I tensed. It made perfect sense. But I couldn’t tell her why.
“I don't know,” I lied. “Regardless, I couldn’t let her believe I had any part in what happened to her, nor that I supported it. I wanted to make sure she knew I was grateful for what she did.”
“And now what? She will be killed once we reach Otacia, anyway. So why does it matter?”
“Because…” I let out a deep sigh. “Because I am letting her go.”
Era looked at me like I had sprouted a second head. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“She will fight me on it, but I won’t let someone who saved my life be killed. I can't.” My fingertips drummed at my sides. “So, I will be letting her go. I just need to figure out how to do it without anyone noticing right away…”
“Silas, have you lost your mind?” she hissed, looking around the room in case someone had snuck in. “If your father finds out—”
“I don’t give a fuck what he thinks,” I snapped. “I need to go talk with Edmund,” I muttered, rushing out of the room before Era could protest.
Halfway to the room Edmund was being kept in, I ran into a pain in my ass.
Roland.
“So. Word has spread.” He smirked, stopping me in my tracks. “Jones, Geoff, Daerin, and Rurik. Dead. Killed by you in a rather vicious manner,” he simpered.
I glared at him and wondered who the hell he thought he was. “Do you have a problem with that?”
He put his hands up. “Not at all, boss man. I hated Rurik. You knew that.”
Rurik was a grade-A asshole. Hardly anyone could tolerate him, even a cocky son of a bitch like Roland. After what happened when we were boys, what Rurik was willing to let slide when it came to his treatment, I was sure he wouldn’t lose sleep over his death.
He placed his arms back down, a frown now taking over. “Is she okay?”
My eyebrows knit together.
Why the hell does he care?
“She will recover,” I said flatly. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have matters to attend to.”
I continued forward, my shoulder bumping into him. He grunted but didn’t bother saying anything else.
I entered the room, finding Elowen sleeping next to Edmund. What was left of his left arm and right leg were heavily bandaged, and all he wore was black lounge pants. Like most soldiers, his body was heavily toned, though his skin was free of any ink. He was sitting up against the headboard, rubbing Elowen’s back, and was startled when he saw me.
I raised my eyebrow, and he looked back down at her, then continued to rub her back more.
“She can’t die, Silas,” he said quietly.
Edmund was the closest thing to a best friend I had, save for Era and Hendry. When my intense training began after Mother died, Edmund and Hendry were the only lights that I had. The only ones who, without a doubt, had my back.
I walked closer and pulled up a chair, plopped down, and crossed my ankle over my knee, studying him carefully.
He dragged his thumb over her cheek, and she didn't even stir. The continuous use of her magic must've drained her.
Edmund then looked up at me. “She saw something in me. I’m not sure what, but she did not have to beg to save me. She didn’t have any reason to show me kindness, but she did.” He sucked in a breath and bit his bottom lip. “Please,” his voice cracked.
I studied her petite form nestled beside him, her golden brown skin a stark contrast to Edmund's fair complexion. It reminded me of how Lena's skin compared to mine. I loved how dark my hands had looked pressed against her soft skin when we were together.
I crossed my arms as I assessed my friend. “What do you expect me to do, Edmund?”
“I…I don’t know.” He shook his head, his blond, wavy hair swaying with the movement. Then he paused, nodding to himself. “I know Ulric would never spare one of them…never let anyone who did go unpunished.”
My eyes widened at the ridiculous plan that I could see him getting to. “Absolutely not. I will not let you take the fall for everything.”
