Chapter 14
“I see, so that’s what8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyi1V4vgoh
happened.” Vander was sitting in Cuvera’s room on a blue couch while his friend8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzwUuQqAG3
reclined on the other smoking on his pipe. Cuvera had excused himself from the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8uy9DxtWm
party early under the guise of being tired, but he made sure to slip Vander a8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNesNpWftcT
note on his way out telling him to meet him in his apartment ten minutes later8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97thrxcsIR
to not arouse suspicion. He half expected Kiara to be there when he arrived,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtxdlPzpEm
but he had been told that they wouldn’t share a room until they were married8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QlBRFbWBp
per her customs.
“Are you angry?” Vander asked,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMca9tQryMC
rubbed his hands together. He didn’t look up at his friend the entire time he8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV2KiL25md
explained what happened during the prince’s absence as he was too afraid as to8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLFp1Yokli
what he might say.
“Why would I be angry?” Cuvera8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JUQKRJfAj
asked. Vander looked up to see confusion etched on his face. “You saved my8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUxc3ErL9L
father’s life; I’m surprised he hadn’t given you a parade to celebrate. Did he8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSLQOvghyI
offer you anything at all?”
“No,” Vander shook his head. “He8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kDbfOyXfH
wanted to keep everything quiet because it wouldn’t be wise to let the people8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JFnIdYq6z
know how close he was t death. He didn’t want to start a riot or anything.”
“Sounds like him.” Cuvera snorted8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1IohbZoIW
taking another hit on his pipe. Smoke billowed out as he continued to speak. “Have8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPxYGes27N
you had a chance to interrogate the prisoner yet? I bet he has some details8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuLrvlwzCD
that he should share with the class.”
“Not yet.” Vander hesitated. “I’ve8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0Japtkhhp
been busy.”
“Well, there is no time like the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbDeBzAicG
present.” Cuvera got up from the couch then disappeared into his room. He8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbmwjE1nlO
reappeared moments later wearing a Blade uniform with a hood to obscure his8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCRlqfYrhR
features. He strapped a fake sword to his belt. It would pass as a real one8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0scf8Xdxc
sheathed, but the blade itself was made from rubber. It would fail if anyone8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWpyA25UW2
asked him about it.
“You should rest.” Vander shook8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCXbqrwHN5
his head. “You only just arrived home. Surely this could wait for another day.”
“And miss the chance to see who8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiEbV2mVdw
tried to kill my father?” Cuvera scoffed. “Nonsense. Plus, based on how you’re8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlgmlEyp1A
past year has gone, I think you could use the chance to unleash your pent-up8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDwmxh3Dls
anger. Come on, this will be fun.”
Never one to say no to his oldest8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWe0c0FVKS
friend, Vander relented then followed his friend out the door and deeper into8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed5NoBY7VL
the castle.
The dungeons were in the bowels of8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAjRWKoLIP
the ground underneath the castle walls. It was on the same plane as the Pitts,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsrUzDhyX5
but very few people knew that. As far as people knew, dungeons didn’t exist.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRunI3FNTS
They believed that all prisoners of the crown were sent to Jewelthorne’s mines8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkQP1UD3JT
to live out their days mining precious resources until the day they died, and8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBat4lvdhH
that was true for most prisoners. However, those who tried to take out nobility8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jlLObCyvq
or members of the crown, a fresh hell waited for them.
The dungeons were on the other8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoFlNAD41x
side of a secret panel that opened by pulling a torch handle located within the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaUPtMUd7B
cellars. Vander grabbed the torch so they could see, but Cuvera walked down8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBwPh7UcEW
without hesitation. The cellars were cold and damp with a winding staircase8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6cxqwK8DH
that led several stories down. It was a pain to clean, so many of the servants8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaR5Hmsamj
didn’t bother leaving cobwebs and dust everywhere. Only those being punished8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6wG9vyeWv
were every told to come down here, so many were on their best behavior.
When they stepped off onto the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoMHTCRrgW
ground, they spotted two Blades guarding the door that would lead into the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqLtBgg6LO
actual prison. They were tough, tougher than most Blades, who took their job8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIjwY2XgwC
seriously. No one would be allowed through without prior authorization, unless8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QjMqQi3VS
you were the King or Prince.
“Stop where you are.” One of the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ4gshN43y
voices boomed. They lowered their pikes, so the tips were pointed at Cuvera and8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4dKs8wJB7
Vander. “No one is allowed through here, even if you are Blades.”
“Oh sorry.” Cuvera removed his8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk9suqqZEf
hood revealing a glimmering smile. “I didn’t want to be seen by any other. Is8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepbgljBfsf
it alright if we go in? I’d hate to use my status, but…” He let that threat8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vi2Zl29hN
hang in that air allowing the guards to figure the rest out.
“We are under direct orders from8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BH040POYY
Lord Cranton,” they hesitated. However, they knew the Prince out ranked him.
“I’ll deal with the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeBgov5nCY
repercussions.” Vander nodded. “Let us through.”
“As you wish.” One of the guards8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdOOnTTcGZ
removed a set of keys from his belt then unlocked the steel door that opened8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjV02DC2Aj
into the prison. “If you want to open the door you’ll need this key.” He8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOqub2XkbA
unclipped one of them then handed it to Vander. “Leave him in one piece. I8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCAtf3pf3H
think the King wanted him interrogated tomorrow.”
“Might not be needed if we can get8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID0qMBiXOC
the information out of him tonight.” Cuvera frowned. “Thank you.” He opened the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ha6uJLJWf
door then stepped inside. Thanking the two Blades, Vander then followed his8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbShZjbFe4
friend.
Thankfully the royal dungeons8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL4xgR6GUD
weren’t used too often so there was only one person, and he was locked in the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlBHYxUXzM
cell farthest from the door without any windows or ventilation. The space stank8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMya4wboBy
of unwashed body odor and festering wound and that was something no amount of8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnyPxQ9Ga4
cleaner could remove. At least there were no rats or cockroaches waiting to8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHqbu7K0ca
feast on you, but it made it painfully boring being here on your own. Vander8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4i15QDFyA
was surprised the assassin hadn’t gone crazy in the days he hadn’t been here.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8tFVXJpGm
Most went insane after the first.
The assassin looked worse than8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt4iRdjf7B
Vander remembered. He must have gotten roughed up when he was brought down8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCQ08ouoGH
here. His eyes were swollen and there were bloodied bandages wrapped around his8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt4Md69YAi
stomach. All he had was his tattered cloak to protect him from the chill. Moldy8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLlGMEfHAj
bread and hard stew sat in bowls inside of the cell, untouched.
“So, this is the man who jumped8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRW8jDFIgq
you in the alley.” Cuvera frowned. “He looks likes any of the bums I’d trip8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ab0BDJNy6
over in the slums, not a scary assassin.”
“Give me a knife and we shall see8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVSm6WfMpa
how scary I am.” The man growled. He looked up from under his cloak and while8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DxYd6I9CP
Vander could see the determination in his eyes, he knew the assassin could8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKBVLshq11
barely stand let alone hold a knife.
“Someone with balls I like that.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgluCdHtb3
Cuvera took the key from Vander’s hand then used it to unlock the cell. The8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf33UM35twj
door swung open, but before Vander could stop him, Cuvera walked inside, kicked8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoFUSTKKFP
over some of the bowls, then punched the assassin in the face. Blood splattered8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyB8062H75
the ground, but he didn’t stop at one. He punched the man several times until8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJQElcwV7B
he heard teeth hit the stone floor. The man groaned as Cuvera kicked him in the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1ZJBjPCWk
side. He would have continued if Vander hadn’t grabbed him around the waist and8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0IpwfT6d9
throw him to the side.
“Stop.” Vander blocked the prince8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNOPm2nqgX
from going near the assassin causing his friend to squint his eyes in anger.
“He tried to kill you Vander and8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRLVy8K8jM
you’re just going to stand there and not punish him?” he asked. “Where are your8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H9s6cXARj
balls?”
“It’s not my place to torture him,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5lvZGIOcw
Cuvera.” Vander scoffed. He looked down at the man who curled back up into a8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZpY6kU821
ball instead of standing up. He didn’t even wipe the blood from his mouth. “There8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblZMzkj93c
is information he has that we need, but it’s up to my grandfather and your8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyeA0OPemL
father to decide who gets to do it.”
“Why are we waiting around?”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hozFbH9hC
Cuvera asked. “He knows where those bastards went who ordered my father8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzJOXUyXbg
poisoned.” He violently kicked one of the bowls, so it shattered against the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs25Ty57h4
wall. “This is so annoying.”
“Someone tried to poison the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWjXT2kzlO
King?” The assassin laughed. “I know nothing about that. My orders were to kill8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUZ8V1Hg3L
a Blade. My friends and I were given the time and place. We didn’t know it was8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp2z9WvQiM
going to be you.”
“Do you know who ordered the hit?”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdYGIvoLZN
Vander asked.
“It’s not my place to know.” The8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5ICqDtUri
man shrugged. “I just follow orders. That’s all.” Vander strained to tell if he8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tFrozDK1z
was lying, but based on the steady beat of his heart, he was telling the truth.
“Tell me more about the poisoning8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE9RsN12mi
of my father.” Cuvera squats down in front of the assassin. “And I want to know8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5dlTpFjS2
everything.”
“I told you princeling,” he said8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuNpjQTRKI
with a sneer. “I know nothing about that.”
“Which group do you belong too?”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV3LGG6y4J
Vander asked. The assassin fell silent, but his eyes smoldered with rage.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq35mz1jD1W
“There are ways I can use to find out.” The assassin stuck his chin out8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEgYhUmX3r
indignantly.
“Hold him.” Cuvera demanded. “This8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebNm9gyabj
is an order as your prince, not a request from a friend.” Nodding his head,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ38zgQbCr
Vander grabbed the assassin then held him against the wall, so his feet were8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c2OeoAfpa
dangling. Even though he struggled, he wasn’t strong enough to do anything8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkRSRLi6UM
after days of not eating. So, after a few seconds he hung there like a limp8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YeJjdlpCx
noodle. “Knife.” Vander removed a knife from his belt then placed it in his8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR9bc74rhs
friend’s outstretched hand.
Cuvera placed the knife against8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wdKo8cOJ4
the man’s arm then cut open the sleeve. He wasn’t gentle doing it drawing a8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fX7hzMfA5
little bit of blood in the process. He pulled the rest down to reveal a heavily8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKDLDVt1qy
muscled, but bare arm. Frowning, he moved onto the next arm with the same8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQbO2zXtQT
result. He clicked his tongue annoyed as he walked around the assassin who8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm00vniRhLe
likely knew what he wanted but wasn’t in the mood to help.
“Make him kneel.” Vander pulled8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRferoTVAS
the man off the wall placing him on the ground. Then he kicked out both knees8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRHVBDHAON
making him cry out in pain, but he fell to the ground placing his hands out in8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8hVB6i8yk
front of him to catch himself. Vander gripped the back of his neck then8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKfvKCkRuX
squeezed causing a small cry of pain to squeak out of the assassin, but he8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdhwSXt9qm
didn’t move.
“You won’t get your answers by8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM544jG0oT7
torturing me.” He rasped. “I’ve been through far more than you have.” Without8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaInwv6m2L
warning, Cuvera slammed the knife into the man’s shirt then ripped downward.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8UXRSxDrm
The man stifled his screams as the knife tip bit into his flesh.
Vander wasn’t8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYzFqlQeEE
sure what the prince was after, but it became clear once he parted the bleeding8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv8pEVImJY
shirt from the back to reveal an emblem that sent chills down his spine. It was8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAzlKayNXr
an entwined green snake tattoo with a sword shoved through the mouth and8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqvwfuLnY5
through the back. Even though he hadn’t seen it before, he knew that this was8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS4c9QT3ry
the emblem of the Green Serpents.
“Well, we have8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl5r4fbDtd
one answer.” Cuvera smiled. “We know you are a Serpent and that lines up nicely8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafIs9dW5iU
with the intelligence that we already have.”
“I already told8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiErTYUEfa
you,” the assassin shivered. “We had nothing to do with the King’s illness. It8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmJgAH1cJH
wasn’t us.”
“Vander.” Cuvera8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdDQKxRY2k
stepped back but tilted his head towards the assassin. Sighing, Vander hauled8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvFlsRXmfs
the guy up to his feet then punched him in the stomach. The man doubled over8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47hY0Q1oac
but Vander brought his knee up right into his jaw. The assassin stumbled8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyws8jmX3BF
backwards, but he quickly righted himself. He spat out a wad of blood at8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkniyXmJml
Vander, hitting him in the face. As he struggled to wipe the blood away, the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXJ2K4FIi2
assassin tackled Vander pushing him into the bars. He let out a cry of pain but8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMQd4ZN47F
recovered quickly. He brought both fists down onto the assassin’s back slamming8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDzoqDOkOJ
him into the ground. The assassin tried to crawl away, but Vander grabbed his8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79vmloolnP
leg pulling him back in.
The two of them8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJDgRDMAAa
fought while Cuvera sat there with a small grin on his face. The fight ended8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDLlMvcvSS
when Vander drove his elbow into the man’s already damaged jaw. That final blow8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF6AGElSLs
was enough to dislocate it then to keep him from crying out, a blow to the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde2i7Asd48
temple rendered him unconscious. Vander got up, staggered for a second, before8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJNvIphjY9
fixing himself.
“Why did you make8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4yDlKcwTF
me do that?” he asked the prince.
“I didn’t make8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NPCBJcdJK
you do anything.” The prince shrugged. “It looked like you need to release some8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQPWXeASEk
rage, so I merely gave you the opportunity, plus we learned something in the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiecxR6ywV
process. Come on let’s go.”
Vander looked8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg9HLkocKY
down at the assassin before following his friend out of the cell and back8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUyjx5hPHq
towards the door. Cuvera didn’t say anything as they left, but Vander whispered8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBt1qi2JOw
to send a healer for the man inside. The guards nodded their head but didn’t8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVX9HqM47W
move. They would wait a few minutes before ‘discovering’ that the man had tried8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLDFJzE4Hu
to harm himself. It wasn’t the first time they did something like this.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndKioXQ7RV
However, the King would find out then there would be hell to pay.
“Man, that was8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYNkbVhbRI
awesome.” Cuvera cheered. “You were so badass when you were beating him. You8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGicV4lbDqN
got to teach me how to fight.”
“If I remember8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHecP5ZELpY
correctly that didn’t go so well the last time.” Vander mused. He held his hand8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOli5RiejM
out for the knife then promptly sheathed it as to not arouse suspicion. Last8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGnB5tk8FS
time Vander had tried to teach the prince how to fight, they were ten years8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xoEFsE9YS
old, and one punch was enough to send him crying to his mother. The King8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yjeG6IVbD
shortly put a stop to that.
“This time be8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyVhfQG2n6
different.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m in peak physical condition.” He threw a8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yI3q4ouPe
couple of jabs into the air. Normally Vander would have laughed, but he had8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlkWcYWc7Q
just been ordered to beat a broken man and it didn’t sit right with him. Cuvera8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZsamaiHw3
had his moments, but he wasn’t cruel. This was out of character for him,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMLDWUCwNa
hearing about his father almost dying must have spooked him enough to act.
They made their8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQqgI1fi8t
way through the castle heading back towards Cuvera’s apartment. They saw a8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6cXHZGfz1
couple of noblemen with their escorts, but they all bowed their heads once they8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZcudIEroK
realized it was the prince which allowed Vander to go unnoticed. He still8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlDdAQiGRw
hadn’t covered from his other injuries and now he could add fresh ones to the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZhl5huLc1
list. Despite being weakened, that assassin wasn’t a push over. He got in a few8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGCFpZaF4l
strikes causing some pain in the process. Despite the quicker healing he had,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH0NT8hFkE
these injuries would still take a bit.
Vander noticed it8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o8wRNeaSl
before Cuvera, but there were two people waiting for them inside of his room.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAv12fJIGD
He relaxed once he recognized their scents as Eliza and Kiara. Shea must like8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXOvp7y5BU
them because he didn’t sense any distress from their bond. If anything, she8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0TgmHJRUf
felt joy and excitement. Vander decided to keep his mouth shut about the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmTLXJxVU9
visitors, his little dose of payback.
“Let’s get8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp6Ze6egvj
something to drink.” Cuvera gripped the door handle. But when he pushed it open8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeDtBF8OlI
his face fell. “Shit.” He whispered.
Kiara was sitting8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzfHXrbv2Q
on the couch running her hands through Shea’s fur. Shea was standing on top of8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXmHO5X2zD
her knees licking her face as she laughed. Eliza was standing behind her sister8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2CcThPavU
with a bemused expression on her face. Upon hearing the door open, the two women8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvU7KqThtQ
turned to look at them. Eliza nodded her head respectfully, but anger flooded8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0AQWVYSxj
Eliza’s .
Both had changed8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrtRMI1bCu
their outfits to match the cooler climate of Eluvia. Eliza had been given a8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpKbVAXqE7
long blue dress, but was wearing an orange shawl over her arms, an ode to her8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPfSeGszCe
home country. Eliza was given slacks, a blue shirt and a jacket that looked a8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvzNwzTyva
lot like a Blades. Her hair had been pulled back into a tight ponytail. She8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGd3D1Wyes
gave Vander a small smile then she turned back to look at her sister.
“You were8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysceN6TCDi
supposed to escort me around the castle.” She growled. She got up from the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGrU0pCEjU
couch and stormed over towards them. “Where have you been?” Vander quickly8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEryx7a8gND
tried to slink back into the shadows, but she caught him. “You’re not going8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPVO9X7rdf
anywhere.” She snapped. Her face softened once she saw the blood on his face.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhI63BLGCa
“Are you injured?” she asked.
“It’s nothing.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63TU2ncQwN
Vander tried to hide it, but Kiara grabbed him. Vander hissed in pain, so she8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLXayJV3Mi
removed her hand.
“Eliza, can you8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiYWpmV3nf
tend to his wounds so I can have a chat with my fiancé?” she asked. “Please8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLJDwqrDaX
don’t fight me on this Vander, I’d hate for our friendship to start on a bad8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5gbIH1kah
foot.” He looked towards Cuvera, but he averted his eyes.
“As you wish.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhsk08veQY
Vander bowed his head.
“This way.” Eliza8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjJMjylyXd
escorted him to the bathroom then she shut the door. Moments later he could8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHMWu3DTNJ
hear Kiara yelling at him, but he couldn’t hear what was being said. “Undress.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0s4ShSFNd
Eliza said.
“Excuse me?” he8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKLmx07iq2
asked.
“You’re not the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dfvYUEHB4
first man I’ve seen naked.” She scoffed. “And I doubt you’ll be the last.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8pHUevPqN
Undress so I can see what I’m working with.” He hesitated, but due to her8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGqVz6I1cQ
incessant staring he did as she asked. Moments later his clothes were in the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVbk3mQXYA
corner of the floor as he stood there not even bothering to cover himself. If8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wjxw9tQIJ
she wasn’t embarrassed, neither would he.
She looked at him8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBlrucaR85
over tracing the scars on his body lightly with her fingertips. The gentle8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOQocDH7xV
touch caused him to shiver which placed a delicate smile on her face. Looking8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehisNCZAxZ
down at himself, he noticed more bruises than he thought spreading across his8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrNku1UseH
body. However, nothing compared to the giant bruise along his back. When she8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz2SEFT0iZ
touched it, he was filled with such immense pain he almost turned around to8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzvVABuPmv
punch her in the face.
“You’ve been8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFcRHBh3UC
involved in multiple fights recently.” She muttered. “But this one seems8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP4wxxrED1
recent. I heard the person who tired to kill you is locked in the dungeons. Is8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s6JvfuEi9
that where you were?”
“Yes.” Vander8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIoHxJ3zzv
said. He wasn’t sure how she knew about the assassination attempt on him or8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wjKivDalW
where he was located. He suspected Bricen’s spies told her, but there was no8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQtN0gAl4Y
way of knowing for sure.
“You shouldn’t8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKxZaNeDG7
beat those who can’t fight back.” She said. “It’s not a good look, especially8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrBZ8sm1Gk
for a Blade.”
“Even if the8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulcwlei17k
prince ordered you too?” she didn’t say anything else after that. She applied8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DfiQc7jha
some salve onto his wounds and the numbing cold allowed him to finally relax.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ba0vkygjc
Once she was done she told him to put his clothes on while she went out to talk8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2osIHWu9Xh
to Kiara. When he got outside he saw that Cuvera was nowhere to be found.
“I told him to8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDGVvfQ1rO
tell his father what happened as well as what you discovered.” Kiara said. “He8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9mudw890O
didn’t want to leave me, but I said you were here to protect me if I needed it.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMibR9QBNK
Now, I’m asking you to escort me around the castle. Are you up for it?”
“Yes.” Vander8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtFGzOOjdP
bowed his head. She turned to look up at Eliza who nodded her head in8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHxNzbPftY
agreement.
“Good thing your8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcbwI7ruEB
fight with the assassin didn’t go worse or I’d have gone without an escort.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sz27Lmrpu
She grinned.
“Someone would8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8rG2uYcLD
have taken you around when I couldn’t.” Vander explained. “We tend not to let8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0LKW6VGHD
those of the royal family go without one, even within the castle.”
“You Eluvians are8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vjPfmtyd9
so protective.” She sighed. “You should really let your noblemen learn to fight8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb6EqeoH6Q
for themselves.”
“Do you know how8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHiG5Wy17N
to fight?”
“It’s rude to ask8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbN14RCHWn
a lady,” she grinned. “But perhaps if you’re nice I’ll give you a8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmivn6Abyil
demonstration.” Eliza coughed into her hand. “Alright, escort. Let’s go.” She8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE9M4CUunw
got up off the couch and headed towards the door. Vander hesitated for a moment8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiIkteSllo
then followed. Shea stayed where she was in front of the couch.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6SQ82KIMW
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY22mdGfgAC
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9LPbXfvyR
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfHZASJjtv
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uqP7aKAHP
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eTbrU01mH
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8tM1Awc4y
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HiE6qPDQG
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATNbOzCiKa
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnMuTTyedj
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknRf71hniD
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4raU2LVX2l
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnUCDGZ8iz
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lj9D3xLDI
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZgHcV2HYk
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZTtxDxtU5
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXbcfLGtjp
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdFs5U9YeV
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPfzTHVvxl
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskzFtDN7ae
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pwPKRAskR
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8vUoLVrrE
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoHTWKhnaK
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfYY88KO2S
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQXkJRpEKj
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBKh5zEey5
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvqSFpPtrI
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD6g7UnUW2
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAiLoEdTZx
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3mbTWfGz8
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Hwp0GiMT
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9hDuxpsxg
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TYYDoOwlf
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNICKKnH5ZQ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2awiSPEMU5
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcskcqi0Z2x
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46XJJB3oBy
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakzKYNB0bf
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7afHweoNR
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRISNJA7Ok
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hVPlUy2Sb
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4JIJmftHv
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAKN4Y9Xj4
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFUm2456hZ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4sNMDM0JN
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BnaMIt3k9
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9xuHqhMU6
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGxVmHjdsq
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9zIv6xwJ5
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL4jcMu8Vc
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o483K2Ghk
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKc8cEN1RO
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRmnFaYHTo
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDVVbZ5gjZ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lA3QfzdUd
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1a3bNYZgM
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OSsN8YXAZ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj37WWfKOF8
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPon1jsYo5H
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8bHYtYjMD
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp8kCSPUMj
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34HRmnRaMH
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcGzhuusEP
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LapwCnmJh
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjqWEJ5quI
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVEg43bPHE
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwEmpjv19A
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIcnuQEXse
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKrkUuPKwF
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXYYs7UPvm
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTTgHUzoUr
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwYxIEewG3
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpho2lMQjqI
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJRh6TE7KG
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUgvLfbDkp
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE7pbO5lFT
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYooUvtz58s
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p9cVC6nxr
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinLzwyEAxN
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT7YncdbVP
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXdP7wflWi
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2175DcDj0
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFGMdtCK4H
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa0hxIvi9C
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡermYdIoMXZ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhCfeXLXVV
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAo2WZlE25
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQXkckehDh
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStFMaRL39M
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykYhC9xItR
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tXNlloSaS
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC40vMdEwlX
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiQ1pzE4fa
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpADguQeuC
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGoyVhZnz9
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ5RPOmwsB
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9zlWSmYif
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aJwZ0IlnG
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHQXn7NQfw
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnEBYb0IRs
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSJVoe077N
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFlnLa5zQx
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tOahgb6IO
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihkngMQvKo
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ArOrVFcUq
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x0KVnmqUv
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV9JBHgRSD
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLcIZyk4WQ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0xzTl0mkv
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbrC0DEmIU
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTQEGF959D
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK93L2wEcT
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi4PDGVtDZ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeka7dph7Zp
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJZ3o8Pg73
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCydYqYmkV3
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4roeZWrpY
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk2zZ2N0fp
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqKsOwERqK
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCVKAf449B
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JIY8h2Ko4
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL1QpBLP2x
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV44Y7f7miF
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k0ouIrGd6
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTDkdUOv3K
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxOO4mwA6r
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojfFq9SOzg
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLvLo8JXnp
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTN953GNr2
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCDdLoxb8O
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMegV6BUs6
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwZ5EqtXzx
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNCgnr8as5
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqil0j4EX6
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aerXJrBBi
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdUh5TwZoW
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhke5o16H4u
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0icE02V0j9
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRSRnN6qvV
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hiUgTThAP
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx40epHLeG
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3zNJGcmwr
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvrY6oVELk
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylwomOYw7t
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RUy5fPi4g
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhCEY3dJ4r
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy8X6FJNyG
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRHmXvICaj
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1g5DY29uK
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCGqRPIquS
“Let’s go.” He8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRKMLYvZqk
said to her. She quickly got up and raced out the door nearly knocking Kiara8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShpTzLT7sM
over in the process.
