Page 130 of A Crown Without Mercy

All the members walked over and studied the puppy and then stared at Riordan with a look of curiosity.

Riordan gave them a dismissive wave. “It belongs to Sylvana.”

“Why is it with you?” Tobias asked.

“I don’t fucking know? Ask it,” Riordan snarked.

They turned their backs and took a seat, doing their best to quell their amusement.

Riordan sat down, leaned back, and looked at Astaroth. “Have the Faye located the remains yet?”

“As of an hour ago, no. However, the inbred is face down in the dirt.”

“Has Rhazien reported back with information on who else Dronve and Ranan have ties to?” Riordan asked.

Astaroth crossed one leg over his knee. “Other than their ties to each other, we don’t know any more than we did.”

Riordan leaned forward, spun the map around and pointed to various areas. “We need to secure the outlining areas of the kingdom. I want a legion of Barouqe Warriors scouting these areas, and another line here, here, and here.”

“They will be sent out tonight,” Astaroth replied.

They looked up when the door opened and Nicolai and Kieran walked in. “It’s about time the two of you showed up,” Riordan stated.

The puppy jumped up from where he was laying at Riordan’s feet, ran to them and Nicolai picked it up and held it out. “I see you have all met Rio,” he joked.

“Rio?” Tobias laughed.

“Yes. We named it after his father,” Kieran replied.

They all looked at Riordan, whose eyes were pinned on Nicolai’s and Kieran’s, and laughed aloud.

Vestal nodded to Riordan. “Congratulations on your new bairn,” he joked.

Riordan’s eyes snapped in his direction. “It belongs to Sylvana. Now, if you all are done fucking around can we get back to the matters at hand?”

Nicolai set him down, and they took as seat. It ran back to Riordan, jumped on his leg and barked; he casually pushed it down trying not to draw more attention to himself and the puppy.

Astaroth’s face became serious. “We know the Faye have taken Kadric Orfaedo. Lucias and his warriors picked up on his scent and it disappeared where the mists meets the veil.”

“Ahh, shit,” Nicolai said, as he glanced at his brothers.

“I have spoken with Cadell and he believes he went in search of his mate, Myrine,” Phaone added.

“Why go alone?” Vestal asked.

“At this point, I can only assume he didn’t want to get anyone involved with his personal matters,” Phaone replied.

They tried to remain on topic, but the way in which the puppy was growling, and Riordan was subtly moving his leg under the table made it all the more difficult.

“We should lock the main gates as well—” Astaroth began, before he was suddenly interrupted.

“Owe! Dammit,” Riordan yelled, as his body lurched, and his chair slid back.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Nicolai asked.

“Fucking thing bit my goddamn leg,” Riordan snapped.

Their laughter was as rich as the woodland thunder.

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