Chapter 17
“Ow, ow, ow!” Vander sat in the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJAtsfmRsR
chair within the medical room while Topal placed topical ointments on his109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKcGz25WC4
wounds. He had removed his shirt to allow the doctor to check him over and109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccE3YtcdrX
there were already colorful bruises gathering on his skin. Eliza, who was in109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapFLnXSbvr
the adjoining room being attended to by Topal’s granddaughter seemed to be in109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2tncL1aNn
better spirits. She was laughing the entire time with no sounds of pain.
“She did quite the number on you109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHbYiV3mJw
huh?” Topal asked. Vander could see the little smirk gathering on the old man’s109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hdChNs4aV
face as he checked him over.
“You know I heal quickly, Topal.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJZEXPvQii
Vander snorted. “Short of killing me, I’ll be better off sooner than she will.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHmquFc6NB
So, I’d say we were about even.”
“Don’t forget a lot of the nobles109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygMSN43jGs
saw you getting your ass beat, so you better pretend like you’re injured for a109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXo7qqscJF
while.” Topal slapped Vander’s ribs causing him to sit up hissing between109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT3SpWkPXv
clenched teeth.
“I’ll remember that.” He hissed.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhZsRPbOsm
Vander turned towards the door. He could hear two people coming down the hall109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ81JXpyxw3
towards the room. Based on their scent and how Shea was acting nonchalantly109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nsDdLEXcI
about it, it was Cuvera and Kiara.
Cuvera didn’t even knock, he just109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvfEnQzD7L
walked in with Kiara coming up behind him. “Damn, you look like shit.” He109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAniIiWmE6R
grinned. “But don’t you think you should put a shirt on.” he frowned. “You’re109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKtHHw1qqM
making me look bad.”
“Nonsense.” Kiara jabbed his side.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfldwaCCsu
“He’s the one who just got whooped by Eliza. You could have taken her easily.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn3ajPOw5Q
She winked at Vander when Cuvera puffed out his chest in pride.
“Damn right I could.” He said,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXIdQLns1O
slapping her on the ass causing her to squeal then punch his arm. “Go see how109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnehGWkJplg
your maid of honor is doing while I talk to Vander for a second.”
“You’re wish is my command.” She109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2pYM4Wazx
curtsied. Vander told her than Eliza was in the other room then pointed towards109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEZgyRIvbd
the doorway. She walked through then closed the door behind her, so they109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMtETNggUR
couldn’t overhear what was being said.
“Doctor, would you mind giving us109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyDos4qU1N
the room?” Cuvera asked.
“Of course.” Topal clipped his bag109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA2Lq85i0H
shut but left the container of ointment for Vander. “Rub this on your wounds109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6orKtCy81O
twice a day. They should clear up in a week or two.” Vander thanked the older109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMjyibjGA2
man and watched as he closed the door.
“What is it you wanted to talk to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatjL4Eyk4l
me about?” Vander asked. Cuvera sighed then pulled up a seat across from109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen7i09993H
Vander.
“I want you to be my best man for109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pOVHiw1OS
the wedding tonight.” He said. Vander stared at his friend a little confused.
“Who else were you considering?”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTkz6e9QKU
he asked.
“No one.” Cuvera sighed. “You’ve109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmpkesBbhV
been with me since the very beginning and despite what the nobles say, you are109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7IvkLgVmu
the closest friend I have. You are the only one I’ve wanted by my side109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRqSp74WcK
tonight.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoMgZemrvE
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCltqlCumMI
“Why did it take so long109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0KvZPZNbh
for you to ask me?” Vander laughed, but immediately regretted it, holding his109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02ys5qxwYb
side in pain. “Have you asked my grandfather to make sure it’s alright I skip109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkrpxuRD1l
guarding duty tonight?”
“I asked him after you left.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjBkq7PAru
Cuvera nodded. “He said it was fine provided you agree. My father will deal109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab4aqT4nBT
with the nobles, I just need you to say yes.”
“Do you have something for me to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGylsvQlZu
wear?” Vander asked causing Cuvera to break out in a wide grin. “All my109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeZK8w1DCn
clothing are for going out on the town or performing my duties as a Blade. I109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I8xEYEgiT
don’t have anything you would consider,” he waved his hand around. “Appropriate109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBIkyTqktu
for a wedding.”
“What do you take me for?” Cuvera109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBS7K2J4OR
scoffed. “Come on, this will be fun.”
Thirty minutes later Vander found109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG3oIWHSRG
himself in Cuvera’s room standing on a circular stand with three mirrors109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUECzvNj3q
surrounding him. There was an army of people coming in and out of the room with109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkhdMDamqB
a seamstress taking his measurements with a thin tape. She made notes on a109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcTCUY7f07
piece of paper then shouted orders to her people.
“Give me the silver fabric.” Opal109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfi7Q7zGpa
Jayne ordered. Apparently she was of no relation to Topal, but Vander found109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmePPXp1214
that hard to believe. No way multiple people be that bad at naming their109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8NaQLqdKO
children. “Yes, this will match your hair quite nicely.” She muttered to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgoG1fw5YJ
herself. She snapped her fingers and the helpers brought in some more fabric109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHkteCUnJo
for her to look at ranging from blues all the way to yellows. She placed the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH6aZUSTVU
silver fabric on Vander’s shoulder. She then started to place other fabrics on109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K28XAV6Wf
top until she found a dark blue she liked.
“Is it done?” Cuvera asked.
“I have all the measurements I109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VnPCZuyfC
need from him as well as the colors to best match his complexion along with109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfJNd3QPTO
your outfit.” Opal mused. “I never thought I would get the chance to work on109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFyUejwnL1
you, Vander, it will take all of my power to make this work, but I daresay you109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhdqtswujo
will like the results.”
“Thank you.” Cuvera smiled. “Get109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6zyEswMxZ
him a few rings and a necklace as well. He doesn’t like spending money on109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlril8mlwqV
himself, so I get to do it instead.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw0KScQXgP
send you my bill. When do you need this by?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60SyryJsBd
Vander looked over at him with a frown.
“I thought the wedding was109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiBdAqlhb2
tonight?” Cuvera and Opal looked at each other then burst out laughing.
“This wouldn’t all be done by109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJCNrYSpoA
tonight dear boy.” Opal wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I have two109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM388Ibduh
dresses to make and your suit. I’ll be up all night making sure everything is109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI98SsqTiTX
ready.”
“I made sure it was okay if I109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss5I8yPT2T
postponed it until tomorrow.” Cuvera explained. “If anything, my father was109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNyuJ9q5U4
relieved for more time, so he approved it.”
“What am I supposed to do with109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen3qW4JpQv
myself now?” Vander groaned.
“Don’t know.” Cuvera shrugged. “Go109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44q3saD64q
for a walk, get drunk, get your dick wet, whatever you want. I’ll see you109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DLFhylNu5
later.” He winked then quickly slipped out of the room.
“Jackass.” Vander muttered. He109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ921AstLAu
slipped on his clothing, clipped his sword to his belt, then left the room.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW0WHDajG8
Shea had been forced to sit outside so she wasn’t in the way, so she joined109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL8WxqDZVa
him.
“That seemed like fun.” She109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodXFwksHU0
said.
“Well, now we have the night off.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiyyoxDgm2
He replied. “What should we do now?”
“I would like to head back if109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30wsFPwjcx
you don’t mind.” She said. “I’m tired.”
“You are more than welcome to head109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7CrUZ0l9C
back to the bedroom if you want.” He said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t forget you have to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HdImmSh0w
oversee the protection detail around the castle for tomorrow’s wedding.” She109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVtVIax0aW
said. “Perhaps you should focus on that while you have time.”
“Ah shit, I forgot about that.” He109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4Y0SXQ53n
groaned. “So much has happened within the past several days that it slipped my109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH3sU8FzJy
mind.”
“Then it’s lucky that my mind is109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P9lAPZvbf
still about me.” Vander turned around to see his grandfather standing behind109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzFkLs8Fva
them. “How many times have I told you not to talk to Shea where others can hear109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqThyqNIvaA
you?”
“Sorry, Grandfather.” Vander109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFBCmcEzsE
muttered. Shea licked his hand before walked down the hall and disappearing109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBUGdViDFW
into the darkness. “She’s heading back to my room to sleep. She hasn’t been109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPjck98JN8
sleeping well lately.”
“With all the wardens here, I’m109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfOeG6jdCt
surprised anyone is sleeping.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, do you have a moment to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgoP9iiMUK
chat? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Charles led the way109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzax4ccN1od
down the hall and up a flight of stairs towards his office. There were two109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qJY0jG3aK
Blades standing at the door whom he dismissed with a flick of his hand. Once109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0WGHxSdzQ
inside, he poured both a small glass of whiskey.
“Eliza passed.” Charles answered109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL6wS0raDn
the unspoken question after he drained his glass and poured himself another109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfJ04B19n0
one. “After the wedding we will initiate her as a Blade Captain with control of109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr0bEKuQmJ
her own squad.”
“Are you sure about that?” Vander109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw86T0NHfub
asked. “There are abound to be plenty who are going to be pissed they got109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXC9OiUfEP
passed for a promotion to someone from Bricen, even if she is qualified.”
“They are able to challenge her109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJlDWJHvCe
for the spot, but based on how she was able to take you down, I doubt the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5TGp5Hwl8
others will be able to keep up with her.” He explained.
“Come on gramps,” Vander rolled109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8NkjITAKh
his eyes. “I was holding back, and you know it.”
“An ass whooping is an ass109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjpURdlSEX
whooping Vander.” He laughed. “Plus, I expect she was holding back as well, and109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXO5XYESUA
she had just finished running the gauntlet beforehand. I think you would have109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby0HZjJDgG
lost if she wasn’t exhausted.”
“You’re supposed to be on my109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9tJWClZ6j
side.” He grumbled.
“I’m for whatever makes us109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceHg4ZLmPP
stronger.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Malcolm told me about what Ross109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvZXDLpZS5
had told you when you visited him. While I’m not happy you went there,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISbshhPf5Q
especially without telling me, we now have an enemy to focus our efforts on. Was109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRhJ93YODA
there anything else he could tell you?”
“There was, but I’d have to fight109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ycqAZvXTl
in the pits against his champions.” Vander explained. “It’s not something I’m109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVzMhn7IQ1
keen on doing, but I will if I need to.”
“That might not be necessary.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok9S4bR4JS
Charles was quiet for a moment. “What do you know of Draken? The man Warden109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi94fW2JJ64
Valarian always keeps with her?”
“Not much.” Vander admitted. “Just109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYOX4kwcf4
that he’s a strong fighter.”
“Not just that.” Charles got up109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjBK5xHXK7
from his desk to walk towards one of the bookshelves. He skimmed the shelves109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEtPoSrD5z
for a moment before selecting an old black book with gold trim. He flipped109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe58FMUz62a
through the pages until he found the one he wanted then placed it on the table109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSRhB9udD8
in front of Vander. It was a picture of Aubum, the deity of mortality and109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JPpDSAQ3M
death. One of the children of the Darkness.
Aubum was a mysterious deity. Not109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wPgRPA1e4
much was known about him even within the texts of the other deities. Before his109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdlUelRIcr
arrival, humans were immortal, but Darkness had created him to rob them of the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBYY2oA0BZ
one thing they coveted more than anything, their lives. It was a move to try109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoxnodmNtl
and weaken her parents and siblings, but it backfired because humans prayed to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMnvMGl5n9
the deities even more afterwards. Some believe he did it to weaken his mother,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHULn4ZCuw
but that was the minority opinion.
Aubum was human in appearance, but109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAtpYEyD2v
his hair was bright green while his skin was the color of death. He wore white109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84CJw4HggO
robes with sandaled feet. His weapon of choice was a large scythe, but he used109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvs101bxlW
it more to walk with than as a weapon considering how old he truly was.
“Are you telling me that Draken is109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5VQP8I5Fe
the Ma’akti of Aubum?” Vander asked. “I thought he stayed out of human affairs109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5tfKCpjYr
until their death?”
“It’s something passed down since109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UvAySorzd
the Valarian line started.” Charles explained. “Out of everyone in the council,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDy8zlHeQB
only the King and I know who he truly is.” There was a slight gust of wind that109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCar9iev9u5
wafted around the apartment as the smell of decay appeared in Vander’s nose. In109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE0ZtEvDhJ
one deft movement, Vander jumped from his seat and drew his sword pointing it109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgAZIQIwo3
at one of the darkened corners.
“Good.” A voice hissed from the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5bycyFNDi
shadows. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as a man stepped out from the shadows,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXIZmIzd2U
but they clung to him as if trying not to let him go. Now that Vander’s eyes109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4SvRkXzgj
could adjust, he realized the man had dark green, scaley skin, and large109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtYl7Cw2uY
canines that jutted past his top lip. He was wearing a long-mottled cape which109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF0c8RFyKA
allowed him to blend with the shadows along with leather armor protecting his109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF8xW3ehNG
chest. He wore a series of knives on his belt, likely his preferred weapon of109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCdTYxdwYP
choice.
“Draken, you came.” Charles bowed109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFaQjrVGI3
his head respectfully. “Would you like a drink?”
“No thanksssss, Commander.” He109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIev0hr8g3V
hissed. “But why have you asked my missssstressss for me? I wasssss hoping to109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8emAe4reKA
enjoy my ssssstay?”
“Can you stop hissing?” Charles109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8SNZDWnoR
asked. “I know you do it just to make people piss their pants, but you don’t109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRilvxNC5C
have to do it here.”
“Sorry.” Draken laughed. It109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNplUSOgfQ
sounded raspy like he had been smoking for decades, it was likely his throat109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdtUTcavSl
wasn’t used to normal speak. “It’s a habit at this point.”
“How did you get in here?” Vander109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2B1EaqQbh
asked.
“Do you expose your secrets to any109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzD7OCmfAh
who asked Unna’tun Ma’akti?” Vander stared at him surprised. “Only those with109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuxR5QyaLg
her abilities can sense me when I’m cloaked considering we are cousins of a109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgUdOuR1GE
sort.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Vander109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0JMdPoSQq
shrugged his shoulder. “This is something I would kill to keep secret if you109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhBIPGecou
catch my meaning.”
“Don’t worry.” Draken smiled. “I109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeIlxRFim0
won’t tell anyone anything. This is a secret that should stay in the shadows109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMY81rOf4X
with as few as possible. None of us wish for our secrets to be exposed,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcMj1xxJEx
especially not those in power.”
“Only a select few will know of109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGhys0nq7p
this.” Charles explained. “We have sworn on the book of Humjir to keep the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN8p404Hrr
identities a secret. If anyone breaks that vow, they will die.”
“I trust you.” Vander sighed. “But109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk1eDQlKS8
onto the question, why is he here?”
“Because I have a job for him.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEou7w24T0
Charles explained. “We have someone in our dungeons who knows the location of109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaZc2ZopsI
whoever tried to kill our King. I want you to pry the information out of my any109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r2qpl6viE
means necessary then track down whoever sent him here. When you find them, I109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OSPDVvF0G
want to know about it.”
“And who will protect my Warden109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4TQpZeN9w
while I do this?” Draken asked.
“We will have our best protecting109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tar3gqXTa
her.” Charles assured him. “Captain Alexander will take three others to help109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCTICFFXNF
protect her.”
“Do you trust him?”
“With my life.” Vander answered.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVuNA01CZj
“We’ve been through a lot together. We will protect her with his life if need109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNUrxrcNAH
be.”
“Then very well.” Draken bowed his109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XT0xTSj98
head. “Should I make daily reports?”
“No, only report when you finish.”
“Understood.” With that Draken109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HD4jhBl7N
slunk back into the shadows then disappeared. Vander didn’t speak until he was109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wxzUJN6qk
sure that the man was gone.
“That was something.” He said.
“He’s always been like that, but109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYl7u0tMVc
he gives results and that’s what matters.”
“Will the guards walk in on109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTvMluFWdF
anything?” Vander asked.
“I gave the guards the night off.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe620aWK99J
Charles sat back down in his chair. “No one will hear the man’s screams. I want109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfGs6OcnQV
to get this done as quickly as possible.”
“Cuvera and I questioned him109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFwcinnNJw
before, and he swore that they had nothing to do with the King’s poisoning.”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY4nh34Mhq
Vander explained.
“You know better than to trust109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffDjWZEH92
someone like that Vander, unless you doubt Ross’ word?”
“Ross always has some hidden109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrbBG26EDr
agenda, but he wouldn’t lie to me.” Vander frowned. “It could be his109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwqKUSOyib
information is wrong.”
“We will see what happens once109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJat5Ts7GV
Draken finishes his investigation.” Charles tossed back his whiskey. “His109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7ycUBRg01
methods are cruel, but we need that now. Any moment we waste is another chance109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi3FK3vfKW
they must kill Malcolm.”
“I agree with you.” Vander also109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQdQkQiS2R
drank the burning liquid which caused him to grimace. He hated the taste, but109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMTsALbcji
it did relax him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore gramps.”
“What should we talk about then?”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpQ2vhlFZD
Charles grinned. “Would you like to talk about your attraction to Eliza?”109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozFKwMGu3q
Vander choked on his drink.
“What?” He sputtered. “I don’t109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQz8DKLVVC
like her!”
“So that mild bit of flirting109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP8hxUGUrK
while you fought this morning was nothing?” Charles asked. “I might be old, but109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTc7Ewwre1
I’m not dead yet and neither are you. You’d be a fool not to be interested in109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mA0BkyP2s
her.”
“Come on, I barely know her.” He109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5GlV1hxHr
protested. “Besides, she can find someone better.”
“I know Bree dumping you hurt, but109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAblnytC7a
you can’t close yourself off forever.” His grandfather sighed. “It’s time you109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg6jWhUNro
found someone to settle down with. I’d like to have great-grand children before109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iQsVKvzC2
I die.”
“I’m only twenty, gramps.” Vander109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsMf5TgTNd
sighed. “We have plenty of time.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Charles109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpWCwi48sg
mused. However, he got a sad look in his eyes that Vander couldn’t quite figure109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P2AjMlnCV
out.”
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, yes.” Charles waved him off.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJXkXicMPh
“I just think she will be a good match for you as well, Vander. Give it some109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT2HeeSK2T
thought, but ultimately, it’s up to you.”
“Thank you.” Vander sipped the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3vqKP6Z4j
drink. “It is alright if I sleep? I’ve had a long day.”
“Of course.” Charles smiled. “I109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsUQEhsbPg
will see you tomorrow.” Vander walked over to the other side of the desk and109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCsqg6qKwB
kissed his grandfather on the top of his head. With a small wave he left the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MaorL3vL7
room.
He decided to take the long way109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs92QYBbFke
back to his room opting to take a walk along the outer corridor towards the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7OS0Ns8sV
other gardens. The gardens behind the castle were filled with various bushes109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wFKPJGd1O
and flower gardens ranging from roses to daffodils. There were pathways that109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYkHEtOvKH
weaved around each garden bed and benches were people sat while they enjoyed109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbGJQ57S07
themselves. Here nobles were allowed to visit, but with the wedding tomorrow,109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiritXpfNU
many were resting.
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The full moon was high in the sky109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf4vOaBcGd
when Vander sat down on a secluded bench in a corner garden. Despite the chaos109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPPBOhpuMb
that was his life and Unna’s gifts constantly clawing at him, he enjoyed the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxl7YF7iSs
quiet serenity that this spot offered him. It was one of the few places he109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUHqe5LRKx
could feel at ease and not have to worry about anyone else. He lay down on the109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodVJ2BLPRT
bench to stare up at the moon before closing his eyes to rest.
