Page 64 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Yes.”

“Holy shit. Sylvana, how could you?”

“It was a mistake. Don’t make me regret it any more than I already do.”

They sat quietly, staring out the window in silent contemplation, awaiting the other to speak.

“I won’t tell Alaric or anyone else,” Calista said.

Sylvana wrapped her arms around her, and Calista hugged her back and then cupped her face in her hands and stared into her watery eyes. “Do you have feelings for them?”

“Yes,” Sylvana whispered.

“How long has this little dalliance been going to on?”

“Remember the night I came home late?”

“I do.”

“I was late because Muriel and Lenora asked me to stay and have a drink with them. We ended up at the Viscant Tavern, and Kieran showed up. You know Lenora is mating Tobias, and he showed up with Nicolai shortly thereafter and was not very pleased. He ended up carrying her out.”

“Carried?” Calista asked.

Sylvana chuckled. “Yes, as in over his shoulder.

Calista smiled. “If the circumstances were different, I would love to have witnessed it.”

“Muriel and I tried to leave, but Nicolai stopped us and asked Muriel to leave without me. He then wanted to know what I was doing in such a place. I stood there looking like a simpleton. I couldn’t muster the words. He then escorted me out and walked with me to the stable where Rana was.”

“Damn, so he escorted you all the way home?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t know you were friends with Lenora?”

“I have to keep most of my life hidden. You know how overbearing Father and Alaric are,” Sylvana said.

Calista tipped her cup and winked. “I sure do.”

“This following morning I was tending to the horses and Nicolai showed up in the barn.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? We have never hidden things from each other.”

“I didn’t know how?”

“I knew something was up when I scared you so. What are you going to do now?”

“I’m not sure?” Sylvana admitted.

“Sylvie, you have to stop this, and now. Neither of them will ever be allowed to take you as a mate, and if they find out who we are—”

Sylvana held up her hand. “I understand, but I like them more than I care to admit. It’s not so simple.”

“Your heart is going to get broken one way or another. It is better to end it now than to let it drag on.”

“I know,” Sylvana sighed.

Calista raised an eyebrow. “Just curious. How good are they?”

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