Page 44 of A Crown Without Mercy

She smiled at Kieran as she held up her glass and did her best to remain collected. “Why are the Ascelin females important to you?”

Riordan cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. “The originals sired them. Every Acheron throughout history has sworn their fealty to The Guild of Entente and it’s our duty to protect them.”

Kieran crossed one leg over his knee. “What my brother is trying to say is an Ascelin female is one of the most coveted of mates.”

“Why? There are plenty of other suitable females.”

“There are, but they don’t possess powers like the Ascelins,” Nicolai replied.

Riordan picked up a book which was sitting the table. “That’s enough history for the night. Would you do us the honor and read a passage?”

What the hell? Is he testing my reading ability?

Nicolai chuckled at the look that crossed her face. “Hasn’t anyone ever read to you while sitting in front of a fire?”

“Yes, my mother used to.”

Riordan handed the book to Kieran, who handed it to Sylvana. She slid her hand over the worn cover. “The seer beyond the veil,” she read aloud as she glanced at Riordan as if needing approval.

“Go on,” Riordan said.

She studied its worn spine and faded back and opened the book. She then placed her thumb on the pages and watched them flutter. “Is there a certain page you would like for me to read from?”

“No. You pick one,” Nicolai replied.

Sylvana scanned the pages before settling on a brief paragraph. She slid her hand over the page and was a taken aback when the symbols moved across the page and morphed and twisted into words she understood. She looked at Nicolai nervously and he gave her a reassuring smile.

“Vispera, didst crosseth thy veil and didst ariseth within thy hallow’d temple, beneath thy deepest of moon bright night. Shifter with raven flowing hair, emerald eyes, and ivory linen gown. Thy female, high-lone, stood before thy jeweled altar. She wrapped her hands tightly around thy silver steel and allowed thy crimson gouts to fall into thy time worn chalice. She did turn and walk toward thy entrance and down thy onyx steps. Reaching thy edge of thy moor she stood serenely, staring into thy vespers river. Knowing she wast high alone, unseen, Shifter became thy Faye, and thy Faye became she. On this eve, Vispera traveled high alone in search of a mate to call her own. She paced back and forth, without fear she bowed beneath thy waxing scarlet moon.”

It sounds similar to my father’s poem?she thought as she closed the book, not wanting to continue; she felt as though her entire world was crumbling down around her. She handed to book to Nicolai, picked up her glass, and took a large drink.

“Your voice is mesmerizing when you read,” Kieran said.

“The writing is old,” Sylvana replied.

Riordan reached his hand out, and they passed the book to him. “That it is, Sylvana. I think I’ve taken up enough of your time.” Riordan stood, walked to Sylvana, and lifted her hand.

Sylvana smiled but the warmth of his lips against the back of it felt like a viper’s tongue tasting its prey.

“It’s been a pleasure to meet you,” she said, as poised as possible.

Riordan’s eyes met hers and he felt the pull his brothers spoke about.I find myself devastatingly drawn to you.“Believe me, the pleasure has been all mine.”

“Shall we?” Nicolai asked as he stood and held out his elbow.

“We shall.” Sylvana smiled.

“Let’s lighten the evening up,” Kieran said as he held out his elbow.

They walked through the library and heard Riordan’s voice echo from the stairway. “Fucking hell!”

“I assume he noticed the picture?” Sylvana asked as she chuckled.

“Yes, he did,” Nicolai laughed.

“Do you play games, Sylvana?” Kieran asked.

“My family and I play when the weather has turned.”

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