Page 276 of The Sins of Silas

“Afteryears?”

He gave me a soft smile. “Even after years…I thought it was ‘cause you…maybe you liked men and didn’t want to admit it because of your father. But you and Lena? Everything your father put you through? I would’ve never guessed any of it.” He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “I’m sorry I was intimate with her.”

“Don’t be. She needed that. Deserved it. And you probably did, too.”

His eyes fell to the ground as he dragged his bottom lip through his teeth. “I thought your anger at my flirting with her was because you were jealous I was givingherattention.” He snorted and gave me an embarrassed smile. “I read that whole thing wrong. Well, right, but in the wrong way.”

My shoulders slumped, and my head fell. “I’m really sorry, Roland.”

“She’s special,” he expressed quietly, the corners of his lips raised.

“She is.” I glanced up at him again. “I just…I hope we can be friends again,” I said sincerely. “I am a broken person. But I’m really trying to be better.”

His eyes flickered. “I’ve always considered you my friend.” His smile softened. “Plus, we’re all a little broken.”

“We need to go to Temple Ravaiana. Kayin spoke to me up in the sanctuary,” Lena said softly. Everyone looked at her. “We aregoing to need a necromancer to bring back Kayin…maybe…I’m not sure.” She shook her head. “But perhaps we can find some answers there.”

“And if we don’t?” Torrin asked. “Where to after that?”

“We need to warn those in Faltrun and Forsmont the truth about Ulric. Everyone needs to know,” Dani stated.

“So, we teleport there?” Elowen asked.

Lena pondered on it. “Teleporting takes too much energy. It’d push reaching the temple out a few days, and I want to get there as soon as possible.”

“I can go,” Dani offered. “Plus, I miss my brother. I can stop in Forsmont, then Faltrun. The mountain, too, if you wish.”

“I’ll go with,” Valter interjected from the hallway.

“What?” Lena breathed, turning to face him.

His shoulders lifted. “You’re right. We have stood by the sidelines for far too long.” His eyes flashed to Dani. “I already spoke with Kismet. I can come with you and tell your folks about Nereida. Perhaps even bring some to our home for safety—the children.”

My stomach sank at his words, thinking of little Saoirse.

Viola said, “Should I come with?”

Dani gave her a lazy smile. “They’ll need your shifting abilities, babe. Don’t worry.” She nudged her hips into Valter, who gave her raised brows. “Valt and I got this.”

“Where should we plan on meeting?” Elowen questioned, crossing her golden-brown arms. “Depending on what we do or do not find out at the temple.”

Merrick’s glare was almost more frightening while his eyes were still icy blue. Almost.

I supposed his bitterness came from feeling Erabella’s emotions…or perhaps us hurting her really angered him.

I was still unsure if there was anything between the two of them, but it seemed more and more like there was.

“Let's meet back on the mountain,” Lena stated. “I need to talk to Immeron about all we learned. I'll teleport us there after we explore Temple Ravaiana.”

Everyone agreed.

“Then we shall leave in the morning.”

ChapterSeventy-Six

LENA

Ihated that we were leaving such a beautiful place so soon. I was going to miss the sea breeze, the carefree attitudes of the residents, and, yes, of course, the outstanding food. We'd hardly spent any time here, but I told myself we would be back one day, hopefully under better circumstances.

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