Page 25 of Shattered Crown

Silas turned in his arms, resting his forehead against Thorne’s. “Better,” he said, though his voice was hoarse. “They’ll come back. The dreams always do.”

“Then I’ll be here every time,” Thorne said, brushing sweat-matted hair from his face. “And I’ll fuck them out of you again if I have to.”

Silas huffed a soft laugh. “Romantic.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know.” He kissed Thorne then—slow and tender and full of gratitude he didn’t know how to voice. “Thank you.”

Camp stirred to life as full dawn broke. Elena emerged from her small tent, somehow looking fresh despite their rough accommodations. She'd braided flowers into her dark hair, a touch of beauty in their dangerous journey.

“Morning,” she called cheerfully, producing a wrapped package from her pack. “I saved some traveling bread from home. It's got guardian herbs baked in.”

The bread's scent hit Silas like a physical force. Rosemary and something else, something that spoke of sunlit kitchens and simpler times. Memory crashed over him: his mother's garden, before she died. Before his father's ambition consumed everything good in their family.

“My mother used to grow herbs like these,” he found himself saying as they gathered around the small fire. “Back when... before everything changed.”

Thorne's hand settled on his thigh, a steady presence. The touch saidI'm herewithout words.

“She had this little walled garden,” Silas continued, accepting a piece of the fragrant bread. “Father called it frivolous, but she defended it fiercely. Said every palace needed something growing, something alive.” He laughed softly. “I used to hide there when my tutors became too much. She'd pretend not to see me behind the lavender bushes.”

“Sounds beautiful,” Elena said carefully, as if aware she walked on delicate ground.

“It was.” Silas took a bite of bread, letting the familiar flavors settle his nerves. “Father had it paved over after she died. Said it was a waste of space.”

The words hung heavy until Kai broke the silence. “Well, that explains a lot about your charming personality. Raised by a man who paves over gardens.” Kai paused, then added, “By the way, Eliar went back to Thornhaven last night. Said someone should keep watch there while we're dealing with this mess.”

The tension cracked. Even Silas found himself smiling at Kai's irreverence.

“Probably wise,” Thorne nodded. “The manor's defenses need a guardian's touch.”

“Yes, I'm sure that's the root of all my issues,” Silas replied dryly, returning to Kai's earlier comment. “Nothing to do with betraying my family or falling in love with an ancient forest spirit.”

“Speaking of family,” Briar piped up from her perch on a low branch. A raven had just landed beside her, carrying something in its beak.

The sealed letter bore the royal crest. Silas's stomach dropped as he recognized his father's personal seal pressed into the wax. With steady hands that belied his inner turmoil, he broke the seal and unfolded the heavy parchment.

To my son Silas,

Your absence from court has been noted with great concern. I require your immediate return to discuss matters of utmost importance regarding your future and the future of our house.

Failure to present yourself within a fortnight will be considered an act of defiance against the crown. I trust you understand the gravity of such a choice.

“Well,” Silas said after reading it aloud, “that's unambiguous.”

“You can't go back,” Thorne stated flatly. “It's obviously a trap.”

“Of course it's a trap,” Silas agreed. “But ignoring a royal summons brands me a traitor officially. Right now, I'm just a disappointment. There's a significant legal difference.”

Elena frowned thoughtfully. “Could you use this? Turn their trap around somehow?”

The idea sparked something in Silas's mind. His father thought he was still the dutiful son who could be manipulated through duty and shame. What if he played that role?

“I could return,” he said slowly, watching Thorne's expression darken. “Gather intelligence, maybe delay whatever they're planning. Buy us time.”

“Absolutely not,” Thorne snapped. “You're not walking back into that viper's nest alone.”

“I wouldn't be alone. Kai could accompany me as my guard. And you...” Silas reached for Thorne's hand. “You could follow through magical means. Stay close but hidden.”

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