Page 56 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Then her life would not have been spared.”

“What do they want with an Ascelin?” Kadric asked.

Ranan leaned against a tree, concealing himself within its shadow. “They are a means to an end. There is a darkness between the veil and this world and it is slowly consuming the Faye’s kingdom.”

“Speak fully. I don’t have time to decipher what you aren’t saying.”

“They desire to return to this realm, and should they breed with an Ascelin, they could, in theory, create a race powerful enough to take on the Acherons and all those who are loyal. They could also use their powers against the darkness.”

Fuck,Kadric thought, realizing the danger his family was in. “They are going to cause a war which will have unspeakable consequences for the entire country.”

“The Acherons have been our enemies for centuries and I desire nothing more than to see them fall upon their knees.”

Kadric stepped chest to chest with Ranan, and a low rumble rose from his chest. “You are a part of this?”

Ranan stepped back. “Yes, and now you have a choice to make. The Acherons or your life, which shall you choose?”

Kadric swiftly removed his sword from its sheath and pressed the tip into Ranan’s chest. “I will never betray the Acherons.”

Ranan fluently moved to the side and pulled his sword. “And I will never betray the Faye.”

Kadric bared his canines and stood defensively. “This is where we part and only one of us will walk away.”

“Before you decide your fate, you should know I have made a deal with the Mercurial Guardians. Stand with me and I will make sure you have a place in their Kingdom.”

“Never,” Kadric snarled. He then lunged for Ranan, who evaded the blow and leapt across the river. As Kadric gave chase, he heard the crunching of brush coming from all directions. He stopped mid-stride and cautiously walked in a slow, choreographed circle. The fear and uncertainty gripped him when the shapes drew closer and inbred Lycans appeared from within the shadows and attacked. He leapt into the air above the onslaught of Lycans and a large wind blew past his body, and he landed on the ground with a mind numbing thud. They placed a piece of material over his head and restrained his arms and legs with ethereal binds.

Ranan walked over, kneeled down, and fisted both the sack and a handful of his hair, and wrenched his head back. “I have always considered you an ally, so I will give you a chance to come to your senses.”

“I will never betray the Acherons,” Kadric snarled.

“Take him,” Ranan ordered.

As Kadric was being carried off, Ranan leapt across the river, walked to where Kadric’s stallion stood, and raised his blade. It came down with a thud as it cut the leather reins that were tied to a branch; he then slapped his hindquarters. “He will find his way home and it won’t be long before the Legion comes looking for him,” he said to Dronve, the Faye’s High Lord.

“We will be ready,” Dronve replied.

Sylvana awoke, looked out the window, and gazed at the dark, turbulent clouds swirling against an ominous, mordent sky.

Nicolai placed his arm behind his head and looked at her. “How are you feeling?”

“Confused,” she admitted.

“About what?” Kieran asked.

“Everything that happened last night and everything the two of you said.”

“I thought we came to an understanding?” Nicolai asked.

“I know I ‘came’ to an understanding, multiple times.” Kieran offered with a coy smile and a

wink.

Sylvana couldn’t help but to chuckle with them. “I suppose you did.”

“How about wecome, to another understanding?” Nicolai suggested.

“Unlike the two of you, I don’t have anyone to attend to our animals or the fields. I need to go home.”

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