Page 37 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Normally, I’m one of the Acheron’s personal guards. Tonight I’m your escort.”

“I appreciate it, but why didn’t they send a driver?”

“We take care of our own.”

“I don’t belong to them.”

Klyn laughed aloud. “You sure about that?”

“Yes, I’m sure!”

“We shall see.”

“Yes, we will.”

“Whoa, whoa,” Klyn called out as he pulled on the reins.

The carriage slowed, the stallions fell into a trot and then settled into a walk. Sylvana scanned the fields stretching before them as they headed out of the forest. Her stomach churned as a stampede of nerves coursed through her veins, and she cupped her hands together to stop them from trembling.

As they crossed the fields, she thought about how serene they had become under the bright glow of the full moon. Normally, they would be crowded with serfs whose faces were forlorn and weathered as they worked under the watchful eye of the guards.

The guards stationed at the iron gates pulled them open as they approached and for the first time; none of them stopped, searched, or questioned her.Well, this is a first,she thought as they politely acknowledged her with a nod.They have no idea who I am,she chuckled to herself.

“We’re right on time,” Klyn said.

What a relief,she thought.

He passed the market and rather than heading toward the expansive courtyard; he turned a corner and headed down a smooth stone road. “Where are we going?” she questioned.

“They don’t live in the main castle. They have a private wing.”

Their own private wing? Good to know. Shit, as if I wasn’t nervous enough.“Klyn, would you stop for a moment?”

Klyn turned his body, looked at her, and furrowed his brows. “I fell for that once. I won’t do it again.”

“I’m nervous is all.”

“I’m not stopping,” he replied as he turned back around.

Sylvana noticed multiple silhouettes stepping into the shadows of doorways and peering from the windows as they passed by and knew they wanted to see who was in the carriage.Here we go,she thought with an eye roll.

Chapter 6

Klynpulledthestallionsto a halt, and Sylvana studied the appearance of the four guards who looked nothing like the ones at the main gate. They were impeccably dressed from head to toe, larger in stature, and armed with various weapons. They wore black leather trousers with raised patterns, and matching, knee high, lace-up, black boots. Their deep-blue, pleated tunics stood out from beneath their black leather vests which were adorned with silver studs.

Sylvana was taken-a-back as she stared at the majestic gates, having been forged with thick, black iron, which rose above them and was slightly taller than the courtyard walls. Each of the gate’s arches was adorned with pointed tips similar to that of an arrow, and in the center of each gate was a colorful, exotic looking creature, each facing the other, which had also been forged from iron. They had the head of an eagle as white as newly fallen snow and curved, yellow beaks, and two white tuffs of feathers that created their ears. The feathers faded down their necks, and tawny fur took over where a lion’s lower body appeared. They stood on their hind legs with outstretched wings which were a deep, umber brown and long, yellow eagle like talons reached forward.

My lord,she thought.I have never seen something so incredible.

The clanking of the heavy chains as they fell from the enormous locks broke her fascination with the gates, not realizing Klyn had been watching her until he spoke.

“They’re incredible, aren’t they?”

“Yes, I have seen nothing like it.”

“Watching you admire the gates reminds me of the first time I stood before them.”

“How long ago?”

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