Chapter31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrqtmpbnSx
43
He felt something warm and heavy on31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWhH579kC5
his chest. At first, he was confused31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LEdjxEHMP
because he thought that he had been killed, but he felt very much alive. He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqTDEMZpof
slowly opened his eyes, but promptly closed them again as the bright light31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCvtMo2lHp
blinded him. He stirred, but heavy hands kept him still.
“Your31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ubFKMGD3d
wounds haven’t fully healed.” The man said. “You need to lie still.” He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHqjberbHj
recognized the voice of Topal which meant he had to be back in the Capital.
“What31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFoyhZJwGY
happened?” Vander groaned. He tried to sit up, but again Topal pushed him back31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCJPad2Z11
down.
“Don’t31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOr9GROW3y
worry about that now.” He scolded. “Rest and be well. There are plenty of31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88LuoFhLAe
people who wish to see you.” Slowly nodding his head, Vander drifted off back31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjz4WvAcgr
to sleep.
Over31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq6Nx9gWqQ
the next few days, he heard many people entering and leaving the room he was31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwndsHcz9F
staying in, but he didn’t hear anything that was being said. The only thing he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnGlCLj8nr
noticed was when Shea came in to sleep on his bed. He could feel how worried31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDKJEF6zYf
she had been and how excited she was that he was back. He held her close, not31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemWeY3HxqX
willing to be parted with her again. Alex came to visit him on the fourth day31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBUvXDf760
to tell him what had happened.
“We31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2Zm3oQo13
came back as quickly as we could.” Alex sat in the chair; his hands clasped31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKWxToNZ9Y
together. Since arriving he hadn’t looked his friend in the eye, not once.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEC29tpGvP
“After I explained what happened, the Commander came as well. He was worried31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovd2cKJGNa
for you and when he saw you lying on the ground near death, he was beside31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T8TrspkhF
himself. He wouldn’t stop until you could be seen by Topal.”
“What31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zxdZhQqWF
about Eve and Jogun?” Vander asked. “Where they found?”
“No,”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ946yuWI6pu
Alex shook his head. “They were gone along with twenty other Serpents, but31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3KYvrhU7r
because of you we have vital intel about where they have been hiding out. The31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b3FpNZRib
army has been dispatched to hunt them down.”
“That’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb26awDGaq
a relief.” Vander sighed.
“It’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yiBS5UHsy
in the hands of the council now. They will decide on our next steps.” Before31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5T3SDtBd7
Vander could say anything, there was a knock on the door. Alex stood as Cuvera31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy1WtRPXUq
walked in with Kiara right behind her.
“My31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBy7E1ci7L
prince.” Vander went to sit up, but Cuvera shook his head.
“Stay,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOklwmnJcV
as far as I’m concerned, you’re a hero and I should be bowing to you.” Cuvera31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXJlUt9mAr
looked at Alex. “Do you mind if we have the room?”
“Certainly.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb4XrImeUR
Alex bowed his head and shuffled out. Kiara slowly closed the door behind him.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBNehfncCR
They waited a couple of moments to make sure they were truly alone before he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhm1m40UIB
sat down in the chair.
“Thanks31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqpoZR3yom
to you, my Queen has returned.” Cuvera smiled. “If there is anything in the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ541RJbo3vS
country you would like, it is yours for the asking. My family owes you an31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBewsZ8ymtp
enormous debt.”
Vander31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Rb2iYMjPe
took a few minutes to ponder if before shaking his head. “Nothing comes to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ3XzpT6Ss
mind. Can I think about it for a bit?” Cuvera nodded his head. He opened his31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaoD8h6zoN
mouth to speak again but closed it shortly after. Vander could tell that his31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvks9mLtPx
friend was fighting biting back his anger, but he didn’t know why.
“Perhaps31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvbBfdsGmx
I should be the one to tell him.” Kiara placed her hand on her fiancé’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC7AVz5WqK
shoulder. He interlocked his fingers with hers but gave an apologetic smile.
“No,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfb8puQJrc
it’s better if it comes from me.” He took a deep breath. “Despite Peyton’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEwNnQdonO
betrayal there are still many on the council who blame you for what happened.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRZVIncOPj
They decided to keep you from the Blades since it was also one of your recruits31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXQRRe1kna
who betrayed us.”
“That’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAWF5PbXXB
outrageous.” Alexander shouted. He came back in from the hallway angrier than31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97F3dxVgvA
Vander had ever seen him. “He saved the Queen and ousted a traitor. What are31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61UfGlHQ5m
they thinking?”
“Politicians rarely think, Alex.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8CKLjDO6S
Cuvera said. “However, that decision ultimately rests in my hands, so I have31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3tmnNHV5Z
decided to ignore their judgement. Vander, this next part is for you to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvxWmXPyyD
decide.”
“Yes?”
“I’m31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6mpfExoOt
currently short a Commander, would you do me the honors?” Cuvera smiled down at31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr0daIiPKU
Vander, holding out his hand hoping his friend would accept. He didn’t even31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24FEhyE4pp
have to think twice. He took the hand and smiled.
“Yes,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOYAJQAQT1
my King.”
…
A31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1wysJeAMN
week later Vander stood in front of the mirror struggling to put on his31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRck9jnEln7
uniform. Today was the day he would be coronated as Blade Commander and he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VrPxsBnBO
wanted to do it right. It had taken a long time for Topal to give permission31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzkk4MHvoX
for Vander to walk around, but it would still take a few more months until he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gDpasc9mY
was back to normal. However, a couple of things did change. His hair had gone31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06SqiFFyjP
back to its normal color as the coming together of his demon and him changed it31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbA0MzSReZ
back. It showed that he fully accepted his abilities instead of finding them.
The31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lRZpXhGiV
other thing that changed came into the room and wrapped her arms around31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeEkg1Lbro
Vander’s shoulders placing a kiss on his cheek. “Have I thanked you today for31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGSUcO5NjN
saving my life?” Eliza whispered in his ear.
“No,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ums07mDf8
but you can do so by helping me get dressed.” Vander said. “I have to be there31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp9QqobIqE
soon and I’m nowhere near ready.”
When31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1ZM1cN0zV
he awoke from his coma, he wasted no time marrying Eliza. Despite knowing each31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4Wkn8UxsH
other for only a little while, he couldn’t deny there was a connection between31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQiFkwzS8n
them that hadn’t existed with anyone else he had been with before. He had31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK5nOucSWP
nearly lost her once and he wasn’t willing to go through it again. Their31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhEqCRy2MK
matching gold bands glinted as she fixed his baldric to his belt.
“Do31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7iSuGj1zp
you still wish to go to the beach?” he asked her. Her golden eyes met his as he31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6JFi4ZR6C
saw her smile.
“Are31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH80XhMOIL
we going there soon?”
“After31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cvH9hbYWA
the ceremony.” Vander nodded. “I have a few months of vacation I have to take31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z9scGztQ8
to recover from my injuries. Alex, Chicken and Rooster will be busy reforming31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzwbTtD7eE
the Blades in my absence, I just must get better.”
“I31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZPLFyhkLv
bought a new outfit I can’t wait to show you.” She teased him gently.
“One31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejOxOXsThL
thing at a time.” He smiled. “Let’s get through this.”
Hand31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDUhywcUrf
in hand, the two of them left the room and entered the throne room, which was31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdh2aIaaL6
filled with Blades and council members, many of which frowned at his entrance,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVM1jZAKBY
but there wasn’t much they could do about it. This was Cuvera’s choice, it31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOWhZFzpVf
didn’t matter what they wanted.
The31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1blZjLPfFh
Warden’s had all gone home to their territories to begin the hunt for the31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAOSahbxHH
missing Serpents. No one would rest until they were caught and brought to31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oywSNZ4lr
justice. No one kidnapped the queen and got away with it. The Cranton family31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l0SnI9HT7
was also being investigated for their ties to the Black Order and Serpents, but31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx686erskdg
nothing had come up yet. Cuvera wouldn’t rest until the matter was settled, but31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFBAe3mhaj
that was for him to do.
Eliza31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCmPqXZABc
walked over to stand by Alex and Shea who couldn’t hide their pride at Vander’s31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1RBpX48NL
promotion.
Vander31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXKFGfv0Om
walked up to the center floor, just in front of Cuvera, then got down on one31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakBi2McseP
knee and bowed his head. He heard the king remove a sword from his scabbard and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxyKEv1zMb
hold it aloft.
“Do31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSMkenPKKg
you, Vander, accept the title of Commander and everything that comes with it?”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXne1xuC1m
Cuvera asked.
“I31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqLgCmBFOF
do.” He shouted back.
“Do31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1R5hTGNkB
you swear to give your life for me and the citizens of this realm if I ask of31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjNsHoooqo
it?”
“Only31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIcX5hkPGO
death will release me from my vow.” He responded.
“Then31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv2CQ6JAub
I name you Vander, my Blade Commander.” Cuvera said. “Please rise and accept31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93ZMa5p6Dx
this sword.” Vander stood then walked up to the platform as the crowd cheered,31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF9wIiAPe8
chanting his name. He accepted the sword that had been created for him. The31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIwdakfw08
scabbard had been painted to resemble a white wolf while the weapon was made31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNuyFtimNZ
from white titanium found deep within the northern mountains. It was sturdy and31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mRs6dQWLr
resilient, just like him.
As31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCE9uAfNAJ
he looked over the gathered crowd, he knew the next few years would be31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57qaddEZjg
challenging, but he would have to do his best to protect the people here from31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy2Sbsszyd
the vision Humi had shown him. He still hadn’t told anyone, and he likely never31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt4mCpOrh9
would. This was his burden to bear and bear it he must. For he was the only one31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLTOOkqpeo
capable of protecting them all.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKx8VCDeKd
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFbHMG10zs
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHeO8bLtNQ
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uYjufVVpL
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aT7Qd4lhn
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I2TJzD2Ur
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3u4GsN1uC
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGDe11tefy
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxYYbbDc6o
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNSOglbKU8
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVpH08ELkT
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfKD7GwWvL
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRSBDAcEuE
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlGjfyK8gF
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtFi7L9WCL
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYcVflvw5u
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iHVu2wcLE
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz3pNqqq92
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlifs0nm3xE
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiHXClZfXY
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2FgjQWW4a
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGCVqa9Tdb
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3uBi8SRlb
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTduYOSPHT
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWY3ADQPBd
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBxBMdVVR5
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LETXEufs5
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIEmidEwSi
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP8HZgQVi9
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4whG75xJH
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmGpRSxeZA
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8lY20208N
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsKoXMNQvO
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmK6Ujm2om
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn2g4B1fIg
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yMnxXkGWd
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp4k5qz5wQ
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UB9a3piyo
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSiPjLKBmI
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA50uyLCejS
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5porARiIYv
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMfPR1n2Kg
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M1n4BZ0lV
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRqYNAq4w4
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqK3Kyhly8
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5ZFMOk6lO
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOUxjtF1lk
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm1FmI4koD
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQJ8n7PTpY
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9EIKz1Rwg
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6xhqvUeav
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtjtQjfsfZ
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaE83PzdRq
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrqCQxNYd5
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt3INgt2Ki
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoVdG6obBk
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbH7NSbgcO
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgbqTzwR8Z
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1pzOwkoVf
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGQc0ZDX0K
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzmALjPwrF
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqQk3w9d8l
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlRjyATHTt
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GcWfCKUWn
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObgw6ldhde
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6iDpTm93t
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YfAkq2e6q
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwNbcppQPM
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmjwKB2awV
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fyc7aQ8ne
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLHbut5ax3
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnf85UPjty
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuqY2zr61W
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvniUNBrshW
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgFjAURUcm
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3sd1F3xNR
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qtYGYh6m2
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhVbqhpRR5
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fOmsT1uga
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8SpKSMLDA
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk05yAXxfLu
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1Ae1mld0X
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMIgQxg6Tw
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQfes0iiK9
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmnpUgEc7G
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksCeDLWZNA
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTBoiJRg8f
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQWes4wsBx
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroWLEG0qwq
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8gqSwjq20
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytfc7M2WJ4
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPCZ2JMIUG
He31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrfgHud0Cc
is, the Eluvian Blade.
