Chapter 14
“I see, so that’s what50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO7Fnq7Oau
happened.” Vander was sitting in Cuvera’s room on a blue couch while his friend50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgmwLhgTvE
reclined on the other smoking on his pipe. Cuvera had excused himself from the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjtMR911t6
party early under the guise of being tired, but he made sure to slip Vander a50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjXEfeeMU4
note on his way out telling him to meet him in his apartment ten minutes later50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin8pkKXSNk
to not arouse suspicion. He half expected Kiara to be there when he arrived,50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAIZcgaXNj
but he had been told that they wouldn’t share a room until they were married50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGOdCfYbOw
per her customs.
“Are you angry?” Vander asked,50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI0j7h6g16
rubbed his hands together. He didn’t look up at his friend the entire time he50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXymy8bpZvu
explained what happened during the prince’s absence as he was too afraid as to50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk5TjljCBS
what he might say.
“Why would I be angry?” Cuvera50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk616X0gdCz
asked. Vander looked up to see confusion etched on his face. “You saved my50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowrSldpB4w
father’s life; I’m surprised he hadn’t given you a parade to celebrate. Did he50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIqOzznvc1
offer you anything at all?”
“No,” Vander shook his head. “He50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vjr1mR9V7
wanted to keep everything quiet because it wouldn’t be wise to let the people50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQCf4WhLDk
know how close he was t death. He didn’t want to start a riot or anything.”
“Sounds like him.” Cuvera snorted50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnv2GPtiD5
taking another hit on his pipe. Smoke billowed out as he continued to speak. “Have50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE6mJrND2l
you had a chance to interrogate the prisoner yet? I bet he has some details50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrdlSo0OYx
that he should share with the class.”
“Not yet.” Vander hesitated. “I’ve50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fulHjUDLj
been busy.”
“Well, there is no time like the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJe5s4mbiC
present.” Cuvera got up from the couch then disappeared into his room. He50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEUi9YonyG
reappeared moments later wearing a Blade uniform with a hood to obscure his50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLq9j541AG
features. He strapped a fake sword to his belt. It would pass as a real one50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eNegiML2m
sheathed, but the blade itself was made from rubber. It would fail if anyone50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVXAqaiE8g
asked him about it.
“You should rest.” Vander shook50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiyILJFZXY
his head. “You only just arrived home. Surely this could wait for another day.”
“And miss the chance to see who50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnxoA3k1mZ
tried to kill my father?” Cuvera scoffed. “Nonsense. Plus, based on how you’re50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF6tUWhmmQ
past year has gone, I think you could use the chance to unleash your pent-up50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwwUbqF4xR
anger. Come on, this will be fun.”
Never one to say no to his oldest50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiik2jaf6A
friend, Vander relented then followed his friend out the door and deeper into50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArmFDFabZS
the castle.
The dungeons were in the bowels of50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8H6yIAfOD
the ground underneath the castle walls. It was on the same plane as the Pitts,50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk1o1ZjNUC
but very few people knew that. As far as people knew, dungeons didn’t exist.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwBJ0myQMg
They believed that all prisoners of the crown were sent to Jewelthorne’s mines50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAyyUajGKh
to live out their days mining precious resources until the day they died, and50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg9t9i7frc
that was true for most prisoners. However, those who tried to take out nobility50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5oUvG0Lfw
or members of the crown, a fresh hell waited for them.
The dungeons were on the other50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3w63vJs56
side of a secret panel that opened by pulling a torch handle located within the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sz4XL3cll
cellars. Vander grabbed the torch so they could see, but Cuvera walked down50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprWsTvYqFA
without hesitation. The cellars were cold and damp with a winding staircase50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6OXxj0F6x
that led several stories down. It was a pain to clean, so many of the servants50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTj0TKxb0Q
didn’t bother leaving cobwebs and dust everywhere. Only those being punished50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rh8EVgnij
were every told to come down here, so many were on their best behavior.
When they stepped off onto the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCKBKUrISk
ground, they spotted two Blades guarding the door that would lead into the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNBTOUIEl7
actual prison. They were tough, tougher than most Blades, who took their job50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwx4o2Xl0s
seriously. No one would be allowed through without prior authorization, unless50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy298a9w7J
you were the King or Prince.
“Stop where you are.” One of the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOROqn5zG7H
voices boomed. They lowered their pikes, so the tips were pointed at Cuvera and50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6Z8vnEvd0
Vander. “No one is allowed through here, even if you are Blades.”
“Oh sorry.” Cuvera removed his50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpedrqQtIq
hood revealing a glimmering smile. “I didn’t want to be seen by any other. Is50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW5BOFzW3K
it alright if we go in? I’d hate to use my status, but…” He let that threat50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw8dFLFyfs
hang in that air allowing the guards to figure the rest out.
“We are under direct orders from50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyxCcjpqAp
Lord Cranton,” they hesitated. However, they knew the Prince out ranked him.
“I’ll deal with the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SC0lK7VOC
repercussions.” Vander nodded. “Let us through.”
“As you wish.” One of the guards50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORrpkrICk6
removed a set of keys from his belt then unlocked the steel door that opened50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0eZlCXulJ
into the prison. “If you want to open the door you’ll need this key.” He50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLegAPHJzdW
unclipped one of them then handed it to Vander. “Leave him in one piece. I50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr134pH7hqo
think the King wanted him interrogated tomorrow.”
“Might not be needed if we can get50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2Y2Tumooa
the information out of him tonight.” Cuvera frowned. “Thank you.” He opened the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4QKMBcai7
door then stepped inside. Thanking the two Blades, Vander then followed his50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlltm1krFzk
friend.
Thankfully the royal dungeons50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6hRHgrNZz
weren’t used too often so there was only one person, and he was locked in the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZFO8A70AS
cell farthest from the door without any windows or ventilation. The space stank50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu8aD6zp70
of unwashed body odor and festering wound and that was something no amount of50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvodEYPCYui
cleaner could remove. At least there were no rats or cockroaches waiting to50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53a4emxwEX
feast on you, but it made it painfully boring being here on your own. Vander50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ651CU6LDfN
was surprised the assassin hadn’t gone crazy in the days he hadn’t been here.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwcD6EctxW
Most went insane after the first.
The assassin looked worse than50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW9wlfVhJX
Vander remembered. He must have gotten roughed up when he was brought down50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanGt476n4B
here. His eyes were swollen and there were bloodied bandages wrapped around his50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSABX10STPi
stomach. All he had was his tattered cloak to protect him from the chill. Moldy50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZgQx9mwO0
bread and hard stew sat in bowls inside of the cell, untouched.
“So, this is the man who jumped50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRAiPgQHmR
you in the alley.” Cuvera frowned. “He looks likes any of the bums I’d trip50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBEhC0KuYO
over in the slums, not a scary assassin.”
“Give me a knife and we shall see50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wboCxka2G
how scary I am.” The man growled. He looked up from under his cloak and while50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFH8p7dMrz
Vander could see the determination in his eyes, he knew the assassin could50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8TwUvGjrA
barely stand let alone hold a knife.
“Someone with balls I like that.”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UDkOCkry9
Cuvera took the key from Vander’s hand then used it to unlock the cell. The50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfIbW8tbJ8
door swung open, but before Vander could stop him, Cuvera walked inside, kicked50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg9KbMMTL2
over some of the bowls, then punched the assassin in the face. Blood splattered50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKOXi7s39y
the ground, but he didn’t stop at one. He punched the man several times until50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFJ3Pmql22
he heard teeth hit the stone floor. The man groaned as Cuvera kicked him in the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL4BApx7Fp
side. He would have continued if Vander hadn’t grabbed him around the waist and50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSHocaDO0P
throw him to the side.
“Stop.” Vander blocked the prince50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz58gBt18La
from going near the assassin causing his friend to squint his eyes in anger.
“He tried to kill you Vander and50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHbqMcFR2h
you’re just going to stand there and not punish him?” he asked. “Where are your50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRKkBU3t3U
balls?”
“It’s not my place to torture him,50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1wqxmZmAF
Cuvera.” Vander scoffed. He looked down at the man who curled back up into a50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdcG2WARM2
ball instead of standing up. He didn’t even wipe the blood from his mouth. “There50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyssE7HFUwK
is information he has that we need, but it’s up to my grandfather and your50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sLkxndnlG
father to decide who gets to do it.”
“Why are we waiting around?”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6zqX6MbJ2
Cuvera asked. “He knows where those bastards went who ordered my father50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS2hl16Qfn
poisoned.” He violently kicked one of the bowls, so it shattered against the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKfh5mj3o4
wall. “This is so annoying.”
“Someone tried to poison the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1uNTOCOgP
King?” The assassin laughed. “I know nothing about that. My orders were to kill50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6VbIvrY3X
a Blade. My friends and I were given the time and place. We didn’t know it was50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJDN59ULIz
going to be you.”
“Do you know who ordered the hit?”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR4uhx99kl
Vander asked.
“It’s not my place to know.” The50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW9S5rcBYG
man shrugged. “I just follow orders. That’s all.” Vander strained to tell if he50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa1ny9wirL
was lying, but based on the steady beat of his heart, he was telling the truth.
“Tell me more about the poisoning50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48rD66wo1o
of my father.” Cuvera squats down in front of the assassin. “And I want to know50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LOjny7shi
everything.”
“I told you princeling,” he said50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UsGfj77v6
with a sneer. “I know nothing about that.”
“Which group do you belong too?”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIhLjVdem9
Vander asked. The assassin fell silent, but his eyes smoldered with rage.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qnOHAMsqG
“There are ways I can use to find out.” The assassin stuck his chin out50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNSfAyLTbx
indignantly.
“Hold him.” Cuvera demanded. “This50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTtR561HIX
is an order as your prince, not a request from a friend.” Nodding his head,50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GQvwCwZMS
Vander grabbed the assassin then held him against the wall, so his feet were50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthKtAQQz7U
dangling. Even though he struggled, he wasn’t strong enough to do anything50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFjEqIrQsr
after days of not eating. So, after a few seconds he hung there like a limp50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcXYvfbr3v
noodle. “Knife.” Vander removed a knife from his belt then placed it in his50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr9fPWanlg
friend’s outstretched hand.
Cuvera placed the knife against50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE5KsQzjE9
the man’s arm then cut open the sleeve. He wasn’t gentle doing it drawing a50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkX2GvOMGB
little bit of blood in the process. He pulled the rest down to reveal a heavily50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLtK5gj40t
muscled, but bare arm. Frowning, he moved onto the next arm with the same50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutWtcNuB6C
result. He clicked his tongue annoyed as he walked around the assassin who50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuXfEQvJPn
likely knew what he wanted but wasn’t in the mood to help.
“Make him kneel.” Vander pulled50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX4mlntKoI
the man off the wall placing him on the ground. Then he kicked out both knees50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT74kgA6dFZ
making him cry out in pain, but he fell to the ground placing his hands out in50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnMj1v7f5s
front of him to catch himself. Vander gripped the back of his neck then50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZsCr1g8c3
squeezed causing a small cry of pain to squeak out of the assassin, but he50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWxdBcBB9G
didn’t move.
“You won’t get your answers by50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nWadCbAqt
torturing me.” He rasped. “I’ve been through far more than you have.” Without50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK86S1D24yG
warning, Cuvera slammed the knife into the man’s shirt then ripped downward.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpetiBh6K1U
The man stifled his screams as the knife tip bit into his flesh.
Vander wasn’t50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhWeQIPQvp
sure what the prince was after, but it became clear once he parted the bleeding50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBq4sirbOC
shirt from the back to reveal an emblem that sent chills down his spine. It was50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XtUYf6kd3
an entwined green snake tattoo with a sword shoved through the mouth and50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2Z2FyX4lO
through the back. Even though he hadn’t seen it before, he knew that this was50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQT5bPyNMy
the emblem of the Green Serpents.
“Well, we have50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3CLm27MPt
one answer.” Cuvera smiled. “We know you are a Serpent and that lines up nicely50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhY4VBXfP5
with the intelligence that we already have.”
“I already told50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTDb4SjlmB
you,” the assassin shivered. “We had nothing to do with the King’s illness. It50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtr8ajauEx
wasn’t us.”
“Vander.” Cuvera50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpzCKAZfOY
stepped back but tilted his head towards the assassin. Sighing, Vander hauled50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF1JWqARvI
the guy up to his feet then punched him in the stomach. The man doubled over50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cLEJua0Bq
but Vander brought his knee up right into his jaw. The assassin stumbled50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtig3AHI0De
backwards, but he quickly righted himself. He spat out a wad of blood at50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqRGwuHNnz
Vander, hitting him in the face. As he struggled to wipe the blood away, the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9mr44w65C
assassin tackled Vander pushing him into the bars. He let out a cry of pain but50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOgpJWooKt
recovered quickly. He brought both fists down onto the assassin’s back slamming50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEXaa5CxcH
him into the ground. The assassin tried to crawl away, but Vander grabbed his50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVI3yzD1vs
leg pulling him back in.
The two of them50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8SvAAyEY1
fought while Cuvera sat there with a small grin on his face. The fight ended50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnyHr0TZ1Y
when Vander drove his elbow into the man’s already damaged jaw. That final blow50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSyYgzJSLW
was enough to dislocate it then to keep him from crying out, a blow to the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd5mgWs4Dk
temple rendered him unconscious. Vander got up, staggered for a second, before50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6jjCoHLoj
fixing himself.
“Why did you make50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMZo0svFDl
me do that?” he asked the prince.
“I didn’t make50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2wmpZHDzY
you do anything.” The prince shrugged. “It looked like you need to release some50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JMq3dq6pC
rage, so I merely gave you the opportunity, plus we learned something in the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeoRo6fr8d
process. Come on let’s go.”
Vander looked50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTZNk8egvg
down at the assassin before following his friend out of the cell and back50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzvA7i0yAt
towards the door. Cuvera didn’t say anything as they left, but Vander whispered50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPkZJUOZd3
to send a healer for the man inside. The guards nodded their head but didn’t50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCM2zOYXpK
move. They would wait a few minutes before ‘discovering’ that the man had tried50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwpY0Y375B
to harm himself. It wasn’t the first time they did something like this.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Zs22a5MG
However, the King would find out then there would be hell to pay.
“Man, that was50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzsMEHOrDG
awesome.” Cuvera cheered. “You were so badass when you were beating him. You50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeSRrwophH
got to teach me how to fight.”
“If I remember50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS3tZOhxfH
correctly that didn’t go so well the last time.” Vander mused. He held his hand50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDxvGpygXv
out for the knife then promptly sheathed it as to not arouse suspicion. Last50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm32QYrfttn
time Vander had tried to teach the prince how to fight, they were ten years50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71l1AAi5FO
old, and one punch was enough to send him crying to his mother. The King50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7piRx7TiH
shortly put a stop to that.
“This time be50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Lxdva41M
different.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m in peak physical condition.” He threw a50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZSypbo5QD
couple of jabs into the air. Normally Vander would have laughed, but he had50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmkKhWM6oi
just been ordered to beat a broken man and it didn’t sit right with him. Cuvera50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw645cCdgZ
had his moments, but he wasn’t cruel. This was out of character for him,50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t1Xc0Af7G
hearing about his father almost dying must have spooked him enough to act.
They made their50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFiXSQUUQO
way through the castle heading back towards Cuvera’s apartment. They saw a50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTmUh18Ieu
couple of noblemen with their escorts, but they all bowed their heads once they50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9BqIis25k
realized it was the prince which allowed Vander to go unnoticed. He still50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVnOhArNWs
hadn’t covered from his other injuries and now he could add fresh ones to the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE4LPck0O3
list. Despite being weakened, that assassin wasn’t a push over. He got in a few50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQatsbFy0r
strikes causing some pain in the process. Despite the quicker healing he had,50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSh6ty2Fbc
these injuries would still take a bit.
Vander noticed it50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHaTaciLKN
before Cuvera, but there were two people waiting for them inside of his room.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsLPgvTzyy
He relaxed once he recognized their scents as Eliza and Kiara. Shea must like50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNawYGzUF9p
them because he didn’t sense any distress from their bond. If anything, she50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9TIR3MbBk
felt joy and excitement. Vander decided to keep his mouth shut about the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl789VxfOqC
visitors, his little dose of payback.
“Let’s get50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNalGarQy38
something to drink.” Cuvera gripped the door handle. But when he pushed it open50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFyGORCNL5
his face fell. “Shit.” He whispered.
Kiara was sitting50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN6o3MnEs7
on the couch running her hands through Shea’s fur. Shea was standing on top of50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5K96W4uiS
her knees licking her face as she laughed. Eliza was standing behind her sister50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A2Jpw9fZP
with a bemused expression on her face. Upon hearing the door open, the two women50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkRE8ShxZp
turned to look at them. Eliza nodded her head respectfully, but anger flooded50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3neZKHhQE1
Eliza’s .
Both had changed50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca1qxPdzoh
their outfits to match the cooler climate of Eluvia. Eliza had been given a50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEJXMaOqTN
long blue dress, but was wearing an orange shawl over her arms, an ode to her50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXTbhqIWZd
home country. Eliza was given slacks, a blue shirt and a jacket that looked a50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQXNgYL8fD
lot like a Blades. Her hair had been pulled back into a tight ponytail. She50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DMxSt3Knl
gave Vander a small smile then she turned back to look at her sister.
“You were50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqwB2zeZje
supposed to escort me around the castle.” She growled. She got up from the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZflqiAwrC
couch and stormed over towards them. “Where have you been?” Vander quickly50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIouaVwUXC
tried to slink back into the shadows, but she caught him. “You’re not going50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2TmGS08U8
anywhere.” She snapped. Her face softened once she saw the blood on his face.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bb8RfT7CT
“Are you injured?” she asked.
“It’s nothing.”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKW2SO864o
Vander tried to hide it, but Kiara grabbed him. Vander hissed in pain, so she50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv3joUMdGc
removed her hand.
“Eliza, can you50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1wJ1aflo4
tend to his wounds so I can have a chat with my fiancé?” she asked. “Please50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74nT3PKduV
don’t fight me on this Vander, I’d hate for our friendship to start on a bad50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKTpxp5yTX
foot.” He looked towards Cuvera, but he averted his eyes.
“As you wish.”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MgzUtCmrn
Vander bowed his head.
“This way.” Eliza50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBrrAFVaby
escorted him to the bathroom then she shut the door. Moments later he could50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90tezCA0nk
hear Kiara yelling at him, but he couldn’t hear what was being said. “Undress.”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvZBeY1cKL
Eliza said.
“Excuse me?” he50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ2i3cAwRS
asked.
“You’re not the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRUJlQ9jPd
first man I’ve seen naked.” She scoffed. “And I doubt you’ll be the last.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WCrryabQr
Undress so I can see what I’m working with.” He hesitated, but due to her50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhuX9yatX9
incessant staring he did as she asked. Moments later his clothes were in the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ80kFTnoYQ
corner of the floor as he stood there not even bothering to cover himself. If50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgLOMbwPBZ
she wasn’t embarrassed, neither would he.
She looked at him50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj6Dxa54wV
over tracing the scars on his body lightly with her fingertips. The gentle50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOOazUt4rF
touch caused him to shiver which placed a delicate smile on her face. Looking50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeZUdzwnnf
down at himself, he noticed more bruises than he thought spreading across his50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcmm0wnkz9
body. However, nothing compared to the giant bruise along his back. When she50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAOLunEQXp
touched it, he was filled with such immense pain he almost turned around to50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cAd2490M8
punch her in the face.
“You’ve been50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVrUmApPR7
involved in multiple fights recently.” She muttered. “But this one seems50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQnkS3qSRE
recent. I heard the person who tired to kill you is locked in the dungeons. Is50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwpaowQW4u
that where you were?”
“Yes.” Vander50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XlnrVCke5
said. He wasn’t sure how she knew about the assassination attempt on him or50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM1VAY0GjX
where he was located. He suspected Bricen’s spies told her, but there was no50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6R3bZ9grE
way of knowing for sure.
“You shouldn’t50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ0iHOm2vd
beat those who can’t fight back.” She said. “It’s not a good look, especially50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4qbkGkDS7
for a Blade.”
“Even if the50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIFgxM3ROo
prince ordered you too?” she didn’t say anything else after that. She applied50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtVj7EqUb6
some salve onto his wounds and the numbing cold allowed him to finally relax.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wkkN7tVGY
Once she was done she told him to put his clothes on while she went out to talk50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRopzL8sGKX
to Kiara. When he got outside he saw that Cuvera was nowhere to be found.
“I told him to50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bVOXSVx0l
tell his father what happened as well as what you discovered.” Kiara said. “He50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7lqPTOLV8
didn’t want to leave me, but I said you were here to protect me if I needed it.50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanRNbAEr2R
Now, I’m asking you to escort me around the castle. Are you up for it?”
“Yes.” Vander50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjJM0qQmKn
bowed his head. She turned to look up at Eliza who nodded her head in50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1ge4YByzS
agreement.
“Good thing your50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EWkmR1bqn
fight with the assassin didn’t go worse or I’d have gone without an escort.”50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyijTQZrm4
She grinned.
“Someone would50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYfj7KTzFe
have taken you around when I couldn’t.” Vander explained. “We tend not to let50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklSG404Abh
those of the royal family go without one, even within the castle.”
“You Eluvians are50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOuk3YAIf6
so protective.” She sighed. “You should really let your noblemen learn to fight50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH7a5bYGv7
for themselves.”
“Do you know how50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO6r7pYEHz
to fight?”
“It’s rude to ask50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1hKgUtQm4
a lady,” she grinned. “But perhaps if you’re nice I’ll give you a50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjgt7mmPtI
demonstration.” Eliza coughed into her hand. “Alright, escort. Let’s go.” She50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vd7Lh4TZq
got up off the couch and headed towards the door. Vander hesitated for a moment50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8AvDW2c3q
then followed. Shea stayed where she was in front of the couch.
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“Let’s go.” He50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXf4Q0jHRs
said to her. She quickly got up and raced out the door nearly knocking Kiara50Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjhkeqLibU
over in the process.
