Page 83 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Not so far. I met a few of them the other night and they have been wonderful.”

“The other night?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want to know, do I?”

“No. You really don’t.”

He stared at the pendant and lifted it up. “The Acheron’s pendant? What are you doing with it?”

“Riordan lent it to me.”

“Riordan? They don’t justlendyou something like this. What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?”

“It is not what you think, Alaric.”

Alaric rolled his eyes and took a sip of his ale. “We shall see.” He then glanced over her again. “I can’t get over the way you look.”

“Neither can I. But off the subject, what pulled you out of your sour mood?”

“Muriel.” He winked.

“Where is she?”

He subtly nodded toward the courtyard. “Over there with Brienne and Florin. I

wanted to find you to make sure you were okay.”

“I’mokay. Are weokay?”

“Yes, but there is much to discuss,” Alaric replied.

“I agree,” Sylvana said.

“Would you like to say hello to Muriel?” Alaric asked.

“Yes.”

Mira wrapped her arms tightly around Laurent’s waist as Rhone galloped down the road. “Laurent, you need to hurry. We shouldn’t be out here this time of night.”

“We are almost there, Mira. Hold tight.”

Off in the distance, the trees thinned, and a field of grass spanned out before the cottage. He pulled the reins and Rhone slowed his pace. “There it is,” Laurent said.

She loosened her arms and looked at the cottage. “It doesn’t look like anyone is there?”

“Let’s wait a few minutes to see if any of the caretakers are around.”

They heard a twig snap and their heads spun in the noise’s direction. “What is it—”

Laurent held up his hand and turned Rhone around. “Shh!”

“Go, we need to go—go now, Laurent,” she whispered firmly.

Laurent kicked Rhone’s hindquarters, and as he darted across the field, they then heard the thundering of hooves approaching from behind. “Laurent, someone is following us!” Mira yelled.

“Hang on!” He squeezed his thighs and leaned forward.

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