Page 129 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Free will is only an illusion, Kadric Orfaedo.”

“Free willis all I have, Vispera.”

“Such a shame. I was hoping you would see reason. I would hate to have to use Sylvana as motivation. And in return, I shall use you as motivation for Sylvana.”

“I can assure you I am motivated, Vispera.”

As she stared at him, there was a burning intensity pooling around his black irises, and it sent a chill of warning up her spine.

Vispera’s pointed ears subtly flicked in his direction. “Kadric, refuse for now, but I believe you will act later.”

He jumped to his feet, but before he made it two steps, the male Faye slammed him face down onto the stone slab.

“You have no power here. Take heed of the only warning I am going to give. You have two days, Kadric Orfaedo,” Vispera warned.

Riordan slipped out of the bed and after dressing, he quietly opened the door and heard a thump. When he turned around, the puppy was standing behind him eagerly, wagging his tail.Ahh, fuck. We are not starting this,he said to himself. He then picked the pup up and laid it on Sylvana’s pillow and, as he turned to leave, he heard another thump.You have got to be fucking kidding me?

He left, and the puppy followed behind. As he walked down the stairs, it whined incessantly. Riordan rolled his eyes and when he turned around, he was standing on the top landing trying to get down the step however, he only moved forward and back. He put a paw down, picked it up, and wagged and whined.

“You wanted to come, so jump,” Riordan said.

The pup awkwardly made the leap and tumbled head over heels. Riordan reached out, picked him up by the nape of his neck, and held it in front of his face. “Keep this shit up and I might be inclined to take you back to where I found you.” He then carried it the rest of the way and set him down at the bottom.

He playfully ran around Riordan’s bare feet and let out a few playful high-pitched barks and Riordan looked down and furrowed his brow. “I assume you want me to feed you?” He walked to the kitchen and a young servant curtsied.

“Milord, may I help you?”

“I need meat and goat’s milk,” he replied.

She looked at him and tilted her head. “Milord, you—want to eat?”

“It’s not for me. It’s for the fucking puppy.”

“My apologies, we don’t have anything here, but I will run to the servants’ kitchen and be back momentarily.”

“Make it quick. I don’t have time for this shit.”

Once she was out of sight she ran down the long hallway and burst through the door. “Quick! I need meat and goat’s milk, and now.”

“Liza, what is the rush?” one of them asked.

“Riordan, and he wants it now,” she replied, as she grabbed a pitcher of milk.

“What the hell does he want with this?” she asked.

“He has a puppy.”The young gal laughed aloud. “Riordan has a puppy? I have to see this!” She quickly cut up small chunks of meat.

“Apparently,” Liza chuckled.

She followed Liza, who returned without haste. Riordan nodded toward the puppy, and they set the bowls down while he leaned against the table, crossed his arms, and watched him devour his food. “Keep this kitchen stocked. I won’t wait again.”

“Yes, milord,” Liza replied with a curtsey.

Riordan pushed himself off the table, opened the door, and waited patiently while the puppy took care of its business.

Riordan walked into the Guild’s chancery and shut the door behind him.

“Riordan,” Astaroth said as he greeted him with a forearm grasp. He heard a high-pitched yelp and jumped back. “What the hell?”

---