Maines and Larkin move toward us, ready to take their leave, but hesitant to leave us behind.
“Taken care of? No. I’m not just leaving her here alone. She deserves respect.” I snap.
“And she will have it, Briar. But we can’t stay here another minute.” Silas’s eyes are serious and carry a look of anger; this time, I know it’s aimed at me. “Warrick is going to notify her family. They are going to honor her.” Silas’s voice is harsh as he turns to speak to Larkin and Maines. “You two, go.”
She gives me one last look of sorrow and grabs Larkin’s hand. They turn to mist before my eyes, leaving me alone with Silas and Yara’s body. Grief overwhelms me, and I feel as if I’m a second away from spiraling.
“You are being heartless.” I rip my hand from his hold.
Silas glances at Yara’s body lying beneath the fabric. “Do you truly think I’m heartless? After everything?” He releases a long exhale. “I’m trying to ensure your safety. I’m trying to keep us all safe.”
I flinch.
“They will have a ceremony for her. I will do whatever I can to ease this pain. I swear it to the Gods, my love.” His voice rises nearly to a shout. “But you must stop lying to me.”
“I didn’t lie to you,” I whisper, and the guilt layered on top of my grief nearly pushes me over the edge. “I just didn’t know how to tell you.”
He cradles my face in his trembling hands. “I’m trying to keep someone I love from being the next to die, but you’re making it impossible when you withhold vital information.”
Silas releases his grip and turns away from me.
The distance between us feels icy, and I can’t stop my hands from shaking. He gazes across the expansive room, and I realize he’s focused on the family portrait on the wall. He examines each face, frozen in time.
His sister is so small compared to the others in the painting. Her long black hair falls messily around her, and she smiles. She is so young and naïve compared to the pain the others experience.
His mother, her beautiful face both regal and troubled, hands resting on both of her children, and I know she’s doing all she can in every moment to shield them from the monster next to them. Even from the gentle touch the photo portrays, I see now, she is protecting them… from him.
Even in the portrait, Malachi's hauntingly aged visage seems to pierce through you. No kindness is evident behind his eyes, and even in the delicate paint strokes, a bright flicker of green dances within them. His irises glow unnaturally, as if even they are desperate to show the real him.
And there’s Silas— the fresh wound above his eye, the bruising, and such sadness in his young eyes—forever marked on canvas in a mockery of his actions. He's not even a teenager yet, but his demeanor feels much older. I hadn’t noticed it before, but both of his fists are clenched tightly.
Silas turns back to me, meeting my gaze, and I notice something shift in his eyes that I can’t quite place. For a brief moment, I could swear I saw a tear that quickly vanished. Silasstands taller, his shoulders broader, and he tucks his hands into his pockets.
“Our royal bloodline comes from my mother’s side,” he explains. “We have to tell her what’s happened.”
“I understand.”
“Malachi is gone?” he asks.
“I think so.” I nod. “Yes.”
“Where?” He snaps.
“I’m not sure.”
He grabs my hand and pulls me through the door into the long hallway leading back to the central part of the castle. The air feels lighter out here, and I am thankful we left the room. It was too heavy in there, and with each passing second that I stayed there with Yara’s body, I felt myself slipping away. Silas remains at a distance from me, giving me time to protest, but I don’t. I stare at him, watching the wheels turn in his mind.
“I’m going to make sure that we give our respects to Yara. She deserves to be at rest, and Warrick will take care of it. I’m sorry, Briar. I’m so fucking sorry.” Silas lowers his head. “Malachi is a monster, and I didn’t stop him.”
I blink in surprise at his apology. “He would have killed us all, Silas. If anyone is to blame, it’s me."
“It’s not your fault, and don’t say that again. You did what we all thought was right. You were risking more than just Yara by going through with that; I hope you understand that.”
I nod.
“Yara wanted to help. She was brave, braver than any of us could have been. She will be recognized as such, I promise.” Silas stops and turns to face me. “One day, things are going to change. Andorwood is going to change, and I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure that.”
I nod, knowing everything he speaks is true.
