Page 264 of The Sins of Silas

It made so much sense now why he wasn't even questioned when he killed that man in Serpent's Cove. It wasn't because he was seemingly from the Inner Ring. It was because they couldn't see him.

My heartbeat quickened the moment I saw him and me.

I saw myself get pushed to the ground by that girl, the others laughing at me. I saw myself rise to my feet and get my bag snatched. I saw myself charge toward her, holding that dagger to the girl's neck after she took a bite of a pastry.

This was it. The moment everyone would know our secret.

Silas charged forward. “Hey!” he growled.

My sixteen-year-oldeyes flew to his, and Silas's glare shot to the girl. “See what happens when you take what isn't yours?”

The whole encounter played, Silas getting her to return my bag, only to toss it to the ground, shattering the vial inside.

My friends studied the memories before them with wide eyes, seeing everything.

Past me shook my head. “I'm sorry, I didn't even ask your name. I'm Lena Daelyra,” I held out my hand. “And you?”

He examined my hand. “Quill. Quill Callon,” he replied, bringing my hand up to his and kissing it.

We watched as my mother panicked when I told her I'd just handed our orders over to him. I cringed as they saw me cry in my room.

They watched as Silas came back, handing over the money, and watched as he went with me to fetch the sage needed for her elixir. They saw us deliver the remaining two orders and saw him grasp my hand, rushing me down the steps of the Outer Ring just in time before the curfew kicked in, giggling at the ridiculousness of it all.

They watched as we made our deal that he'd train me.

They heard the first time he called me Flower.

We were now back in the castle.

“So? How was it?” Ryia asked.

Silas wore a grand smile. “It was amazing. The best day of my life.”

I smiled at that.

Ryia's grin faded. “It was only one time, Silas.”

His smile disappeared, too. “But I have to go back. I…I have to.”

“I'm sorry, Silas. But the answer is no.”

Iremember this next vision—it was the day after, the day Ryia visited the Outer Ring.

I watched as Ryia's gaze caught mine, as she stilled in place.

“This girl I saw in the Outer Ring,” Ryia said to Amatta as our surroundings flashed back to the castle. A smile crept over the Queen's face. “She will be the one my son loves. His Soul-Tie.”

“What?” Amatta breathed.

“She is a Mage,” Ryia whispered, grasping her silver and sapphire necklace. Visions of Silas and I training in the Western Forest began to play as she spoke. “A powerful one. Or, I should say she will be. Her power…it is unlike anything anyone has ever seen.”

Flashes of us kissing in Amethyst Pond played, and I felt my face go hot.

“Silas, have you met anyone?” Ryia asked in the next vision.

“What makes you ask that?” Silas mumbled while fidgeting with his shirt.

The Queen grinned. “Just wondering.”

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