Chapter 17
“Ow, ow, ow!” Vander sat in the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcB2DBqTkV
chair within the medical room while Topal placed topical ointments on his36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Plu3WaENU
wounds. He had removed his shirt to allow the doctor to check him over and36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sZBUjW5pe
there were already colorful bruises gathering on his skin. Eliza, who was in36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz27we1xM4R
the adjoining room being attended to by Topal’s granddaughter seemed to be in36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzc5zSvltN
better spirits. She was laughing the entire time with no sounds of pain.
“She did quite the number on you36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpTR1uIcQO
huh?” Topal asked. Vander could see the little smirk gathering on the old man’s36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nx92UHk3j
face as he checked him over.
“You know I heal quickly, Topal.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3sBIX1BNW
Vander snorted. “Short of killing me, I’ll be better off sooner than she will.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5ELbC1EH3
So, I’d say we were about even.”
“Don’t forget a lot of the nobles36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vL875QDNI
saw you getting your ass beat, so you better pretend like you’re injured for a36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiyxGqUClg
while.” Topal slapped Vander’s ribs causing him to sit up hissing between36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvMroiANrM
clenched teeth.
“I’ll remember that.” He hissed.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpy9APTxCp
Vander turned towards the door. He could hear two people coming down the hall36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPWbPFwsEx
towards the room. Based on their scent and how Shea was acting nonchalantly36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMpYwAQ3bt
about it, it was Cuvera and Kiara.
Cuvera didn’t even knock, he just36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8ZtpGF6Nk
walked in with Kiara coming up behind him. “Damn, you look like shit.” He36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99wbrRVspT
grinned. “But don’t you think you should put a shirt on.” he frowned. “You’re36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGy7YiHXmh
making me look bad.”
“Nonsense.” Kiara jabbed his side.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPwKFsmHjW
“He’s the one who just got whooped by Eliza. You could have taken her easily.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZK8Lxi7Gj
She winked at Vander when Cuvera puffed out his chest in pride.
“Damn right I could.” He said,36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jtsgHl6SH
slapping her on the ass causing her to squeal then punch his arm. “Go see how36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VvyWEkd19
your maid of honor is doing while I talk to Vander for a second.”
“You’re wish is my command.” She36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZfByZHwiv
curtsied. Vander told her than Eliza was in the other room then pointed towards36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROOVFs5o0e
the doorway. She walked through then closed the door behind her, so they36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dkzS4rt1F
couldn’t overhear what was being said.
“Doctor, would you mind giving us36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRA8FjJcSN
the room?” Cuvera asked.
“Of course.” Topal clipped his bag36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBlcKKdLPv
shut but left the container of ointment for Vander. “Rub this on your wounds36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4oWfS1CBN
twice a day. They should clear up in a week or two.” Vander thanked the older36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkr9joeH3z
man and watched as he closed the door.
“What is it you wanted to talk to36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdsMp67NKQ
me about?” Vander asked. Cuvera sighed then pulled up a seat across from36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbuAotMv8a
Vander.
“I want you to be my best man for36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41dWgNjb0N
the wedding tonight.” He said. Vander stared at his friend a little confused.
“Who else were you considering?”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbJfcMKtXE
he asked.
“No one.” Cuvera sighed. “You’ve36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW4Bvzq4bQ
been with me since the very beginning and despite what the nobles say, you are36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxXMOcd7xq
the closest friend I have. You are the only one I’ve wanted by my side36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwBv11qQcT
tonight.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuXGKlvVbi
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkrw7vo761
“Why did it take so long36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeu5fiTfSS
for you to ask me?” Vander laughed, but immediately regretted it, holding his36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR17QEbuW5
side in pain. “Have you asked my grandfather to make sure it’s alright I skip36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CT0ot6Dy4
guarding duty tonight?”
“I asked him after you left.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteJxlIyRj6
Cuvera nodded. “He said it was fine provided you agree. My father will deal36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6kXYo2H1j
with the nobles, I just need you to say yes.”
“Do you have something for me to36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYHfoZqd3A
wear?” Vander asked causing Cuvera to break out in a wide grin. “All my36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk80579Yaoh
clothing are for going out on the town or performing my duties as a Blade. I36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFLFRkkNMC
don’t have anything you would consider,” he waved his hand around. “Appropriate36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAukDzMrLG
for a wedding.”
“What do you take me for?” Cuvera36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW0uawGD2q
scoffed. “Come on, this will be fun.”
Thirty minutes later Vander found36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MBCW893ej
himself in Cuvera’s room standing on a circular stand with three mirrors36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYjMXPoK6R
surrounding him. There was an army of people coming in and out of the room with36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDsmGjMXJA
a seamstress taking his measurements with a thin tape. She made notes on a36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj4vnZcN53
piece of paper then shouted orders to her people.
“Give me the silver fabric.” Opal36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4vD1msth4
Jayne ordered. Apparently she was of no relation to Topal, but Vander found36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3zhyfzGlV
that hard to believe. No way multiple people be that bad at naming their36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlNpzh9v6a
children. “Yes, this will match your hair quite nicely.” She muttered to36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uqMVPOg7t
herself. She snapped her fingers and the helpers brought in some more fabric36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyKMPvYerr
for her to look at ranging from blues all the way to yellows. She placed the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBBiE3Lgn4
silver fabric on Vander’s shoulder. She then started to place other fabrics on36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmkYmcml4D
top until she found a dark blue she liked.
“Is it done?” Cuvera asked.
“I have all the measurements I36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMmr61K447
need from him as well as the colors to best match his complexion along with36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYyNhB034L
your outfit.” Opal mused. “I never thought I would get the chance to work on36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGOVqLn2Bp
you, Vander, it will take all of my power to make this work, but I daresay you36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVeXnaX1kE
will like the results.”
“Thank you.” Cuvera smiled. “Get36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW01UVxyPa
him a few rings and a necklace as well. He doesn’t like spending money on36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarizZtT5Um
himself, so I get to do it instead.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ4hIYoTTQ
send you my bill. When do you need this by?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47Y2sIL93c
Vander looked over at him with a frown.
“I thought the wedding was36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBf8mHbiKP
tonight?” Cuvera and Opal looked at each other then burst out laughing.
“This wouldn’t all be done by36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlZIuFzxmY
tonight dear boy.” Opal wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I have two36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVKLsemVaQ
dresses to make and your suit. I’ll be up all night making sure everything is36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMvumkh4eO
ready.”
“I made sure it was okay if I36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWBLMqMgIf
postponed it until tomorrow.” Cuvera explained. “If anything, my father was36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT44xw9Ar3
relieved for more time, so he approved it.”
“What am I supposed to do with36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHDG7tbRTk
myself now?” Vander groaned.
“Don’t know.” Cuvera shrugged. “Go36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXJkdGyAiW
for a walk, get drunk, get your dick wet, whatever you want. I’ll see you36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO95fuF2wn
later.” He winked then quickly slipped out of the room.
“Jackass.” Vander muttered. He36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhj4STVe5B
slipped on his clothing, clipped his sword to his belt, then left the room.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqcebuv1Ua
Shea had been forced to sit outside so she wasn’t in the way, so she joined36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gvlIWBTG6
him.
“That seemed like fun.” She36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv5DxjN7S0
said.
“Well, now we have the night off.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBxOdfS8wl
He replied. “What should we do now?”
“I would like to head back if36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGshSbi6cJ
you don’t mind.” She said. “I’m tired.”
“You are more than welcome to head36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUU9akYFc8
back to the bedroom if you want.” He said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t forget you have to36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIFrZfBKor
oversee the protection detail around the castle for tomorrow’s wedding.” She36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFF7OGMEvz
said. “Perhaps you should focus on that while you have time.”
“Ah shit, I forgot about that.” He36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeuaCeCOQH
groaned. “So much has happened within the past several days that it slipped my36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmcPTKgdzn
mind.”
“Then it’s lucky that my mind is36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeJGPMUeFs
still about me.” Vander turned around to see his grandfather standing behind36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRytGzQRyL
them. “How many times have I told you not to talk to Shea where others can hear36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q8pYpkNk9
you?”
“Sorry, Grandfather.” Vander36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrunNxatqj
muttered. Shea licked his hand before walked down the hall and disappearing36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v519FtbWh
into the darkness. “She’s heading back to my room to sleep. She hasn’t been36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB7i6Wz3Og
sleeping well lately.”
“With all the wardens here, I’m36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgHhsJxa2H
surprised anyone is sleeping.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, do you have a moment to36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrCXG6lyFU
chat? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Charles led the way36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz9II1TDJY
down the hall and up a flight of stairs towards his office. There were two36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6o1sB6eHi
Blades standing at the door whom he dismissed with a flick of his hand. Once36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaQZ6TYA1w
inside, he poured both a small glass of whiskey.
“Eliza passed.” Charles answered36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZOv6nt6Zm
the unspoken question after he drained his glass and poured himself another36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLheKPTQyn
one. “After the wedding we will initiate her as a Blade Captain with control of36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaQsHaokwf
her own squad.”
“Are you sure about that?” Vander36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEtln7JOFG
asked. “There are abound to be plenty who are going to be pissed they got36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci5NjURbqY
passed for a promotion to someone from Bricen, even if she is qualified.”
“They are able to challenge her36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA960R4ViYG
for the spot, but based on how she was able to take you down, I doubt the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmBrNNSnhl
others will be able to keep up with her.” He explained.
“Come on gramps,” Vander rolled36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw538oQ2RL
his eyes. “I was holding back, and you know it.”
“An ass whooping is an ass36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUVdBcjI1z
whooping Vander.” He laughed. “Plus, I expect she was holding back as well, and36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVevYuJ69x
she had just finished running the gauntlet beforehand. I think you would have36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkccfukefx
lost if she wasn’t exhausted.”
“You’re supposed to be on my36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYleh1akQ0n
side.” He grumbled.
“I’m for whatever makes us36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAQNE0zuzn
stronger.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Malcolm told me about what Ross36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCMwXTLz1y
had told you when you visited him. While I’m not happy you went there,36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7vVX734CD
especially without telling me, we now have an enemy to focus our efforts on. Was36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMjT0qKPgw
there anything else he could tell you?”
“There was, but I’d have to fight36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6i81YTB9b
in the pits against his champions.” Vander explained. “It’s not something I’m36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSAbLBmmTS
keen on doing, but I will if I need to.”
“That might not be necessary.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP5TRQiNi9
Charles was quiet for a moment. “What do you know of Draken? The man Warden36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspiQhiB8r7
Valarian always keeps with her?”
“Not much.” Vander admitted. “Just36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL9buZHekK
that he’s a strong fighter.”
“Not just that.” Charles got up36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc1rnLKdJT
from his desk to walk towards one of the bookshelves. He skimmed the shelves36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu9L0vsryF
for a moment before selecting an old black book with gold trim. He flipped36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLEXsSELRk
through the pages until he found the one he wanted then placed it on the table36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMW7PE1drd
in front of Vander. It was a picture of Aubum, the deity of mortality and36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlHzAqJBBy
death. One of the children of the Darkness.
Aubum was a mysterious deity. Not36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaWeLXM47P
much was known about him even within the texts of the other deities. Before his36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hQUxuoKla
arrival, humans were immortal, but Darkness had created him to rob them of the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY8uBHowXz
one thing they coveted more than anything, their lives. It was a move to try36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5hqpmB7uy
and weaken her parents and siblings, but it backfired because humans prayed to36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ci0JdF4ez
the deities even more afterwards. Some believe he did it to weaken his mother,36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7UNq8rq9d
but that was the minority opinion.
Aubum was human in appearance, but36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcjYOOL1hS
his hair was bright green while his skin was the color of death. He wore white36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMwhm8Xj9v
robes with sandaled feet. His weapon of choice was a large scythe, but he used36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSleA0sdvk4
it more to walk with than as a weapon considering how old he truly was.
“Are you telling me that Draken is36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37ZmL7VTgE
the Ma’akti of Aubum?” Vander asked. “I thought he stayed out of human affairs36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HquKR5z8h
until their death?”
“It’s something passed down since36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0mBaTvI1Q
the Valarian line started.” Charles explained. “Out of everyone in the council,36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavv6dhMrJf
only the King and I know who he truly is.” There was a slight gust of wind that36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXbRJYa7rF
wafted around the apartment as the smell of decay appeared in Vander’s nose. In36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI00V9mGPK
one deft movement, Vander jumped from his seat and drew his sword pointing it36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXH51587Ub
at one of the darkened corners.
“Good.” A voice hissed from the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvbCTFBzuP
shadows. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as a man stepped out from the shadows,36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV510MXhMri
but they clung to him as if trying not to let him go. Now that Vander’s eyes36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UH6TJY008
could adjust, he realized the man had dark green, scaley skin, and large36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsBKVRdkNu
canines that jutted past his top lip. He was wearing a long-mottled cape which36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnYXWlO8nw
allowed him to blend with the shadows along with leather armor protecting his36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI318DHE4D
chest. He wore a series of knives on his belt, likely his preferred weapon of36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzthKeh1lM
choice.
“Draken, you came.” Charles bowed36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdFP1eIZ32
his head respectfully. “Would you like a drink?”
“No thanksssss, Commander.” He36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq4zBGgg3v
hissed. “But why have you asked my missssstressss for me? I wasssss hoping to36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkeZX8mPnu
enjoy my ssssstay?”
“Can you stop hissing?” Charles36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ4EX4EYsa
asked. “I know you do it just to make people piss their pants, but you don’t36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkS45UMxCY
have to do it here.”
“Sorry.” Draken laughed. It36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMokKUQFPo
sounded raspy like he had been smoking for decades, it was likely his throat36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEPlP1Rcws
wasn’t used to normal speak. “It’s a habit at this point.”
“How did you get in here?” Vander36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhRYy2divQ
asked.
“Do you expose your secrets to any36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri9VuDkgCK
who asked Unna’tun Ma’akti?” Vander stared at him surprised. “Only those with36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARelX3fjWM
her abilities can sense me when I’m cloaked considering we are cousins of a36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1IpcKtw4O
sort.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Vander36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLovdSlXjP
shrugged his shoulder. “This is something I would kill to keep secret if you36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKiQbxy1kg
catch my meaning.”
“Don’t worry.” Draken smiled. “I36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUKiJKR4kF
won’t tell anyone anything. This is a secret that should stay in the shadows36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbEdf2hScp
with as few as possible. None of us wish for our secrets to be exposed,36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL149bEIhs
especially not those in power.”
“Only a select few will know of36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvRRRMMkE8
this.” Charles explained. “We have sworn on the book of Humjir to keep the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3lvTmtetQ
identities a secret. If anyone breaks that vow, they will die.”
“I trust you.” Vander sighed. “But36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYqMFYDuq5
onto the question, why is he here?”
“Because I have a job for him.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefff69BF3H
Charles explained. “We have someone in our dungeons who knows the location of36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k125XpP3D
whoever tried to kill our King. I want you to pry the information out of my any36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GpF8hrv8Z
means necessary then track down whoever sent him here. When you find them, I36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaEz210S5g
want to know about it.”
“And who will protect my Warden36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4Iuwg7c1B
while I do this?” Draken asked.
“We will have our best protecting36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4o8a42vaR
her.” Charles assured him. “Captain Alexander will take three others to help36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp26iQz77m
protect her.”
“Do you trust him?”
“With my life.” Vander answered.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurGxDmvxU3
“We’ve been through a lot together. We will protect her with his life if need36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSdrp2kYn3
be.”
“Then very well.” Draken bowed his36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eONUphnEV
head. “Should I make daily reports?”
“No, only report when you finish.”
“Understood.” With that Draken36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr182dl4Jm
slunk back into the shadows then disappeared. Vander didn’t speak until he was36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiPcCBUugY
sure that the man was gone.
“That was something.” He said.
“He’s always been like that, but36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjhmKaDPmr
he gives results and that’s what matters.”
“Will the guards walk in on36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gUeO77f28
anything?” Vander asked.
“I gave the guards the night off.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFXcknVLiO
Charles sat back down in his chair. “No one will hear the man’s screams. I want36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSG95MW2tf
to get this done as quickly as possible.”
“Cuvera and I questioned him36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAK4FB7pEA
before, and he swore that they had nothing to do with the King’s poisoning.”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqiPgatIlq
Vander explained.
“You know better than to trust36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL27zYX832
someone like that Vander, unless you doubt Ross’ word?”
“Ross always has some hidden36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B3f11RgFG
agenda, but he wouldn’t lie to me.” Vander frowned. “It could be his36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmExuE0MhiR
information is wrong.”
“We will see what happens once36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTllekCAw8
Draken finishes his investigation.” Charles tossed back his whiskey. “His36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxng42WQq5
methods are cruel, but we need that now. Any moment we waste is another chance36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1DCRZLlid
they must kill Malcolm.”
“I agree with you.” Vander also36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbJdr8bzsd
drank the burning liquid which caused him to grimace. He hated the taste, but36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK301EfoSa4
it did relax him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore gramps.”
“What should we talk about then?”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArJTvvfwe6
Charles grinned. “Would you like to talk about your attraction to Eliza?”36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hIegTtWS7
Vander choked on his drink.
“What?” He sputtered. “I don’t36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo6PIAS0T3
like her!”
“So that mild bit of flirting36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeROGSLa2T
while you fought this morning was nothing?” Charles asked. “I might be old, but36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJTjuqtnss
I’m not dead yet and neither are you. You’d be a fool not to be interested in36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFpv0gEuQ8
her.”
“Come on, I barely know her.” He36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae9xpWbYLO
protested. “Besides, she can find someone better.”
“I know Bree dumping you hurt, but36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvniy4JNBaA
you can’t close yourself off forever.” His grandfather sighed. “It’s time you36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJGCjhLbI1
found someone to settle down with. I’d like to have great-grand children before36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu9MQbUFNk
I die.”
“I’m only twenty, gramps.” Vander36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnMnhEuUYA
sighed. “We have plenty of time.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Charles36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGjTYswAWO
mused. However, he got a sad look in his eyes that Vander couldn’t quite figure36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JOraWxQFq
out.”
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, yes.” Charles waved him off.36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iKwYOssc3
“I just think she will be a good match for you as well, Vander. Give it some36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHk1WZeAyL
thought, but ultimately, it’s up to you.”
“Thank you.” Vander sipped the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrXFVVQeRP
drink. “It is alright if I sleep? I’ve had a long day.”
“Of course.” Charles smiled. “I36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ355943WG
will see you tomorrow.” Vander walked over to the other side of the desk and36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoUflM8utO
kissed his grandfather on the top of his head. With a small wave he left the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtRMiYrYfo
room.
He decided to take the long way36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC0ZDVkxal
back to his room opting to take a walk along the outer corridor towards the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8hvY6bPKu
other gardens. The gardens behind the castle were filled with various bushes36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdW08nYgNr
and flower gardens ranging from roses to daffodils. There were pathways that36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBp4d1tHWw
weaved around each garden bed and benches were people sat while they enjoyed36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSOr59GVRK
themselves. Here nobles were allowed to visit, but with the wedding tomorrow,36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByBEIy9png
many were resting.
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The full moon was high in the sky36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwH7LvR46N
when Vander sat down on a secluded bench in a corner garden. Despite the chaos36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxFA2Yo4uA
that was his life and Unna’s gifts constantly clawing at him, he enjoyed the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIETJqmFR1
quiet serenity that this spot offered him. It was one of the few places he36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi5htNXJxD
could feel at ease and not have to worry about anyone else. He lay down on the36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscII6M458c
bench to stare up at the moon before closing his eyes to rest.
