Page 115 of A Crown Without Mercy

Venthana took another drink and continued. “They say the battle lasted until dawn, and just as the sun rose, the Lycans and Faye retreated. A dozen of their Barouqe Warriors appeared, having captured the Mercurial Guardians Lord Ulfganger, who had led the attack. Having been captured, they say he begged for his life. Riordan and his brothers had no intention of releasing him, and Riordan made an offhanded remark about sparing his life. In exchange, Ulfganger would bestow upon him and his brothers the powers of the Faye. The story fades from there and only Riordan, his brothers, Tobias, Klyn and the members of the Guild know exactly what occurred. Once again, they saved an empire that has stood for a thousand years and Riordan, Nicolai, and Kieran now have the powers of both Nosferatu and Faye.”

“Holy shit,” Sylvana replied. “How have I never head of this?”

“It was so long ago no one really speaks of it anymore,” Venthana replied.

Sylvana filled her cup and took another sip. “When were you told the story?”

“As a child. My clan has a long lineage of nobility, and we are required to be educated in such matters prior to becoming a member of the court. My brother Rhazien is also a member of the Guild.”

“Really? I had no idea.” Sylvana looked down, feeling as though she were an uneducated Helot.

Venthana lifted her chin and smiled. “Never feel you are beneath anyone, Sylvie. You are a purebred Ascelin and from what Klyn told me, you are well educated in your own right and a flawless reader.”

“That’s another story.” Sylvana chuckled.

“I can’t take another one of your stories,” Venthana joked.

“On a serious note, thank you, Ven. What you said truly means a great deal to me coming from someone of your status.”

“My status?” She gently held her amulet up. “I believe you outrank us all, Sylvana Acheron.”

Sylvana scoffed and rolled her eyes. “By name only.”

“Well, the name carries more weight than any. Now, what were you going to tell me?”

“Riordan and his brothers told me to keep this private. You swear an oath to me you won’t speak a word of it.”

“On my honor as a Stelion, I do swear an oath. I will never betray you.”

“The morning after we mated, Kieran was lying in bed and suddenly jumped up and when he looked at his back in the mirror, the scar had healed.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. They say it was my blood.”

Once Venthana came to terms with what she had been told, she squeezed Sylvana’s hand. “Never speak of this to anyone else, sweetie, and you should let your mates know you told me. Secrets here have dire consequences and I have no desire to be on the receiving end of their wrath.”

“I will. I assume the reason my mates allowed you into their wing is because your brother is a member of the Guild? They also know you and I speak freely and have said nothing about it.”

“Yes. My brother told me they were going to ask me to look after you. And on that note, I have something to tell you,” Venthana admitted.

“What is it?”

“It’s about Muriel. You should be cautious around her.”

“Muriel? Why?”“There are rumors.”

Sylvana’s eyes widened, and her pulse quickened, knowing they had shared quite a bit of

information with each other, not to mention she was with Alaric at the ceremony. “I don’t understand?”

“I don’t know much, but apparently after you and the Acherons left last night, she was

seen in the market talking to one of the Helots.”

“I don’t know what to think. I mean, she has been a friend of mine and Lenora’s for some

time now. Maybe she was selling food on the side?”

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