Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz1AB6ttRn
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidD0aG1y5C
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTITIGCl9x
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVVZz8n8D4
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnwtN3TIqW
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6fhX4K7Um
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3HgR0GiyT
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA51fRjAXm
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzREPPCQNi
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk7rwZd0XY
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOzcy6iNKQ
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55iqoXlbJH
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXelR4tKWqL
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWuLnPz1OF
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSQcsTwUac
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElqYgefpZx
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bZbVv5Btp
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NUqBN8zYL
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5NBFPITNK
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9arT9KS2r
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUwoHBNGzQ
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVUEPQ1vwC
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqUdyQYSPZ
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6ca6M3SeR
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NdqBET6SR
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F3L4DG4ki
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk0i348Kdp
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX08VBxwSpA
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF8ZQoM2nd
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtPteHPADj
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLN55czYvn
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQqeqZu6V0
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7tIzS1Ohc
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZjHE6Cbpf
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavm0HkYhuy
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjadGVl9dX
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8157KOklD
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHaiVeytw4
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaIea5YpgN
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVOHNGJwzM
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lLSyZEXKK
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeOMWMatY0
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLQyJAM2qJ
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJPK5ktGqD
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER5rT0FHpN
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFf9GkMBQc
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKzK42FbAU
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUqQ38JSPm
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbRX5WHp0B
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZa45TuYjT
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7tDx9yUJw
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuaqrfG8E1
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm18iPZWjRC
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGpMYTO1NU
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV0ElJ3Opc
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYNRASntoP
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULCS0X3sBi
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iu8Juv2Ap
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbpYiyhp2Q
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpskSjMHw1Y
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f83hR83iK
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0zXfyjBiu
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgURyREwccD
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM4We68nnw
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyCsjKw6ml
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZiQ9EvAjl
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8bpvvORFD
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HZVwLlGoZ
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOavjXYVMfb
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HOFLSiP6d
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w9KQViAkF
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFwepM0E8g
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZK5dYzZy8
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi9haMeImK
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDBN3PHeIB
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauCmquOtDR
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKsrqrvtR5
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCH72cF4cM
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagMJXgIZyb
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwDGtM0WV4
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpQqpyQDKM
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2n5jQR5Dq
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEPpi1QLxj
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7efEJf0qx
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uxHHp4b0K
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczKOqVwoub
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhSatiSwOB
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMnf7gEQQH
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtuUvYV4p4
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZaFOQZBnh
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR8rzcQc5A
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAOfKZuS0W
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVjvcGI8Dr
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy434RUY7v5
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC4gKfvzp0
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFufqf8esk
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3JoGFNWQm
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2mhJZ16Oc
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoG2Fbow84
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij8j6krBpI
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZY5FHsbZm
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXC1GQRL13
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oPqvwP66q
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GhQMw8W70
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMugT5BEnP
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHFyoslLAo
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM199FaEjt
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2TsYekTZJ
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeOl5Wc9OB
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk1NBDSDkk
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0qoEqqPR7
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFIKRFE8li
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQSILnSAHu
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk8UMuAfE6
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsq6r0ghha
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJkZvA1zr5
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHo0aV2tSO
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeLp0uXxse
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM8nNgDX9Z
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3MvcrizDL
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX88ObLZsRQ
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5opbX55OA
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpFkqVK0aW
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79dbp2iYs8
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1xWk9Iakx
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2iVKvReDx
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ueiA4mHL3
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEWHB3hDLA
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZFqDr3ETG
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6MrJVYuI0
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDftEC69D1U
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUqZC2aH5O
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAS44TDSGp
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu0LcG2V95
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcI3CsVeFs
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraUhNgSPC1
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrDE3m3HCd
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17LYojMBHV
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLRPgARbnC
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPliuFRAMV
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHaHYrcwTw
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5ESZ26ycL
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67b2k5cd51
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMcBYGvsve
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JOwSt7auo
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz90wAMv2MN
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs09R3PFNiT
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzjGBIJnS4
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BnuIL7rwX
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvCgmU0zGZ
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIVs448CHP
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxYRTHILuR
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwldrtwzRX
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT2QOwkkoM
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg2JKFLuQ6
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8uLr4V8uf
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHh5LpjZJj
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs42A4iSeD
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hV2Px27Mp
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQKWLbkQVE
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72dCCNd5x1
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY0kGTyZFM
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz25zk6wZ9z
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduYkQGIkNh
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG4n6ptqg4
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAk6KyYtik
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vATD4A4U6
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVckDnKRsx
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSunoPYu7wC
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2WVn3rEZP
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCea9oCXp6
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndgT6vSYWv
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55xw1UZ3iW
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97BFGovssm
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70ZsWda2Ed
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfSpZ3xLBC
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3eFop50OS
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXSuuWjX5F
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuywCAutXy
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8pYpjsuH3
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbwLq6BRNW
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH9QGZYGn5
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WKgVwGRGT
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEVocZU2C7
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcjdUNZVYu
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm6baFlFcC
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSqaQZLIL0
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegEZpSPMLS
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7kpC0EdsL
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckHIkpe0k8
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UAZES2qQt
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9VOPAxzS4
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyCkPNujNd
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ztjd3ymrn
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbu2s9y5Te
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV25GBloIZ5
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF94wV9a29G
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cDJfCdMtM
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxmiQ8o0iL
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l7zBlCPCV
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCYmUO7szw
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepmKl4lEav
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBwK1fAFKh
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ooXMfVJJo
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTvEt7DKdt
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKk4AlweLV
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi1dNRYWiB
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkps9SGzrs
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy47g1OEKpK
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnhCTUscY1
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky72Jcfqi9
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRz3COM135
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWdfgxrnpO
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWJnrqwHHa
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0fkFnDJE3
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4Q3U628P4
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgwXM0Jkbk
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOozlQjQe3
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgZwwB7dsm
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy2BS3fTL3
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSqTR8O7zT
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgViqa5Drv6
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdQTORjNW0
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUL4Tlc029
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0uFCVCadN
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTz3wnldeQ
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0WAHGf7YD
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpC4UrURdL
Blades saluted.
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“Let’s get to it135Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c5zMvS0br
then.” Vander saluted back.
