Page 13 of The Silent

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“Before… it was when most people were asleep. It was quiet then. Or mostly quiet. It was the most peaceful I could feel. Dream voices have a different flavor thanwakingones.”

“Andnow?”

She turned her head so he could see the curve of her cheek as she smiled. “I still like the quiet. And the possibility. Everything is possible at dawn,isn’tit?”

“I think so.” He stood beside her and looked at the hills. “I missed you, Kyra. I wrote you letters. Did your brother tellyouthat?”

She didn’t speak for a long time. When Leo risked a glance at her, he thought her eyes were shining, but it was hard to tell in the light. Her eyes always shone to him. In the grey predawn light, theyglowed.

“Kostas told me,” she said. “Thank you for thinking of me, Leo. I didn’t expect you to remember me afterthatday.”

“I could never forget you.” He inched closer. “Do you want to know what Iwrote?”

She blinked and shookherhead.

Leo ignored the stab of disappointment and turned to face her. “Why not? I can tell you. I remembereveryword.”

She turned and looked him full in the face. “BecauseIlied.”

“What did you lieabout?”

The rising sun touched her face. Her ebony eyelashes. The threads of copper inherhair.

“Because everything isn’t possible,” she said. “Not even at sunrise. Notforme.”

“Why not?” He wanted to grab her shoulders and shake her. He folded his arms across his chestinstead.

“You wouldn’tunderstand.”

“I wouldn’t?” he asked. “Or you don’t wantmeto?”

She reached out and tentatively touched the back of his hand. Her fingertipswerecold.

Sparks. Electricity. Leo closed his eyes and let the sensation flow through him. Touching Kyra was like tastingsunlight.

Leo unfolded his arms and reached for her other hand, pressing them together between his own. He drew Kyra’s hands to his mouth and blew air between his palms, warming her cold fingers with his breath. He knew he didn’t imagine the shiver that ran alongherskin.

“Let me tell you what my letters said,” he whispered against her fingertips. “Please, Kyra. Let metellyou.”

“Don’t.” She swallowed hard. “Just give me this, Leo. We’re going into battle tonight; I don’t know what willhappen.”

“So let metellyou.”

“It will only make it worse when I leaveagain.”

“So don’t leave.Stayhere.”

“Ican’t.”

“Why not?” He locked his eyes with hers as the sun rose over the battlement. “Why not, Kyra? When Ava cametous—”

“I’m not Ava.” Kyra closed her eyes. “In so many ways, I amnotAva.”

“Then tell me why? I wanttoknow.”

“Don’t ask me today,” she whispered. “Just give me this.Please,Leo.”

Leo closed his eyes and bowed his head over her hands, pressing kisses to herfingertips.