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Silas places a hand on my knee and gently squeezes as a silent warning to behave. “You’re right,” he says with a smile. “We will discuss it at the next meeting. Aurelia, we’re ready for dinner,” he adds, and she nods, disappearing into the kitchen.

Dinner is served, and I’m pleased when Aurelia joins us, much to my parents’ horror.

We eat the meal in silence, like always.

When everyone is full of roast chicken and fresh vegetables, Aurelia begins to collect the plates.

As she picks mine up, I grab her wrist and smile warmly.

“Thank you so much, Aurelia, that was delicious.”

I feel my parents watching the exchange, and Silas sees it as a chance to rile my father some more, so he also thanks her. She’s so surprised, she just nods before rushing off to the kitchen.

Silas suggests drinks out on the terrace, and we break out onto the decked area. He keeps hold of my hand, pulling me to him. “I think you’re rubbing off on me,” he murmurs close to my ear.

“I don’t want to get you into trouble.”

He smirks. “Although your father doesn’t seem to believe it, I am his equal. All forefathers are.”

It’s the first time he’s mentioned my father with a negative tone, and I take the chance to steer him in the right direction. “Really? He always talked about being in charge,” I say innocently, feeling him stiffen. “He always led us to believe he had a final say on everything.”

“Interesting,” Silas mutters.

“When he talked about making changes, I assumed you were all in on it.”

“Changes?”

I pause. “Maybe I shouldn’t say.”

His eyes narrow. “Wynter, your loyalties are with me, not your father.”

I place a loving hand on his chest. “You’re right,” I whisper. “He talked about being the leader . . . the only leader.” I let him take that in before adding, “He doesn’t believe he should run things by you and the others. He wants sole charge.”

“When did he say this?”

“In the caves,” I tell him. “Right before you came and saved me.”

He places a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Go and spend time with your sister.” Then, he heads off to speak with my father.

Summer grabs my hand. “He makes my skin crawl,” she whispers.

“Who?”

“Adam. He’s creepy.”

I nod in agreement. “Try not to worry. I’ve already set the wheels in motion,” I say excitedly.

The plan wasn’t even a plan until the opportunity presented itself, and now, my mind is racing with possibilities.

I glance around to make sure no one is listening before adding, “If I put doubts in Silas’s mind about Father, maybe things will unravel. ”

“How?”

“Let’s talk about this in the office,” Silas shouts, and I turn to see my father marching towards me with a furious expression. He strikes me before Silas can reach us, and I land in a heap on the floor.

“Telling lies is a sin,” he screams, grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet.

I grip my face, letting my tears fall freely. “I haven’t lied,” I say.

Silas breaks us apart. “How dare you come into my home and assault my wife?” he bellows, and I shudder.

It’s the first time I’ve heard him sound so angry and out of control.

“You think you’re above everyone?” He exams my face, wiping my tears with his thumbs.

“Are you okay?” he asks gently. I nod, amazed that amongst all the chaos, he’s checking in on me.

He turns back to my father. “My office. Now.” He surprises me by taking my hand and leading me there too.

Once we’re inside, my father spins to face me. “You have lied. You will be punished.”

“I am the only one who can punish her,” snaps Silas.

“I haven’t lied,” I repeat, the nerves getting the better of me as the gravity of what I’ve said hits me. If my father convinces Silas I lied, I dread to think how my life will suddenly change again.

Silas takes my hands in his and looks me in the eyes. “Tell me again what was said.”

I nod. “My father told me he created this place where marriage means everything, and that he is God.” Silas glances at my father with a raised brow. “He said one day he would rule it alone.”

“I did not,” Father yells, and Silas holds a hand up to silence him. It’s a good feeling to have someone boss him around for once, and I can just imagine the fury burning through him right now, not that I dare to look for myself.

“He said you were just a means to an end so the villagers would trust in him. He wanted to hang those children so he could later blame you and the others. He plans on more public punishment.”

“Why are you listening to this crap?” Father demands.

“The hangings were your idea,” Silas states.

“Which we voted on and you agreed.”

I resist the urge to pull away at hearing how he’d vote to kill innocent children. “Because I wanted Wynter,” he bellows, “and you basically said that would happen if I backed you.” His words stun me momentarily. I assumed he chose me after he saw what happened in the caves.

“I cannot believe you’re letting this . . . this whore convince you—” Silas rushes him, and they crash against the bookcase. He lands a punch, and my father splutters in confusion.

“Leave,” Silas tells me as they grapple for control.

I don’t wait to be asked again, rushing from the room.

I pull the front door open, and the two guards stand straighter.

I wince then smirk as another plan forms in my mind.

“You’re needed in the office,” I say with panic lacing my words. “They’re fighting.”

Wrath

I close my eyes and try to picture her. Wynter. Her green eyes begging me to kiss her. I’m so weak, I can hardly bring myself to smile, and just as quickly as I conjured her, she disappears.

“Wrath? Wrath?” I prize my eyes open and there she is again, leaning over me with her small hands gripping my shirt as she shakes me awake. I want to lift my hand and touch her face to see if she’s real, though deep down, I know she’s not.

“He’s refusing to eat or drink anything,” I hear a woman say, and I frown. Wait. Is she real? I try to lift my head to see, but it hurts too much. I groan.

“Get me the water,” I hear Wynter order.

I feel a gentle hand supporting my head and then something is pressed to my lips. At first, I refuse to part my lips. “Please, Ares. Drink for me.” My vision begins to clear, and she’s smiling back at me.

“Wynter,” I whisper, my voice cracking from dryness.

“Yes. It’s me.”

“But . . .”

“Drink, Ares,” she repeats. “You have to drink something.”

I sip the water and it cools my throat. After a few more sips, she takes it away and cups my face in her hands. “Why are you doing this?”

“You left me,” I murmur. The kiss comes back to me full force and I try to remove her hands, but she holds on with tears in her eyes. “You’re one of them.”

“I’m not, Ares. I’m not one of them.”

“I saw you,” I snap.

She releases me as someone hands her a bowl.

She scoops something from it and holds it to my lips.

“Eat so we can talk,” she orders firmly.

I shake my head, and she groans with frustration.

“Why? What will you achieve by refusing to eat or drink? You’re giving up, and then they’ve won.

” My stomach growls as the smell hits my nose, and my mouth begins to water. “You want to eat, so just try, for me.”

I open my mouth, feeling like a child as she places the spoon in. I close my eyes, savouring the taste of warm porridge.

After a few mouthfuls, I turn my head away, and she sighs, placing the bowl down.

“I didn’t want to leave,” she says, her voice quiet.

“I had no choice, just like you have no choice being in here.” She waits a beat before adding, “One of the forefathers decided he wanted to marry me.” I clench my jaw, and she finally meets my eye again. “Say something, Ares. Please.”