Page 244 of The Sins of Silas

I peeked at him through my fingers, guilt written all over my face.

Roland shook his head. “Naughty, Ginger Snap,” he scolded playfully as he stood, removing his legs from the water. “So, Torrin knows about this history?”

I nodded, my fingers falling. “He does. As do Merrick and Dani.”

He choked, hand flying to his chest. “Okay, now I'm offended you left me out of the loop.”

“To be fair,” I began, swimming to the front and resting my arms outside of the bath, “Merrick figured it out because of his gift. Torrin knew because he was there.”

He cocked a brow as he dried off his calves. “And Dani?”

“It's another long story. But I guess she noticed the way he and I looked at one another.”

He slid back on his socks and boots. “I suppose I need to be more observant.” He shot me a wink.

I bit my lip. “I know it's a lot to ask…but please don't tell anyone, Roland.”

When he finished lacing his boots, he said, “I won't. The last thing I need is the Prince hating my guts any more than he does.”

I offered him a gentle smile. “He doesn't hate your guts. Or you.”

“Trust me.” He stood up straight. “He does.”

He began striding toward the door when I called out, “Roland.”

He lookedback.

I tried to let him see the truth in my eyes. “Trust me. He doesn't.”

Roland sucked in his lips, eyes falling to the ground before he left.

Chapter Sixty-Eight

SILAS

“Is everything okay with you?” I asked Era from my spot beside her in bed.

She'd hardly uttered any words to me since we'd joined back up. We may have only known each other for a little over a year, but I could tell when something weighed on her mind.

I still couldn't believe Roland had caught Lena and me kissing. I'd have to speak about it with him at some point. Dinner had been delivered to our room, and after eating the delectable, seared fish, we laid in bed, wishing to get some sleep.

Era kept her eyes away, staring up at the ceiling. “Yes. Why wouldn’t it be?”

I could also tell when she lied, because it wasn't very often she did so. “Ever since we got split, you’ve been acting different.”

“No, I haven’t,” she deflected.

She and Merrick had been separated together. Dani had mentioned she believed him to be attracted to her. And as my mind organized my memories, I realized the Empath had always kept close to her.

Did they have a moment together like Lena and I did?

“What happened when you and Merrick were split from us?”

The feathering in her jaw gave away her unease. “Nothing.”

I frowned. Clearly, that meant something. But what? Merrick had kept his distance from her since we'd gotten here.

I sighed, not wishing to pester her. She certainly wasn't pestering me…which was curious.

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