Page 62 of A Crown Without Mercy

Sylvana rolled her eyes. “I am not defying you. I am making a choice that is best for me.”

“And I am makinga choiceas well.”

“And what would that be?”

“You will soon find out.”

“Don’t be evasive, Nicolai.” She walked away, snatched the basket off the ground, and began throwing tomatoes into it.

Nicolai rode beside her on Skadi without responding.

After walking halfway down a long row of plants, Sylvana turned around to face him. “You know what would be great right now?”

“What?”

“If you would stop bothering me, or get your ass down and help?”

Nicolai looked as if she had asked him to scrub a floor. “It’s a Helots job.”

“I see. So I’m a Helot, and hard work isn’t your thing? Got it.”

He leaned forward on the saddle horn. “My dear, hard work takes place on the battlefield, not picking shit for mortals and Helots to feed on.”

“First off, I don’t want their kind on our land and in case you hadn’t noticed, we don’t live in a castle with endless means. I did not know making money was so beneath you.”

He cocked his head and for a moment she thought she saw a hint of a smile as he dismounted Skadi and stood in front of her. “How about I put youbeneath me’ in the bed,” he said with a seductively low voice.

“I am not in the mood.”

“Well, I am.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her in, and his mouth fell to hers.

She pushed back against his chest and turned her face. “Stop,” she whispered.

He turned her face to his again and forced her mouth open.

After another heated kiss, she pulled away. “Nicolai, stop. I won’t be another one of yours and Kieran’s whores.”

“We have not treated you like a whore.”

“I have yet to find out, and the rumors about you and your brothers travel far and wide.”

“Rumors?”

“Don’t play stupid, Nicolai; it doesn’t suit you.”

“Whatsuitsmeis you.”

Once again, he stole a kiss, and she fell prey to his advances. She pulled away and placed her hands on his chest. “Stop, someone will see us.”

“And?”

Sylvana furrowed her brows. “It matters to me, Nicolai.”

“I don’t care who sees, and we are expecting you tonight.”

“Don’t wait up.” She backed up and watched as he mounted Skadi and took off in the opposite direction.I’m such an idiot! Our family has kept their distance for as long as I can remember, and here I am, spreading my legs for them.

Sylvana sat on the padded bench in her bedroom, watching the crescent moon rise above the forest’s canopy. Even though it was miles away, she could see the faint glow of the castle’s windows being illuminated by firelight. It took everything she had not to run to Nicolai and Kieran and she hated herself for desiring them the way she did. She also thought about how kindly they had treated her and felt a pang of regret for having spoken to Nicolai so rudely.I couldn’t be more confused.The Acherons, for all their power and cunning, are driven by the same motivations as their ancestors. Their only desire is to secure their lineage by any means necessary.

---