Chapter 17
“Ow, ow, ow!” Vander sat in the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvUTxqz6iC
chair within the medical room while Topal placed topical ointments on his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk627YEGei
wounds. He had removed his shirt to allow the doctor to check him over and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn2iECThjs
there were already colorful bruises gathering on his skin. Eliza, who was in141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz8w5a8sRh
the adjoining room being attended to by Topal’s granddaughter seemed to be in141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b2hpXKZ4V
better spirits. She was laughing the entire time with no sounds of pain.
“She did quite the number on you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8HpSnvpGy
huh?” Topal asked. Vander could see the little smirk gathering on the old man’s141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3StvUUg523
face as he checked him over.
“You know I heal quickly, Topal.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlgcZ8LLOV
Vander snorted. “Short of killing me, I’ll be better off sooner than she will.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7grzZ3IO2N
So, I’d say we were about even.”
“Don’t forget a lot of the nobles141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgTFwTpuUv
saw you getting your ass beat, so you better pretend like you’re injured for a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nC1JhnrzB
while.” Topal slapped Vander’s ribs causing him to sit up hissing between141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sJ5BqgE9O
clenched teeth.
“I’ll remember that.” He hissed.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBUCwmyLxh
Vander turned towards the door. He could hear two people coming down the hall141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiTXKVVnDv
towards the room. Based on their scent and how Shea was acting nonchalantly141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4uMHHaqjD
about it, it was Cuvera and Kiara.
Cuvera didn’t even knock, he just141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9InX3JG0DA
walked in with Kiara coming up behind him. “Damn, you look like shit.” He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIko4JS5qn
grinned. “But don’t you think you should put a shirt on.” he frowned. “You’re141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDGRLBp1BP
making me look bad.”
“Nonsense.” Kiara jabbed his side.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G3s2zYmCV
“He’s the one who just got whooped by Eliza. You could have taken her easily.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0nGl0jZPq
She winked at Vander when Cuvera puffed out his chest in pride.
“Damn right I could.” He said,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MczDa1sAN
slapping her on the ass causing her to squeal then punch his arm. “Go see how141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4vyFSVSWZ
your maid of honor is doing while I talk to Vander for a second.”
“You’re wish is my command.” She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjTnRFzGBO
curtsied. Vander told her than Eliza was in the other room then pointed towards141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Yya595U5K
the doorway. She walked through then closed the door behind her, so they141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHfoI6EUhg
couldn’t overhear what was being said.
“Doctor, would you mind giving us141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhisLSkSgHz
the room?” Cuvera asked.
“Of course.” Topal clipped his bag141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIorUMxftXE
shut but left the container of ointment for Vander. “Rub this on your wounds141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm8M8SXOsH
twice a day. They should clear up in a week or two.” Vander thanked the older141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYYxRp2wpt
man and watched as he closed the door.
“What is it you wanted to talk to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyMjY4is6X
me about?” Vander asked. Cuvera sighed then pulled up a seat across from141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvZyfWsJgv
Vander.
“I want you to be my best man for141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU6x8OLTa1
the wedding tonight.” He said. Vander stared at his friend a little confused.
“Who else were you considering?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVHEjQq1Mo
he asked.
“No one.” Cuvera sighed. “You’ve141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsey4Qsjet
been with me since the very beginning and despite what the nobles say, you are141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7J7NEPvs8
the closest friend I have. You are the only one I’ve wanted by my side141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOwfzMCtRe
tonight.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOYhF1D36D
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqnsAJlDtM
“Why did it take so long141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgpbngdNme
for you to ask me?” Vander laughed, but immediately regretted it, holding his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbAQIr1Yxo
side in pain. “Have you asked my grandfather to make sure it’s alright I skip141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKMJ0pfFsw
guarding duty tonight?”
“I asked him after you left.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AbeIGqjFJ
Cuvera nodded. “He said it was fine provided you agree. My father will deal141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlyBavjZaE
with the nobles, I just need you to say yes.”
“Do you have something for me to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGNIo4VJNd
wear?” Vander asked causing Cuvera to break out in a wide grin. “All my141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK22gz80Ja
clothing are for going out on the town or performing my duties as a Blade. I141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXEdA59he1
don’t have anything you would consider,” he waved his hand around. “Appropriate141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsmfm8x9mB
for a wedding.”
“What do you take me for?” Cuvera141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeBkGJeIYX
scoffed. “Come on, this will be fun.”
Thirty minutes later Vander found141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp53r5icFfI
himself in Cuvera’s room standing on a circular stand with three mirrors141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuAwZrp6RR
surrounding him. There was an army of people coming in and out of the room with141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTM7J1V3Us
a seamstress taking his measurements with a thin tape. She made notes on a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvumh1dUDh
piece of paper then shouted orders to her people.
“Give me the silver fabric.” Opal141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5elfO449FO
Jayne ordered. Apparently she was of no relation to Topal, but Vander found141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcMhcOB1La
that hard to believe. No way multiple people be that bad at naming their141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nxes1xuno
children. “Yes, this will match your hair quite nicely.” She muttered to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl04XIT2CPi
herself. She snapped her fingers and the helpers brought in some more fabric141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pDKaKxvNk
for her to look at ranging from blues all the way to yellows. She placed the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qtSthfVnN
silver fabric on Vander’s shoulder. She then started to place other fabrics on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BrzCMuEGY
top until she found a dark blue she liked.
“Is it done?” Cuvera asked.
“I have all the measurements I141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sg270KIL0
need from him as well as the colors to best match his complexion along with141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XfrTfWtuD
your outfit.” Opal mused. “I never thought I would get the chance to work on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceCKKKzLau
you, Vander, it will take all of my power to make this work, but I daresay you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q70hrPW5z
will like the results.”
“Thank you.” Cuvera smiled. “Get141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzMtWao5j9
him a few rings and a necklace as well. He doesn’t like spending money on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr6Ap6Ym4k
himself, so I get to do it instead.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWr3PIsgp1
send you my bill. When do you need this by?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWVlKoqybF
Vander looked over at him with a frown.
“I thought the wedding was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwRfJaSCt4
tonight?” Cuvera and Opal looked at each other then burst out laughing.
“This wouldn’t all be done by141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvEovBgA3j
tonight dear boy.” Opal wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I have two141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOAm25S8hZ
dresses to make and your suit. I’ll be up all night making sure everything is141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod4lWhHCDR
ready.”
“I made sure it was okay if I141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkR4eGESfG
postponed it until tomorrow.” Cuvera explained. “If anything, my father was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWPPdFADU9
relieved for more time, so he approved it.”
“What am I supposed to do with141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfs7wv29c7
myself now?” Vander groaned.
“Don’t know.” Cuvera shrugged. “Go141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyqMzbRG6y
for a walk, get drunk, get your dick wet, whatever you want. I’ll see you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9ZrBK71Dh
later.” He winked then quickly slipped out of the room.
“Jackass.” Vander muttered. He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7zs20CiGm
slipped on his clothing, clipped his sword to his belt, then left the room.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv7msxauoN
Shea had been forced to sit outside so she wasn’t in the way, so she joined141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3UV38hUbj
him.
“That seemed like fun.” She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAJsBdCFMD
said.
“Well, now we have the night off.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre80ZDZqTs
He replied. “What should we do now?”
“I would like to head back if141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ1vYWjz3j
you don’t mind.” She said. “I’m tired.”
“You are more than welcome to head141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GUwbCph9z
back to the bedroom if you want.” He said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t forget you have to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZOzmiBRke
oversee the protection detail around the castle for tomorrow’s wedding.” She141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tlJEzWbuK
said. “Perhaps you should focus on that while you have time.”
“Ah shit, I forgot about that.” He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D79bfUifR
groaned. “So much has happened within the past several days that it slipped my141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8IgMiKN6l
mind.”
“Then it’s lucky that my mind is141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn5aAvF0hR
still about me.” Vander turned around to see his grandfather standing behind141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr8GQvX5nT
them. “How many times have I told you not to talk to Shea where others can hear141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl07qP6tWj
you?”
“Sorry, Grandfather.” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qLTf2pvi2
muttered. Shea licked his hand before walked down the hall and disappearing141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwsEHvDlmu
into the darkness. “She’s heading back to my room to sleep. She hasn’t been141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1chw55dqL
sleeping well lately.”
“With all the wardens here, I’m141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbdF1qSQgp
surprised anyone is sleeping.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, do you have a moment to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hRebtRUKi
chat? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Charles led the way141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr9FqZzwWO
down the hall and up a flight of stairs towards his office. There were two141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO1aK9mRRu
Blades standing at the door whom he dismissed with a flick of his hand. Once141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmJNdlU6Sa
inside, he poured both a small glass of whiskey.
“Eliza passed.” Charles answered141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0sxXmIkCR
the unspoken question after he drained his glass and poured himself another141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eVO4cDduV
one. “After the wedding we will initiate her as a Blade Captain with control of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tOk8GAGD9
her own squad.”
“Are you sure about that?” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7E8F0r0ES
asked. “There are abound to be plenty who are going to be pissed they got141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLlnUvL6Gn
passed for a promotion to someone from Bricen, even if she is qualified.”
“They are able to challenge her141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnSgdMtIS0
for the spot, but based on how she was able to take you down, I doubt the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk72zsolYe
others will be able to keep up with her.” He explained.
“Come on gramps,” Vander rolled141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC1WA01bOF
his eyes. “I was holding back, and you know it.”
“An ass whooping is an ass141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmo6pkL6mE
whooping Vander.” He laughed. “Plus, I expect she was holding back as well, and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa7IP0idGL
she had just finished running the gauntlet beforehand. I think you would have141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa6U2uqpfy
lost if she wasn’t exhausted.”
“You’re supposed to be on my141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYmW9W8x4q
side.” He grumbled.
“I’m for whatever makes us141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1q2czK5qB
stronger.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Malcolm told me about what Ross141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfZW3UtAQ9
had told you when you visited him. While I’m not happy you went there,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOUBJxeZ7F
especially without telling me, we now have an enemy to focus our efforts on. Was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8FqEInnhk
there anything else he could tell you?”
“There was, but I’d have to fight141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NZlLbsrUq
in the pits against his champions.” Vander explained. “It’s not something I’m141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSkXRW8ysw
keen on doing, but I will if I need to.”
“That might not be necessary.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjEZV46GN2
Charles was quiet for a moment. “What do you know of Draken? The man Warden141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYqDnu5vsg
Valarian always keeps with her?”
“Not much.” Vander admitted. “Just141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnboDV6PY82
that he’s a strong fighter.”
“Not just that.” Charles got up141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oFUkl2yfI
from his desk to walk towards one of the bookshelves. He skimmed the shelves141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnIrVqBQWF
for a moment before selecting an old black book with gold trim. He flipped141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMY1yNYIEh
through the pages until he found the one he wanted then placed it on the table141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vsPC9IxvE
in front of Vander. It was a picture of Aubum, the deity of mortality and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPjG7ctH0S
death. One of the children of the Darkness.
Aubum was a mysterious deity. Not141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpCWiGaUqP
much was known about him even within the texts of the other deities. Before his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvZ9jvOGmz
arrival, humans were immortal, but Darkness had created him to rob them of the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFBdupzoG7
one thing they coveted more than anything, their lives. It was a move to try141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi4zsEKJBB
and weaken her parents and siblings, but it backfired because humans prayed to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnP0ap2Aga
the deities even more afterwards. Some believe he did it to weaken his mother,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquS4DwhYQX
but that was the minority opinion.
Aubum was human in appearance, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt4cVwb1WI
his hair was bright green while his skin was the color of death. He wore white141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9DfuqavvZ
robes with sandaled feet. His weapon of choice was a large scythe, but he used141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxroOL5gt8e
it more to walk with than as a weapon considering how old he truly was.
“Are you telling me that Draken is141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqWKPGzJkV
the Ma’akti of Aubum?” Vander asked. “I thought he stayed out of human affairs141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMTfygZlyU
until their death?”
“It’s something passed down since141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lzv43GPo8
the Valarian line started.” Charles explained. “Out of everyone in the council,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1vAzDzAKj
only the King and I know who he truly is.” There was a slight gust of wind that141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ALk0B13Za
wafted around the apartment as the smell of decay appeared in Vander’s nose. In141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc8UEa9njF
one deft movement, Vander jumped from his seat and drew his sword pointing it141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIuTpNL7T1
at one of the darkened corners.
“Good.” A voice hissed from the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9ATgvGkdf
shadows. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as a man stepped out from the shadows,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrEOkVR1mj
but they clung to him as if trying not to let him go. Now that Vander’s eyes141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9EmWGWeDa
could adjust, he realized the man had dark green, scaley skin, and large141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPlzZ9470Z
canines that jutted past his top lip. He was wearing a long-mottled cape which141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPAvlfvByG
allowed him to blend with the shadows along with leather armor protecting his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpYMId1OGt
chest. He wore a series of knives on his belt, likely his preferred weapon of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWVh55nuTX
choice.
“Draken, you came.” Charles bowed141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dwXvVSBsj
his head respectfully. “Would you like a drink?”
“No thanksssss, Commander.” He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb82Os4CRqg
hissed. “But why have you asked my missssstressss for me? I wasssss hoping to141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xCA1TBRVs
enjoy my ssssstay?”
“Can you stop hissing?” Charles141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jqinOVmHE
asked. “I know you do it just to make people piss their pants, but you don’t141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UP8s5xb7r
have to do it here.”
“Sorry.” Draken laughed. It141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0eeywoAHT
sounded raspy like he had been smoking for decades, it was likely his throat141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJDgrBqgFH
wasn’t used to normal speak. “It’s a habit at this point.”
“How did you get in here?” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKArdHqH4l
asked.
“Do you expose your secrets to any141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcg5sM2pO3
who asked Unna’tun Ma’akti?” Vander stared at him surprised. “Only those with141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVOqBSAZW6
her abilities can sense me when I’m cloaked considering we are cousins of a141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VMZhojoBL
sort.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHdkYMXuJh
shrugged his shoulder. “This is something I would kill to keep secret if you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2TD57ymHJ
catch my meaning.”
“Don’t worry.” Draken smiled. “I141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4OJqLMJ5j
won’t tell anyone anything. This is a secret that should stay in the shadows141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjLp7DAZwJ
with as few as possible. None of us wish for our secrets to be exposed,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqUNrjcku1
especially not those in power.”
“Only a select few will know of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrOyQt3ctB
this.” Charles explained. “We have sworn on the book of Humjir to keep the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSpoDvby5G
identities a secret. If anyone breaks that vow, they will die.”
“I trust you.” Vander sighed. “But141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtkTnlrZK3
onto the question, why is he here?”
“Because I have a job for him.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rgri74CqT
Charles explained. “We have someone in our dungeons who knows the location of141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftQGScKjjj
whoever tried to kill our King. I want you to pry the information out of my any141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzGrlyN6s3
means necessary then track down whoever sent him here. When you find them, I141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCHjlYFYKI
want to know about it.”
“And who will protect my Warden141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1NRPsFN2A
while I do this?” Draken asked.
“We will have our best protecting141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTvUWyc9yH
her.” Charles assured him. “Captain Alexander will take three others to help141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5vSZj53NP
protect her.”
“Do you trust him?”
“With my life.” Vander answered.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XItm9uosN
“We’ve been through a lot together. We will protect her with his life if need141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCh3D28eaN
be.”
“Then very well.” Draken bowed his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ221jgQAUpl
head. “Should I make daily reports?”
“No, only report when you finish.”
“Understood.” With that Draken141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cWl6BbkrC
slunk back into the shadows then disappeared. Vander didn’t speak until he was141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCsRyuK6Kn
sure that the man was gone.
“That was something.” He said.
“He’s always been like that, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5a8jlwIQm
he gives results and that’s what matters.”
“Will the guards walk in on141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlNyPMlfjn
anything?” Vander asked.
“I gave the guards the night off.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYNeNbzCoA
Charles sat back down in his chair. “No one will hear the man’s screams. I want141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbi8ggHabI
to get this done as quickly as possible.”
“Cuvera and I questioned him141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZiSkR9ogw
before, and he swore that they had nothing to do with the King’s poisoning.”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzmvKgbvBu
Vander explained.
“You know better than to trust141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi3QlYbTa6
someone like that Vander, unless you doubt Ross’ word?”
“Ross always has some hidden141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dgL4yhvdD
agenda, but he wouldn’t lie to me.” Vander frowned. “It could be his141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dR0Cd0apG
information is wrong.”
“We will see what happens once141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkqNxBKxTj
Draken finishes his investigation.” Charles tossed back his whiskey. “His141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaEdahzlik
methods are cruel, but we need that now. Any moment we waste is another chance141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvqPMHUpU3
they must kill Malcolm.”
“I agree with you.” Vander also141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrvSWZHM5w
drank the burning liquid which caused him to grimace. He hated the taste, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1vsKbSWTa
it did relax him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore gramps.”
“What should we talk about then?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDub1en1Tl
Charles grinned. “Would you like to talk about your attraction to Eliza?”141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8WWDH9Jgd
Vander choked on his drink.
“What?” He sputtered. “I don’t141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡervDMlFBWw
like her!”
“So that mild bit of flirting141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4RzDVcFmi
while you fought this morning was nothing?” Charles asked. “I might be old, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoAXkUKMdt
I’m not dead yet and neither are you. You’d be a fool not to be interested in141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXgC0GGDoY
her.”
“Come on, I barely know her.” He141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFeiliALkC
protested. “Besides, she can find someone better.”
“I know Bree dumping you hurt, but141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiETt1SAfSQ
you can’t close yourself off forever.” His grandfather sighed. “It’s time you141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrHKAfuaBe
found someone to settle down with. I’d like to have great-grand children before141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZer6ucWPNq
I die.”
“I’m only twenty, gramps.” Vander141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvhKvucoPe
sighed. “We have plenty of time.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Charles141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm10GmjFM1c
mused. However, he got a sad look in his eyes that Vander couldn’t quite figure141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv06nsqt15
out.”
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, yes.” Charles waved him off.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRIdab8w5a
“I just think she will be a good match for you as well, Vander. Give it some141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUeipH0Pq7
thought, but ultimately, it’s up to you.”
“Thank you.” Vander sipped the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNvQ5u54Zw
drink. “It is alright if I sleep? I’ve had a long day.”
“Of course.” Charles smiled. “I141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagI1Owcmcb
will see you tomorrow.” Vander walked over to the other side of the desk and141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH09nxy9Sj
kissed his grandfather on the top of his head. With a small wave he left the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDDrk8AXjp
room.
He decided to take the long way141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PGPIDkE9d
back to his room opting to take a walk along the outer corridor towards the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNZv3VbqaQ
other gardens. The gardens behind the castle were filled with various bushes141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexIgT3wHhQ
and flower gardens ranging from roses to daffodils. There were pathways that141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgECPtxH1a0
weaved around each garden bed and benches were people sat while they enjoyed141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HxWzC4RBn
themselves. Here nobles were allowed to visit, but with the wedding tomorrow,141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wRZ2IvUR2
many were resting.
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The full moon was high in the sky141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI7WjM31cq
when Vander sat down on a secluded bench in a corner garden. Despite the chaos141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMvYFaMqqC
that was his life and Unna’s gifts constantly clawing at him, he enjoyed the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtDRkAu5gD
quiet serenity that this spot offered him. It was one of the few places he141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFc1rhS54Q
could feel at ease and not have to worry about anyone else. He lay down on the141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCRIpJYrMJ
bench to stare up at the moon before closing his eyes to rest.
