Page 12 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Tobias, good to see you. I’m curious. Why are you here?” he asked with a half-cocked grin.

Tobias tugged at Kieran’s tunic in a joking manner. “I see you’ve dressed up,” he joked back. He then placed his palms on the table and leaned towards Lenora. “What the hell are you doing in this place?”

Lenora placed her hand on his forearm. “I was having a drink with my friends. I meant to tell you, but I didn’t know where you were,” she lied.

“This is not a place for your friends, much less my mate.”

“Tobias, I didn’t know. I only arrived last night.”

“Now you know. Get up Len, you’re leaving.”

She stood, and he wrapped his arm around her body, lifted her chin with his fist and stole a heated kiss, after which he pulled back and brushed the back of his hand down her cheek. “If you ever venture out on your own without my permission, I will carry your ass home every time.” He then playfully flung her body over his shoulder and smacked her ass.

“Owe! Dammit, Tobias. Put me down.” She chuckled.

“Nope. Never,” he replied as he carried her out.

A flash of amusement crossed Sylvana and Muriel’s faces when they looked at each other. However, it only lasted momentarily. Sylvana turned her attention back to Nicolai and subtly looked him over. His tunic, leather trousers, and boots had been fashioned from materials only those sired by a purebred could afford, and he reeked of wealth and power. His pleated tunic was partially opened, revealing a scar on his chest which looked like someone had carved it into his smooth, chestnut colored skin with hatred and malice. His raven black hair was shaved on the sides of his head just above his ears, while the rest was perfectly coifed on the top. His demeanor, his stoic expression and the way he stared at her were nothing short of menacing; the waves of warning she felt were like nothing she had ever experienced.

Nicolai studied her as much as she was studying him.Who are you? There’s an underlying scent that speaks to me. Its familiarity is—centuries old?“Brother, what brings you here?” Nicolai asked.

“Making new acquaintances,” Kieran replied as he stood.

Muriel and Sylvana slid from the benches to leave, but Nicolai put a hand on Sylvana’s shoulder and held her in place. She inhaled deeply and stood motionless.

“Muriel, I assume you know the way home?” Kieran asked.

“Yes, milord.” She curtsied and gave Sylvana an apologetic smile.

“I’m curious why you’re in a place like this. You should know better—yes?” Nicolai asked.

“Milord,” was all Sylvana managed to say.

He then looked at Kieran. “She can speak, can’t she?”

“A little.” Kieran chuckled.

“Milord, I did not know Lenora would get into trouble or I would never have asked her here.”

Nicolai raised his eyebrows and cocked his head. “You want us to believe you suggested this?”

“Yes, milord.”

Nicolai filled his cup, and Kieran picked up Sylvana’s and handed it to her. “I know it’s not the truth. At least you're loyal to your friends. I can respect that,” Nicolai replied.

Sylvana looked up at Nicolai, and then at the door.

“Shall we?” he stated as he and Kieran looked at each other. “Brother, I’ll meet you for a drink later.”

“You know where to find me,” Kieran replied.

Sylvana nodded politely towards Kieran. “Milord.”

“We will see each other again.” Kieran winked.

Once she and Nicolai were out of the tavern, they heard the bellows of laughter echo from the door as it slowly closed behind them.

Nicolai looked down at Sylvana. “They will talk about this for some time.”

---