Chapter 23 - The Way He Watches
Athena didn't realize how long they had been standing there in silence.
The morning air moved gently through the courtyard, cool against her warm skin, but she barely felt it. Her focus stayed on Silas.
On the way he watched her.
Not like a stranger.
Not like a captor.
Like someone trying to understand something precious and dangerous at the same time.
She shifted her weight slightly.
"I don't feel scared here," she said again, softer this time.
Silas didn't look surprised.
"I know."
That answer made her chest tighten.
"How do you always know what I'm feeling?"
His gaze didn't waver. "Because your body is reacting the way it was meant to."
She frowned. "You keep saying things like that."
"And you keep feeling them."
She opened her mouth to argue, but stopped.
Because he wasn't wrong.
Her skin still felt warm.
Her senses still felt sharp.
Her heart still felt like it was beating too loudly in her chest.
Silas's eyes moved briefly over her face.
"You saw gold in your eyes this morning," he said.
It wasn't a question.
She nodded slowly. "Yes."
His jaw tightened.
"That will happen more often."
A strange mix of fear and curiosity twisted in her stomach.
"Why?"
He stepped a little closer, not invading her space, just enough that she could feel his presence more strongly.
"Because what was hidden is beginning to surface."
Her breath caught.
"You keep talking like I'm something else."
Silas held her gaze.
"You are."
The certainty in his voice made her pulse jump.
She searched his face for any sign he was joking.
He wasn't.
"What does that mean?" she asked quietly.
"It means you are stronger than you have been allowed to be."
Something about those words hit deep.
Uncomfortably deep.
She didn't know why.
Silas watched the emotions flicker across her face.
Confusion. Fear. Curiosity.
Recognition.
"You are going to feel restless today," he continued. "Like you need to move. Like standing still is difficult."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"That's exactly how I felt when I woke up."
"I know."
She exhaled shakily.
"Stop saying that like you can feel what I feel."
He didn't answer.
Because he could.
Instead, he gestured lightly toward the open space of the courtyard.
"Walk with me."
And this time...
Athena didn't hesitate.
She fell into step beside him.