Page 137 of A Crown Without Mercy

Riordan slapped her ass, and she yelped aloud. “Owe! What the hell?”

“This has been sweet and all, but we have to go,” Riordan stated.

Chapter 19

Sylvana,alongwithCalistaand her friends, were sitting in the garden, having a few drinks while the minstrels’ soft melodies filled the air and a group of ladies played multiple games comprising balls and thick sticks, each competing against the other.

“Are you all coming to the games tonight?” Lenora asked.“Yes,” Sylvana replied.

“Calista, will you be joining us?” Venthana asked.

“Yes. I can’t wait to see what Sylvie has been talking about.”

Sylvana felt a pair of eyes on her; she turned around and noticed Muriel looking at her from where she was hiding behind the gates. She motioned with her head and disappeared. Sylvana looked at Venthana and thought about her words of warning.Shit. I don’t know what to do. I should at least give her a chance to explain what’s going on. I mean, she is here and if she has done something terrible, I am sure my mates would have told me.

Sylvana handed Rio to Calista. “Will you hold him for a minute?”

“Where are you going?” Calista asked.

She placed her hand over her stomach. “I’m not feeling well. I just need a minute.”

“I’ll go with you,” Calista offered.

“No, really, my stomach is upset. I can handle this alone,” Sylvana replied.

Once she was out of earshot, the ladies glanced at each other. “Are you thinking what I am?” Venthana asked.

“Do you think she’s carrying their bairn?” Stefania asked.

“I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s all Tobias talks about,” Lenora replied.

“That would be amazing,” Aurelia added.

Sylvana headed into the parlor and looked at Cassius. “I need to lie down for a few minutes.”

“I’ll be right outside the door, milady,” he stated, as he pulled it shut.

She quietly opened one of the balcony doors, slipped out, hopped over the railing, and snuck around the back of the main wing, remaining as close to the wall as she could, ducking under multiple windows along the way. She came to the end of the courtyard and pulled on the lock securing the iron gate. Shit.She closed her eyes, held out one hand, and the lock popped beneath the icy freeze. She then ran down the long row of shrubs and found Muriel waiting in their usual spot behind the main castle.

“Where have you been?” Sylvana asked.

“I know the ladies of court are spreading vicious gossip about me. You have to know whatever they are saying is not true.”

“Why were you with the Helot the night of the ceremony?” Sylvana asked.

Muriel looked down, reached for the amulet, and gently picked it up. “I heard you are mated to them. I am truly happy for you.”

Sylvana slipped the amulet beneath her tunic and smiled. “Thank you but answer my question.”

“He wasn’t a Helot. He’s a friend of mine and he said he heard a few of the guards talking. He knows where your father is, and he is in trouble.”

“What? Who is this friend and how the hell would he know when my mates don’t?”

“They know Sylvana. A few of their Baroque Warriors found your father’s stallion the other night. They say he was looking for your mother.”

Sylvana was taken-a-back and too stunned to speak. “I—I don’t know what to think. It’s not possible. At least I never really believed it was.” She placed her hands on her hips and paced back and forth. “What’s your friend’s name?”

“Pascal.”

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