Chapter 14
“I see, so that’s what10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNHMxNiZiY
happened.” Vander was sitting in Cuvera’s room on a blue couch while his friend10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CSOUQgsqY
reclined on the other smoking on his pipe. Cuvera had excused himself from the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO95cLJco6l
party early under the guise of being tired, but he made sure to slip Vander a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpmufdu4N8
note on his way out telling him to meet him in his apartment ten minutes later10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDtikBKPIQ
to not arouse suspicion. He half expected Kiara to be there when he arrived,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwCB7mp6i6
but he had been told that they wouldn’t share a room until they were married10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY1CmZ6PkB
per her customs.
“Are you angry?” Vander asked,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuFxuOaDKG
rubbed his hands together. He didn’t look up at his friend the entire time he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2PLN2A1ri
explained what happened during the prince’s absence as he was too afraid as to10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaupmINIqYJ
what he might say.
“Why would I be angry?” Cuvera10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHUa73VSLh
asked. Vander looked up to see confusion etched on his face. “You saved my10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLzOsU9jXD
father’s life; I’m surprised he hadn’t given you a parade to celebrate. Did he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIpVd7UlNr
offer you anything at all?”
“No,” Vander shook his head. “He10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDNU4TdrM0
wanted to keep everything quiet because it wouldn’t be wise to let the people10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g3baafnFL
know how close he was t death. He didn’t want to start a riot or anything.”
“Sounds like him.” Cuvera snorted10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7GHZHsghS
taking another hit on his pipe. Smoke billowed out as he continued to speak. “Have10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVWwsDhwWA
you had a chance to interrogate the prisoner yet? I bet he has some details10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgczsa1fKLs
that he should share with the class.”
“Not yet.” Vander hesitated. “I’ve10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo4NMY0woI
been busy.”
“Well, there is no time like the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0d7hQJgfC
present.” Cuvera got up from the couch then disappeared into his room. He10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nHmJOyuLJ
reappeared moments later wearing a Blade uniform with a hood to obscure his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFG2vzuMxO
features. He strapped a fake sword to his belt. It would pass as a real one10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTS8Uj0sUn
sheathed, but the blade itself was made from rubber. It would fail if anyone10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26oYHNxnQT
asked him about it.
“You should rest.” Vander shook10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O8xNCuj7A
his head. “You only just arrived home. Surely this could wait for another day.”
“And miss the chance to see who10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdzkaoL6JA
tried to kill my father?” Cuvera scoffed. “Nonsense. Plus, based on how you’re10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6FTHcDvOW
past year has gone, I think you could use the chance to unleash your pent-up10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIMs2gqghp
anger. Come on, this will be fun.”
Never one to say no to his oldest10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTbjndQ3Zm
friend, Vander relented then followed his friend out the door and deeper into10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I0cpuLxJP
the castle.
The dungeons were in the bowels of10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6dC3nF2Sn
the ground underneath the castle walls. It was on the same plane as the Pitts,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZL3zYKDzA
but very few people knew that. As far as people knew, dungeons didn’t exist.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMmHlVafqB
They believed that all prisoners of the crown were sent to Jewelthorne’s mines10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnCcwHhVUD
to live out their days mining precious resources until the day they died, and10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMQIwz7xhW
that was true for most prisoners. However, those who tried to take out nobility10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtHd0QkYsv
or members of the crown, a fresh hell waited for them.
The dungeons were on the other10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqv12VQWdt
side of a secret panel that opened by pulling a torch handle located within the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveeGhqNwxE
cellars. Vander grabbed the torch so they could see, but Cuvera walked down10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oFX4IXflv
without hesitation. The cellars were cold and damp with a winding staircase10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0zkcndvbw
that led several stories down. It was a pain to clean, so many of the servants10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNCas5Top7
didn’t bother leaving cobwebs and dust everywhere. Only those being punished10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafDRZnRsKN
were every told to come down here, so many were on their best behavior.
When they stepped off onto the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiKNzbI6S3
ground, they spotted two Blades guarding the door that would lead into the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnOqHaTEcM
actual prison. They were tough, tougher than most Blades, who took their job10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINaU3RYGO1
seriously. No one would be allowed through without prior authorization, unless10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdb8ynNwS7
you were the King or Prince.
“Stop where you are.” One of the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamD3Homq8F
voices boomed. They lowered their pikes, so the tips were pointed at Cuvera and10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN0I4E0z0T
Vander. “No one is allowed through here, even if you are Blades.”
“Oh sorry.” Cuvera removed his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeMxubHp9h
hood revealing a glimmering smile. “I didn’t want to be seen by any other. Is10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyxyDiykZF
it alright if we go in? I’d hate to use my status, but…” He let that threat10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAJcNlOwTn
hang in that air allowing the guards to figure the rest out.
“We are under direct orders from10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYegvVkxdqG
Lord Cranton,” they hesitated. However, they knew the Prince out ranked him.
“I’ll deal with the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIEbajJUlR
repercussions.” Vander nodded. “Let us through.”
“As you wish.” One of the guards10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEVLsBR7YU
removed a set of keys from his belt then unlocked the steel door that opened10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcncCagtqPx
into the prison. “If you want to open the door you’ll need this key.” He10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RaNSAvdVL
unclipped one of them then handed it to Vander. “Leave him in one piece. I10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxKsgx1Kji
think the King wanted him interrogated tomorrow.”
“Might not be needed if we can get10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6D3L950zb
the information out of him tonight.” Cuvera frowned. “Thank you.” He opened the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88GBemkIr6
door then stepped inside. Thanking the two Blades, Vander then followed his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R6YGTDLAb
friend.
Thankfully the royal dungeons10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHCFK53Z6i
weren’t used too often so there was only one person, and he was locked in the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6ElCFgsdY
cell farthest from the door without any windows or ventilation. The space stank10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq2ZQyk3li
of unwashed body odor and festering wound and that was something no amount of10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYerZBRjnGR
cleaner could remove. At least there were no rats or cockroaches waiting to10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL97CvSBWa
feast on you, but it made it painfully boring being here on your own. Vander10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjzOkH4bDL
was surprised the assassin hadn’t gone crazy in the days he hadn’t been here.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cOcOBCts7
Most went insane after the first.
The assassin looked worse than10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy91DkHqmHD
Vander remembered. He must have gotten roughed up when he was brought down10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka018UEirh
here. His eyes were swollen and there were bloodied bandages wrapped around his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaArpAMu2U
stomach. All he had was his tattered cloak to protect him from the chill. Moldy10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9xdJlX8NM
bread and hard stew sat in bowls inside of the cell, untouched.
“So, this is the man who jumped10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiMeIud9q5
you in the alley.” Cuvera frowned. “He looks likes any of the bums I’d trip10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMwzvrA6wD
over in the slums, not a scary assassin.”
“Give me a knife and we shall see10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkb51SzcoQ
how scary I am.” The man growled. He looked up from under his cloak and while10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitnAb61d83
Vander could see the determination in his eyes, he knew the assassin could10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUZkQKqzwR
barely stand let alone hold a knife.
“Someone with balls I like that.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4DuYCfIm1
Cuvera took the key from Vander’s hand then used it to unlock the cell. The10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzbuiSYWlx
door swung open, but before Vander could stop him, Cuvera walked inside, kicked10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1nftjNqSo
over some of the bowls, then punched the assassin in the face. Blood splattered10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBDmLyG9me
the ground, but he didn’t stop at one. He punched the man several times until10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfMw9x2wny
he heard teeth hit the stone floor. The man groaned as Cuvera kicked him in the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWg5e2ohEN
side. He would have continued if Vander hadn’t grabbed him around the waist and10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZTWSu9kQr
throw him to the side.
“Stop.” Vander blocked the prince10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZV08MKGJQ
from going near the assassin causing his friend to squint his eyes in anger.
“He tried to kill you Vander and10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq0zTBasjV
you’re just going to stand there and not punish him?” he asked. “Where are your10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7BL0ciZXK
balls?”
“It’s not my place to torture him,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEcUczJ8C9
Cuvera.” Vander scoffed. He looked down at the man who curled back up into a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDkMRKcyGE
ball instead of standing up. He didn’t even wipe the blood from his mouth. “There10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigBpoddtzF
is information he has that we need, but it’s up to my grandfather and your10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YZUM7cO25
father to decide who gets to do it.”
“Why are we waiting around?”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULz4PVm6XP
Cuvera asked. “He knows where those bastards went who ordered my father10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43PZGG5R4y
poisoned.” He violently kicked one of the bowls, so it shattered against the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdzYZR0nbt
wall. “This is so annoying.”
“Someone tried to poison the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cZO4wqb7m
King?” The assassin laughed. “I know nothing about that. My orders were to kill10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzVjZYpEoF
a Blade. My friends and I were given the time and place. We didn’t know it was10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWv1SEainE
going to be you.”
“Do you know who ordered the hit?”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnRy9uTzpW
Vander asked.
“It’s not my place to know.” The10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQbMuuOLcH
man shrugged. “I just follow orders. That’s all.” Vander strained to tell if he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5Y36wFE9D
was lying, but based on the steady beat of his heart, he was telling the truth.
“Tell me more about the poisoning10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalvmVwysh0
of my father.” Cuvera squats down in front of the assassin. “And I want to know10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTvy3PaKti
everything.”
“I told you princeling,” he said10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZLmI4Pdjb
with a sneer. “I know nothing about that.”
“Which group do you belong too?”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dmlVjaH9g
Vander asked. The assassin fell silent, but his eyes smoldered with rage.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfwigfsUiE
“There are ways I can use to find out.” The assassin stuck his chin out10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlvHrY99Jv
indignantly.
“Hold him.” Cuvera demanded. “This10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4rEMO7RKU
is an order as your prince, not a request from a friend.” Nodding his head,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj2NcM23Kz
Vander grabbed the assassin then held him against the wall, so his feet were10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1yRsZ6baU
dangling. Even though he struggled, he wasn’t strong enough to do anything10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRCJ8HOtAF
after days of not eating. So, after a few seconds he hung there like a limp10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFFLGeKfB7
noodle. “Knife.” Vander removed a knife from his belt then placed it in his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1OgksvOGV
friend’s outstretched hand.
Cuvera placed the knife against10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9IwIyJAcf
the man’s arm then cut open the sleeve. He wasn’t gentle doing it drawing a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33MW2jsZs9
little bit of blood in the process. He pulled the rest down to reveal a heavily10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LJ8ZvNeMD
muscled, but bare arm. Frowning, he moved onto the next arm with the same10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhkGghVueq
result. He clicked his tongue annoyed as he walked around the assassin who10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2ndiCmJyO
likely knew what he wanted but wasn’t in the mood to help.
“Make him kneel.” Vander pulled10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnZVfYLZM2
the man off the wall placing him on the ground. Then he kicked out both knees10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhF5T86L33
making him cry out in pain, but he fell to the ground placing his hands out in10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIHXdLvE23
front of him to catch himself. Vander gripped the back of his neck then10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQVOjGIdL6
squeezed causing a small cry of pain to squeak out of the assassin, but he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRorja5Zjq
didn’t move.
“You won’t get your answers by10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbs5Hn2MTw
torturing me.” He rasped. “I’ve been through far more than you have.” Without10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYK1y7wca9
warning, Cuvera slammed the knife into the man’s shirt then ripped downward.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MKcOCfziy
The man stifled his screams as the knife tip bit into his flesh.
Vander wasn’t10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEhiuSwFX8
sure what the prince was after, but it became clear once he parted the bleeding10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqAy51ilYL
shirt from the back to reveal an emblem that sent chills down his spine. It was10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK3CGPjtaz
an entwined green snake tattoo with a sword shoved through the mouth and10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb97dpw0lSx
through the back. Even though he hadn’t seen it before, he knew that this was10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2LLbbE1CN
the emblem of the Green Serpents.
“Well, we have10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzseedjyWc
one answer.” Cuvera smiled. “We know you are a Serpent and that lines up nicely10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGEqDRernB
with the intelligence that we already have.”
“I already told10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfa01Ip1xN
you,” the assassin shivered. “We had nothing to do with the King’s illness. It10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23G92XESyt
wasn’t us.”
“Vander.” Cuvera10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaO9O4YFP8
stepped back but tilted his head towards the assassin. Sighing, Vander hauled10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphxhbfrm8A
the guy up to his feet then punched him in the stomach. The man doubled over10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BtsWOpBHe
but Vander brought his knee up right into his jaw. The assassin stumbled10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIQYmZ08Iv
backwards, but he quickly righted himself. He spat out a wad of blood at10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjePOAi6Db3
Vander, hitting him in the face. As he struggled to wipe the blood away, the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4nB43aVUa
assassin tackled Vander pushing him into the bars. He let out a cry of pain but10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkubOc68Kx
recovered quickly. He brought both fists down onto the assassin’s back slamming10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkfUKk7R6i
him into the ground. The assassin tried to crawl away, but Vander grabbed his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrDl4KbmAL
leg pulling him back in.
The two of them10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2piogQAZAc
fought while Cuvera sat there with a small grin on his face. The fight ended10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkLqupRTWS
when Vander drove his elbow into the man’s already damaged jaw. That final blow10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnAApdNy6W
was enough to dislocate it then to keep him from crying out, a blow to the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMiKYKgDev
temple rendered him unconscious. Vander got up, staggered for a second, before10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck6kd6cGgl
fixing himself.
“Why did you make10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMgPlL3j3Y
me do that?” he asked the prince.
“I didn’t make10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUGz5cjo7x
you do anything.” The prince shrugged. “It looked like you need to release some10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Pb7mtL831
rage, so I merely gave you the opportunity, plus we learned something in the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbVPwIl05l
process. Come on let’s go.”
Vander looked10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm9hJqe52L
down at the assassin before following his friend out of the cell and back10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBdGz7tp92
towards the door. Cuvera didn’t say anything as they left, but Vander whispered10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ygMc1ioRl
to send a healer for the man inside. The guards nodded their head but didn’t10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDwXfRNKbV
move. They would wait a few minutes before ‘discovering’ that the man had tried10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUgSDvtsFa
to harm himself. It wasn’t the first time they did something like this.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iFONkkLLM
However, the King would find out then there would be hell to pay.
“Man, that was10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHH791jRcL
awesome.” Cuvera cheered. “You were so badass when you were beating him. You10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNdxcfGvV3
got to teach me how to fight.”
“If I remember10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXkJcgrPLP
correctly that didn’t go so well the last time.” Vander mused. He held his hand10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuv1iVbWbq
out for the knife then promptly sheathed it as to not arouse suspicion. Last10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyD0lL9OVY
time Vander had tried to teach the prince how to fight, they were ten years10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWpL4PU2Au
old, and one punch was enough to send him crying to his mother. The King10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBmc6WL7Qy
shortly put a stop to that.
“This time be10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWevIhtkNfv
different.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m in peak physical condition.” He threw a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUkfzriCkZ
couple of jabs into the air. Normally Vander would have laughed, but he had10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvAqMjpocS
just been ordered to beat a broken man and it didn’t sit right with him. Cuvera10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LWASa9OFS
had his moments, but he wasn’t cruel. This was out of character for him,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AMouM5OgQ
hearing about his father almost dying must have spooked him enough to act.
They made their10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAE66kvyxD
way through the castle heading back towards Cuvera’s apartment. They saw a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkcWO8M64O
couple of noblemen with their escorts, but they all bowed their heads once they10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5ZNOIa7VF
realized it was the prince which allowed Vander to go unnoticed. He still10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVudju6IrY
hadn’t covered from his other injuries and now he could add fresh ones to the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zlqAh4t3W
list. Despite being weakened, that assassin wasn’t a push over. He got in a few10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bpMsAYxoF
strikes causing some pain in the process. Despite the quicker healing he had,10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeQaHlogBo
these injuries would still take a bit.
Vander noticed it10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOqYV35Mc5
before Cuvera, but there were two people waiting for them inside of his room.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOZGhoN78x
He relaxed once he recognized their scents as Eliza and Kiara. Shea must like10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDU4LC9IKV
them because he didn’t sense any distress from their bond. If anything, she10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5gC6d10BF
felt joy and excitement. Vander decided to keep his mouth shut about the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcSzlmhk5I
visitors, his little dose of payback.
“Let’s get10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskY8wgeVPE
something to drink.” Cuvera gripped the door handle. But when he pushed it open10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJMFKVZ5YX
his face fell. “Shit.” He whispered.
Kiara was sitting10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOZyUyDZUD
on the couch running her hands through Shea’s fur. Shea was standing on top of10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kALq3QFon
her knees licking her face as she laughed. Eliza was standing behind her sister10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rATeRPE24
with a bemused expression on her face. Upon hearing the door open, the two women10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVu3ulNPt9
turned to look at them. Eliza nodded her head respectfully, but anger flooded10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdJZ8PmLXr
Eliza’s .
Both had changed10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6MN7IXPDp
their outfits to match the cooler climate of Eluvia. Eliza had been given a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsXcBd9vI3
long blue dress, but was wearing an orange shawl over her arms, an ode to her10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWY2YVWp0d
home country. Eliza was given slacks, a blue shirt and a jacket that looked a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc8e7Q1ENJ
lot like a Blades. Her hair had been pulled back into a tight ponytail. She10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SRyZZk3u6
gave Vander a small smile then she turned back to look at her sister.
“You were10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHaHjwo1v0
supposed to escort me around the castle.” She growled. She got up from the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3QkT6Dsnz
couch and stormed over towards them. “Where have you been?” Vander quickly10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8xQyZc6wO
tried to slink back into the shadows, but she caught him. “You’re not going10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruzUX2228x
anywhere.” She snapped. Her face softened once she saw the blood on his face.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c8kwnJT3B
“Are you injured?” she asked.
“It’s nothing.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKTbbTeAmX
Vander tried to hide it, but Kiara grabbed him. Vander hissed in pain, so she10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BUUYEsQ2R
removed her hand.
“Eliza, can you10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOnXA1smAY
tend to his wounds so I can have a chat with my fiancé?” she asked. “Please10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7e0ToKlEz
don’t fight me on this Vander, I’d hate for our friendship to start on a bad10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFVK3dNOC5
foot.” He looked towards Cuvera, but he averted his eyes.
“As you wish.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOBpYkctY1
Vander bowed his head.
“This way.” Eliza10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn75aCWlXy4
escorted him to the bathroom then she shut the door. Moments later he could10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0mzUDPqMZ
hear Kiara yelling at him, but he couldn’t hear what was being said. “Undress.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZAnO3LQlr
Eliza said.
“Excuse me?” he10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ018v4nyIIR
asked.
“You’re not the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyGzwDNSPO
first man I’ve seen naked.” She scoffed. “And I doubt you’ll be the last.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kitBV6wX8
Undress so I can see what I’m working with.” He hesitated, but due to her10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplIbZ4f2QV
incessant staring he did as she asked. Moments later his clothes were in the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvv9WfJeEV
corner of the floor as he stood there not even bothering to cover himself. If10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnARmqkZgc
she wasn’t embarrassed, neither would he.
She looked at him10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPI2aVy9Mw
over tracing the scars on his body lightly with her fingertips. The gentle10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSNjBYxMPF
touch caused him to shiver which placed a delicate smile on her face. Looking10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9C0nBqF67
down at himself, he noticed more bruises than he thought spreading across his10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWXjfyTsq2
body. However, nothing compared to the giant bruise along his back. When she10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRrQn3LZ1C
touched it, he was filled with such immense pain he almost turned around to10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxShFMpVaw
punch her in the face.
“You’ve been10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOmMEc1xnc
involved in multiple fights recently.” She muttered. “But this one seems10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXpkDMth6J
recent. I heard the person who tired to kill you is locked in the dungeons. Is10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrXqBdz54o
that where you were?”
“Yes.” Vander10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhmSltzFAo
said. He wasn’t sure how she knew about the assassination attempt on him or10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZF8Hro2el
where he was located. He suspected Bricen’s spies told her, but there was no10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2SywEeKXG
way of knowing for sure.
“You shouldn’t10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5WcRoTeQ5
beat those who can’t fight back.” She said. “It’s not a good look, especially10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnGLmXBuQv
for a Blade.”
“Even if the10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIvS2dYSAj
prince ordered you too?” she didn’t say anything else after that. She applied10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3HcubzUAo
some salve onto his wounds and the numbing cold allowed him to finally relax.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJgWIVwtwa
Once she was done she told him to put his clothes on while she went out to talk10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClgsXIsrBE
to Kiara. When he got outside he saw that Cuvera was nowhere to be found.
“I told him to10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzpQM2dE9y
tell his father what happened as well as what you discovered.” Kiara said. “He10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLspcE4RTuc
didn’t want to leave me, but I said you were here to protect me if I needed it.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcod1eNaNW
Now, I’m asking you to escort me around the castle. Are you up for it?”
“Yes.” Vander10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45P0WtGRcq
bowed his head. She turned to look up at Eliza who nodded her head in10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLOVOZWRlx
agreement.
“Good thing your10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6m7wthwWc
fight with the assassin didn’t go worse or I’d have gone without an escort.”10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Tx9xBDMZ
She grinned.
“Someone would10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2Fw7mtFrj
have taken you around when I couldn’t.” Vander explained. “We tend not to let10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb94GufgYV7
those of the royal family go without one, even within the castle.”
“You Eluvians are10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyLMw8Ymp7
so protective.” She sighed. “You should really let your noblemen learn to fight10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lDUz6DG2r
for themselves.”
“Do you know how10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMiLi0Vd7M
to fight?”
“It’s rude to ask10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRvIeFlJVO
a lady,” she grinned. “But perhaps if you’re nice I’ll give you a10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYrRKIbmAB
demonstration.” Eliza coughed into her hand. “Alright, escort. Let’s go.” She10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oA9uNwG5s
got up off the couch and headed towards the door. Vander hesitated for a moment10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUGdMN4Nc4
then followed. Shea stayed where she was in front of the couch.
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“Let’s go.” He10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXA6OFi5Ia
said to her. She quickly got up and raced out the door nearly knocking Kiara10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofzXTqFRn6
over in the process.
