Page 72 of A Crown Without Mercy

“A few days.”

“A few days or one week?” Kieran interjected.

Sylvana approached Nicolai and gently squeezed his forearm. “Nicolai, please.”

“Klyn will come for you this evening.” He then looked at Alaric. “I assume you will also be in attendance?”

“Yes, milord.”

Nicolai and Kieran walked to Sylvana, and they each placed a kiss on her forehead. “We look forward to seeing you tonight.” Nicolai winked.

Once Nicolai and Kieran were out of sight, Alaric rushed toward Sylvana. “You stupid, stupid girl! Do you know what you have done? Riordan wears a crown without mercy, and you have put us all at the tip of his blade!” he bellowed.

“I’m sorry—”

“You’re sorry? Fuck, this is beyond sorry.”

Florin grabbed Sylvana’s arm and spun her around to face him. “Sylvie, what the fuck were you thinking, sleeping with them?”

“Florin, do not raise your voice at me and it is none of your goddamn business. It just happened!”

Alaric was furious. “Youjust happento fall into the bed of Riordan’s brothers?”

“I never said I slept with them,” Sylvana snapped.

“Sylvana, your actions are like an impetuous child,” Alaric scolded.

“And you are acting like animpetuousass.”

“I have known you my entire life. I never expected you would pull something like this.” Even though Florin was speaking out of anger, he was genuinely concerned for her. After all, he and Sylvana had been each other’s first love and first sexual encounter when they were younger.

Alaric pushed his hair back and interlaced his fingers on the top of his head. He was truly at a loss. “When father finds out what you have done, he will drain the Ascelin blood from your fucking body.”

Calista grabbed Alaric’s forearm. “Stop it! You have said enough.”

“Alaric, we should take this matter to the Cynfadels. They may be able to get word to your father before this shit takes a turn for the worse.”

“This shithas already taken a turn for the worse. Did you hear how he enunciated purebred when talking about the stallions?”

“Loud and clear. We should go, like now,” Florin replied.

Alaric and Florin mounted their stallions, and as he rode past Sylvana, he stopped momentarily. “We will discuss this when I return.”

“I’m sorry Alaric. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

“Unfortunately, your utter lack of judgement has brought the Acherons to our doorstep.”

Cadell picked up on the distant sound of hooves heading in his manor’s direction. He walked to the entrance of the stable and narrowed his eyes, sharpening his acute sense of sight, and realized it was Alaric and Florin who appeared to be riding as if they were eluding or chasing an adversary.

Once they met Cadell, they pulled their stallions to a halt and he could see the concern on their faces. “Alaric, is everything all right?”

“I came to ask for your help,” Alaric replied.

“Anything. What do you need?”

Alaric and Florin side eyed each other as their stallions pranced in place.

“Whatever it is, say it,” Cadell demanded.

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