I stood up and put a hand on my hip. “Why help? This will be seen as treason.”
“I am well aware,” he said.
“You won’t be able to return home.”
“I want to make this very clear. I am not doing this for you.” He looked me over, then continued. “I wish to take the throne from my father.”
My eyes widened, and my arms slacked at my sides. “What?” I whispered.
He crossed his arms. “I have considered it for a long time. He is still young and in good health. He could reign for decades still.”
“Are you saying you wish to kill your father?”
He cocked his head to the side, studying me for a moment before continuing. “More or less, yes.”
“How will your people see that?”
I wanted the King dead more than anyone. But if Silas was the one to do it, I worried how his people would take to him afterward. I cannot imagine Silas being a more vicious leader than his father, but if he ended his father in such a way…perhaps they’d fear that.
He scoffed. “You’re acting as if you don’t want him dead yourself.”
“No, I just—”
“Can’t picture me doing something so violent, Flower?”
I stiffened at the sound of a nickname I hadn’t heard in so long. However, instead of it being laced with sweetness and desire, it was laced with bitterness. Still, it affected me the same.
“I don’t want you to have to live with something like that,” I said quietly.
Darkness flickered in his eyes. “I live with much worse every day, Lena. Regicide would be the least of the horrors.”
I wanted to ask what he meant, but I couldn’t find it in me.
“No matter,” he continued. “Our first job is to gather support. There are territories down east that have resisted Otacia’s control. My father has made it clear he wishes to conquer them.”
“And you?”
He shook his head. “Otacia doesn’t need any more land. We need allies. I suspect these territories will be willing to join our cause if it meant Ulric was no longer King.”
I stared down at the ground. It was risky, but Silas had to have considered this plan in advance. I knew the kingdoms of Faltrun, Forsmont, and Wrendier had resisted Otacia’s command and remained independent to this day. But still…
“Why now, of all times?”
“Having the Mages on my side would be a big help.”
I scoffed incredulously. “You expect theMagesto support you?”
He shrugged. “I would lift the kill order. Mages would be welcome in the kingdom. Why wouldn’t they support that?”
“You’re telling me this grand idea just came out of the blue? Silas, the Slayer of Witches, is suddenly willing to provide refuge after all these years of slaughter? Why not kill your father sooner?”
His jaw clicked, and I just watched him as his eyes bounced between mine, as if debating what to say.
“Because nothing separated me from him before,” he said quietly. “And there was never hope of any support. Sure, the territories would be a big help. But…not enough.” His golden eyes burned into me. “But your people, if there really is more of you, it could change everything.”
I bit my lip, looking at the floor again for a few moments before gazing back at him. “I don’t know if the Mages will support you after everything you've done.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Would you support me?”
