Page 5 of A Crown Without Mercy

“The Acherons will decide,” Astaroth replied.

Kirnan gave a slight nod of agreement.

Chapter 2

SylvanaandCalistaloadedup a small cart with fresh vegetables for Sylvana’s latest delivery.

Calista tossed the burlap cover over the load and secured her side. “I don’t know why you insist on going. Get a Helot to do it.”

Sylvana pulled the ropes and stepped around the wagon. “I don’t want them on our land. You know they bring discord wherever they go, not to mention they can’t be trusted any more than a shifter’s whisper.”

“There’s talk of another uprising. You need to be careful,” Calista stated.

Sylvana mounted her mare and looked down at Calista. “Always. I’ll be back before dark.”

“Wait!” Mira shouted as she ran across the pasture. “Sylvana, take me with you.”

Sylvana and Calista looked at her and scowled. “You’re not going, Mira. How many times do we have to tell you?”

“That’s bullshit! I need new things and I want to go with you.”

Calista grabbed her arm and spun her around. “Mira! Watch your mouth.”

Mira grabbed the reins and looked up at Sylvana. “Why do you always get to go while I’m stuck sitting around here all the damn time?”

“Mira, you’re too young and I am not taking you. Now let go.” Sylvana wrenched the reins from her hand while Calista pulled her back.

Mira crossed her arms and stomped her foot. “I’ll tell father!”

“Tell him what you will.” Sylvana shrugged.

Calista wrapped an arm around Mira’s chest and looked up at Sylvana. “Go. I’ll deal with her spoiled ass.”

Sylvana pulled the reins and Calista took Mira’s hand and walked her back to the manor. “You need to stop threatening to tell secrets whenever you don’t get your way.”

“I’m not a bairn anymore.”

“Ohh, Mira,” Calista replied with a heavy sigh.

“One day, I’ll be the one going to the Castle and Sylvie will be the one stuck here,” she snarked.

“You need to stop hating on your sister. She’s good to you.”

“No, she’s not. She treats me like I’m a bairn.”

“Then stop acting like it,” Calista demanded.

“You’re just as mean! When I mate an Acheron, I’ll leave both of you.”

Calista fisted the back of Mira’s cloak, and pulled her back. She then grabbed her jaw in her hand, meeting her face to face. “If you ever speak in such a manner again, I will wipe the words from your mouth.”

Mira swung her arm over Calistas and hit her forearm. “Let go!”

Calista let go and watched her run across the field.That girl is going to get into some serious trouble, she thought.Father or Alaric had better do something.

Sylvana reveled in the warmth of the morning sun as she crossed the fields and headed into the forest. The nut-brown trees closed behind her like a cloak of armor, while their knotted branches rose upwards like a thicket of upstretched arms. The boughs, gnarled with age, dropped their trove of nuts onto the path while briars and brambles bordered the road. She listened to the sounds of the crows calling, the chirping of chipmunks as they rushed up the trunks of the trees, and the rustling of small animals scurrying beneath the dense brush. Although the dirt road was cast into shadows by the labyrinth of tall trees on either side, soft rays of sunlight filtered their way through the thick canopy, dotting the forest floor around her. The sweet fragrance being carried with the gentle breeze washed over her in a comforting embrace.

It wasn’t long before she heard the muffled voices of the Helots tending to the fields off in the distance. The forest became brighter, and the trees gave way to fields of fertile land. She followed the rough gravel path leading toward the large, gated entrance. Per usual, Helots begging for handouts approached her.

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