Page 87 of The Sins of Silas

It was an idea I had thought of many times.

Silas cocked his head toward Merrick. “Have the Empath tell you my intentions.”

I looked over at Merrick, his eyes already darkened as he had been reading Silas this entire time. “He tells the truth.”

Keir's pupilless gaze hardened on mine. “Is it true? What your seer said of your Soul-Tie?”

My stomach fell to the floor as each of my friends' heads turned to me.

“Is that the reason—”

“It's irrelevant,” I interrupted nervously.

Keir contemplated for a moment, and just as he went to speak, horns blared from outside. My head whirled, and I rushed to one of the tall windows in the room to see what was happening. Silas was on my heel, looking over my head.

Silas swore, angling his body toward the council. “You…you didn’t summon Otacia, did you?”

Leroy gaped at Keir, who quickly stood from his seat. “Keir…you summoned the Otacians?”

The older Warlock rose from his chair, eyes widening. “I have no idea why they’ve come,” he breathed.

“Are they here to conquer?” Hendry asked Silas, rushing to another window, mismatched eyes broadening at the sight before us. People in the town were scrambling, soldiers rushing toward the front gates.

“The King had plans to take over Forsmont,” Silas said quietly, the room going deadly quiet. “But it wasn’t supposed to go into effect for another year…”

“Perhaps they seek alliance?” Edmund offered.

Roland shook his head, eyes narrowed as he scanned the outside. “Otacia’s number far supersedes that of Forsmont. If anything, they would be heading to Faltrun if they wished for an ally.”

I turned my gaze back to the troops rushing toward the entrance.

“How many?” Erabella panicked.

“Too many…” Viola responded, shaking her head slowly. “At least a couplethousand.”

Merrick swore, and Elowen squeezed closer to Edmund. “We can’t leave them,” Elowen said to Silas quietly as she stared out the window.

He frowned. “What—”

“The people here. We cannot let Otacia take over.” Her turquoise gaze remained pinned to Silas. “I know those men are your people, Your Majesty,” she continued, “but if what you say is true, if we magic folk are to be your allies, then we are your people, too.”

Silas blinked, the only sign he was stunned by Elowen referring to him as Your Majesty, not even Your Highness, which was his technical title.

Silas's eyes drifted over the council members, who now all stood, examining the Prince in question.

He bowed slightly. “I will stand by Forsmont.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

MERRICK

Ahandful of the Forsmontian guard rushed to the castle’s balcony, readying their bows, and Hendry joined them. Roland and Edmund had rushed to the front of the castle along with Silas, Lena, and Viola to fight at ground level. Elowen was also stationed down below, ready to heal anyone who needed it.

Era stood, chest rising and falling as she covered her mouth, staring out one of the large glass windows. Silas had ordered her to remain inside.

“Era,” I said softly as I tied back my hair. “You ready for some more practice?”

She chewed on her lip, glancing out at the impending army. “Those are my people,” she said quietly. “What kind of princess kills her own soldiers?”

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