Page 11 of A Crown Without Mercy

“What brings you here tonight? I didn’t realize the tavern was a place for the ladies?”

“I—we were having an ale, milord. I only arrived last night, and I thought—well, we thought we would have a drink is all,” Lenora replied.

“Does Tobias know you are here?”

“No, milord.”

“Well, hell, this evening has taken an unexpected turn of events. I’m curious to see what his reaction will be. I believe his is on his way.”

Fuck me,Lenora thought as she leaned back, and her hands fell into her lap.

“I assume you are Sylvana Orfaedo and Muriel Guston?”

“Yes,” Sylvana replied, feeling the claustrophobic confines of the booth along with Kieran’s menacing presence.

“It was nice to meet you, but I think it’s time for us to be on our way,” Sylvana stated.

Sylvana felt his knee touch hers when he adjusted his body and a jolt of nervous energy seared through her very core. “Leaving so soon?”

Sylvana casually adjusted herself and moved her knee away from his, hoping he wouldn’t notice as she spoke. “Yes, milord. I should head home. It’s late.”

Kieran glanced down and then looked at Sylvana. “Do I make you nervous?”

“No, milord.”

He reached down and squeezed her thigh. “Stay. We should get to know each other better,” he said, genuinely curious about the undeniable pull he felt toward her.

Sylvana, Muriel, and Lenora looked at each other, not knowing what to say or how to respond.

“The two of you are as quiet as the dead,” he joked.Speaking of which, I feel as though her energy is pulling me from the grave. What the hell is it?He wondered.

Alaric would kill me if he found out about any of this,Sylvana thought before answering. “It’s late is all and we were about to leave.”

Kieran picked up her cup and set it back down. “Leaving a cup full of ale on the table?”

“Yes. I’ve had enough.”

“Who’s Alaric?” Kieran asked.

Sylvana did all she could to keep her facial expressions in check, realizing how easily he had read her mind; it was as if he had simply looked at a page in a book. “My brother.”

“Tell him you were my guest. It should settle the matter.”

The girls became came increasingly uncomfortable as their gaze shifted absently to each other.

“We really should go,” Muriel said.

“Sylvana, you make enough deliveries for the castle. Have you met my brothers?”

“No, milord.”

“You will soon enough,” he said before taking a drink from his silver goblet.

The girls noticed the abrupt silence and hushed whispers coming from the once boisterous crowd. They looked toward the door and Tobias had entered with Nicolai Acheron and was looking around the tavern before setting his sights on Lenora.

Shit!Lenora thought.

They walked over, and Tobias placed his hand on Kieran’s shoulder. “Milord.” He nodded.

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