Page 63 of The Sins of Silas

“Oh, that’s rich,” Emma laughed.

“I can be…princely,” Quin muttered.

Our empty dishes clanked together as Leroy gathered them in his hands. “Yeah, right,” he teased. “Quin could become King if the people vote for him one day, but because the title won’t be simply passed to him, no one refers to our children as princes or princesses.”

Leroy set the plates into the sink and began scrubbing.

A King…washing his own dishes.

“You clean up nice,” Viola purred as we made eye contact through the full-length mirror in my room that evening.

I smiled softly at her before glancing back at my suit. I felt a little ridiculous, but it did suit me well. The deep turquoise piece paired nicely with my porcelain skin, its silver accents matching my piercings.

I turned to face her. Her purple braids were up in two low buns, and she wore a long, white, sleeveless dress paired with a violet corset. It squeezed her waist even tighter than the form-fitting fabric encasing the rest of her.

“You look fantastic,” I admired.

She stepped forward, and my heart picked up as she kissed me slowly. I hesitantly gripped her waist, deepening our kiss, before we were interrupted by a knock on my door.

Followed by an immediate entry.

“Hey, we were going to head down—” Edmund began, his eyes bulging when he saw Vi in my arms.

I glared at him, and his whole face turned red. “Sorry, man!” He winced. “I'll wait out here.”

The door clicked shut before I could snap at him.

“He's really trying,” Viola commented while staring at the door. She turned back to smile at me. “I think it's sweet.”

I groaned. “It's not sweet, it's annoying,” I muttered.

Viola kissed my cheek, grasping my hand. “C'mon. Let's see what The Freak Show is all about.”

Chapter Eighteen

LENA

“Look atyou, Ginger Snap.” Roland's eyes roamed over my body from his seated position on my bed. His gaze lingered on my exposed hips, then on my breasts.

It was now evening, and we were getting ready for the circus Dani and Leroy had raved about. I felt a little scandalous wearing this outfit, but at the same time, I'd never felt more confident. The maroon, off-shoulder dress hugged my body pleasingly, my thighs peeking through the slits on either side, and I’d be lying if I said my ass didn’t look nice. But with the black under-bust corset sinching my waist and pushing my breasts up…well, they are what stole the show.

His lips curved into a sinister smile as he stood. “You look…”

I ran my hand over my collarbone suggestively. “Look like what?” I asked sweetly.

He bit back his smile, eyes trailing along me another time. “You look like…” He gave me a mischievous grin. “Like I’m going to have trouble keeping my hands off you.”

I grinned back, and his eyes went half-lidded as he drew me close by the small of my back. I gasped softly as he pulled my mouth to his, and after a slow kiss, I smiled against his lips.

“I feel the same way,” I purred.

He chuckled lowly. “I'm not even dressed yet,” he whispered. He was still wearing his outfit from earlier today.

“Then get dressed.” I lightly slapped his ass, and he bit my lip. When he withdrew, I stared up at him, studying this face that I once despised.

“What?” he mumbled, then pecked my lip again.

“I just would’ve never guessed…any of this.” I kissed him slowly. "I wanted you dead last month."

---