Page 56 of The Sins of Silas

Carefully holding my dish, I sauntered over to my group and sat next to Edmund across from Silas and Era. Everyone was busy eating, so I began to do the same, shoving a forkful of syrupy pancakes into my mouth. I had to stifle a moan at how delicious it was.

I tried to keep my eyes off Silas, but his hair, too, had been freshly cut, and the style was remarkably similar to Roland's. In place of armor, he wore a dark shirt, the sleeves rolled up to showcase his golden, tattooed forearms. I wished I could study the designs, but I could only spare quick glances without it seeming odd.

He looked good. Really good.

When he caught my eyes for probably the tenth time, he asked me, “How'd you sleep?”

I tried not to choke on my pancake. “Good. Great.” My eyes nervously fell, and I resumed eating.

“You’re looking rather well, Lena,” Era noted with a smirk. “Very…well rested.”

I slowly lifted my glare, wanting to clobber her, but then my eyes sensed Roland. He had just entered and was at the end of the room, picking up a plate and speaking to Hendry. His brown hair was damp, and when his eyes met mine, a sweet smile fell over his face, causing me to suck in my bottom lip and look down at my plate again.

“I suppose I am,” I said with a soft laugh, cutting another piece of pancake. Era let out a similar laugh, and when I glanced up, my smile vanished, Silas’s expression causing my stomach to drop.

He waspissed.

Did Era tell him about last night?!

Oh fuck.

Wait, why was I worried?

If he’s upset, he should get the hell over it. He has a wife, after all.

My eyes darted back down to my plate, and I continued to cut my pancakes just as Roland and Hendry reached the table. Roland sat beside me, and Hendry sat next to Silas.

“Got enough pancakes, Ginger Snap?” Roland teased.

I went to stab him with my fork, and he chuckled. “What? I can’t be hungry?” I asked as I popped a forkful in my mouth. Three pancakes weren’t a lot. Well…jumbo pancakes…and bacon and eggs.

“You must’ve really exerted yourself, hm?” His eyes went down to my lips.

When I froze, his eyes playfully met mine, and he laughed softly. His eyes danced to his own plate, and he lifted a piece of bacon and took a bite.

I watched the column of his neck work as he chewed and swallowed.

Gods, he is hot. Annoyingly hot.

I refused to look at Silas, but out of the corner of my eye, I noticed his fist clenching where it rested on the table, revealing the whites of his knuckles.

Merrick was the last to arrive. He set his plate down, sitting beside Era.

“This really is an interesting development,” Era continued with a grin.

My eyes shot up, but Era was looking at Merrick over her shoulder, the Empath's eyes beginning to swirl dark. He studied her, then raked his gaze across the table.

Enough, for fuck's sake.

Merrick’s eyes settled on Silas, then Roland, then me. His dark eyes faded, and his cheeks grew red. “O-oh,” he stuttered.

“Uh…what’s going on?” Edmund asked slowly, his eyes skating between Erabella and me. Elowen looked over to me with a raised brow.

“Lena, can I talk to you?” Merrick asked quickly.

Tithara, spare me.

I sighed. “Yes,” I grumbled, scooting my chair away from the table to meet with him outside in the courtyard.

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