Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhtvNClzc9
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVIVG6nZX2
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb04ELQ5glr
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9JsXd39cg
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qYkNqc9Rp
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjoUA1DrlV
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBxXtV0g22
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD94DZazC13
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvo4tjDL3C
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY4Ikfoa5d
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNje6cOLKt
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKSiIqvfGO
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkEzS8o8Lq
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62LSzcKiAs
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfzkl8UJ0s
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3dnYldqUp
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbtwvhRoBL
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJPgvDCIhK
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWdGaKAkLw
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c7rANwFr6
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e5hUajz6j
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWLU4C7u2B
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSfHG8U9rw
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLI6PENoj6
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWXPEFuc3e
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y4oFayJPS
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR4jEaf0YT
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQXTDfOGb1
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEQ6zWULiK
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyr6Tj59xI
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z0kfYp8PN
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTyp8XqrGC
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4123IB502y
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66HEiNRj0B
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPnnQhKOmf
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTN5SBmu6C
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKtXM1Cqlr
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnKlPTP728
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U8fX4wmky
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5BXIYuijN
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyLe1jR9sP
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2TqvgLBSq
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYsF9aJTRW
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmMHUogPWx
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEYeVlu2Bx
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WQmdPHP6v
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6TITo1xWQ
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtey5cPgVE
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHHvjjjVHa
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kK7ahmPlC
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9W2X3MPAq
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUb27RtNDT
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZW7OhjM5F
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs50eKnX9s
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfMIM4lP9V
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufTTFGDMZx
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5tOX2Slae
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmHIAyFfjN
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfzsVACKSm
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6zOwtvByy
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecvXcTtkNc
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wCU5te6VF
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL0Lqg2TWQ
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9bVjs9KYD
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxdX2OSRdh
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAThEfAm8B
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35rdoc4BQe
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl49pJv4u3
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZLeq5avAK
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS1eZ5vobt
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOKiXmvmFP
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTG3y2rKA3
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsH9TIvgWG
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAA1n8ppYM
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsBuaDjWEb
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86NbvG6MRZ
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGBrXqSEux
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NEOTOrGIB
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6nNtQ3wJz
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h6YagSxqi
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj1qcbkDvC
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYw3urbwvn
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgvRCw77RX
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfdersGMm7
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKyPjAoIhD
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHRayR4dyx
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsDagV7URL
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpJJEvGixb
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyBvFkvVVd
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrzXdxUS1H
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83HGxbH2no
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzC40dEk3dD
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvPLGPn2Ji
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIe2wyebzE
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMCQ7KF7OB
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg4eZ81JTT
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0B58i7kwN
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMEAtOhLy5
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzdGHMmWah
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahlrAnivKl
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRgH1g3Osf
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eP3EmC5q1
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIgCaDmcbw
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxkFwyXOUP
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aqwIatHJD
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI75PFJ3kec
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoxbHgZJLG
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrk3MqNDQB
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqUguuEmCT
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqbTsHTdbK
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoRik1ssWj
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcDG3n4sEq
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEBKlYt5at
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2TrmQqrSp
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMDgrEU8t9
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zZhEOlkt4
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxAfBdyyrk
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY8TrmXv1Z
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6z7uaWVdU
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNL9LZGT2i
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHiR3TigKl
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW8w1IWaw4
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OtYEPaw7G
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlbtBhCqGu
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKuaNC2KYb
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zyYb9aceH
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjEhBfyue9
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxNxFTzLQN
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvakWs7Xdd
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2bxTUqIgA
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2l6CDX3kE
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwajCNdApBY
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYweAz0wnvL
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6rLt7UC0F
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjnd6mmJsK
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yYXpteECL
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM1487rLik
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MT5THz6SJ
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc3g9bbVUB
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkjoRmB6NB
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ8ofYr595
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAcx9h5yPk
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTBU3FVeie
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZLlabVx7c
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlivIiftRT
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNZZUZdRBh
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTRfLN4EUs
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdSDCiinTq
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5YNhDXqcp
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYboib9g9yx
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzgCraRB4L
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh8sVfDwVL
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB3pa5dkyw
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jgjaz560R
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbjqB4qJgQ
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG15JICAt9
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8rwFPwpYK
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq3cxv2Xig
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDPQwmKPgO
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl8JBvrJVn
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbmWc0PVbp
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3AUEaEyH3
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6nqjcCy1k
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX4Bxx1EpV
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF35EkL8T8O
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTl6H3JK2m
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarU5W4ohII
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUW6WbOTO5
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VP1pOIoNu
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmej2jCAHbQ
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZag6rIC6Mt
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ0NsFhQjO
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7noaubfTAV
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4HOlulm69
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUDXroYEWv
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdzwnyC54W
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr4MIZWrsb
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojBMq3r8NJ
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTV0EKDU8Q
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Uy0kI7yea
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqohLdU00ms
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVsI8QEW9a
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFsvo2zerd
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0iyWXU3tR
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8v8OG1Iag
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAqts54sBu
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R5AWCK1Ge
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBkL6LvrRD
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6yX3M9S1Q
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2vuWp9brQ
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTa0dfbzCr
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUDtzUTS7n
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PvXhy9hQu
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrnIkgXNBM
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUYrH3emKx
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmPLLULP5M
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBUAlYYZsw
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv7busb9wr
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6GrIgM5lj
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvweOzDDPoX
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E0lVVaAvE
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LWV8fU3AZ
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACgSxrl0KS
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5OxYgvVWS
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o3SeM36PE
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWXvoYRaHp
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgHjwoCGbi
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2r8oMgL2b
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk1gra90ks
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLW1bd3wRt
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBeDyuinq4
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjZB2VEQ2K
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabP73um71I
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLgSGan3gt
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpnC9fZQbF
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooT38ul3wR
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1evXUaIeg
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfpxVPAfRR
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoTLxoUhT2
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NfCESrIjP
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr4mh1krtJ
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH8ZeUpvLe
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoDLrM1gbX
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGutOaKoYRC
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquxuM3AFUC
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZEEchV57c
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZHoKsJrl5
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRaxp9M246
Blades saluted.
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“Let’s get to it106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmiaAUaSUE
then.” Vander saluted back.
