Page 84 of A Crown Without Mercy

They had only made it halfway across the field before six warriors surrounded them; two of whom rode up on either side of Rhone, reached down and grabbed the reins hanging beneath his neck.

“Whoa, whoa!” one of them yelled.

Rhone tossed his head up and planted his back hooves into the dirt.

Laurent and Mira looked at the warriors whose silver helmets partially obscured their faces, while wing like flaps covered their ears and extended down their necks.

“What do you want?” Laurent demanded.

No one spoke as they reached over and pulled them off of Rhone. Laurent did his best to fight back while Mira kicked and screamed at the one who had grabbed her.

Another warrior rode up and grabbed a fistful of Laurent’s hair and waved his free hand over his face. Laurent fell still and the warrior who had pulled him off Rhone draped his body across his thighs.

“Laurent! What did you do to him?” Mira screamed.

The same warrior rode up to Mira and ran his hand over her face and she too fell still.

Chapter 12

Sylvanastoodwithherfriends and a few other members of the court they had introduced her to. They were enjoying each other’s company and watching a large group of ladies playing games in the center of the courtyard. Sylvana glanced over and smiled to herself when he saw Alaric laughing along with Florin and other members of the Legion.He is actually having a good time.

“Ladies,” Nicolai said as he approached Sylvana from behind.

“Milord,” they replied, along with a gentle curtsey.

Kieran slid his hand across Sylvana’s lower back. “You seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“Very much so.” Sylvana smiled.

“Can we get you anything?” Nicolai asked.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

Nicolai took the goblet from her hand and looked into it. “It’s empty?”

“Yes. The servants haven’t been around for a while.”

“Ladies, are all of your cups empty?” Nicolai asked.

“Yes, milord,” Venthana replied.

Kieran side eyed Nicolai and looked around and then morphed out of sight.

Sylvana looked up at Nicolai. “What is he doing?”

“Fetching you a drink.” He winked before bending over and stealing a little tongue.

“Shit,” Muriel whispered.

Sylvana pulled away from Nicolai and looked over, only to see Kieran briskly walking in their direction and had a grip on one servant’s shoulders. He nudged him forward once he approached the group. “You will see to their every need for the rest of the evening.”

“Yes, milord. I—I was told they—the ladies were not drinking.”

“What the fuck are you waiting for?” Nicolai asked.

“Miladies.” He nodded politely and then darted across the lawn, leapt onto the veranda, shouted at two servants, and pointed in Sylvana’s direction. They grabbed a pitcher in each hand and rushed back over and filled all of their goblets.

Nicolai bent down kissed Sylvana’s forehead. “We will be right over there. If you need anything, let us know.”

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