Page 50 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Then I shall turn my attention to you,” Klyn smiled coyly.

“Do as you wish,” Venthana stood, held her arms out to her sides, and turned in a seductive circle. “Do you like what you see, warrior?”

“Holy shit,” Sylvana whispered.

Klyn raised up from the water, which trickled down every crevice of his muscle laden body as he walked to Venthana and wrapped an arm around her. “Seduction at its finest.”

Damascus looked at Sylvana. “Milady, where have you been hiding? I have never seen you in court?”

“I live on the outskirts of the kingdom with my family.”

“One wouldn’t guess by looking at you. Your skills impressed me tonight.” He nodded.

She smiled timidly. “Thank you.”

Aurelia tilted her cup toward Sylvana. “We think you would be a fitting addition to court.”

“I don’t know about that,” Sylvana replied.

Nicolai lifted Sylvana’s chin with his fingers and winked. “We couldn’t agree more.”

“It’s been a long day for Sylvana. We should go,” Nicolai said.

Venthana gently squeezed Sylvana’s hand. “It has been a pleasure to get to know you. You should come visit us soon.”

“Thank you, I would love to.”

Stefania smiled. “When you return, we would be happy to show you around.”

“Next time, we’ll make sure you’re on our team when the games begin. We will show the beasts what’s up,” Aurelia joked.

Sylvana nodded at Aurelia as she rose from the water, feeling less self-conscious than she had before seeing how the alcohol helped her to feel less inhibited. “Have a good night.”

The ladies-in-waiting held up white, cotton robes as they walked up the stairs. Sylvana then walked over, reached for her dress and shoes, but Nicolai gestured dismissively with his hand. “Leave it. The servants will see to your clothing.”

Sylvana glanced back at Klyn, hoping he was following her. However, his mouth was planted on Venthana’s and her body was wrapped around his.This isn’t good,she thought before looking at Nicolai.“I can’t go home in a cotton robe.”

“Who said anything about you going home?” Kieran asked.

“I assumed—” Nicolai took her mouth to his before she could finish her sentence.

He then pulled away and looked down at her. “The roads will be washed out, so you will stay with us for the night.”

“With the two of you?”

Kieran smiled and held out his elbow. “Come, Syl.”

Sylvana wrapped her arms in theirs and feeling nervous and anxious regarding her sleeping arrangements.I hope to hell I have my own bedchamber.

The sound of Nicolai’s voice broke the awkward tension she was feeling. “In case you were wondering, you will share our bed.”

“Are you reading my mind again?”

“No, you blocked us in the library, remember?” Nicolai answered.

“Yes, I remember,” she replied nervously.

“We can feel your trepidation, is all,” Kieran said.

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