Chapter 14
“I see, so that’s what100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ781S9f7n2O
happened.” Vander was sitting in Cuvera’s room on a blue couch while his friend100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0ZulrVrFx
reclined on the other smoking on his pipe. Cuvera had excused himself from the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwjrwJb32X
party early under the guise of being tired, but he made sure to slip Vander a100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6gIg5enBn
note on his way out telling him to meet him in his apartment ten minutes later100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsp5ZJcDcA
to not arouse suspicion. He half expected Kiara to be there when he arrived,100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEbM1qtnQJ
but he had been told that they wouldn’t share a room until they were married100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx185ZpBR7N
per her customs.
“Are you angry?” Vander asked,100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdwB7KNDX6
rubbed his hands together. He didn’t look up at his friend the entire time he100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoxRebZ8Ew
explained what happened during the prince’s absence as he was too afraid as to100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz5RYELrGw
what he might say.
“Why would I be angry?” Cuvera100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD9rxtQ0sT
asked. Vander looked up to see confusion etched on his face. “You saved my100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAO865IREw
father’s life; I’m surprised he hadn’t given you a parade to celebrate. Did he100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIid0KfRJKd
offer you anything at all?”
“No,” Vander shook his head. “He100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51AKXuSEfh
wanted to keep everything quiet because it wouldn’t be wise to let the people100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g3fb0Os1C
know how close he was t death. He didn’t want to start a riot or anything.”
“Sounds like him.” Cuvera snorted100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwy3iTWTQ2
taking another hit on his pipe. Smoke billowed out as he continued to speak. “Have100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNNU5H1vmW
you had a chance to interrogate the prisoner yet? I bet he has some details100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh5HA2Z6KQ
that he should share with the class.”
“Not yet.” Vander hesitated. “I’ve100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqPfR8dP8v
been busy.”
“Well, there is no time like the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKThvxwHYyI
present.” Cuvera got up from the couch then disappeared into his room. He100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV0c2taMqQ
reappeared moments later wearing a Blade uniform with a hood to obscure his100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcNarw2FY7
features. He strapped a fake sword to his belt. It would pass as a real one100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInA0YboFp1
sheathed, but the blade itself was made from rubber. It would fail if anyone100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMyqia3HZg
asked him about it.
“You should rest.” Vander shook100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nweoHLxvA
his head. “You only just arrived home. Surely this could wait for another day.”
“And miss the chance to see who100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hG35H5oBp
tried to kill my father?” Cuvera scoffed. “Nonsense. Plus, based on how you’re100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBkTOUYeTg
past year has gone, I think you could use the chance to unleash your pent-up100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKvj6vhRfA
anger. Come on, this will be fun.”
Never one to say no to his oldest100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1YeT4QA5W
friend, Vander relented then followed his friend out the door and deeper into100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i4vMR9OIX
the castle.
The dungeons were in the bowels of100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09vmlWTPNt
the ground underneath the castle walls. It was on the same plane as the Pitts,100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iHonD9bBO
but very few people knew that. As far as people knew, dungeons didn’t exist.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8wQXa5Irr
They believed that all prisoners of the crown were sent to Jewelthorne’s mines100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jahyzA27u
to live out their days mining precious resources until the day they died, and100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUCsD5Ym7H
that was true for most prisoners. However, those who tried to take out nobility100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDXL7Oolw8
or members of the crown, a fresh hell waited for them.
The dungeons were on the other100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJaoysVMFg
side of a secret panel that opened by pulling a torch handle located within the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SzLcLWNuW
cellars. Vander grabbed the torch so they could see, but Cuvera walked down100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RmlVKC4vZ
without hesitation. The cellars were cold and damp with a winding staircase100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBoX2D9N7c
that led several stories down. It was a pain to clean, so many of the servants100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaZULImocU
didn’t bother leaving cobwebs and dust everywhere. Only those being punished100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp7VGS41kC
were every told to come down here, so many were on their best behavior.
When they stepped off onto the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtK4RCpYeW
ground, they spotted two Blades guarding the door that would lead into the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPLQzRelIV
actual prison. They were tough, tougher than most Blades, who took their job100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmp45RAf3f
seriously. No one would be allowed through without prior authorization, unless100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YE1E2g1ix
you were the King or Prince.
“Stop where you are.” One of the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdWkOdQVev
voices boomed. They lowered their pikes, so the tips were pointed at Cuvera and100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIGrIsp3ZH
Vander. “No one is allowed through here, even if you are Blades.”
“Oh sorry.” Cuvera removed his100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH5fd0XPQj
hood revealing a glimmering smile. “I didn’t want to be seen by any other. Is100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39h0doIPzk
it alright if we go in? I’d hate to use my status, but…” He let that threat100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TWdQL5WvH
hang in that air allowing the guards to figure the rest out.
“We are under direct orders from100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVlAQNHs4L
Lord Cranton,” they hesitated. However, they knew the Prince out ranked him.
“I’ll deal with the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFIlIyoTEW
repercussions.” Vander nodded. “Let us through.”
“As you wish.” One of the guards100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQaGtmrpmn
removed a set of keys from his belt then unlocked the steel door that opened100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANSQJT4LuI
into the prison. “If you want to open the door you’ll need this key.” He100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKHkdzj4xp
unclipped one of them then handed it to Vander. “Leave him in one piece. I100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOegx1RPLYI
think the King wanted him interrogated tomorrow.”
“Might not be needed if we can get100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeUStAJlfR
the information out of him tonight.” Cuvera frowned. “Thank you.” He opened the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI5lKDwQaE
door then stepped inside. Thanking the two Blades, Vander then followed his100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8rJojP7QM
friend.
Thankfully the royal dungeons100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmh4O8CJwM
weren’t used too often so there was only one person, and he was locked in the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9znLh52HEy
cell farthest from the door without any windows or ventilation. The space stank100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvL9FxruHq
of unwashed body odor and festering wound and that was something no amount of100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYX9WghhBK
cleaner could remove. At least there were no rats or cockroaches waiting to100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnErHQNinY
feast on you, but it made it painfully boring being here on your own. Vander100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTjWKt6bc1
was surprised the assassin hadn’t gone crazy in the days he hadn’t been here.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThw1O7qFoA
Most went insane after the first.
The assassin looked worse than100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq57kNAyVM
Vander remembered. He must have gotten roughed up when he was brought down100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO1cagD0je
here. His eyes were swollen and there were bloodied bandages wrapped around his100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIeN0nNS5a
stomach. All he had was his tattered cloak to protect him from the chill. Moldy100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8t59E6ftk
bread and hard stew sat in bowls inside of the cell, untouched.
“So, this is the man who jumped100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIloB1787GU
you in the alley.” Cuvera frowned. “He looks likes any of the bums I’d trip100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99De5hkO7P
over in the slums, not a scary assassin.”
“Give me a knife and we shall see100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLex531zjVT
how scary I am.” The man growled. He looked up from under his cloak and while100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQHIF4RPQt
Vander could see the determination in his eyes, he knew the assassin could100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2qi7AzWzx
barely stand let alone hold a knife.
“Someone with balls I like that.”100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVJKYiHqwI
Cuvera took the key from Vander’s hand then used it to unlock the cell. The100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jgPcFTPYr
door swung open, but before Vander could stop him, Cuvera walked inside, kicked100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUuOdDmghw
over some of the bowls, then punched the assassin in the face. Blood splattered100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc1HHx6yO1
the ground, but he didn’t stop at one. He punched the man several times until100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxWX8IRZgA
he heard teeth hit the stone floor. The man groaned as Cuvera kicked him in the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF97A6cZdN
side. He would have continued if Vander hadn’t grabbed him around the waist and100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWjEKvq4V4
throw him to the side.
“Stop.” Vander blocked the prince100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI48b3x9Dnx
from going near the assassin causing his friend to squint his eyes in anger.
“He tried to kill you Vander and100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA5MjGL8Gy
you’re just going to stand there and not punish him?” he asked. “Where are your100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWVe5FRaxm
balls?”
“It’s not my place to torture him,100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzLXKeWkHk
Cuvera.” Vander scoffed. He looked down at the man who curled back up into a100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi32mUvReZ
ball instead of standing up. He didn’t even wipe the blood from his mouth. “There100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZif36poQra
is information he has that we need, but it’s up to my grandfather and your100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hBQjF0vUU
father to decide who gets to do it.”
“Why are we waiting around?”100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6KMkre2OI
Cuvera asked. “He knows where those bastards went who ordered my father100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0bRebHYf5
poisoned.” He violently kicked one of the bowls, so it shattered against the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqAykWAAK8
wall. “This is so annoying.”
“Someone tried to poison the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL3qx55lZP
King?” The assassin laughed. “I know nothing about that. My orders were to kill100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXzhicmK2k
a Blade. My friends and I were given the time and place. We didn’t know it was100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmNgCPtQbo
going to be you.”
“Do you know who ordered the hit?”100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kwDbfGMEJ
Vander asked.
“It’s not my place to know.” The100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeintvNr2fY
man shrugged. “I just follow orders. That’s all.” Vander strained to tell if he100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuNl7cAEAh
was lying, but based on the steady beat of his heart, he was telling the truth.
“Tell me more about the poisoning100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9U4fiO34F
of my father.” Cuvera squats down in front of the assassin. “And I want to know100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Si4buaWlq
everything.”
“I told you princeling,” he said100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfdKKBjHLj
with a sneer. “I know nothing about that.”
“Which group do you belong too?”100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYmOTm4AxF
Vander asked. The assassin fell silent, but his eyes smoldered with rage.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA7K3nGQvG
“There are ways I can use to find out.” The assassin stuck his chin out100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizPXfc6hTM
indignantly.
“Hold him.” Cuvera demanded. “This100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EfTMWD2pe
is an order as your prince, not a request from a friend.” Nodding his head,100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4pLsYxVxi
Vander grabbed the assassin then held him against the wall, so his feet were100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ma6KCzqh
dangling. Even though he struggled, he wasn’t strong enough to do anything100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuLUGKtPYA
after days of not eating. So, after a few seconds he hung there like a limp100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKcSRTOp5P
noodle. “Knife.” Vander removed a knife from his belt then placed it in his100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0UgUlyVu4
friend’s outstretched hand.
Cuvera placed the knife against100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlslCmqxcPb
the man’s arm then cut open the sleeve. He wasn’t gentle doing it drawing a100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmMYfXHGRd
little bit of blood in the process. He pulled the rest down to reveal a heavily100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfEhNfKEBA
muscled, but bare arm. Frowning, he moved onto the next arm with the same100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXAADxFEix
result. He clicked his tongue annoyed as he walked around the assassin who100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B0abr5cgg
likely knew what he wanted but wasn’t in the mood to help.
“Make him kneel.” Vander pulled100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UfsnTXx0J
the man off the wall placing him on the ground. Then he kicked out both knees100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm31gWhZ14
making him cry out in pain, but he fell to the ground placing his hands out in100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUoi2JVO7e
front of him to catch himself. Vander gripped the back of his neck then100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeZnpc5vPX
squeezed causing a small cry of pain to squeak out of the assassin, but he100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2jV4GComK
didn’t move.
“You won’t get your answers by100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpCnDBt4fT
torturing me.” He rasped. “I’ve been through far more than you have.” Without100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKoTM2fWsd
warning, Cuvera slammed the knife into the man’s shirt then ripped downward.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqTCt8gkCe
The man stifled his screams as the knife tip bit into his flesh.
Vander wasn’t100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Ej5dlt5W
sure what the prince was after, but it became clear once he parted the bleeding100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs9NNF0PpZ
shirt from the back to reveal an emblem that sent chills down his spine. It was100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFZUmUhats
an entwined green snake tattoo with a sword shoved through the mouth and100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFENRHrYG8
through the back. Even though he hadn’t seen it before, he knew that this was100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH2g9rz0jI
the emblem of the Green Serpents.
“Well, we have100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4zbGL1HDe
one answer.” Cuvera smiled. “We know you are a Serpent and that lines up nicely100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT8YyHR2OM
with the intelligence that we already have.”
“I already told100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeJKlsGnKH
you,” the assassin shivered. “We had nothing to do with the King’s illness. It100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTxLMjpbYx
wasn’t us.”
“Vander.” Cuvera100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqx85X04CP
stepped back but tilted his head towards the assassin. Sighing, Vander hauled100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJsL5YGs9X
the guy up to his feet then punched him in the stomach. The man doubled over100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwUqYw9kyq
but Vander brought his knee up right into his jaw. The assassin stumbled100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LfQKDs4pC
backwards, but he quickly righted himself. He spat out a wad of blood at100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTsjd7R5pp
Vander, hitting him in the face. As he struggled to wipe the blood away, the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLICF6KfW2V
assassin tackled Vander pushing him into the bars. He let out a cry of pain but100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY1SbtcLGQ
recovered quickly. He brought both fists down onto the assassin’s back slamming100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11E4q9bOWm
him into the ground. The assassin tried to crawl away, but Vander grabbed his100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN2342Tbzk
leg pulling him back in.
The two of them100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDbTZdwuU4
fought while Cuvera sat there with a small grin on his face. The fight ended100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlPWUY8i7S
when Vander drove his elbow into the man’s already damaged jaw. That final blow100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkFs3y3csU
was enough to dislocate it then to keep him from crying out, a blow to the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxFEb16gqA
temple rendered him unconscious. Vander got up, staggered for a second, before100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDJDqPQyY0
fixing himself.
“Why did you make100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xIOyvGAfI
me do that?” he asked the prince.
“I didn’t make100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnWytfAvyV
you do anything.” The prince shrugged. “It looked like you need to release some100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgpDHLMLFn
rage, so I merely gave you the opportunity, plus we learned something in the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqZhvITNDg
process. Come on let’s go.”
Vander looked100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDycYpum9GW
down at the assassin before following his friend out of the cell and back100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPYTSZo9gV
towards the door. Cuvera didn’t say anything as they left, but Vander whispered100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8nZLcnZVA
to send a healer for the man inside. The guards nodded their head but didn’t100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ6KJGrL7d
move. They would wait a few minutes before ‘discovering’ that the man had tried100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjteCmctfNM
to harm himself. It wasn’t the first time they did something like this.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2udxz1lOzo
However, the King would find out then there would be hell to pay.
“Man, that was100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KEaTt3cLQ
awesome.” Cuvera cheered. “You were so badass when you were beating him. You100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Fp0vnzaD
got to teach me how to fight.”
“If I remember100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75NTV9wX2O
correctly that didn’t go so well the last time.” Vander mused. He held his hand100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDtTrVIiFP
out for the knife then promptly sheathed it as to not arouse suspicion. Last100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGh5V8rKk0
time Vander had tried to teach the prince how to fight, they were ten years100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGeSyBA0VZ
old, and one punch was enough to send him crying to his mother. The King100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj0ERH35Ro
shortly put a stop to that.
“This time be100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngZpTA7H06
different.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m in peak physical condition.” He threw a100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8qElPyQg7
couple of jabs into the air. Normally Vander would have laughed, but he had100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVDUNK33LE
just been ordered to beat a broken man and it didn’t sit right with him. Cuvera100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnCdPUDKbc
had his moments, but he wasn’t cruel. This was out of character for him,100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuffN7RliP
hearing about his father almost dying must have spooked him enough to act.
They made their100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZgeh0i72N
way through the castle heading back towards Cuvera’s apartment. They saw a100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qAMYUKvSg
couple of noblemen with their escorts, but they all bowed their heads once they100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMkRrS4JUv
realized it was the prince which allowed Vander to go unnoticed. He still100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCPz9AO3JN
hadn’t covered from his other injuries and now he could add fresh ones to the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplF2fsigYO
list. Despite being weakened, that assassin wasn’t a push over. He got in a few100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIdcFzSEbB
strikes causing some pain in the process. Despite the quicker healing he had,100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci30HDLuxL
these injuries would still take a bit.
Vander noticed it100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDIyZMJGfK
before Cuvera, but there were two people waiting for them inside of his room.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyCNEFqCOz
He relaxed once he recognized their scents as Eliza and Kiara. Shea must like100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrXkRUfZwr
them because he didn’t sense any distress from their bond. If anything, she100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDARWw2SC5
felt joy and excitement. Vander decided to keep his mouth shut about the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZOoEOk6GV
visitors, his little dose of payback.
“Let’s get100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ9ErqK2AI
something to drink.” Cuvera gripped the door handle. But when he pushed it open100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvSppbOkph
his face fell. “Shit.” He whispered.
Kiara was sitting100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA31NTj5LF
on the couch running her hands through Shea’s fur. Shea was standing on top of100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKOQwmDajl
her knees licking her face as she laughed. Eliza was standing behind her sister100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSacAg3pBz
with a bemused expression on her face. Upon hearing the door open, the two women100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6WHiOzw0L
turned to look at them. Eliza nodded her head respectfully, but anger flooded100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnyFIM4mRN
Eliza’s .
Both had changed100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncVg2SJjEQ
their outfits to match the cooler climate of Eluvia. Eliza had been given a100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDysa4F0hyZ
long blue dress, but was wearing an orange shawl over her arms, an ode to her100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1ZIFjUC6H
home country. Eliza was given slacks, a blue shirt and a jacket that looked a100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3ijfcq0EE
lot like a Blades. Her hair had been pulled back into a tight ponytail. She100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8rMGLvWcH
gave Vander a small smile then she turned back to look at her sister.
“You were100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bOQYqHVEa
supposed to escort me around the castle.” She growled. She got up from the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvftFD6Qpu
couch and stormed over towards them. “Where have you been?” Vander quickly100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMIH97yNHU
tried to slink back into the shadows, but she caught him. “You’re not going100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UKuMDxJoz
anywhere.” She snapped. Her face softened once she saw the blood on his face.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmzdXBIzFt
“Are you injured?” she asked.
“It’s nothing.”100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0srCL2V5iH
Vander tried to hide it, but Kiara grabbed him. Vander hissed in pain, so she100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETBm1Y1Q4v
removed her hand.
“Eliza, can you100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPkLBuLBiT
tend to his wounds so I can have a chat with my fiancé?” she asked. “Please100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdYgbXfHJU
don’t fight me on this Vander, I’d hate for our friendship to start on a bad100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeg8uXuTkA
foot.” He looked towards Cuvera, but he averted his eyes.
“As you wish.”100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXnk16VVUD
Vander bowed his head.
“This way.” Eliza100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qyll59Hhj
escorted him to the bathroom then she shut the door. Moments later he could100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1D2tydwWZ
hear Kiara yelling at him, but he couldn’t hear what was being said. “Undress.”100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYXHXnL0PX
Eliza said.
“Excuse me?” he100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraRzKdI5kn
asked.
“You’re not the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddieuZfy9s
first man I’ve seen naked.” She scoffed. “And I doubt you’ll be the last.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR19blmnswW
Undress so I can see what I’m working with.” He hesitated, but due to her100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQEEnW6Nvy
incessant staring he did as she asked. Moments later his clothes were in the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE4G5vFSFQ
corner of the floor as he stood there not even bothering to cover himself. If100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRFF3VTLxQ
she wasn’t embarrassed, neither would he.
She looked at him100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzclVU7OSr
over tracing the scars on his body lightly with her fingertips. The gentle100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZSepb4pUg
touch caused him to shiver which placed a delicate smile on her face. Looking100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt6xkOwcSG
down at himself, he noticed more bruises than he thought spreading across his100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrk8QTNOCg
body. However, nothing compared to the giant bruise along his back. When she100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8ebWkONi4
touched it, he was filled with such immense pain he almost turned around to100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0Unq6phin
punch her in the face.
“You’ve been100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNqgcwvv6c
involved in multiple fights recently.” She muttered. “But this one seems100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUARsqpSjt
recent. I heard the person who tired to kill you is locked in the dungeons. Is100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dJP0I8txi
that where you were?”
“Yes.” Vander100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE56GjEAKfV
said. He wasn’t sure how she knew about the assassination attempt on him or100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJCFN0dfSM
where he was located. He suspected Bricen’s spies told her, but there was no100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmTzHUU2Ng
way of knowing for sure.
“You shouldn’t100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6588g0WYOn
beat those who can’t fight back.” She said. “It’s not a good look, especially100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLplXuq9lm
for a Blade.”
“Even if the100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokEJK1Bvai
prince ordered you too?” she didn’t say anything else after that. She applied100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0V6Jsw9Fw
some salve onto his wounds and the numbing cold allowed him to finally relax.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xi2m2XuGC
Once she was done she told him to put his clothes on while she went out to talk100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVgWgRlO2S
to Kiara. When he got outside he saw that Cuvera was nowhere to be found.
“I told him to100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrPj5e8PWt
tell his father what happened as well as what you discovered.” Kiara said. “He100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8ajbFkABa
didn’t want to leave me, but I said you were here to protect me if I needed it.100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iXyYEr4R4
Now, I’m asking you to escort me around the castle. Are you up for it?”
“Yes.” Vander100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJh6lEnuFL
bowed his head. She turned to look up at Eliza who nodded her head in100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneS5AUkAZH
agreement.
“Good thing your100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhUq2okGVB
fight with the assassin didn’t go worse or I’d have gone without an escort.”100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0N2frWsug
She grinned.
“Someone would100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C3CswPoKE
have taken you around when I couldn’t.” Vander explained. “We tend not to let100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGP3Lteq60
those of the royal family go without one, even within the castle.”
“You Eluvians are100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS46yVJBwwI
so protective.” She sighed. “You should really let your noblemen learn to fight100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhmUvML3j1
for themselves.”
“Do you know how100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPCqKLrAM7
to fight?”
“It’s rude to ask100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TFv6uZMy1
a lady,” she grinned. “But perhaps if you’re nice I’ll give you a100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLJ7kBDtJT
demonstration.” Eliza coughed into her hand. “Alright, escort. Let’s go.” She100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4EaWVWqup
got up off the couch and headed towards the door. Vander hesitated for a moment100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfDfXceyLu
then followed. Shea stayed where she was in front of the couch.
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“Let’s go.” He100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EZhozLvZM
said to her. She quickly got up and raced out the door nearly knocking Kiara100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9QxDFS1PD
over in the process.
