“His is different.” She nearly trembles. “Much different.”
I keep my eyes locked on hers, and I swear fear dances in her eyes before her gaze drops.
She pauses, and glances back at me. “Silas has been through a lot. Our father spent many days practically torturing him. My brother has spent years building walls to keep people out.”
“I know the feeling.”
“Give him some time, Briar. He will let you in deeper than he’s let anyone.”
Tears form in my eyes as I look at Fen. Her face is so beautiful and reminiscent of Silas, but different all the same.
“What happened to him?” I ask.
She grabs my hand with one of hers, pulling the shoulder of her shirt down with the other. A thick white scar lines the top of her left collarbone. I flinch at the pain I can only imagine she endured to receive that.
“I know you’ve heard our father has interesting tactics for punishments. We fight here in Andorwood. There’s a worn, wooden platform near the center of the kingdom. Crowds are forced to watch as people battle it out. Whoever wins, lives.” She shrugs, as if the words are casual. “I was young when I got this scar—too young. Silas had to be restrained during that fight; he killed three guards trying to escape to stop me from getting hurt. He practically exploded with rage that day, and even as a child, I think our father feared him.”
My heart shatters, and my lip quivers, as I try to regain my composure.
She continues. “My father was so disgusted by his reaction that I never had to fight again. Silas took every single one of my punishments for me. Beating after beating—for me. He’s covered in scars—both inside and out—because of me.” Tears well up in her large green eyes. “He deserves the world. He is selfless, loyal, and loves deeply. Just be there for him as much as you can. You have his heart—his soul—and I know he’s stubborn, but it’s real. I know that for a fact.”
I stare at her, my chest tighter than it’s ever been.
Silas.
MySilas.
“I’ve been selfish, Fen.”
“No, you haven’t, my friend.” She returns the soft gaze. “You are about as far from selfish as you can get. You are resilient, kind, and humble. And even though you have a darkness deep within you, Briar, you are good.”
I take her hand, our conversation fading into silence. She softly squeezes my hand in return, and a look of understanding crosses her face.
“You are going to change everything one day. Just trust yourself, and trust Silas.”
She wipes a falling tear from her cheek and turns away.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I’m the one who has been selfish,” Fen admits, and I watch her face turn from sadness to painful regret.
“What do you mean?”
“I think things are going to change soon, and I’m worried about him. I feel as if I’ll be sick at any moment with this feeling twisting in my gut.”
I angle my head. “Warrick?”
She nods. “Yes.”
“Why do you say that? If you’re worried about something, the best thing you can do is face it head-on. Trust your instincts. The what-ifs will drive you mad.”
She wipes a tear and shakes off the unsettling feeling with a smile. “Maybe I’ll do that, but not right now. Right now, we need to get you ready.”
I nod, resigned to my fate. “What do you think I should wear?”
She strides to the large wardrobe and opens the doors. “First, let’s move all of Silas’s clothes. They aren’t important.” She flashes a grin over her shoulder before returning her focus to the wardrobe. “This. You’ll wear this.”
My jaw drops.
