Chapter 14
“I see, so that’s what133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOE73kII2E
happened.” Vander was sitting in Cuvera’s room on a blue couch while his friend133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0PWMU7EPG
reclined on the other smoking on his pipe. Cuvera had excused himself from the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8FkP8pzTK
party early under the guise of being tired, but he made sure to slip Vander a133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ3SNDUBbr
note on his way out telling him to meet him in his apartment ten minutes later133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXmtI4YHcc
to not arouse suspicion. He half expected Kiara to be there when he arrived,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JoFYWFtDR
but he had been told that they wouldn’t share a room until they were married133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFYhOLLrU3
per her customs.
“Are you angry?” Vander asked,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwqTHXhnyL
rubbed his hands together. He didn’t look up at his friend the entire time he133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkW2zHmthF
explained what happened during the prince’s absence as he was too afraid as to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJidbJPTQte
what he might say.
“Why would I be angry?” Cuvera133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDkO1DV6jP
asked. Vander looked up to see confusion etched on his face. “You saved my133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGkzhQPso9
father’s life; I’m surprised he hadn’t given you a parade to celebrate. Did he133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaE8XoVtlX
offer you anything at all?”
“No,” Vander shook his head. “He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSwhvwqAhx
wanted to keep everything quiet because it wouldn’t be wise to let the people133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgunm0GXiGS
know how close he was t death. He didn’t want to start a riot or anything.”
“Sounds like him.” Cuvera snorted133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI15VIHTMx
taking another hit on his pipe. Smoke billowed out as he continued to speak. “Have133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXvR0Kb0Mx
you had a chance to interrogate the prisoner yet? I bet he has some details133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeuZHQXW5z
that he should share with the class.”
“Not yet.” Vander hesitated. “I’ve133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6o3zfg3Xb
been busy.”
“Well, there is no time like the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaMjvVuXvL
present.” Cuvera got up from the couch then disappeared into his room. He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH11iLYXF2U
reappeared moments later wearing a Blade uniform with a hood to obscure his133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDcn2uMAom
features. He strapped a fake sword to his belt. It would pass as a real one133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwVA4UiO11
sheathed, but the blade itself was made from rubber. It would fail if anyone133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb8ABbhNsk
asked him about it.
“You should rest.” Vander shook133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg6DpnNSXD
his head. “You only just arrived home. Surely this could wait for another day.”
“And miss the chance to see who133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDPRU5YgVQ
tried to kill my father?” Cuvera scoffed. “Nonsense. Plus, based on how you’re133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLir5elE8q
past year has gone, I think you could use the chance to unleash your pent-up133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW0Lc1J3eW
anger. Come on, this will be fun.”
Never one to say no to his oldest133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw5CLpBqPs
friend, Vander relented then followed his friend out the door and deeper into133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmuORbkOr8
the castle.
The dungeons were in the bowels of133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH6m5rGFvL
the ground underneath the castle walls. It was on the same plane as the Pitts,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmIYTD2r6I
but very few people knew that. As far as people knew, dungeons didn’t exist.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBsSwhC7hR
They believed that all prisoners of the crown were sent to Jewelthorne’s mines133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzboevEcGS
to live out their days mining precious resources until the day they died, and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstgakR1zJo
that was true for most prisoners. However, those who tried to take out nobility133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTTbW9Z0t4
or members of the crown, a fresh hell waited for them.
The dungeons were on the other133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tSeuk1S2j
side of a secret panel that opened by pulling a torch handle located within the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxenlr9debP
cellars. Vander grabbed the torch so they could see, but Cuvera walked down133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wXEmcE9u9
without hesitation. The cellars were cold and damp with a winding staircase133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyU5rlgOU6
that led several stories down. It was a pain to clean, so many of the servants133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6dkqEKElz
didn’t bother leaving cobwebs and dust everywhere. Only those being punished133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuKZjZSSoI
were every told to come down here, so many were on their best behavior.
When they stepped off onto the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvFs71qsbX
ground, they spotted two Blades guarding the door that would lead into the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqKXLNNyle
actual prison. They were tough, tougher than most Blades, who took their job133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxqyDgzjhN
seriously. No one would be allowed through without prior authorization, unless133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSVJxfCqR9
you were the King or Prince.
“Stop where you are.” One of the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLds864H5CD
voices boomed. They lowered their pikes, so the tips were pointed at Cuvera and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU70XIh6c2
Vander. “No one is allowed through here, even if you are Blades.”
“Oh sorry.” Cuvera removed his133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbDRIjafB1
hood revealing a glimmering smile. “I didn’t want to be seen by any other. Is133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAkDzlnYyW
it alright if we go in? I’d hate to use my status, but…” He let that threat133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q17NQHPlX
hang in that air allowing the guards to figure the rest out.
“We are under direct orders from133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1x9se67TB
Lord Cranton,” they hesitated. However, they knew the Prince out ranked him.
“I’ll deal with the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBsEZ4ziCS
repercussions.” Vander nodded. “Let us through.”
“As you wish.” One of the guards133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdJ3AxSuqL
removed a set of keys from his belt then unlocked the steel door that opened133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBkZSPUFeP
into the prison. “If you want to open the door you’ll need this key.” He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4J4WSOWa8
unclipped one of them then handed it to Vander. “Leave him in one piece. I133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rhC8cRijc
think the King wanted him interrogated tomorrow.”
“Might not be needed if we can get133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXy9NWCvBN
the information out of him tonight.” Cuvera frowned. “Thank you.” He opened the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfa5SJhcN3
door then stepped inside. Thanking the two Blades, Vander then followed his133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljVQ1IJKlS
friend.
Thankfully the royal dungeons133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HjG87ikWj
weren’t used too often so there was only one person, and he was locked in the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPow7qXRw8
cell farthest from the door without any windows or ventilation. The space stank133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFnEnXOSow
of unwashed body odor and festering wound and that was something no amount of133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGWeUCENpQ
cleaner could remove. At least there were no rats or cockroaches waiting to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfNGbSm0lq
feast on you, but it made it painfully boring being here on your own. Vander133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKj9Vfj7Ms
was surprised the assassin hadn’t gone crazy in the days he hadn’t been here.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AykY5Tv4S
Most went insane after the first.
The assassin looked worse than133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerIVhFR0wE
Vander remembered. He must have gotten roughed up when he was brought down133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcipa5eAjd6
here. His eyes were swollen and there were bloodied bandages wrapped around his133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu67W9TOEOb
stomach. All he had was his tattered cloak to protect him from the chill. Moldy133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz3d50i3Vy
bread and hard stew sat in bowls inside of the cell, untouched.
“So, this is the man who jumped133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqILeoUu9bJ
you in the alley.” Cuvera frowned. “He looks likes any of the bums I’d trip133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8FBBKv5On
over in the slums, not a scary assassin.”
“Give me a knife and we shall see133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yqTQyOv8F
how scary I am.” The man growled. He looked up from under his cloak and while133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bRAJ1ZvhM
Vander could see the determination in his eyes, he knew the assassin could133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL2751g8y9
barely stand let alone hold a knife.
“Someone with balls I like that.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlJSIcyOdn
Cuvera took the key from Vander’s hand then used it to unlock the cell. The133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jiasVQBQW
door swung open, but before Vander could stop him, Cuvera walked inside, kicked133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo4mtqDKk4
over some of the bowls, then punched the assassin in the face. Blood splattered133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid07o3Ck0e
the ground, but he didn’t stop at one. He punched the man several times until133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2D3MpiamJ
he heard teeth hit the stone floor. The man groaned as Cuvera kicked him in the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ460Ixxhuuv
side. He would have continued if Vander hadn’t grabbed him around the waist and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6q2PcrZ8E
throw him to the side.
“Stop.” Vander blocked the prince133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsq1RJ6tgF
from going near the assassin causing his friend to squint his eyes in anger.
“He tried to kill you Vander and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaDzJke17c
you’re just going to stand there and not punish him?” he asked. “Where are your133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70yIbTdv3p
balls?”
“It’s not my place to torture him,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c5m8F3hSX
Cuvera.” Vander scoffed. He looked down at the man who curled back up into a133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwTgNFlQdp
ball instead of standing up. He didn’t even wipe the blood from his mouth. “There133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUbhUX8I1X
is information he has that we need, but it’s up to my grandfather and your133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQpKfVtkdW
father to decide who gets to do it.”
“Why are we waiting around?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRS0bKoUZV
Cuvera asked. “He knows where those bastards went who ordered my father133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xXkOG7ue3
poisoned.” He violently kicked one of the bowls, so it shattered against the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIlxfCcb5a
wall. “This is so annoying.”
“Someone tried to poison the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gCUikdvcW
King?” The assassin laughed. “I know nothing about that. My orders were to kill133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutGYAtyr5X
a Blade. My friends and I were given the time and place. We didn’t know it was133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEwtXLjGfd
going to be you.”
“Do you know who ordered the hit?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45BT9SqgEo
Vander asked.
“It’s not my place to know.” The133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn4LuGaRO9
man shrugged. “I just follow orders. That’s all.” Vander strained to tell if he133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMDw3yjm7h
was lying, but based on the steady beat of his heart, he was telling the truth.
“Tell me more about the poisoning133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX2TfsDWyj
of my father.” Cuvera squats down in front of the assassin. “And I want to know133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsVlc1gqVA
everything.”
“I told you princeling,” he said133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJpqa7NFSO
with a sneer. “I know nothing about that.”
“Which group do you belong too?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxDQxnRwfl
Vander asked. The assassin fell silent, but his eyes smoldered with rage.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuXTfGeyIH
“There are ways I can use to find out.” The assassin stuck his chin out133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD7pc7vGr0
indignantly.
“Hold him.” Cuvera demanded. “This133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QiCBO6GVu
is an order as your prince, not a request from a friend.” Nodding his head,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKQGWwQji3
Vander grabbed the assassin then held him against the wall, so his feet were133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tmpTYo5o9
dangling. Even though he struggled, he wasn’t strong enough to do anything133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMeeagKuS0
after days of not eating. So, after a few seconds he hung there like a limp133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjNPDeIkLE
noodle. “Knife.” Vander removed a knife from his belt then placed it in his133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfMZ2RMnbe
friend’s outstretched hand.
Cuvera placed the knife against133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZGDUiZtAQ
the man’s arm then cut open the sleeve. He wasn’t gentle doing it drawing a133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXB0ZIqMpL
little bit of blood in the process. He pulled the rest down to reveal a heavily133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0koBKXgwkY
muscled, but bare arm. Frowning, he moved onto the next arm with the same133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrupts5wYYK
result. He clicked his tongue annoyed as he walked around the assassin who133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS2lnxPY3x
likely knew what he wanted but wasn’t in the mood to help.
“Make him kneel.” Vander pulled133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNvcBxwxvI
the man off the wall placing him on the ground. Then he kicked out both knees133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WKBu03FBB
making him cry out in pain, but he fell to the ground placing his hands out in133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa3Dapcp0M
front of him to catch himself. Vander gripped the back of his neck then133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoxLoS0LTo
squeezed causing a small cry of pain to squeak out of the assassin, but he133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA3oMAPrAu
didn’t move.
“You won’t get your answers by133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wfAD97J9S
torturing me.” He rasped. “I’ve been through far more than you have.” Without133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDw4m8sYwO
warning, Cuvera slammed the knife into the man’s shirt then ripped downward.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iA2Tl9JRg
The man stifled his screams as the knife tip bit into his flesh.
Vander wasn’t133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUQK6mckjJ
sure what the prince was after, but it became clear once he parted the bleeding133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60uWzeLGsG
shirt from the back to reveal an emblem that sent chills down his spine. It was133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uOEj8C2Oo
an entwined green snake tattoo with a sword shoved through the mouth and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fdf76JsUi
through the back. Even though he hadn’t seen it before, he knew that this was133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaYmaxly0C
the emblem of the Green Serpents.
“Well, we have133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PITH81hHY
one answer.” Cuvera smiled. “We know you are a Serpent and that lines up nicely133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC0XiaZZkq
with the intelligence that we already have.”
“I already told133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7E8QOQXl4
you,” the assassin shivered. “We had nothing to do with the King’s illness. It133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevfNKap61x
wasn’t us.”
“Vander.” Cuvera133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiH0rc4xyk
stepped back but tilted his head towards the assassin. Sighing, Vander hauled133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVPjsSqmFp
the guy up to his feet then punched him in the stomach. The man doubled over133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hHHISLSSW
but Vander brought his knee up right into his jaw. The assassin stumbled133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniN4zZu9G5
backwards, but he quickly righted himself. He spat out a wad of blood at133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTIjtnJh1s
Vander, hitting him in the face. As he struggled to wipe the blood away, the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJFUYf535U
assassin tackled Vander pushing him into the bars. He let out a cry of pain but133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptLI1Y9NLd
recovered quickly. He brought both fists down onto the assassin’s back slamming133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4d3Udf9cQ
him into the ground. The assassin tried to crawl away, but Vander grabbed his133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08VM2J2jsl
leg pulling him back in.
The two of them133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9jRVeUtxn
fought while Cuvera sat there with a small grin on his face. The fight ended133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dny4q7HO6
when Vander drove his elbow into the man’s already damaged jaw. That final blow133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMgAB6EAL7
was enough to dislocate it then to keep him from crying out, a blow to the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKDbigPL60
temple rendered him unconscious. Vander got up, staggered for a second, before133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB3sF3cq0Z
fixing himself.
“Why did you make133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VEe94icaT
me do that?” he asked the prince.
“I didn’t make133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCUH9buTnL
you do anything.” The prince shrugged. “It looked like you need to release some133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6bj58kxgC
rage, so I merely gave you the opportunity, plus we learned something in the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56jiKAjiun
process. Come on let’s go.”
Vander looked133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCvXMGAJbz
down at the assassin before following his friend out of the cell and back133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqxVV6NsD3
towards the door. Cuvera didn’t say anything as they left, but Vander whispered133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOxbBWrdVa
to send a healer for the man inside. The guards nodded their head but didn’t133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbClI7g8RyN
move. They would wait a few minutes before ‘discovering’ that the man had tried133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaVrS03leh
to harm himself. It wasn’t the first time they did something like this.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKnnLgISK4
However, the King would find out then there would be hell to pay.
“Man, that was133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPHlzNy3W4
awesome.” Cuvera cheered. “You were so badass when you were beating him. You133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFsIRaDa8Q
got to teach me how to fight.”
“If I remember133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBLuybV1Z0
correctly that didn’t go so well the last time.” Vander mused. He held his hand133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f4e2qT1ea
out for the knife then promptly sheathed it as to not arouse suspicion. Last133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWjYjWJD5l
time Vander had tried to teach the prince how to fight, they were ten years133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMHvUDovpp
old, and one punch was enough to send him crying to his mother. The King133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkG3gjJMPO
shortly put a stop to that.
“This time be133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FjltyBd85
different.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m in peak physical condition.” He threw a133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRIQBC8Ij8
couple of jabs into the air. Normally Vander would have laughed, but he had133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1zsbfeFVw
just been ordered to beat a broken man and it didn’t sit right with him. Cuvera133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIxkG8kr4G
had his moments, but he wasn’t cruel. This was out of character for him,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDFboePG6C
hearing about his father almost dying must have spooked him enough to act.
They made their133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjigERB326y
way through the castle heading back towards Cuvera’s apartment. They saw a133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBs04QOYAL
couple of noblemen with their escorts, but they all bowed their heads once they133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2XFHC7LfK
realized it was the prince which allowed Vander to go unnoticed. He still133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kv0yUXqQ9
hadn’t covered from his other injuries and now he could add fresh ones to the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcsxvzPqBo
list. Despite being weakened, that assassin wasn’t a push over. He got in a few133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvAUH6b8IW
strikes causing some pain in the process. Despite the quicker healing he had,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjpOmA8E5y
these injuries would still take a bit.
Vander noticed it133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR885j1jtXz
before Cuvera, but there were two people waiting for them inside of his room.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtdiN0iVEL
He relaxed once he recognized their scents as Eliza and Kiara. Shea must like133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EP1tAgUyO
them because he didn’t sense any distress from their bond. If anything, she133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jM5CLpJBx
felt joy and excitement. Vander decided to keep his mouth shut about the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXBMHovlQ8
visitors, his little dose of payback.
“Let’s get133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOgPYmQrPX
something to drink.” Cuvera gripped the door handle. But when he pushed it open133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH2jIpWXJ3
his face fell. “Shit.” He whispered.
Kiara was sitting133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j70zg2fE4
on the couch running her hands through Shea’s fur. Shea was standing on top of133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetTc31et0P
her knees licking her face as she laughed. Eliza was standing behind her sister133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNjhSVld34
with a bemused expression on her face. Upon hearing the door open, the two women133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR37Yhx7NwE
turned to look at them. Eliza nodded her head respectfully, but anger flooded133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzFPxNZkEF
Eliza’s .
Both had changed133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9Si1N2sux
their outfits to match the cooler climate of Eluvia. Eliza had been given a133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVIinxk6tz
long blue dress, but was wearing an orange shawl over her arms, an ode to her133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIT6R9kocO
home country. Eliza was given slacks, a blue shirt and a jacket that looked a133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlsK4of7FF
lot like a Blades. Her hair had been pulled back into a tight ponytail. She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeaPmme6Eu
gave Vander a small smile then she turned back to look at her sister.
“You were133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxksEbAlsfz
supposed to escort me around the castle.” She growled. She got up from the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb7Yd7SQHL
couch and stormed over towards them. “Where have you been?” Vander quickly133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyYjoD8Oi1
tried to slink back into the shadows, but she caught him. “You’re not going133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9SPUOIQ96
anywhere.” She snapped. Her face softened once she saw the blood on his face.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCD0MEy7Gu
“Are you injured?” she asked.
“It’s nothing.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbnIy9GY9s
Vander tried to hide it, but Kiara grabbed him. Vander hissed in pain, so she133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARW4WzQ19b
removed her hand.
“Eliza, can you133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm0Koqsldl
tend to his wounds so I can have a chat with my fiancé?” she asked. “Please133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhx4PCRpFC
don’t fight me on this Vander, I’d hate for our friendship to start on a bad133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTHIy5eBnd
foot.” He looked towards Cuvera, but he averted his eyes.
“As you wish.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYMp4A0xpU
Vander bowed his head.
“This way.” Eliza133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASUCV1JFvL
escorted him to the bathroom then she shut the door. Moments later he could133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs7WURribr
hear Kiara yelling at him, but he couldn’t hear what was being said. “Undress.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghPDOLOT0R
Eliza said.
“Excuse me?” he133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjaMgidSAW
asked.
“You’re not the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQAQlwo4Tc
first man I’ve seen naked.” She scoffed. “And I doubt you’ll be the last.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPe1632AzQ
Undress so I can see what I’m working with.” He hesitated, but due to her133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPKGIuTZVm
incessant staring he did as she asked. Moments later his clothes were in the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPUmyJEXO5
corner of the floor as he stood there not even bothering to cover himself. If133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFMSPswQiG
she wasn’t embarrassed, neither would he.
She looked at him133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOJ1hQQFqZ
over tracing the scars on his body lightly with her fingertips. The gentle133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7rcQXhTVN
touch caused him to shiver which placed a delicate smile on her face. Looking133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ9T0yqLYc
down at himself, he noticed more bruises than he thought spreading across his133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJkzPl82NI
body. However, nothing compared to the giant bruise along his back. When she133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdGTqtvujV
touched it, he was filled with such immense pain he almost turned around to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvp0qErNGP
punch her in the face.
“You’ve been133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpXOhcbrFg
involved in multiple fights recently.” She muttered. “But this one seems133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAnjQTHECm
recent. I heard the person who tired to kill you is locked in the dungeons. Is133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEa0kTHCsD
that where you were?”
“Yes.” Vander133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VvofN7rS9
said. He wasn’t sure how she knew about the assassination attempt on him or133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYNtLZ7e1E
where he was located. He suspected Bricen’s spies told her, but there was no133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7E7WZDyY4
way of knowing for sure.
“You shouldn’t133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ529SUcfbn8
beat those who can’t fight back.” She said. “It’s not a good look, especially133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff4ZXWgyK6
for a Blade.”
“Even if the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU1JAjjTDt
prince ordered you too?” she didn’t say anything else after that. She applied133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTFqp5MdXv
some salve onto his wounds and the numbing cold allowed him to finally relax.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1U6Hl4FzG
Once she was done she told him to put his clothes on while she went out to talk133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQglDnv4IR5
to Kiara. When he got outside he saw that Cuvera was nowhere to be found.
“I told him to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w2HXn9bAS
tell his father what happened as well as what you discovered.” Kiara said. “He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8zsAh5kpI
didn’t want to leave me, but I said you were here to protect me if I needed it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkM0ljBsRe
Now, I’m asking you to escort me around the castle. Are you up for it?”
“Yes.” Vander133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxSfKOcHBH
bowed his head. She turned to look up at Eliza who nodded her head in133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwnKBq8DNq
agreement.
“Good thing your133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmUBkDOKhq
fight with the assassin didn’t go worse or I’d have gone without an escort.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhBd7LJ2as
She grinned.
“Someone would133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX72VxIMXX
have taken you around when I couldn’t.” Vander explained. “We tend not to let133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yfr3KJ027
those of the royal family go without one, even within the castle.”
“You Eluvians are133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5bPQLCyuM
so protective.” She sighed. “You should really let your noblemen learn to fight133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlm4llrQb7
for themselves.”
“Do you know how133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJx7prCegF
to fight?”
“It’s rude to ask133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA5KSJAxS5
a lady,” she grinned. “But perhaps if you’re nice I’ll give you a133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2Pg3vW1hH
demonstration.” Eliza coughed into her hand. “Alright, escort. Let’s go.” She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lL3YTfb5U
got up off the couch and headed towards the door. Vander hesitated for a moment133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRw9itQxfk
then followed. Shea stayed where she was in front of the couch.
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“Let’s go.” He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrix5iA74Gn
said to her. She quickly got up and raced out the door nearly knocking Kiara133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHfovYXuVp
over in the process.
