi shot me a grateful grin, and I inclined my head just as she made her way to Dani, his eyes flaring ever so slightly, finding theirway to mine.

I gave Dani a wink, and as I watched Lena exit somewhere with Valter, I decided to turn in for the evening. There was no point being here without her.

Chapter Seventy-One

LENA

Idecided to head over to Valter after that awkward encounter. It was getting increasingly more challenging to act normal around Silas and not like I wanted to rip off his clothes.

Valter looked remarkable, but I was beginning to think that was a normal thing for him. His pale, lavender-colored suit complemented my dress—matching pearls and gems were incorporated into the design.

“Ah, Lena. I was wondering when you would come over,” he said warmly.

“Haha, well, having a good amount of punch has helped with the nerves.”

I was in Silas's arms almost immediately upon arrival, but I had a decent amount to drink while getting ready.

He laughed, holding out his elbow. He guided me to the center of the dance floor, and we began to sway.

“So, how have you been liking the gala?”

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.” I beamed up at him. “It feels surreal…being here. Feeling protected.” My face fell, my eyes trailing toward the other dancing figures. Did they know how others of their kind suffered? How we have been struggling to survive?

“You aren’t happy with my mother’s choices,” he noted as he twirled me to the beat of the music.

I gave him a pained wince when I got back in his arms, then exhaled. “You should see it out there, Valter. See how our people are barely enduring what the humans have subjected us to. Our numbers are dwindling day by day.”

His face offered sympathy, his bright green eyes falling. “I've never left this place. Not once in my twenty-seven years of life.” He gave me an apologetic smile. “There is much I do not know. But I want to learn. I'd like to help.”

My eyes drifted between his. “I wanted to ask you earlier, since you are so wise in history, if you knew of a tale involving a phoenix—one in reference to the Gods.”

Valter’s brows drew together. “Hmm…I’d have to check in the library.” He gave me a handsome grin. “Want to sneak away for a bit to look?”

I raised a brow at him, continuing to sway in his arms. “That doesn't seem very princely.”

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