Page 40 of The Sins of Silas

“How?” My eyes slowly opened, and I saw how cold Torrin looked, frost coating his face, his lips, and his hands to protect himself from me. “Torrin, you’re hurting yourself…” My face crumpled. “Please, just g—”

“No,” he said sternly. “This could kill you, Lena!”

“And it could kill you just as easily!”

Torrin’s brown eyes searched mine, and he let the frost melt from him completely, water droplets trailing down his face. It was a cold winter evening, but the heat emitting from me was enough to keep him warm.

In a blink, Torrin grasped my hand, and he hissed, wincing at the pain.

I went to yank my hand away, but Torrin held firm.

“Torrin! Let go! For fuck’s sake…your hand…”

His hand was shaking, burning within my grasp, but he held my gaze with an intensity that made my stomach flip.

“Calm the flames, Lena.”

My body shook, and I let out a choked sob as I saw Torrin’s flesh melting before me.

“Please, Torrin…”

I could tell he was in so much pain, but he ignored the agony and kept his eyes locked on mine. “I believe in you. Calm the flames.”

I bit my lip and closed my eyes.

Calm the flames.

I took in deep breath after deep breath.

Calm the flames.

Calm the flames.

Calm the flames.

"That's it," Torrin comforted.

Calm the flames.

Calm the flames.

Calm the flames.

I felt my temperature dropping and the chilled wind against my skin as I continued to repeat those words.

Calm the flames.

Calm the flames.

Calm the flames.

When I looked down, my skin was red, covered in blisters. But the overwhelming heat…it was gone.

“I knew you could do it,” Torrin said with a gleam in his eyes. “That mantra is what has always helped me keep my fire in whenever I feel it wants out.” He pressed his lips to my forehead, giving it a gentle kiss. “Now, let’s get you to Elowen. She can heal you.”

I nodded softly, then glanced down at his hand. His charred hand. “Not until you are healed, first,” I insisted.

The corner of his lip turned up. “I can heal myself. I want Elowen working on you.”

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