Page 113 of A Crown Without Mercy

After a few minutes, Astaroth spoke. “Sylvana is indeed an Ascelin?”

“She is as pure as they come,” Nicolai replied.

Astaroth leaned back and taped his palm on the table. “Did her sister reveal the truth last night?” “The words spilled from her mouth like an upturned cup,” Nicolai chuckled.

“Holy hell,” Mordeci stated.

“And you are mated?” Norix asked, making sure he heard correctly.

“Yes. We plan on making the announcement tomorrow,” Riordan said.

“Well, hell, this shall be a celebration to remember.” Astaroth stood, held up his cup, and everyone followed suit.

“Aru—Aru—Aru!” they shouted.

“In honor of Riordan Demidicus, Nicolai Theron, and Kieran Malachi Acheron, who have fulfilled their one true desire, followed their destinies and have been bestowed their coveted mate. As the highest ranking member of the Guild, we accept your blood bond with reverence and fortitude. From this day forward Sylvana Acheron will live under the protection of the Guild of Entente.”

“Aru—Aru—Aru!”

Riordan, Nicolai, and Kieran placed one arm behind their backs and acknowledged them with a slight bow.

“We are honored,” Riordan replied. “Sylvana has lived a sheltered life and has little experience with the outside world. In our absence, we ask that you be her eyes and her ears, her sword, and her shield.”

“It goes without saying,” Astaroth agreed.

Kadric lay on his back on the stone slab, trying to regain his senses the powerful sorcery had assaulted, and it felt as though every thought coming to the surface was being dragged through the mud. The door opened and harsh, ethereal light flooded the small cell; Kadric squinted his eyes and sluggishly sat up. He draped his legs over the edge, and rested his feet on the cold, stone floor. Two amorphous silhouettes lingered in the brightly lit threshold and then Ranan stepped into the cell and the door closed behind him. He took a seat in a chair next to a decrepit table in the corner, set a copper pitcher and two cups on the table, and filled them. Kadric pushed himself off the slab and pulled a chair out.

“I assume I am on the other side of the veil?” Kadric asked.

“Yes. You are in Estraxath,” Ranan replied.

“Where is my mate?” Kadric asked.

“She took her own life,” Ranan replied unemotionally.

Kadric placed his forehead on his clenched fists, doing his best to hold back his rage. His heat was heavy, and he could not come to terms with the fact he had failed to protect her.

“Kadric, I did not want you to find out like this, but you left me with little choice,” Ranan said.

Kadric looked up, filled his cup, and dropped the pitcher onto the table with a heavy thud. “What now?”

“Have you made a decision?” Ranan asked.

“I will not betray the Acherons,” he stated firmly.

“Kadric, do not think of this asbetraying the Acherons,think of it as a promotion of sorts.”

“A promotion? Is that what you tell yourself to ease your mind? Your dissonance against the Acherons, not to mention the Guild, with be met with deadly force.”

“Why do you choose to side with the enemy, when you and your family could live a life of grandeur?” Ranan asked.

“Did my mate live a fuckinglife a grandeur?” he snarled.

“Had she not made such an impulsive decision, she would have.”

Kadric leaned back and rapped his fingers on the table. “Why would I betray one lord only to be at the mercy of another? The Faye has a long axe to grind with us. What reasons do I have to believe I will not eventually become expendable?”

“The Faye want peace and prosperity in the world they once thrived. They will reward, not punish, all those who are loyal.”

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