Chapter 14
“I see, so that’s what24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE3i3wDHgS
happened.” Vander was sitting in Cuvera’s room on a blue couch while his friend24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDbnyISMFN
reclined on the other smoking on his pipe. Cuvera had excused himself from the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdrlCAO4HC
party early under the guise of being tired, but he made sure to slip Vander a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAEeafrdYI
note on his way out telling him to meet him in his apartment ten minutes later24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZHP15oqId
to not arouse suspicion. He half expected Kiara to be there when he arrived,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6Akd4ZL01
but he had been told that they wouldn’t share a room until they were married24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AecnLH5DU
per her customs.
“Are you angry?” Vander asked,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePrDS76ivL
rubbed his hands together. He didn’t look up at his friend the entire time he24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFVLWOQhjZ
explained what happened during the prince’s absence as he was too afraid as to24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadXjhTJKZE
what he might say.
“Why would I be angry?” Cuvera24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvA0RCqVQJ
asked. Vander looked up to see confusion etched on his face. “You saved my24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf5yKDT6eE
father’s life; I’m surprised he hadn’t given you a parade to celebrate. Did he24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZw1B02ZQm
offer you anything at all?”
“No,” Vander shook his head. “He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXksnyrwKE
wanted to keep everything quiet because it wouldn’t be wise to let the people24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVep8Ezjf5Q
know how close he was t death. He didn’t want to start a riot or anything.”
“Sounds like him.” Cuvera snorted24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NiNVcJ58j
taking another hit on his pipe. Smoke billowed out as he continued to speak. “Have24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw0uV3PhBr
you had a chance to interrogate the prisoner yet? I bet he has some details24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8pyT2EX1O
that he should share with the class.”
“Not yet.” Vander hesitated. “I’ve24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX4Xpfp5pg
been busy.”
“Well, there is no time like the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8rnCX5rlE
present.” Cuvera got up from the couch then disappeared into his room. He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBm3kqnIcF
reappeared moments later wearing a Blade uniform with a hood to obscure his24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeuiOCtv0p
features. He strapped a fake sword to his belt. It would pass as a real one24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uSH6et80Q
sheathed, but the blade itself was made from rubber. It would fail if anyone24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLBJao67Y8
asked him about it.
“You should rest.” Vander shook24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTWwug5aTY
his head. “You only just arrived home. Surely this could wait for another day.”
“And miss the chance to see who24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy7mFczXUz
tried to kill my father?” Cuvera scoffed. “Nonsense. Plus, based on how you’re24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu13ClqqyTh
past year has gone, I think you could use the chance to unleash your pent-up24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhORbhiaoya
anger. Come on, this will be fun.”
Never one to say no to his oldest24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm5LvMjH3p
friend, Vander relented then followed his friend out the door and deeper into24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgkHuyaHRL
the castle.
The dungeons were in the bowels of24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqDq7L73gM
the ground underneath the castle walls. It was on the same plane as the Pitts,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCnc7liDAq
but very few people knew that. As far as people knew, dungeons didn’t exist.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b9u41yyFu
They believed that all prisoners of the crown were sent to Jewelthorne’s mines24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimYnUHNWHN
to live out their days mining precious resources until the day they died, and24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCcM68gOJe
that was true for most prisoners. However, those who tried to take out nobility24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjzrvu7ptt
or members of the crown, a fresh hell waited for them.
The dungeons were on the other24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6Nvxklp5q
side of a secret panel that opened by pulling a torch handle located within the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBf4GBU2d2
cellars. Vander grabbed the torch so they could see, but Cuvera walked down24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYKOCLFCcb
without hesitation. The cellars were cold and damp with a winding staircase24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk20XoHQpWQ
that led several stories down. It was a pain to clean, so many of the servants24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zUUEk9GeZ
didn’t bother leaving cobwebs and dust everywhere. Only those being punished24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zgtORYw4t
were every told to come down here, so many were on their best behavior.
When they stepped off onto the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2sc2typD3
ground, they spotted two Blades guarding the door that would lead into the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvCIhCWA7y
actual prison. They were tough, tougher than most Blades, who took their job24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGewaD47Vf
seriously. No one would be allowed through without prior authorization, unless24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWxpMDRT3K
you were the King or Prince.
“Stop where you are.” One of the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVjcv1rB2X
voices boomed. They lowered their pikes, so the tips were pointed at Cuvera and24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRayY58lUS
Vander. “No one is allowed through here, even if you are Blades.”
“Oh sorry.” Cuvera removed his24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0XAo28nsN
hood revealing a glimmering smile. “I didn’t want to be seen by any other. Is24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHjkAAKNzH
it alright if we go in? I’d hate to use my status, but…” He let that threat24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID0XJl1S1W
hang in that air allowing the guards to figure the rest out.
“We are under direct orders from24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGye7lI1TS
Lord Cranton,” they hesitated. However, they knew the Prince out ranked him.
“I’ll deal with the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSd9loJVop
repercussions.” Vander nodded. “Let us through.”
“As you wish.” One of the guards24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0Jz6mt42j
removed a set of keys from his belt then unlocked the steel door that opened24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNLZYdwRU1
into the prison. “If you want to open the door you’ll need this key.” He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqRqsxFAVu
unclipped one of them then handed it to Vander. “Leave him in one piece. I24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4bT5pmn5E
think the King wanted him interrogated tomorrow.”
“Might not be needed if we can get24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb0DDiYLek
the information out of him tonight.” Cuvera frowned. “Thank you.” He opened the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe4tgQLOyU
door then stepped inside. Thanking the two Blades, Vander then followed his24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs0Z9GvqiL
friend.
Thankfully the royal dungeons24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7myKyasQN
weren’t used too often so there was only one person, and he was locked in the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8VISO3oWa
cell farthest from the door without any windows or ventilation. The space stank24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wQrYl6fsK
of unwashed body odor and festering wound and that was something no amount of24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCxSrfkF89
cleaner could remove. At least there were no rats or cockroaches waiting to24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNlV3OR09Z
feast on you, but it made it painfully boring being here on your own. Vander24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQfSbRGzPh
was surprised the assassin hadn’t gone crazy in the days he hadn’t been here.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAaoVvS59y
Most went insane after the first.
The assassin looked worse than24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ8S5cLoAI
Vander remembered. He must have gotten roughed up when he was brought down24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY0lFjJixB
here. His eyes were swollen and there were bloodied bandages wrapped around his24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7ILnQA2iZ
stomach. All he had was his tattered cloak to protect him from the chill. Moldy24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FVNP8m2TR
bread and hard stew sat in bowls inside of the cell, untouched.
“So, this is the man who jumped24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oxXAUdmkq
you in the alley.” Cuvera frowned. “He looks likes any of the bums I’d trip24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ454Vdq0vB3
over in the slums, not a scary assassin.”
“Give me a knife and we shall see24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHseiu72bG9
how scary I am.” The man growled. He looked up from under his cloak and while24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfTY8eDW3K
Vander could see the determination in his eyes, he knew the assassin could24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKax009ri9v
barely stand let alone hold a knife.
“Someone with balls I like that.”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt21h3F3Hev
Cuvera took the key from Vander’s hand then used it to unlock the cell. The24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBje7JZ6F97
door swung open, but before Vander could stop him, Cuvera walked inside, kicked24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1GgI8le05
over some of the bowls, then punched the assassin in the face. Blood splattered24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb0I6QFQYq
the ground, but he didn’t stop at one. He punched the man several times until24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNkqvOV17l
he heard teeth hit the stone floor. The man groaned as Cuvera kicked him in the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3wkrev6o7
side. He would have continued if Vander hadn’t grabbed him around the waist and24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFu8DcpeJO
throw him to the side.
“Stop.” Vander blocked the prince24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMYlxVionT
from going near the assassin causing his friend to squint his eyes in anger.
“He tried to kill you Vander and24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTNLXH7LV7
you’re just going to stand there and not punish him?” he asked. “Where are your24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBM33gimZo
balls?”
“It’s not my place to torture him,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLv0HT7QhN
Cuvera.” Vander scoffed. He looked down at the man who curled back up into a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGqvz1PBEe
ball instead of standing up. He didn’t even wipe the blood from his mouth. “There24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthCvjKMTdq
is information he has that we need, but it’s up to my grandfather and your24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0dFVabF6S
father to decide who gets to do it.”
“Why are we waiting around?”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L6GIw5y9v
Cuvera asked. “He knows where those bastards went who ordered my father24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQnKXpBsKi
poisoned.” He violently kicked one of the bowls, so it shattered against the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM83sDSZUfe
wall. “This is so annoying.”
“Someone tried to poison the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEsPfOI7yL
King?” The assassin laughed. “I know nothing about that. My orders were to kill24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mgoaj1NKP
a Blade. My friends and I were given the time and place. We didn’t know it was24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISWJgcF0Dj
going to be you.”
“Do you know who ordered the hit?”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WBgRBBvef
Vander asked.
“It’s not my place to know.” The24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F33np3fLA
man shrugged. “I just follow orders. That’s all.” Vander strained to tell if he24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KeFpd8fsW
was lying, but based on the steady beat of his heart, he was telling the truth.
“Tell me more about the poisoning24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleO6N0Sh8m
of my father.” Cuvera squats down in front of the assassin. “And I want to know24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcVvhfgJRz
everything.”
“I told you princeling,” he said24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTappCNbMR
with a sneer. “I know nothing about that.”
“Which group do you belong too?”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI7u5oM1oR
Vander asked. The assassin fell silent, but his eyes smoldered with rage.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kT3YoMZzu
“There are ways I can use to find out.” The assassin stuck his chin out24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowAgbjliZG
indignantly.
“Hold him.” Cuvera demanded. “This24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXJDGCyoiu
is an order as your prince, not a request from a friend.” Nodding his head,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx1pjXnPtA
Vander grabbed the assassin then held him against the wall, so his feet were24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6NYSD89as
dangling. Even though he struggled, he wasn’t strong enough to do anything24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkJKjeR0Rg
after days of not eating. So, after a few seconds he hung there like a limp24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nlGxxq490
noodle. “Knife.” Vander removed a knife from his belt then placed it in his24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOF1CIaiIN
friend’s outstretched hand.
Cuvera placed the knife against24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmDWmEg31M
the man’s arm then cut open the sleeve. He wasn’t gentle doing it drawing a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi6mNEjrFo
little bit of blood in the process. He pulled the rest down to reveal a heavily24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj25FTNK6w6
muscled, but bare arm. Frowning, he moved onto the next arm with the same24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XilJ7itak
result. He clicked his tongue annoyed as he walked around the assassin who24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlRfRjEBGV
likely knew what he wanted but wasn’t in the mood to help.
“Make him kneel.” Vander pulled24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBgEyKBRii
the man off the wall placing him on the ground. Then he kicked out both knees24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fhx5fDlu7
making him cry out in pain, but he fell to the ground placing his hands out in24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bU94F9ti2
front of him to catch himself. Vander gripped the back of his neck then24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme1UlFFDz4
squeezed causing a small cry of pain to squeak out of the assassin, but he24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKzyf9LOT1
didn’t move.
“You won’t get your answers by24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYBLB0wK88
torturing me.” He rasped. “I’ve been through far more than you have.” Without24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEPju8Oxqy
warning, Cuvera slammed the knife into the man’s shirt then ripped downward.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXTorIjgzv
The man stifled his screams as the knife tip bit into his flesh.
Vander wasn’t24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs12noXy0z
sure what the prince was after, but it became clear once he parted the bleeding24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9EAgkaLqf
shirt from the back to reveal an emblem that sent chills down his spine. It was24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTsEkdlYNA
an entwined green snake tattoo with a sword shoved through the mouth and24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PDM2i8XU7
through the back. Even though he hadn’t seen it before, he knew that this was24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnkcxxZWYJ
the emblem of the Green Serpents.
“Well, we have24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVQsWOHetQ
one answer.” Cuvera smiled. “We know you are a Serpent and that lines up nicely24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReiywNZfpI
with the intelligence that we already have.”
“I already told24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsWjVH8Xjg
you,” the assassin shivered. “We had nothing to do with the King’s illness. It24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75iJMRy6zu
wasn’t us.”
“Vander.” Cuvera24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q7I9SbR4l
stepped back but tilted his head towards the assassin. Sighing, Vander hauled24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3Wf1fs27f
the guy up to his feet then punched him in the stomach. The man doubled over24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfixTUucfwa
but Vander brought his knee up right into his jaw. The assassin stumbled24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi5M42SvNH
backwards, but he quickly righted himself. He spat out a wad of blood at24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma8M3wKmC0
Vander, hitting him in the face. As he struggled to wipe the blood away, the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1elGSdFIQA
assassin tackled Vander pushing him into the bars. He let out a cry of pain but24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebZ4VzPWGz
recovered quickly. He brought both fists down onto the assassin’s back slamming24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Pz8OvQOC
him into the ground. The assassin tried to crawl away, but Vander grabbed his24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2rLNTB26l
leg pulling him back in.
The two of them24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNGNkmYJsn
fought while Cuvera sat there with a small grin on his face. The fight ended24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLzyppBfnF
when Vander drove his elbow into the man’s already damaged jaw. That final blow24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9dBAwY4h3
was enough to dislocate it then to keep him from crying out, a blow to the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsObdKRece
temple rendered him unconscious. Vander got up, staggered for a second, before24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvaCCJN6uS
fixing himself.
“Why did you make24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi5racVb2m
me do that?” he asked the prince.
“I didn’t make24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhB6c56f6J
you do anything.” The prince shrugged. “It looked like you need to release some24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8deGepzNH
rage, so I merely gave you the opportunity, plus we learned something in the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnx3es6vQi
process. Come on let’s go.”
Vander looked24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ2eTBzDL4
down at the assassin before following his friend out of the cell and back24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVu79RnrEc
towards the door. Cuvera didn’t say anything as they left, but Vander whispered24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjnSAKTs0s
to send a healer for the man inside. The guards nodded their head but didn’t24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLjdzkjRM5
move. They would wait a few minutes before ‘discovering’ that the man had tried24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJB1VbxhLk
to harm himself. It wasn’t the first time they did something like this.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjlKHPIOba
However, the King would find out then there would be hell to pay.
“Man, that was24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsscW1yoppW
awesome.” Cuvera cheered. “You were so badass when you were beating him. You24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX9VEBtGlG
got to teach me how to fight.”
“If I remember24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoAPZID5zv
correctly that didn’t go so well the last time.” Vander mused. He held his hand24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxij5dhxiV
out for the knife then promptly sheathed it as to not arouse suspicion. Last24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAp0vtfOFC
time Vander had tried to teach the prince how to fight, they were ten years24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIueQ2HYBMy
old, and one punch was enough to send him crying to his mother. The King24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDiCEWfcmo
shortly put a stop to that.
“This time be24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDMaYFOwGn
different.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m in peak physical condition.” He threw a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tHHKuaF5p
couple of jabs into the air. Normally Vander would have laughed, but he had24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD94OzykJ1o
just been ordered to beat a broken man and it didn’t sit right with him. Cuvera24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg78vBMUqXO
had his moments, but he wasn’t cruel. This was out of character for him,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIRtHfGick
hearing about his father almost dying must have spooked him enough to act.
They made their24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vOzIS0P3E
way through the castle heading back towards Cuvera’s apartment. They saw a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr9q1q6l1k
couple of noblemen with their escorts, but they all bowed their heads once they24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ql3W84Udm
realized it was the prince which allowed Vander to go unnoticed. He still24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjSXeYHxqx
hadn’t covered from his other injuries and now he could add fresh ones to the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPza6x6GxN
list. Despite being weakened, that assassin wasn’t a push over. He got in a few24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNDKGw77on
strikes causing some pain in the process. Despite the quicker healing he had,24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpSIxFkLvJ
these injuries would still take a bit.
Vander noticed it24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p4lXoTAk6
before Cuvera, but there were two people waiting for them inside of his room.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hYXiBtYg4
He relaxed once he recognized their scents as Eliza and Kiara. Shea must like24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrALRBNvhau
them because he didn’t sense any distress from their bond. If anything, she24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1LcqdoTmF
felt joy and excitement. Vander decided to keep his mouth shut about the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb0BfPFQW5
visitors, his little dose of payback.
“Let’s get24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zpdnBb69d
something to drink.” Cuvera gripped the door handle. But when he pushed it open24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lAlVCRTZA
his face fell. “Shit.” He whispered.
Kiara was sitting24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WH7yaX65P
on the couch running her hands through Shea’s fur. Shea was standing on top of24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LE6cnklOC
her knees licking her face as she laughed. Eliza was standing behind her sister24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtUj7rNaoK
with a bemused expression on her face. Upon hearing the door open, the two women24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN5mjAkn8e
turned to look at them. Eliza nodded her head respectfully, but anger flooded24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOtsNrjQep
Eliza’s .
Both had changed24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbomLsDoefZ
their outfits to match the cooler climate of Eluvia. Eliza had been given a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA7wkxKKYx
long blue dress, but was wearing an orange shawl over her arms, an ode to her24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa3VoA6ZHn
home country. Eliza was given slacks, a blue shirt and a jacket that looked a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JbfsaN7I8
lot like a Blades. Her hair had been pulled back into a tight ponytail. She24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkKA6Aj1lg
gave Vander a small smile then she turned back to look at her sister.
“You were24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcFQ5cPyXE
supposed to escort me around the castle.” She growled. She got up from the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQoI1IOmof
couch and stormed over towards them. “Where have you been?” Vander quickly24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3hwGijYyt
tried to slink back into the shadows, but she caught him. “You’re not going24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqSEmbPnbT
anywhere.” She snapped. Her face softened once she saw the blood on his face.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpnCnrBzzT
“Are you injured?” she asked.
“It’s nothing.”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0rQCsCUBG
Vander tried to hide it, but Kiara grabbed him. Vander hissed in pain, so she24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXk5DWw17X
removed her hand.
“Eliza, can you24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51aZozlCY3
tend to his wounds so I can have a chat with my fiancé?” she asked. “Please24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qlL6xbf0I
don’t fight me on this Vander, I’d hate for our friendship to start on a bad24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpvAMi2Mku
foot.” He looked towards Cuvera, but he averted his eyes.
“As you wish.”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU0u97j4vJ
Vander bowed his head.
“This way.” Eliza24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaq7DeH7Lv
escorted him to the bathroom then she shut the door. Moments later he could24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv54XRHGtq
hear Kiara yelling at him, but he couldn’t hear what was being said. “Undress.”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi0RhKvvF6
Eliza said.
“Excuse me?” he24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzoMd1FD9x
asked.
“You’re not the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnTwXDRV3P
first man I’ve seen naked.” She scoffed. “And I doubt you’ll be the last.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNMxGnfKam
Undress so I can see what I’m working with.” He hesitated, but due to her24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p89aVHHWu
incessant staring he did as she asked. Moments later his clothes were in the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX8pUsos85
corner of the floor as he stood there not even bothering to cover himself. If24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7L0zqMC8v
she wasn’t embarrassed, neither would he.
She looked at him24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEF8vsvL67
over tracing the scars on his body lightly with her fingertips. The gentle24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG3tzn4PW3
touch caused him to shiver which placed a delicate smile on her face. Looking24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVqMFigbfc
down at himself, he noticed more bruises than he thought spreading across his24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhGYgltiJw
body. However, nothing compared to the giant bruise along his back. When she24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ6jD2L3GK
touched it, he was filled with such immense pain he almost turned around to24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wkjrSi0yZ
punch her in the face.
“You’ve been24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlj7O4gQ1v
involved in multiple fights recently.” She muttered. “But this one seems24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnQ4jiBc5d
recent. I heard the person who tired to kill you is locked in the dungeons. Is24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2iOkfJZtt
that where you were?”
“Yes.” Vander24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Nj3QnriEK
said. He wasn’t sure how she knew about the assassination attempt on him or24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDODCRr4IYe
where he was located. He suspected Bricen’s spies told her, but there was no24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmyTk9yIGH
way of knowing for sure.
“You shouldn’t24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuOFF9JAbv
beat those who can’t fight back.” She said. “It’s not a good look, especially24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwzNfjmaVc
for a Blade.”
“Even if the24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RrA3bXpaY
prince ordered you too?” she didn’t say anything else after that. She applied24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TJTnIPX7L
some salve onto his wounds and the numbing cold allowed him to finally relax.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRO98cqRlp
Once she was done she told him to put his clothes on while she went out to talk24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0EPOLhlUZ
to Kiara. When he got outside he saw that Cuvera was nowhere to be found.
“I told him to24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRCn3ghqtW
tell his father what happened as well as what you discovered.” Kiara said. “He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmBBlhinsB
didn’t want to leave me, but I said you were here to protect me if I needed it.24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepJ3uzsTnQ
Now, I’m asking you to escort me around the castle. Are you up for it?”
“Yes.” Vander24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzRT2424ep
bowed his head. She turned to look up at Eliza who nodded her head in24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XulmsWZFO
agreement.
“Good thing your24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwkLssWgbM
fight with the assassin didn’t go worse or I’d have gone without an escort.”24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iWu4RU2Jg
She grinned.
“Someone would24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9UY7EDjRR
have taken you around when I couldn’t.” Vander explained. “We tend not to let24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTgmg7MePr
those of the royal family go without one, even within the castle.”
“You Eluvians are24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZujD8mlCs
so protective.” She sighed. “You should really let your noblemen learn to fight24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKEmguYR7a
for themselves.”
“Do you know how24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVQPCTWFF2
to fight?”
“It’s rude to ask24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZuQr7u6NY
a lady,” she grinned. “But perhaps if you’re nice I’ll give you a24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosQFUyg8Ev
demonstration.” Eliza coughed into her hand. “Alright, escort. Let’s go.” She24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV6braLcwU
got up off the couch and headed towards the door. Vander hesitated for a moment24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2dJByycPl
then followed. Shea stayed where she was in front of the couch.
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“Let’s go.” He24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEmxBAFaS7
said to her. She quickly got up and raced out the door nearly knocking Kiara24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGmT90Vela
over in the process.
