Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iuq38M5qH
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRSdoIOxTw
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNDKiYbXd0
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKC7btwvzC
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHaNZPEfIH
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom5zOofZhq
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4uowbNLXw
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRLLv2fun2
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05xbyverbj
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcuggVMUgr
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1ooOU7fkK
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Alkv1qFi
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yzE4AIkMg
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn73G39hG6n
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8w2tVsUMA
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClca35SrL1
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYt3ge5wou
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwI8Sb0xek
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGPHndIdHt
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9aD2XxUq0
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJyYvaoNXK
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KyVOhjvLr
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH8KbQHyx4
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xH12e8bpE
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF9zmqBet7
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD1ApgbsJk
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQsLGjnhqC
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMhBRmCeZ5
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbeTeuA39W
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5sG9WlAf9
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LWmZAN3OT
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLhvYBjmGq
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnKSue4d5T
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnv9uuPl61
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F0XHynkTp
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMcDAwwrnx
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkwVdvPvBu
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bg6wGbvFG
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFUBlV8pwZ
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgymw9fSH5
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4IJ86JvLY
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIipNO6Clz
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2nglj1cMa
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL64MXer52
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P4HbRpvTt
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGfI3MkCQP
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkuDWGVFnY
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3S83pxfFo
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAuYtoSUla
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItz7KYq08y
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHVlm6vUYt
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPED1ofOZiV
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDMM1JTRIJ
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ulqvEjfWs
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCFXnWBuYb
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblQ9H1GS4p
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtarTobMMfG
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99kiG5Upuj
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBHIiCzBdv
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeB7AayCVb
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXUHTbKNnJ
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwC5htoi4l
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SPbVcWvia
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfsZ8ybncJ
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKkY2b6Zlk
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSTfE3dBjN
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTE7303PTy
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek7jcTpxNq
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLotOzxIP9
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe1Ath94Vj
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvcloejvdS
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9kjOvyVru
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvc0I2UwrU
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVG8OL1mvV
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0wYAuPqNv
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKtHabdAQZ
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOwmmBs1W7
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0YR9NK6zB
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbapcoevvDQ
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYRytuJmSX
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnQbZr367a
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2lPn1np2Z
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFEd8BkQo4
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXSRIXf030
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF86uG6uS7
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU4XoEHVUs
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9OHVlpAuA
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEazgvAxmtk
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooqiaFLzEA
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkylbYEmin
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekv6Y2LTcM
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSpLhoKjj0
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO9jakgNeI
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0Q70NEg0R
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYxRTrIKfw
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoMYMUtH3E
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiymRAnWxky
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kd8GDSBsI
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSPG5OF8n6
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h6FA2Dk3R
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cFxWUL1J2
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUwgqCmUdl
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj532hQHqOT
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCxbBpzJKA
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiepvKWSUx
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxi2a3zPna
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk6XLPztbf
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR1ygqJrY1
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETbd4vcm3I
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7cnYHdSan
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOICegxBCgM
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2k2ndcMhk
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7x4rxcdlx
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Oa3t6t5OA
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSE3TY98OG
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0SeCTrqAW
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgesZijAnG
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKswIeBWRY
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoNOgH6DVc
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2jFcBzN4C
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ol2Hec2PU
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx51dBG8jAW
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGrVH78JwH
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTcUS4ApS6
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcERBgWvyp
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM340lX5Row
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lxgf4JhRm
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtLs3zGd2L
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6KDVwH3BR
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQwy9Obf64
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqF0A6MzJu
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVgEPbCYJh
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuUAigoaoo
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbnx0TX55B
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW990c2MdJ
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMrtRiIvmu
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUgTqYTjCp
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaI8XwmooB
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUqVICuupF
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ476JnPmHBA
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3rY2k1BJt
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Mdym63zX
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18zhojobSm
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZzBHf4u0Y
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShNjXK1bw3
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0yp6i19v4
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNPVuxQdlr
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG59xV9C198
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H8bz2j6gr
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD5O6jmXl8
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTk7lTrJAl
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul4Gexcj84
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYZ8prm1Ld
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLayhMWiRJ
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWGU3ViBQz
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3T1P3JQO0
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJEV9781wS
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziRNyFw5JW
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkTiBQv6lF
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnT8EPfiAE
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf54WODWUNE
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mSQWfssNY
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK3G1IEe9q
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9tDAS1WXJ
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tXXedKwqf
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgXrl9PTUe
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir1E6OivUb
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbMTSOSDjW
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlUzZtUpfG
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0evJCYZoR4
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIFHz3eH19
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSKIF9ang8
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe254pjCQi
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJOsM6pgx7
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzARKMnxNhw
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJufDQYlOGg
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN9Y1XhBRR
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe63CJCgg8
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliNYsl3TkV
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nVZWHvu1G
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAniZPGhFBu
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMZGNvPwPb
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMip5lUueX
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XpSD7Fg0T
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfIVMHUK2x
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo9DPUy3vR
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1IBMiRJQN
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh2gtddlAC
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm0zKvbyra
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee0JQpzX8h
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3qEJ0BuCE
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpceHQE93k
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n6JzpCWVF
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wqGuULW2u
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xBCc0GkgG
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mSuoHjIx2
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd7R82X2CR
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Q5dJ112O
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF1MiKkMNd
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6AuaDAV2Y
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMSfNMphnA
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ETmgtyWj5
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU3w8lauud
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqoYCxmSg0
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT3Fj1qF0I
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1WczghJgM
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgnpuGtgV1
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNcCl66iXC
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhU0Hs1sDy
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVdKs1S7Kh
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf30mQuMhy
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tP8gcrWZJ
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwPuWcOcFE
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51YGON57BK
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPvQPWG1Ya
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPyUY6S9SV
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgOjT7L6kc
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdai3vlqIkh
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DqAEUPupG
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALZpGBdnOV
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ987YeuwJj
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x2kIcI5wG
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJtCYA0eKM
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zVLKEg6rd
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm0vWDZqWf
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlyq45imw6
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKipnq0CFOY
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cW64v7sAL
Blades saluted.
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“Let’s get to it116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiHNFgtYce
then.” Vander saluted back.
