Page 122 of A Crown Without Mercy

Klyn removed it from its sheath and handed it over. Riordan flipped his cloak to the side and pulled his sleeve up. He then placed the blade against his wrist and pulled. The blood spilled from the gash, and Riordan noticed how Dronve’s body stiffened, and his face became ashen as he watched the wound heal. He pulled the gag up and shoved it back into his mouth. “Apparently you have been rendered speechless.” Riordan winked.

Dronve curled his body up, shoved his legs, pulled against the chains binding his wrists, and yelled. However, his words beneath the gag were unintelligible and muffled. “Take him across the river,” Riordan ordered.

“Milord,” Rhazien replied.

“A bold move, milord,” Mordeci stated. “How did you know for sure the wound would heal?”

“I didn’t, but I have enough of my mate’s blood in me. I thought it would be a good time to test our theory,” Riordan replied.

“We know now,” Mordeci replied.

After an hour or so of explaining what had occurred and all she knew, Alaric had finally calmed down. “I really am sorry it happened this way,” Sylvana said sincerely.

Calista gave her a warm hug. “Sylvie, I understand, and I am truly happy for you.”

To her shock, Alaric stood up, walked over, and pulled her in for a tight embrace. “When this shit falls apart, I will not abandon you,” he whispered.

“It will not fall apart, and it means the world to me,” Sylvana replied, and she hugged him back.

“I’m going to the tavern. Cadell and Florin are waiting for me, and I can’t wait to fill them in on all this bullshit.”

Sylvana rolled her eyes. “I am going to take Calista and Mira to the courtyard to meet my friends,” Sylvana replied.

“Be ready, Sylvana. I feel there is a storm on the horizon,” Alaric replied, as he pulled away.

“Alaric,” Sylvana said.

“There better not be more,” he replied from the doorway.

“You will have a personal guard, and you can’t tell anyone they have taken me as their mate,” Sylvana said.

“Fucking fabulous. And I won’t.”

Once the door shut, Sylvana plopped onto the bed on her back. “Holy shit, that was exhausting.”

“I still can’t believe you mated the Acherons,” Calista said, as she sat down next to her.

“Honestly, neither can I, but I really am happy.”

“And I’m happy for you, but you are going to be the death of Alaric,” she laughed.

“I hope it is not in the literal sense,” Sylvana replied, as stood and pulled Calista to her feet in a joking manner. “I don’t know about you, but I need to get the hell out of here.”“I’m right there with you. What do you have in mind?”

“A few of my friends are in the gardens for the games taking place. Would you like to go?”

“I would love to.”

“Let’s get Mira. She can tag along,” Sylvana suggested.

Sylvana and Calista walked into Alaric’s chamber, and Mira jumped up and ran over to them. “Look, I have my own lady-in-waiting,” she exclaimed. “Her name is Senna.”

“Miladies,” Senna said, along with a subtle curtsey.

“Nice to meet,” Sylvana and Calista replied.

They then looked at the young girl, who appeared to be about Mira’s age, and she curtsied and smiled. “Miladies.”

“And who would this be?” Sylvana asked.

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