Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtxQ7OwddT
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eUrbMWNat
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOJtwpkbbK
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJvKygDC1Z
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklgZwgTDcH
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMUipeJV7x
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f1FogtcRh
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn29mdw4GGq
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50nI8ph3QU
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQhAMEVkHE
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU10nJQOmEq
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iiwINyFhG
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu6X8fCoEj
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG8IKbsBw7
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7spsNsgDdt
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnv2RS9tff
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBkTOir2NZ
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrO0HgJyih
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17O027bOME
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4Rrhgo0nc
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG81AdnE8gG
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyxG3zKCLk
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gxNmpmmU9
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yoJJaMxAr
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMxeC0F8kK
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dRCy0RsOK
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOLpQxPu9H
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo4rKIKBmc
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z5iT8Bk4H
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLH134jK2n
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRlqwqM1Q2
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpIOwtKnxr
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DZsEMRsNN
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7tf8ID9cw
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChnozkgYLE
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ihZFOI5pJ
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrpnbjYSMX
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesM30aNmDE
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl5FV4FMCC
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwbGyfP0sk
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmJQTQhPAm
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGHdB6lQDz
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcmipvujhc
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fRDb2gz2D
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdAd9wFtc8
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FuRMJvLQv
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kZjp151pe
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuVfVpHONb
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLTUOc0LV6
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ylmOvapFE
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDOUYi5qEM
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp1oQoHAge
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvDEXEURdQ
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfbQykWbRO
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc04AqkzML
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoVtRwws6l
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdLdwtKGcc
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAvAfkKi01
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6HLspSyXq
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3xwO4fKlk
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKP6sYIAuM
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8tqGrynHF
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67VoINsjHJ
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoJOH0U5d4
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L9M3afVHs
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYB2dDHQOR
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf2HnJ8oaq
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBpQrppQIa
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj09ZIPMq28
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh9R8ljiRt
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUBAqJGKIi
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhuRXD0oHm
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK1Rl9WeXc
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwaW3ymOGg
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkA2qQYea2
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi84lOYvsA
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCGek0RE1Q
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxLtYEzd4x
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhkQ1nmUbZ
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou4lEWVqQ7
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa3Hg22BZB
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2a2boR53V
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB9KQ3YP32
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9YmiyOaNQ
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSmKrpMsqv
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiREtoOhvMl
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0pV9JxkQd
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTyZynp7E5
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXGQk0Kt3x
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgpZjRYIdg
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk1VnFqFw7
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBDHmA3yHm
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2nH3tuQVC
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMGk7VgNlI
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2agt6kwDB
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISy8MhZdFx
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYpxppDRws
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8BABWw6FT
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NXtd7APBR
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOadhZq5aM
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xdaF6nWbB
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02FXuKAyPR
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFrZSDVeQl
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nxDZT0aL7
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NT5r4njE8
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehUGyLbX2z
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzbkLPzqTU
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyQx5kT4JL
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZoXaZd7lQ
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6kgxj0mKk
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhdq5pDN2w
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZpo5whdBK
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6Rl0dGFRW
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoR8FYfLg5
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGeBToe2Ho
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXer6QAiOzD
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtomCvrERq8
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU8Nds3ZPk
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvr1nbRsE8
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlj2HwNikZ
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGFfcOF6vG
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWn0Sj1LI8
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnZnHE7w2O
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGorSWPSHD
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTqfxLt4BJ
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfChHfuUTHc
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVMQYeoL5N
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYH4URvFBr
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qUMNcU1n7
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXYDErfMnE
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcBxog47PJ
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBMJb5kiXR
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21fWoDDMWg
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hVHcnOVcB
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3VgRZK0ev
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVLmNWMhfD
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCOqJt3MPJ
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKOMXaj9NP
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQzLKAVL4d
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcYKVo4x4F
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgE6JYqNzP
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ou5cvKKl0
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVEekoemFz
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdujVdGToqA
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP55YfnaorO
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj37qcqBSC
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN2PyqJJkK
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv0SNP4zzU
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsENpHRTuAH
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaknkhhWFV
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOetvPJcbS
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR16KeMMYOL
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xVCWIlXFe
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdyTcgWoBk
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVakATtVcE
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJx4Vf9qMQ
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI71uN9lCF5
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9MsUiyGkH
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4SUfU3aeF
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyI7KyfPvM
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91hQ084prn
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeoLmpmBDT
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevamoCZE1C
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xWY2zcpSf
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCb757xuec
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKY3eTCipH
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbIhF0g7Vu
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASlmqkx6s4
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qlq2cI69r
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfIrGWRv49
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorAFi8n1EO
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbW7Ytx0ZW
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Tvnbxx4c
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR4nwZCB4j
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6gbW5O8m0
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5EdaVuYzi
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCPSQW8wmJ
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3BmnJi8zS
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx2MfaYWzq
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYgGumrb37
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpEh7SFrg6
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JqUZhBDoJ
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEEYYZsJOP
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvfxrS2mjT
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHCXhiMhTQ
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoY9OmHSAT
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioeLT822qp
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSq8IvPUE1
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6LXdA0Dj3
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6b8tqdCjO
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRUbceAMSv
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqU6x1BBxN
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR6dj7m30s
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvoQu8zlhn
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH15FN8vTI
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiokLazeYM
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnWjXq33Qu
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuOo4qRgzI
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1YfDcPFud
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNXlSL8t9V
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq7um16iHp
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxanaErKqoM
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI68I4kHAtB
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEGHb7vZzz
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pfgdmroeW
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCzo2IRqB4
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH2iPRPpSH
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPFjwTNDer
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sql0ae171
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulEWhrPWY5
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNtonVGYLh
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mbDf5mqPW
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUACAbja2Mc
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GwX8wNg1M
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1sTz2nGJq
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJH6VwRtW4
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nnaVJCkqF
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx076r8hn4m
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh4bc1eIZo
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U50rZ9Jrp
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS2FXWxPqR
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu2rhrXVWA
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDNQk9IxpK
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwxsH5yQE3
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xcf6IFSAS
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo8pv9oWfk
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECdrt5bWtn
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMsZIzJV6C
Blades saluted.
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“Let’s get to it118Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IAiOt1HLI
then.” Vander saluted back.
