Page 133 of A Crown Without Mercy

Calista looked at Sylvana, who waved dismissively. “I’ll tell you later.”

“Where are your ladies in waiting?” Riordan asked.

“I dismissed them,” Sylvana replied.

“Why? Have they have done something to upset you?”

“No, my love. My sister and I have always dressed each other.”

“Makes no sense, but they can dress you both,” he replied.

She slid her hand over his chest. “It’s fine, Rio. We are used to taking care of ourselves.”

Riordan took her mouth to his and then stepped back, and his eyes dropped to her cleavage. “You are perfection, my love.” He smiled. “As for taking care of yourself, those days are over.”

“You’re a decadent sight, Syl,” Kieran replied.

A young lady stood in the doorway, and Nicolai looked at Calista. “She will escort you to you place with Alaric and Mira.”

She gave Sylvana another hug. “I’ll see you momentarily, and breathe. It will be fine.”

Riordan held out his elbow. “Shall we?”

“Yes.” Sylvana smiled.

Nicolai and Kieran walked behind them and as they stood before the large, ornate doors veranda doors. Riordan looked down at Sylvana, having felt her hand trembling. “Relax, love. This is just the announcement. It won’t take long.”

She smiled up at him and then looked behind her at Nicolai and Kieran for reassurance. Nicolai bent over and kissed her forehead. “We are right here with you.”

“I know,” she said, along with a radiant smile.

Riordan nodded to the doormen, and they swung the large doors open. They stepped onto the veranda and stood on the landing above the steps.

Astaroth walked over and placed his hand on Riordan’s shoulder. “Are you ready?”

“I’ve been ready for this my entire life.”

Nicolai stood next to her, held out he elbow and smiled down while Kieran stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze.

She scanned the enormous crowd and Alaric, Calista, and Mira were standing front and center. Calista winked at her, Mira smiled from ear to ear, and Alaric nodded. She scanned the crowd again and noticed Cadell and Enatta. Cadell nodded politely, and she smiled back. Enatta, however, side eyed Cadell and then looked at Sylvana and scowled.

Nicolai leaned over. “If you think she is scowling now, just wait,” he joked.

Sylvana chuckled under her breath and smiled up at him. “Doesn’t she always look like that?” she replied in jest.

He gently patted her ass. “I think she was born with a scowl.”

She looked down at the ground, doing her best to not laugh.

Astaroth walked down two steps and held up his hand and the crowd became as still as the calm before a storm. “We have called you all here today to make an announcement.”

“It is my pleasure to announce the Acherons have taken a mate!”

Hushed gasps, whispered chatter, and transfixed stares greeted Sylvana. It only took a moment for it to sink in before the shocked crowd erupted with bellows of cheers, chants, and claps.

“The Guild of Entente has accepted their bond and in three days-time there will be a mating ceremony you will not soon forget!”

Another round of cheers erupted, and the crowd seemed to be genuinely happy and excited, to Sylvana’s relief.

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