Page 27 of A Crown Without Mercy

“How in the hell would it benefit me?”

“Once they are mated, the bond cannot be broken. The Acherons would have to provide us our own quarters in the Castle.”

Cadell walked to his desk and filled his glass with a tapered decanter. He felt the chill of the liquid as it flowed down his throat and the heat of his anger as it settled in his head. “I have never understood how you can so easily dismiss the consequences to yourself and those around you when you get something stuck in your fucking head.”

“And what consequences do you speak of?” Enatta asked angrily.

“If she is an Ascelin, and if you somehow manage to have them mated, Riordan might see fit to kill Laurent. That will put an end to the bond,” he bellowed.. “Did you ever once consider the fact you are risking my son’s life?”

“They will not harm Laurent! And it’s the only explanation for his sudden interest in Sylvana.”

“All the more reason for you to stay the hell out of this. They will possess whomever, whatever, they want and will not hesitate to put anyone standing in their way to the blade.”

“I will not—” Enatta began.

Cadell stormed over and grabbed her arm. “I will speak to Kadric when he returns. Until then, you will do exactly as I say. I will also escort Mira home in the morning, and you will keep your distance from here on out.”

Nicolai took Rana’s reins and walked toward Sylvana’s manor. “Why did you give in to Enatta instead of standing your ground?”

“I had no intention of backing down, but you showing up unannounced was a bit much for my sister.”

“She should be grateful.”

“‘Grateful’?”

“Yes. I don’t believe Enatta will cause you any more problems.”

“You don’t know Enatta well enough.” Sylvana chuckled.

“I asked you to join me tonight, but you didn’t answer me this morning.”

Sylvana stopped, turned to face Nicolai, and crossed her arms. “What is it you want with me?”

“I thought it was obvious?”

“Well, it’s not.”

“I enjoy your company and I would appreciate if you would join me for a drink.”

“A drink? Just a drink?”

“Yes,” Nicolai replied as he looked down at Sylvana and held her gaze.

Sylvana rolled her eyes. “I know of your reputation, and I will not be one of your whores.”

Nicolai let out a belly laugh and began walking again. “Thewhoresyou speak of have their own agendas. They choose to crawl into the beds of whomever might secure their status. You didn’t make a move toward Kieran the other night, and you haven’t given me any reason to believe you are interested in joining the ladies at court. You, my dear, are a breath of fresh air in a stagnant marsh.”

Sylvana laughed with a mocking tone. “I don’t believe you. First, we could never be more than bedmates. Second, how am I to believe you don’t have a hidden agenda?”

“First,” Nicolai repeated in a mocking tone. “If I wanted abedmate, I would have one. Second, what hidden agenda would I have?”

“I haven’t figured it out yet.”

“If you join me tonight, maybe you canfigure it out.”

“I’ll join you on one condition.”

“What is yourcondition?” he replied as he looked at her curiously.

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