Page 27 of The Sins of Silas

He lightly brushed her arm, and she jolted awake. He murmured something in her ear, and she gave him a hesitant, sleepy smile as he hopped down, giving her a hand off their ride.

Who would’ve guessed that asshole would’ve grown so fond of her?

“I’m shifting once we resume,” Viola stated.

“I can always walk,” Hendry offered, and my surprised eyes met his as he stretched. He shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

I studied him with my brows drawn tight. “Alright…thanks,” I replied skeptically.

“Thank you,” Viola added.

He gave a slight smile, then sauntered off toward Silas.

I was frowning as I watched him, sensing no ill feelings.

Vi gave me a soft nudge. “People can just be kind, Merrick.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not used to it. Certainly not from humans,” I mumbled.

After everyone saw to their needs, I found myself perched against a stone, stuffing my face with more bread, enjoying my mini solitude. I found myself alone in Ames most days, not that I’d complain. Being subjected to everyone else’s emotions left me drained more often than not.

I was taking another bite just as Silas ambled up to me. “Would you mind showing Era more with the bow before we continue onward?”

My eyes widened before my surprise turned into a glower.

Really? I’m the only one who walked this whole time, and he wants me to do some more standing?

“Why me and not Hendry?” I muttered with my mouth full.

“You’ve trained her thus far.” He shrugged. “Plus, I asked who she’d prefer, and she said you.”

I blinked, then snorted. “Yeah, right.”

He crossed his arms, and my smile fell.

“You’re being serious?”

Silas’s deepening frown sent chills across my body. “Just do it…” He made a pained expression. “…please.”

I studied him for a moment longer before sighing. “Fine. Give me a sec.”

Era and I walked off for some privacy while I gave her more tips with the bow. No one else planned to train right now, so to avoid embarrassing her, considering her skills were subpar, I suggested I train her further down the pass.

“Here,” I adjusted her grip on her bow. “Try like this. Don’t keep your arm locked.”

“I want to rest,” she whined, following my directions and loosening the tightness of the arm holding the weapon.

“You are so damn infuriating,” I muttered. I placed my hand on the small of her back, and I felt her stiffen further. “You need to relax your back when you pull the string.”

“Right back at you,” she mumbled. “And I’m trying. It’s hard, and I don’t want to be doing this.”

“You think I want to be wasting my time this way?” I sneered. I honestly didn’t mind teaching her…but her poor attitude was getting on my nerves. “I’m the one who has been walking this whole time, not you, Princess. Shoot the arrow.”

She did, missing the target, a bullseye I made on a boulder with my blood. Morbid, I know. But I healed the gash quickly. Erabella had been mortified when she watched me make the cut.

“Yeah, well, that’s your choice,” she retorted, her chocolate eyes glancing back at me as she retrieved the arrows she fired. “Viola said she was more than happy to let you ride her…or whatever.” She cringed.

I snorted, and she turned her head to me as she readied the weapon again.

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