Page 26 of A Crown Without Mercy

Sylvana looked at Calista, who gave her a slight shrug of her shoulders, wanting nothing more than to get out of the parlor. “Fine. You can stay, but you need to be home first thing in the morning.”

“Thank you!”

Sylvana walked back to Calista. “She can stay, but we would like her home first thing in the morning.”

“I’ll see to it,” Cadell agreed, before addressing Nicolai. “Milord, is there a reason you are here?”

“No, I came to pay Sylvana a visit and was told she came here.”

“I didn’t know the girls had staff at their manor?” Enatta questioned.

“They don’t,” Nicolai replied coldly.

Sylvana did all she could to ignore the curiosity written all over Enatta’s and Cadell’s faces when they looked between her and Nicolai.

“We should go.” Sylvana grabbed Calista’s hand and pulled her toward the door.

“You have some explaining to do,” Calista whispered.

Nicolai nodded to Cadell and followed the girls.

“What the hell is going on?” Calista demanded softly.

Before she could answer, Nicolai called her name. “Sylvana.”

They stopped and turned to face Nicolai. “Milord?” Sylvana replied.

“I’ll escort you home.” He then looked at Calista. “I would like to speak to Sylvana privately.”

“Yes, milord,” she replied as she mounted her mare.

Cadell grabbed Enatta’s forearm and led her to another room and shut the doors. “What the hell is going on?” he demanded.

“Nothing. I simply invited Miriam to stay, but there is something you need to know about the girls.”

“Whatever it is, you will mind your own. Is thissomethingthe reason Nicolai was here?”

“I don’t think so?”

“Youdon’t think so?” Cadell questioned.

“I don’t know what it was about, but the girls—I think they are Ascelins?”

Cadell glared at Enatta. “What the hell gave you such a crazy idea?”

“Miriam, she showed me something today—”

Cadell cut her off mid-sentence. “Whatever is spinning in that head of yours now is going to get someone killed. Kadric is my friend and a well-respected member of the Legion. I will not allow you to spread such rumors.”

“It is not a rumor. Miriam can create life. If that’s not Ascelin blood, I don’t know what is?”

“Enatta, enough! You will speak of this to no one. Do you understand me?”

“Cadell, if they are Ascelins, it would be in your best interest to take the matter seriously.”

The thoughts swirled in his mind. He did not know what to say, what to think, or what to do. After contemplating the situation momentarily, he chuckled. “Ohh, now I see. You want Mira to become Laurent’s mate when she comes of age? Is this your grand scheme?”

“It would benefit you as well.”

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