Page 110 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Yes. Will you come over?”

“Of course. Where are you?”

“Locked in the brothers’ wing.”Sylvana heard her laugh aloud.“It’s not funny, Ven.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be there as quickly as I can. Are they going to let me in?”

“Honestly, I am not sure.”

Florin’s carriage pulled up to the Marques manor, and they noticed two stallions wandering around in the small pasture next to the barn. “Those belong to Marius and Leodion,” Florin said.

“Cadell said he was going to the Legion.”

Just as they stepped out of the carriage, Cadell, Markus, and Leodion walked out of the manor and headed in their direction. “Milords,” Alaric and Florin said as they greeted them with a subtle nod and a forearm grasp.

Cadell placed his hand on Alaric’s shoulder. “Come, there is much to discuss.”

“You look troubled,” Alaric said.

Cadell led them into a private room off the main parlor and shut the door. He then revealed all that had occurred. “Alaric, take a seat. We will figure this out. You are going to wear a path in the rug pacing back and forth,” Cadell said.

“I need to find my father.”

“I’ll go with you,” Florin offered.

“I’m afraid no one is going anywhere. The Barouqe Warriors have their orders,” Markus stated.

“They cannot stop me from searching for my father,” Alaric replied.

“They can and they will. This is not a fight you want to bring to the table,” Leodion replied.

Alaric sat down and placed his elbows on his knees. “We can’t sit here and do nothing while Sylvana is at the mercy of the Acherons.”

“She was wearing their amulet, Alaric. There isn’t anything we can do for her,” Florin stated.

Cadell, Markus, and Leodion glanced at each other and then stared at Alaric. “Ahh, fuck,” Cadell mumbled.

“Sylvana said it wasn’t what I thought when I asked her about it last night,” Alaric replied.

“What did she think it was?” Cadell asked.

“I have no fucking idea,” Alaric replied.

“I think it is best if you accept the fact she will not be returning,” Markus replied.

Alaric interlaced his fingers behind his head and leaned back. “What do we do now?”

“We wait,” Cadell answered.

“Where is Calista?” Alaric asked.

“She was escorted back to your manor this morning,” Cadell replied.

Venthana pulled the reins on her mare when she made it to the gilded gates. “Sylvana Orfaedo sent for me.”

“Your name, milady?” one of them asked.

“Venthana Lynexia Mehira.”

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