Page 278 of The Sins of Silas

“Just a lot on my mind.”

I couldn’t talk about Era. The situation was still so fucked. She and Silas weren’t together, yet she joined in on this journey and threw away her title and her comfort, all in support of him. Just for him to leave her for another woman.

I knew what Silas and Lena had was real. I knew the situation had been taxing on them as well. But Era…Era got fucked over, and no one had comforted her. We had all gone on like nothing had changed when everything had.

And she still refused to speak with me. If she would just let me comfort her, if we could just talk, I knew things would be better.

I always wondered if my mother would still be alive today had she found love after my father’s affair. If she would’ve found living to be worthwhile after all. My existence wasn’t enough; in fact, it was a constant reminder, I was sure. I was certain every time she looked at me, she’d see my father’s face. Be reminded of his betrayal.

That’s why I hated seeing Era like this. In her beautiful, broken face, I saw my mother. I saw a woman who would’ve given her spouse anything but wasn’t fully appreciated or worshipped like she deserved.

“A lot of crazy shit in a short amount of time,” Edmund mumbled as we cut down some firewood. “I suppose you’re feeling…well, all of it.”

“As always,” I muttered, swinging an ax we found in the temple.

“I can’t wait for this war to be over,” Edmund sighed. “That little break was good—more than good. But it went by too quickly.”

I nodded, lost in thought.

“Was it hard on you? Knowing all that?”

I knew he was referring to the secrets kept for Silas and Lena.

“Painfully. Not only knowing it but feeling everything. I wanted to be angry at them, especially for Era’s sake. But I also…couldn’t fully. Because I understood.”

Our wood pile was looking decent. We only needed enough to cook our dinner, as the temperature tonight shouldn't get too low.

“I hope Era finds a love like that,” Edmund said, wiping the sweat off his forehead before bending down to carry some wood. “You too, man. A Soul-Tie bond is the most wonderous thing.”

I started gathering wood in my own arms.

“El got her electricity,” he mumbled, and I raised a brow at him. His cheeks turned pink, and then his face scrunched in embarrassment.

“I really don't want to hear about you and my sister having sex,” I muttered.

I wasn't about to tell him I had also acquired mine.

He laughed, standing straight with his hands full.

I smiled to myself, thinking of Era…thinking of the moment that power spread throughout me…thinking about how she looked when I released it.

I knew Erabella loved me, and when I got back to her, I would show her just how much I loved her. I would beg and grovel if I had to.

I needed to see her smile again. I needed to hold her in my arms. We would work through this and come out even happier. I knew it.

I heard the whizzing passing me only a second before an arrow shot through Hendry’s chest.

Hendry's mismatched eyes blew wide, his eyes dropping to his fatal wound before he slumped to the ground, blood pouring out.

“NO!” Edmund bellowed, instantly releasing the wood pile in his arms and withdrawing his sword.

Only a moment went by before the sharp sting of a blade slid across my neck.

Edmund wailed as he whirled in my direction, eyes widened in horror at what he beheld. He thrust his sword into the person behind me.

Liquid poured down my neck as the wood in my arms tumbled to the ground. My eyes enlarged as I contemplated what had just happened.

My neck…my neck had been sliced open.

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