Page 167 of A Crown Without Mercy

They laid Riordan on his back and impatiently awaited the wound to heal, and although the bleeding slowed, it did not heal. Nicolai placed his hand firmly over the wound. “Rio, why aren’t you healing?” he questioned, feeling frantic. “Tobias, place your hand over mine and press down when I pull it out.”

Tobias did as asked. “I got it.”

Nicolai bit down on his wrist and placed it against Riordan’s mouth. “Feed, brother.”

Riordan took what he could and then pushed his hand away. “It’s not working.” His breathing was labored, and he was feeling weaker by the minute.

“Marius!” Nicolai shouted.

Marius shouted at a few of the warriors standing next to him. “Secure him!” He then rushed over, kneeled at Riordan’s side, and slit his wrist. “Take my blood, Grandson.”

Again, Riordan drank what he could, and the skin fluctuated around the wound but failed to heal. “We need to get him out of here,” Marius stated.

Riordan grasped Nicolai’s forearm. “Nicolai, I need you to give me your word. You will get our brother back. Kieran did not do this of his own volition. He is not to be harmed. When they took Sylvana, somehow, they got to him.”

“Rio, no one will lay a hand on him. We will figure it out together.”

“Nicolai, listen to me. If I don’t make it, tell Sylvana she was my last thought, my last desire, and my one and only true love.”

“Stop, Rio. You can tell her yourself. Her blood healed my wounds. It will heal yours as well.”

“I don’t think I’ll make it,” Riordan said in a raspy voice.

Tobias ripped off his tunic, folded it and placed it over the wound, and wrapped one of his straps around his body to secure the material. Rio gasped when he pulled the ends of the straps as tightly as he could and tied it into a knot.

“Fuck me,” Riordan mumbled.

“We need to get him to Sylvana,” Nicolai said frantically.

Sylvana gasped for a breath and sat up. “Where are my mates?”

Cathagne jumped when Sylvanas sudden outburst startled her. Kadric, however, rushed over and kneeled before her. “They are fine, Sylvie. They are all together, finishing the last of the Faye and Lycan.”

She tossed the blanket to the side and cupped her amulet in her fist. “They are not fine! “Riordan?” He is not answering me—something terrible has happened!” She then called to Nicolai and Kieran and did not get a response.

“Kundar looked at Kadric and called out to Riordan telepathically.“Milord, Sylvana is awake. Is everything okay?”When he did not get a response, he reached out to Nicolai and Kieran. When they failed to respond, he called to Tobias.

“Kundar, it’s bad. We need to get Riordan to Sylvana. Where are you?”Tobias asked.

“We are not too far. I will come for you.”

“Make it quick,”Tobias stated.

Sylvana grabbed Kadric’s forearm and stood. “We have to go to them—now. They are not listening.”

“Sylvana, you can barely walk,” Kadric replied.

She stumbled out of the cave, stretched her arms out to her sides, and tried to transform. However, the pain took her breath away, and she crumpled to the ground.

Kadric kneeled beside her and stroked her back. “Sylvana, I will go to them. You cannot transform the energy again so quickly.”

She placed her forehead on his knee and sobbed. “Father. Rio is dying and I can no longer feel Kieran’s energy.”

“Kadric, I need to go. Tobias said they need to get Riordan to Sylvana.” Kundar then looked at his warriors. “I need twelve men.”

“I’m coming with you,” Sylvana said.

“No, milady. You will only slow us down,” Kundar replied, as he and his men dissipated.

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