Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQHUoGAapk
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KLhb4OC8u
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0Z9lIc7Q6
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4DIc77qBB
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjUxdOTsUe
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlECrhuVzLj
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWhr9kQhqa
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscHbD1su6H
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I6w1vT79j
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdHrUpHWGk
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEPkj7AWqu
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUYJ4OpDcW
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7I9mZNTnf
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXxKu2Bo5c
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKAbB63Uvo
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCZoIdtwpq
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oYyxqwNXw
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDxfVsj1NQ
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08m5TYXgDQ
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2CWFJ6i6t
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot7eIXKgmC
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdxPEWYiNE
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVxAg4cxzc
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUYvLRjBzM
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9ibOR7Og6
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd2FpTAcTl
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQqD8UmU3A
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCY7WHl3ZI
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDkAH2GGat
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXENR6VmC1m
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUuzhfhWAF
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLccZb2VRIJ
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp0aSSoC3i
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsznorLNXb9
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsLv8Zx1A5
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeEplQ96J3
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBgVEAR8KF
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWssmPmmEut
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT65v3djP7a
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFlPFsV5na
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazXuTKxkaD
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiCLKPrIpe
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsQy0IRFpy
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PL5wyr7to
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQT4xN6WB6
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXkHPzgKKQ
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c3p4FWNM0
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLLZg7OLuA
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOCZzzKaDi
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoJOi8wp3U
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHTTaqgxd6
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIBUfckJg9
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtljS8sa6bB
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS8CYjzpi1
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsG7o7XvAv
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx2glHzY7P
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEFl6XqH9z
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbKsckvrsG
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hhRS909S2
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IkhD7COQe
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWbT1G3QJc
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfiUpAG7Ld
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYqiw7lCeY
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Ou7vUtd7
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1cznJhPuG
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GdDFSfORw
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdwyu6ZKe4
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRo4oNidAl
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdCWbVIO7R
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYsBrowb6J
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpP1p9MBdg
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZXvGlzymv
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISmsp9HwjI
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpPW19JZWG
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JcNEuZMR8
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzXpnAsLDH
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHntH8VtpEt
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPNV3fVCwK
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg2njQlxRo
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BhtXvqTJk
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp5Me0SEV5
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy3jVLTaNE
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GepYux1tI
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB9BYQI9fI
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N34vniTpx
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNEJepE8Ro
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtk6U7IuUG
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7oZRK7436
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjuGJGmjTj
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni9Sqw8eZn
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozOC0Vlmuv
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97IThsUFW1
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZBszZeJAt
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxq2pnIMVp
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkDnb9aKex
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyxfvO09QW
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPPzr4CHfu
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlt3CXUn7o
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAJSpFMmvC
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eIipTbQAO
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYmm0Z7BcX
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMNCbna0jI
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnpy2IR6ge
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbLkYspJyG
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrYw8mf1g7
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5McAPQnFc
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDaP9GCQO3
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BiIo13zVN
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5jt34d4mM
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo53mJwsrXW
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MkfM2k8OG
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivcfrid12r
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3HlWElaPb
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrP4Jmi3ip
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2LNLSDbmK
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP0hLOa24A
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTy26aFqej
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16LbbiJnVE
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fC7i2dFkO
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi8dOUkxYV
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOZAJ7anof
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuVwMC6Fvk
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ971udJSUiS
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhBiR57DFH
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveUWvf01Lh
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlY2VVik0x
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYAtUuG6fv
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCwPaAaZdE
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9XNs54eXU
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVxomXBBUZ
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnqtsvHBMM
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70S3my3ILd
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaj9p3lboB
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTHHY34xU0
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvbJWP9OsV
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls9Czlo6z9
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91rJwmuVI1
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX4FN8xrnO
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVFXmTIyz4
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqSIRVIbMc
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDNck3i8Fd
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyB3UG9KhF
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyGSPgil5C
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM6Ib3ekS8
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVLMv1zxKd
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM1fmBWZgg
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5VI5Q7Vxv
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP23bWKlVse
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNywIDez2Ee
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmBJqHSbcU
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIAzgeqB2S
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU639um0pAF
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbrd8Zvi2K
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcNYMBe1jC
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7AJ3SNp4B
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpwOk1XB3t
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkRWkdv7Qn
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjevyIi9RWx
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVujhJrWN8P
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCmP9StKWo
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3kwhp5mIf
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoNaIu3Ovj
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEDFVuYYjg
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHlnLFxPW8
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT5S9Vu5so
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV5dYG34Jz
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKBqd95bb5
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzqjjQzQJh
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pCLdF4omC
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUfDSpSCrP
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmh86ZqpZp
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB2s9yb6mO
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxXTiSOKTj
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8C60hGMbn
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp4a9Rhhdj
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyHPE9oLhF
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI5ogbcWUo
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF4JjGt3hw
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9wRXuT6LH
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t3Mbwgwqz
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafSahdF3Yk
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxABrt1q4bw
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9E2qan7eE
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhbY96Hr7S
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk9tojcpz4
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5fBmXfsXE
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcluCKMfZW
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmivTmaeQN
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gK9b5YL2N
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWfP1eiM1P
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9T5VsJqVw
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANL7l6KTeQ
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8bazQhTOt
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjg7BBnTnY
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpr9hE9Bwd
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpEEQpHCEx
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk8nALMUjr
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ZGKA2Idk
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPM30WZKY5
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ443a8tz4ZE
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQEJidKGRx
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIfFTXspfA
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAQtrNI5XY
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFejjvpChik
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw1bRMmuvA
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaY7sgCgmU
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6QoYXmyW9
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUecBq3KRCC
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCr4kWqzEy
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKa2R6DkbL
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyf1sJ4ZdL
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4XBK0KhfQ
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3EbpoFAg4
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy7eAEFr0p
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYMhYafgZZ
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUYW0VH9kW
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSPhbUN20s
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xiZvYRPAP
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfethbYxqW
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY9svU6WkV
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbUvYHtU5K
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunOybzXxWn
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmmdrGUEjl
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnv6kfpgeg
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRmrWkDfXh
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpw4JwyfT5
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmW6HTg3q7
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt89ebWgjC
Blades saluted.
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“Let’s get to it31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlfdoYGNIQ
then.” Vander saluted back.
