Page 65 of The Sins of Silas

My arm was still linked with Roland's as I walked. Every time I dared a glance in the Prince's direction, his jaw clicked as if he was holding himself back from returning eye contact. His arm was interlocked with Erabella's, and I despised the envy I felt seeing her wear a sapphire blue dress—both of them modeling Otacia's colors.

That could've never been my life…I had to remember that. It was inevitable that falling in love with the Otacian Prince would leave me heartbroken. It was inevitable that he would marry a princess…that he would forget me, that he would move on.

Merrick shot me a worried glance over his shoulder, and I winced when I realized my emotions had risen. I mouthed, “Sorry.”

Dani led us down stone steps to a line formed behind a door, one that seemingly led underground.

“Where are we heading?” Edmund asked, eyes narrowed at the security guard granting people access behind the door. He wore a white suit, which paired adorably with Elowen's blush, ruffled dress.

“The Show is through that door. It's held beneath our kingdom,” Dani answered, but her eyes were on Viola. “You look great,” she complimented.

Viola's purple eyes widened for a moment. “Oh…thank you.” She smiled. “You do as well.”

Viola really did look stunning, but that wasn't new for her. The shade of her eyes against her deep skin was mesmerizing, even more so with the white dress and violet corset.

“I love your buns, Vi,” Elowen admired. “Makes me want to grow out my hair.”

Edmund ran his fingers through Elowen's pink pixie. “You could put teeny buns in here.”

She snorted. “I suppose. I don't think it would look as cute as Vi's.”

“It would be adorable,” Viola assured, and we all moved forward in the line.

Roland glanced over his shoulder, grinning at Hendry. “I never got to ask, how was that MILF?”

I shot a glare at Roland, then curiously looked back at Hendry, who was shaking his head. “Nunya,” he replied.

Hendy's ensemble was light grey, and still, despite a fancy occasion, he kept his hair over his brows. His eye contrast was more apparent in the evening, his blue eye shining bright.

“C'mon,” Roland whined. “I gave you all our juicy details.”

My head snapped to his, and Roland broke out laughing.

I went to unlink our arms, and he pulled me in close. “I'm teasing, Ginger Snap.” He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “I don't kiss and tell—I told you that.”

“I can't stand you,” I hissed back in his ear, and when he kissed my cheek, I smiled.

Silas kept his back to me.

Twenty minutes passed before we were accepted and led through the door. A scarcely lit, stone hallway was what we trekked through for another ten, and my nerves increased withevery step.

Plenty of people had entered before and after us, all giggling in anticipation, murmuring amongst themselves.

Silas was visibly tense, and he kept Era close to his side. I scowled at her from behind, not that she could see me, not that she deserved it.

“Alright,” Dani said excitedly, just as we were reaching another entryway, this one enclosed with a thick, red velvet curtain, another soldier keeping guard. “You guys ready?!”

I swallowed, and all of us remained silent. Dani's smile was wide, her eyes trailing over us all, before she sighed, her eyes rolling.

She stepped beside the curtain, her hand grasping the fabric. “Welcome to The Freak Show.”

With a dramatic pull, Dani opened the curtain for us, and I froze, my breathing stalling just for a moment before I rushed forward.

“My Gods,” I breathed.

My eyes trailed the expansive setting before me—a kingdom beneath a kingdom. Because we were underground, plenty of warm, golden lights scattered about brightened the place—lamp posts, twinkle lights, and more.

Straight ahead was a large stage, and I almost collapsed at the sight of animals I had never seen before.

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