Page 28 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Stop repeating me.” Sylvana smiled.

“Done.”

The guests were arriving by the dozens, each looking as refined and dignified as one would expect. The ladies wore long gowns with fitted corsets fashioned from the finest of fabrics, while their mates wore tailored vests, pleated shirts, leather trousers, and matching boots. Scores of servants offered greetings to the arriving guests along the road; some of whom greeted them at the garden’s entrance while carrying silver trays and handing out goblets of fine wine. The flickering glow from the torches’ flames, along with the melody from the harpists, violinists, and flutists, drifting from the expansive parlor created an exotic atmosphere of wealth and nobility.

Cadell, Enatta, and Laurent stood at the entrance of their manor greeting each guest as they arrived, while Mira weaved her way through the growing crowd, feeling elated. She took in every detail; for as much as the Marques soirées were discussed, they remained a mystery to the villagers. However, they all knew the Marques didn’t invite just anyone, and they also knew the status required to receive an invitation.

Mira moved from the crowd, stood with her back against a marble pillar, and looked out the door. In between the scores of guests wandering about, she caught glimpses of Laurent as he stood like his father, with one arm bent behind his back and the other resting at his side. He nodded to each guest as they passed, while his mother kissed the females on either cheek, and his father grasped hands and/or a patted the males on the shoulder with warm greetings.

One day I will stand with Laurent, greeting our guests,Mira thought, as she carefully studied how they carried themselves.

Calista placed a pillow over her lap as she sat on Sylvana’s bed, watching her getting ready to meet Nicolai. “You need to be careful. I don’t understand why he is showing such an interest in you.”

“That’s rude! I’m not a Helot,” Sylvana snarked.

“You know what I mean. Father leaves, suddenly Enatta takes an interest in Mira, and now Nicolai is all over you. There is something more to this than meets the eye.”

Sylvana stepped into her emerald-green dress and as she pulled the corset up, a curtain of pleated silk cascaded down from her waist to the floor. The silhouette of her body was barely visible through the fine linen drifting across the dark stone floor as she walked toward the bed. “It will be fine. I don’t believe he has any ill intentions. At least that’s what he told me.”

Calista rolled her eyes and laughed. “A man would say anything in order to get between a girl’s legs.” She slid from the bed and turned Sylvana around to secure her corset.

“He’s an Acheron. If he wanted toget between my legsas you so eloquently put it, he wouldn’t have to say anything.”

“True, but I’m still concerned. I know something is up. What if they have somehow figured out who we are?” she asked as she tugged the laces.

“Damn, not so tight! I’m not used to wearing this shit. I can barely breathe as it is.”

“Do not avoid the subject.”

Sylvana grabbed onto the large bedpost to steady herself. “How would they figure anything out? Our ancestors went into hiding long ago, and we have never revealed our lineage to anyone.”

“I don’t trust Enatta any more than a rat trusts a cold snake.”

“Neither do I, but what you are saying is nearly impossible.”

Calista stepped back, and Sylvana walked to the dresser and draped a gold necklace around her neck. As she stared at it in the mirror, she rubbed the triangular shaped, emerald pendant between her fingers. Calista appeared in the mirror behind her and slid Sylvana’s hair off of her shoulders. “You are stunning, you always have been. Dressing up suits you well.”

Even though Sylvana smiled, her sister’s words of warning cut through her thin layer of self-confidence. “Should I dress more casually?”

“No. You can’t show up for a royal invite looking like a field hand.”

“A royal invite? I hadn’t thought about it like that.”

“What did you think it was?” Calista chuckled.

“I don’t know? I guess I hadn’t really thought this through.”

“Again, I need you to promise me you’ll be on your guard. The Acherons are dangerous.”

“Stop. I’m nervous enough as it is and you’re not helping the situation.”

Calista walked away, sat on the bed and leaned back on her hands. “At least Alaric has been called to order by the Legion. Can you imagine what he would say right now?”

Sylvana laughed aloud. “He would lose his shit, and I believe Nicolai had something to do with the Legion’s meeting.”

“I wouldn’t put anything past the Acherons,” Calista replied.

The sounds of the heavy metal door knocker echoing from downstairs startled them both. “Shit, your escort is here.” Calista jumped from the bed and headed toward the partially opened chamber door.

---