Page 154 of A Crown Without Mercy

“When the fuck did that happen?” Kadric snapped.

“I am not sure? It was announced this morning before all of this took place.”

Kadric rested his forearm on his knee and clenched his fists. “This is my fault. It’s all my fault,” he mumbled.

Cadell squeezed his shoulder. “They are taking care of her as any mate would. It’s not what any of us thought it would be.”

Feed her,Kadric heard. “Feed her?” he questioned.

Cadell cocked his head, not understanding. “Feed her? You want me to feed her?”

Kadric waved his hand dismissively. “No, just hold her up for me.”

Cadell kneeled down and cautiously lifted her shoulders and head while Kadric slit his wrist.

Riordan, his brothers, and their warriors leapt over the walls and landed in the center of the mayhem. “Klyn, we’re here. What the fuck is happening?” he asked when they saw the Faye and Lycans being attacked by malevolent winged creatures.

“Calista and Mira, they are doing this,” he replied.

“They were supposed to be secured? Where the fuck are they?” Riordan asked as he rushed toward a Faye, doing his best to both fend off the creatures and remain focused on the surrounding chaos.

Riordan ran forward, barreled his body into the Faye, which sent him spiraling to the ground; he then brought his blade down on his neck, severing his head.

Klyn ducked and met the Faye’s blade with his. “Lenora’s chamber, or I should say on the balcony with Victor.”

Riordan and his brothers looked up, and Calista, Mira, and Victor were looking down at them from the balcony. Riordan nodded and he, his brothers, and their warriors continued to carve their way through both Faye and Lycan.

Calista looked back at Victor. “They’ve returned.”

“Yes, milady. And whatever the two of you are doing, it appears to be working. Keep it up and the Acherons and their warriors will see to the rest.”

“Calista, I’m getting tired,” Mira said.

“Keep going, Mira. Stay with me and I will take over as much as I can. I can’t create those things. I can only make them bigger.”

“I have to stop. My palms burn and I don't feel well.”

“Mira, you have let nothing get in your way before don’t start now. If they don’t stop this, Laurent will be in danger.”

“Okay, I—” Mira screamed and dropped to her knees when a body popped over the railing and raised his blade; the girls standing near the door yelped and raised theirs in response. Victor shoved Calista to the side and his sword crossed the Faye’s midsection and he landed a solid front kick to his chest, which sent the Faye backward over the railing. He then called to the warriors outside the main door to the chamber.“Send in two warriors and pull another two from down the hall to stand guard at the door.”

“Guard this door,” one of them yelled, before materializing behind Victor.

Calista grabbed Mira’s arm and pulled her to her feet. “Keep going.”

Chapter 22

Sylvanastoodinthedarkness gazing into the forest; she gasped when she felt a hand on her shoulder from behind, but it held her gently. She turned around and her mother was standing there.

“Mother?”

“Yes, Sylvie.” Myrine cupped her face in her hands and looked at her with a radiant smile.

Sylvana wrapped her arms around her neck and clung to her. “What happened to you?”

“I now stand with all those who have passed before us.”

It’s just a dream,Sylvana told herself.