Page 99 of The Sins of Silas

And then I hugged him, enveloping my arms around his waist and burying my face into his chest. He only stiffened for a second before he held me tight, his head tilting down so our cheeks touched. I cried harder.

“I'm sorry, Lena,” he whispered.

“I know,” I wept. “I forgive you.”

He shook his head in protest, the stubble on his cheek brushing against my skin, and I held him tighter.

“You've made it up to me by being here…by helping my people.” I sniffed, then gently leaned back, my head craned up to take in his beautiful, forlorn face.

“I am not deserving of forgiveness,” he voiced quietly, his arms sliding away from me. “But I will try my best to do the right thing now.”

My hands slid from his back to his sides before my right hand went up, stroking his cheek, stroking his scar.

He sucked in a breath, his eyes dilating. “Lena—”

“Deserving or not, you have it from me, Quill.”

I let my hand fall, turning back to face Igon's grave once more before our departure. I fished out the bronze compass, running my finger along the pelican etched into its back.

A memento.

Sacrifice.

Only through fire can the phoenix be reborn from the ashes.

What does this all mean, Igon?

Chapter Twenty-Eight

MERRICK

I'd be lying if I said I was thrilled to be on the road again. I'd grown accustomed to the warm bed, the hot showers, and being able to piss in private.

We were all back to how we were before, only this time, Viola and I rode on Dani, which I abhorred.

I didn't mind Dani. I just hated that she lusted for my girlfriend…or whatever she was to me. We hadn't put a label on it and had only had sex twice—the first night in Forsmont and the last.

Really, what I actually hated was that Viola returned the attraction. Even though it's normal for people to be attracted to more than one person, I didn't care to know about it.

My eyes slid to Erabella, who gave me a small smile when she saw me looking over at her. I returned the gesture.

Gods. I was such ahypocrite.

After the battle between Otacia and Forsmont, I immediately rushed up the steps inside the castle to find Era.

“You're alright,” she had breathed.

I had acted on complete impulse, advancing on her and wrapping her in my embrace.

She had become rigid, but my grip didn’t lessen because I felt her warmth at my gesture. She returned the hug a moment later.

I had never been a touchy-feely guy. Ever. But after witnessing her overcome her fear…seeing her have the strength not only to fight but also to take the shot that saved my life…I was left in awe.

I had pulled away, cupping her face in my hands. Her whole face was flushed, those gorgeous brown eyes wide as she stared into mine.

“I am so fucking proud of you,” I had praised, my grin wider than it had been since before Ames was overthrown. “I owe you my life, Princess.”

She bit her lip, a smile spreading across her face. “I guess my teacher did a good job,” she murmured.

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