Chapter 14
“I see, so that’s what120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRER1B1pzkz
happened.” Vander was sitting in Cuvera’s room on a blue couch while his friend120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYxgeHJZYt
reclined on the other smoking on his pipe. Cuvera had excused himself from the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nWy1Gtm6y
party early under the guise of being tired, but he made sure to slip Vander a120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBffUQPKca
note on his way out telling him to meet him in his apartment ten minutes later120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFxHgAZs3Y
to not arouse suspicion. He half expected Kiara to be there when he arrived,120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJvE8XqRjM
but he had been told that they wouldn’t share a room until they were married120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKSlobe40W
per her customs.
“Are you angry?” Vander asked,120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuySljdmtBE
rubbed his hands together. He didn’t look up at his friend the entire time he120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmxZefJIYr
explained what happened during the prince’s absence as he was too afraid as to120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxIbCcWCxU
what he might say.
“Why would I be angry?” Cuvera120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEBSs45P6h
asked. Vander looked up to see confusion etched on his face. “You saved my120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIqK2zxyo1
father’s life; I’m surprised he hadn’t given you a parade to celebrate. Did he120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fiu409sAn
offer you anything at all?”
“No,” Vander shook his head. “He120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFuGEK9ybY
wanted to keep everything quiet because it wouldn’t be wise to let the people120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxfX4l1pfR
know how close he was t death. He didn’t want to start a riot or anything.”
“Sounds like him.” Cuvera snorted120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOUInJKyfI
taking another hit on his pipe. Smoke billowed out as he continued to speak. “Have120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavpNfWXk7J
you had a chance to interrogate the prisoner yet? I bet he has some details120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF7wHo3q8B
that he should share with the class.”
“Not yet.” Vander hesitated. “I’ve120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdYaEStEps
been busy.”
“Well, there is no time like the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8FLcg9quf
present.” Cuvera got up from the couch then disappeared into his room. He120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9x61JG6Wm
reappeared moments later wearing a Blade uniform with a hood to obscure his120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4CeU4WqLE
features. He strapped a fake sword to his belt. It would pass as a real one120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhi1WSkyd3
sheathed, but the blade itself was made from rubber. It would fail if anyone120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxySEXPXthV
asked him about it.
“You should rest.” Vander shook120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09ReC2r2eB
his head. “You only just arrived home. Surely this could wait for another day.”
“And miss the chance to see who120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyWIXvq1zb
tried to kill my father?” Cuvera scoffed. “Nonsense. Plus, based on how you’re120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U0BCXKY5Z
past year has gone, I think you could use the chance to unleash your pent-up120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJslF54Ibm
anger. Come on, this will be fun.”
Never one to say no to his oldest120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WDLrn4puK
friend, Vander relented then followed his friend out the door and deeper into120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWqvPOc5Tq
the castle.
The dungeons were in the bowels of120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORbr8nMopC
the ground underneath the castle walls. It was on the same plane as the Pitts,120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcrux8rYTP
but very few people knew that. As far as people knew, dungeons didn’t exist.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp5jbA2uzD
They believed that all prisoners of the crown were sent to Jewelthorne’s mines120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkjDK0deiq
to live out their days mining precious resources until the day they died, and120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4VhRkkH2S
that was true for most prisoners. However, those who tried to take out nobility120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5vH8tHYO0
or members of the crown, a fresh hell waited for them.
The dungeons were on the other120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2nJ68ez1x
side of a secret panel that opened by pulling a torch handle located within the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91WaLaSC6c
cellars. Vander grabbed the torch so they could see, but Cuvera walked down120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AKOuuxTOb
without hesitation. The cellars were cold and damp with a winding staircase120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oH8soSJLT
that led several stories down. It was a pain to clean, so many of the servants120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwtxtxKAPt
didn’t bother leaving cobwebs and dust everywhere. Only those being punished120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAMBWTfJsB
were every told to come down here, so many were on their best behavior.
When they stepped off onto the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44xezBLYxc
ground, they spotted two Blades guarding the door that would lead into the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLR00GYkDv
actual prison. They were tough, tougher than most Blades, who took their job120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzwUm33sLx
seriously. No one would be allowed through without prior authorization, unless120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPHEA0wm0H
you were the King or Prince.
“Stop where you are.” One of the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T82qeaPlB
voices boomed. They lowered their pikes, so the tips were pointed at Cuvera and120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUGHd1Qx2a
Vander. “No one is allowed through here, even if you are Blades.”
“Oh sorry.” Cuvera removed his120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfnshjx0pB
hood revealing a glimmering smile. “I didn’t want to be seen by any other. Is120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ9u6yQbTq
it alright if we go in? I’d hate to use my status, but…” He let that threat120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxfF2Be4Fj
hang in that air allowing the guards to figure the rest out.
“We are under direct orders from120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBrTqSVGks
Lord Cranton,” they hesitated. However, they knew the Prince out ranked him.
“I’ll deal with the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7yIqjFE5n
repercussions.” Vander nodded. “Let us through.”
“As you wish.” One of the guards120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCzLLbCJmo
removed a set of keys from his belt then unlocked the steel door that opened120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtPT2mnyvJ
into the prison. “If you want to open the door you’ll need this key.” He120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO4GgD6kKs
unclipped one of them then handed it to Vander. “Leave him in one piece. I120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHykA49QRP
think the King wanted him interrogated tomorrow.”
“Might not be needed if we can get120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh37w8b5mGg
the information out of him tonight.” Cuvera frowned. “Thank you.” He opened the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aOdLoXACG
door then stepped inside. Thanking the two Blades, Vander then followed his120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKFiADFFpB
friend.
Thankfully the royal dungeons120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsApqnJg4y
weren’t used too often so there was only one person, and he was locked in the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJULXOGIdU
cell farthest from the door without any windows or ventilation. The space stank120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox3H7qkHqK
of unwashed body odor and festering wound and that was something no amount of120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7amJqVEuMK
cleaner could remove. At least there were no rats or cockroaches waiting to120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ8spWyGzO
feast on you, but it made it painfully boring being here on your own. Vander120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaS3aucMxd
was surprised the assassin hadn’t gone crazy in the days he hadn’t been here.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVsSfZYDKy
Most went insane after the first.
The assassin looked worse than120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmlpydjDiK
Vander remembered. He must have gotten roughed up when he was brought down120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpdJZLOsey
here. His eyes were swollen and there were bloodied bandages wrapped around his120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXIEGHDotB
stomach. All he had was his tattered cloak to protect him from the chill. Moldy120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzBPBPMXqu
bread and hard stew sat in bowls inside of the cell, untouched.
“So, this is the man who jumped120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluFWjMRlPO
you in the alley.” Cuvera frowned. “He looks likes any of the bums I’d trip120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vT29Yj9sN
over in the slums, not a scary assassin.”
“Give me a knife and we shall see120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTpJWes9qy
how scary I am.” The man growled. He looked up from under his cloak and while120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwi3EDwtF1
Vander could see the determination in his eyes, he knew the assassin could120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdMivULy1w
barely stand let alone hold a knife.
“Someone with balls I like that.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF5WVkXBNx
Cuvera took the key from Vander’s hand then used it to unlock the cell. The120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kLZL0U2LB
door swung open, but before Vander could stop him, Cuvera walked inside, kicked120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLERZGxl9U
over some of the bowls, then punched the assassin in the face. Blood splattered120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEsNunFeDT
the ground, but he didn’t stop at one. He punched the man several times until120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1MOzqai26
he heard teeth hit the stone floor. The man groaned as Cuvera kicked him in the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBdN4G8ECc
side. He would have continued if Vander hadn’t grabbed him around the waist and120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gc460EiPN
throw him to the side.
“Stop.” Vander blocked the prince120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8ZdopgxWy
from going near the assassin causing his friend to squint his eyes in anger.
“He tried to kill you Vander and120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5DWl18NXg
you’re just going to stand there and not punish him?” he asked. “Where are your120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeMKM5wcUS
balls?”
“It’s not my place to torture him,120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXfrvXxFW3
Cuvera.” Vander scoffed. He looked down at the man who curled back up into a120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLimewArMHe
ball instead of standing up. He didn’t even wipe the blood from his mouth. “There120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ7IhiGn4m
is information he has that we need, but it’s up to my grandfather and your120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrNq95XS7F
father to decide who gets to do it.”
“Why are we waiting around?”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl2vY8YU4I
Cuvera asked. “He knows where those bastards went who ordered my father120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6HrHTi45X
poisoned.” He violently kicked one of the bowls, so it shattered against the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i7bOFrqtZ
wall. “This is so annoying.”
“Someone tried to poison the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzHzJJIMWo
King?” The assassin laughed. “I know nothing about that. My orders were to kill120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvjhY44a0t
a Blade. My friends and I were given the time and place. We didn’t know it was120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHhjbneoVP
going to be you.”
“Do you know who ordered the hit?”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeJQYdGSgO
Vander asked.
“It’s not my place to know.” The120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIENDMYZZQb
man shrugged. “I just follow orders. That’s all.” Vander strained to tell if he120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0oYW7okU0
was lying, but based on the steady beat of his heart, he was telling the truth.
“Tell me more about the poisoning120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJP2FGVDEg
of my father.” Cuvera squats down in front of the assassin. “And I want to know120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjY31sc7Ce
everything.”
“I told you princeling,” he said120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFJp299J2r
with a sneer. “I know nothing about that.”
“Which group do you belong too?”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKhEHBcV1n
Vander asked. The assassin fell silent, but his eyes smoldered with rage.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf85zqHxSZ7
“There are ways I can use to find out.” The assassin stuck his chin out120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp5l6Uaewm
indignantly.
“Hold him.” Cuvera demanded. “This120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHrM0q9P1g
is an order as your prince, not a request from a friend.” Nodding his head,120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLalfwJmkVB
Vander grabbed the assassin then held him against the wall, so his feet were120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunHhi2hIjU
dangling. Even though he struggled, he wasn’t strong enough to do anything120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7duigrtKYp
after days of not eating. So, after a few seconds he hung there like a limp120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2uA3RMRwf
noodle. “Knife.” Vander removed a knife from his belt then placed it in his120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5xyVwqGuD
friend’s outstretched hand.
Cuvera placed the knife against120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhxy3OPgpG
the man’s arm then cut open the sleeve. He wasn’t gentle doing it drawing a120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjwroSl7MY
little bit of blood in the process. He pulled the rest down to reveal a heavily120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT63k6bZap
muscled, but bare arm. Frowning, he moved onto the next arm with the same120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtuBdlVcD0
result. He clicked his tongue annoyed as he walked around the assassin who120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3Vaix0Mo2
likely knew what he wanted but wasn’t in the mood to help.
“Make him kneel.” Vander pulled120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88XWiAwxLh
the man off the wall placing him on the ground. Then he kicked out both knees120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn1UCXKgJ3
making him cry out in pain, but he fell to the ground placing his hands out in120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fIDg57qAy
front of him to catch himself. Vander gripped the back of his neck then120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKfvQVjmLD
squeezed causing a small cry of pain to squeak out of the assassin, but he120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CAPvCbqZM
didn’t move.
“You won’t get your answers by120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrhpFPf30U
torturing me.” He rasped. “I’ve been through far more than you have.” Without120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhm5VgIUiU
warning, Cuvera slammed the knife into the man’s shirt then ripped downward.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV0uUqAnUg
The man stifled his screams as the knife tip bit into his flesh.
Vander wasn’t120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecomuYkyQR
sure what the prince was after, but it became clear once he parted the bleeding120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCOv2Na5qG
shirt from the back to reveal an emblem that sent chills down his spine. It was120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXMHNgZFJ4
an entwined green snake tattoo with a sword shoved through the mouth and120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCFxjEjRnx
through the back. Even though he hadn’t seen it before, he knew that this was120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY7y29omKB
the emblem of the Green Serpents.
“Well, we have120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraRHE0bWfG
one answer.” Cuvera smiled. “We know you are a Serpent and that lines up nicely120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPK6aWGib3
with the intelligence that we already have.”
“I already told120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuiY1JujZY
you,” the assassin shivered. “We had nothing to do with the King’s illness. It120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LxMyCrjet
wasn’t us.”
“Vander.” Cuvera120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjGqYNkyLD
stepped back but tilted his head towards the assassin. Sighing, Vander hauled120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsPTgovbC5
the guy up to his feet then punched him in the stomach. The man doubled over120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLRJH7n00a
but Vander brought his knee up right into his jaw. The assassin stumbled120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneKjvcdjHY
backwards, but he quickly righted himself. He spat out a wad of blood at120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6SwxU5YnC
Vander, hitting him in the face. As he struggled to wipe the blood away, the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4EVML5ga0
assassin tackled Vander pushing him into the bars. He let out a cry of pain but120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDLD6G32LC
recovered quickly. He brought both fists down onto the assassin’s back slamming120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitygBmkmGJ
him into the ground. The assassin tried to crawl away, but Vander grabbed his120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5gJ31L2RB
leg pulling him back in.
The two of them120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8WleMM26X
fought while Cuvera sat there with a small grin on his face. The fight ended120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6pmd45Vkq
when Vander drove his elbow into the man’s already damaged jaw. That final blow120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCdJNalWQT
was enough to dislocate it then to keep him from crying out, a blow to the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYahVVh9uLx
temple rendered him unconscious. Vander got up, staggered for a second, before120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo66m52Q2Nt
fixing himself.
“Why did you make120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbLW3A4tdV
me do that?” he asked the prince.
“I didn’t make120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HhWhOYFIk
you do anything.” The prince shrugged. “It looked like you need to release some120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30cc2ytqsb
rage, so I merely gave you the opportunity, plus we learned something in the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusNzI3zon8
process. Come on let’s go.”
Vander looked120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo2iulMqBu
down at the assassin before following his friend out of the cell and back120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDiwGj8zL7
towards the door. Cuvera didn’t say anything as they left, but Vander whispered120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfHeBE0Z1I
to send a healer for the man inside. The guards nodded their head but didn’t120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge73lPYsZ4
move. They would wait a few minutes before ‘discovering’ that the man had tried120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5jcTG9lmB
to harm himself. It wasn’t the first time they did something like this.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt5Z0KH6nJ
However, the King would find out then there would be hell to pay.
“Man, that was120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2Imh6lm35
awesome.” Cuvera cheered. “You were so badass when you were beating him. You120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPril7CitdU
got to teach me how to fight.”
“If I remember120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vJ2d7dLR4
correctly that didn’t go so well the last time.” Vander mused. He held his hand120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G3D0ftjrm
out for the knife then promptly sheathed it as to not arouse suspicion. Last120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCexRV3XvAW
time Vander had tried to teach the prince how to fight, they were ten years120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrlz626jZn
old, and one punch was enough to send him crying to his mother. The King120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe5KKLF7GZ
shortly put a stop to that.
“This time be120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNr9lgXks7
different.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m in peak physical condition.” He threw a120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPMeIm2TH2
couple of jabs into the air. Normally Vander would have laughed, but he had120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1geIUEX7gK
just been ordered to beat a broken man and it didn’t sit right with him. Cuvera120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknm2jdoUr0
had his moments, but he wasn’t cruel. This was out of character for him,120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu2uFCEtCj
hearing about his father almost dying must have spooked him enough to act.
They made their120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8d6gwFlre
way through the castle heading back towards Cuvera’s apartment. They saw a120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmQ6m1yR26
couple of noblemen with their escorts, but they all bowed their heads once they120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1mo4YIiGv
realized it was the prince which allowed Vander to go unnoticed. He still120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4OacHeVQ5
hadn’t covered from his other injuries and now he could add fresh ones to the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ182tvcAlep
list. Despite being weakened, that assassin wasn’t a push over. He got in a few120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ni3zvHqL7
strikes causing some pain in the process. Despite the quicker healing he had,120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PDpxDxQru
these injuries would still take a bit.
Vander noticed it120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xH0kyIqBk
before Cuvera, but there were two people waiting for them inside of his room.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HtybEpCm8
He relaxed once he recognized their scents as Eliza and Kiara. Shea must like120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7RdrmHWlW
them because he didn’t sense any distress from their bond. If anything, she120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe6kAFr2lt
felt joy and excitement. Vander decided to keep his mouth shut about the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggsGwF0lh6
visitors, his little dose of payback.
“Let’s get120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j80jJz2WX
something to drink.” Cuvera gripped the door handle. But when he pushed it open120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtcQi05x0v
his face fell. “Shit.” He whispered.
Kiara was sitting120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbl1AzFQvO
on the couch running her hands through Shea’s fur. Shea was standing on top of120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXydk4lzqS
her knees licking her face as she laughed. Eliza was standing behind her sister120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6J0mOZSTH
with a bemused expression on her face. Upon hearing the door open, the two women120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWe93IN9uB
turned to look at them. Eliza nodded her head respectfully, but anger flooded120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgOd8rQFj3
Eliza’s .
Both had changed120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEC16D5LlK
their outfits to match the cooler climate of Eluvia. Eliza had been given a120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcVaQEfGhP
long blue dress, but was wearing an orange shawl over her arms, an ode to her120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr43dtlBcR0
home country. Eliza was given slacks, a blue shirt and a jacket that looked a120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnHAKCRP4I
lot like a Blades. Her hair had been pulled back into a tight ponytail. She120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTtRmF4tdP
gave Vander a small smile then she turned back to look at her sister.
“You were120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7GoUWQ8Xt
supposed to escort me around the castle.” She growled. She got up from the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNZWIDzG44
couch and stormed over towards them. “Where have you been?” Vander quickly120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz23E4J3AuM
tried to slink back into the shadows, but she caught him. “You’re not going120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbGVJeb9Mk
anywhere.” She snapped. Her face softened once she saw the blood on his face.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJOND0qbrR
“Are you injured?” she asked.
“It’s nothing.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM9uoK8MOt
Vander tried to hide it, but Kiara grabbed him. Vander hissed in pain, so she120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFM4VgXI70
removed her hand.
“Eliza, can you120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjomhhlzHO
tend to his wounds so I can have a chat with my fiancé?” she asked. “Please120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFqswGhfQ7
don’t fight me on this Vander, I’d hate for our friendship to start on a bad120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx43nm9BpY
foot.” He looked towards Cuvera, but he averted his eyes.
“As you wish.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP69GClTBR
Vander bowed his head.
“This way.” Eliza120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5S0scuNpK
escorted him to the bathroom then she shut the door. Moments later he could120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljo1V4PmZC
hear Kiara yelling at him, but he couldn’t hear what was being said. “Undress.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzarJ30DQSG
Eliza said.
“Excuse me?” he120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoXnfkIqic
asked.
“You’re not the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiXPSxU5a4
first man I’ve seen naked.” She scoffed. “And I doubt you’ll be the last.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKiF48N7mr
Undress so I can see what I’m working with.” He hesitated, but due to her120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXKJj6sESo
incessant staring he did as she asked. Moments later his clothes were in the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthsISzehPz
corner of the floor as he stood there not even bothering to cover himself. If120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIvzGh7npL
she wasn’t embarrassed, neither would he.
She looked at him120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrsviXIWgs
over tracing the scars on his body lightly with her fingertips. The gentle120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vzbcPEKzz
touch caused him to shiver which placed a delicate smile on her face. Looking120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWQ9ytkFeb
down at himself, he noticed more bruises than he thought spreading across his120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQTk6FZt9W
body. However, nothing compared to the giant bruise along his back. When she120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfakSnDBap
touched it, he was filled with such immense pain he almost turned around to120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuFo6Leq98
punch her in the face.
“You’ve been120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfuZbzYCm6
involved in multiple fights recently.” She muttered. “But this one seems120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRgK195Ejk
recent. I heard the person who tired to kill you is locked in the dungeons. Is120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0V8RTDIw0
that where you were?”
“Yes.” Vander120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P595StOXA
said. He wasn’t sure how she knew about the assassination attempt on him or120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsIyxjIvS8
where he was located. He suspected Bricen’s spies told her, but there was no120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0OZtvwd6k
way of knowing for sure.
“You shouldn’t120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXeLllON1Y
beat those who can’t fight back.” She said. “It’s not a good look, especially120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVWSRgFKJP
for a Blade.”
“Even if the120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgcl8qYUx6
prince ordered you too?” she didn’t say anything else after that. She applied120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oxJJomekT
some salve onto his wounds and the numbing cold allowed him to finally relax.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dcPfqFHBV
Once she was done she told him to put his clothes on while she went out to talk120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE97qaOlqh7
to Kiara. When he got outside he saw that Cuvera was nowhere to be found.
“I told him to120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTApFXvGMk
tell his father what happened as well as what you discovered.” Kiara said. “He120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAdJMkU6J4
didn’t want to leave me, but I said you were here to protect me if I needed it.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDi8rfkH6D
Now, I’m asking you to escort me around the castle. Are you up for it?”
“Yes.” Vander120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59eIOEvRqq
bowed his head. She turned to look up at Eliza who nodded her head in120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsZ2btRRD8
agreement.
“Good thing your120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6dpYMoJPr
fight with the assassin didn’t go worse or I’d have gone without an escort.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR3TkGiUO1
She grinned.
“Someone would120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xTwBCAp5t
have taken you around when I couldn’t.” Vander explained. “We tend not to let120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErxjGoAa08
those of the royal family go without one, even within the castle.”
“You Eluvians are120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe2FlHS4Ch
so protective.” She sighed. “You should really let your noblemen learn to fight120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZnI2hWIwr
for themselves.”
“Do you know how120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxVZS3G2SS
to fight?”
“It’s rude to ask120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oIvrzt0cr
a lady,” she grinned. “But perhaps if you’re nice I’ll give you a120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEY1S8uWWf
demonstration.” Eliza coughed into her hand. “Alright, escort. Let’s go.” She120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4KwcVGuDZ
got up off the couch and headed towards the door. Vander hesitated for a moment120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNT28DJwx9
then followed. Shea stayed where she was in front of the couch.
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“Let’s go.” He120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr1SFN8Piq
said to her. She quickly got up and raced out the door nearly knocking Kiara120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1XSbaIdKl
over in the process.
