Page 41 of The Sins of Silas

“She can work on me after.”

We both winced in pain as he helped me up. “No. Now, come.”

Despite having a burned hand, Torrin lifted me, walking us back to our home. Mother was hysterical when she witnessed him bringing me back inside our house, but thankfully, Merrick wasable to calm her down. She wished to be by me while I was being healed, but I insisted on being alone.

I stayed in Torrin’s bed while Elowen worked on me. The soothing touch of her healing magic was the best feeling ever. Despite my many protests to have Elowen work on Torrin first, no one listened. Thankfully, Merrick convinced Torrin to allow him to do the healing, though his skills didn’t compare to that of his sisters; none of ours did.

It wasn’t until morning that I was fully healed. I had fallen asleep at some point. When my eyes finally opened, I turned my head, noticing Torrin was in the room, sleeping soundly on the floor beside me

I studied him…this man who cared for me so deeply.

And once my eyes lowered, my heart sank. Even though Merrick had used healing magic on him, the wounds were so deep that only Elowen’s magic could’ve healed them fully.

I stifled a cry as I beheld Torrin’s left hand, which was now permanently covered in burn scars.

Chapter Twelve

LENA - NOW

Silas wasn’t coming, and I didn’t blame him. The situation was a mess. Plus, he was probably all snuggled up with Era.

The thought made me sick. The truth was, Era was nice. Beautiful. I wanted to hate her…despiseher…but I couldn’t. I was happy he found someone to love, glad he was able to find that happiness, even if it broke me into a million pieces.

I sighed and stood up, my body feeling only slightly warmer, but as I went to turn, I hit something and fell back. Arms reached out and gripped my wrists before I completely fell over. My eyes sprang wide, and I looked up to meet those familiar golden ones.

“Silas!" I exclaimed, my face heating. "I didn’t even hear you walk up.”

His brows furrowed as he slowly lowered my wrists, still keeping them in his hands.

I gazed up at him, the moonlight bouncing off the river, showing off the sharp lines of his jaw. My eyes trailed from his full lips to the light dusting of facial hair surrounding them, down to the tattoos that covered his neck. I wanted to run my fingers along his skin…wanted to see exactly which places of his body were covered in ink.

I began to vibrate with electricity, and I closed my eyes and swallowed, willing the magic down.

“Lena,” he said softly, and my eyes lifted to meet his, which were now laced with concern and…something more. “I…I am so sorry. I had no idea.”

I tensed my jaw, and my words were clipped as they came out. “Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault.”

“It doesn’t matter whose fault it was.” His thumbs brushed the undersides of my wrists, and my lip wobbled. “It was not yours, either. You shouldn’t have gone through that alone.”

My eyes locked on his. “I wasn’t alone,” I whispered.

“You shouldn’t have gone through it…” his voice cracked, “…without…me."

The tone of his voice ruined me. His hands slid down to hold mine.

I savored the feel of our skin brushing against each other. His hands were rougher than when we were young…but still, they were his.

“I got my fire that night,” I said quietly. I bit my bottom lip to prevent the trembling before speaking again. “There’s so much I wish happened differently, so much I wish we could have had.”

His eyes darkened, and now it was his that lowered to my lips. “You told me you haven’t overcome shit, but I think you don’t giveyourself enough credit, Lena.” He lightly squeezed my hands, and my breathing hitched.

Our eyes locked with each other again, and I saw it for a split second.

The longing, the hunger—or perhaps it was all in my head, as it was gone quickly.

He tensed. “Come, I don’t wish to have you out here in the dark alone.”

My head fell slowly, and I nodded. But as I started to walk away, Silas pulled me into him, wrapping his arms tight around me.

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