Chapter 14
“I see, so that’s what122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfhy8AdS3a
happened.” Vander was sitting in Cuvera’s room on a blue couch while his friend122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVUVpQ7210
reclined on the other smoking on his pipe. Cuvera had excused himself from the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUohogxHXY
party early under the guise of being tired, but he made sure to slip Vander a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadpltF5QKo
note on his way out telling him to meet him in his apartment ten minutes later122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGGYKx34dF
to not arouse suspicion. He half expected Kiara to be there when he arrived,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oQ74HrZic
but he had been told that they wouldn’t share a room until they were married122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU65gI3F4T
per her customs.
“Are you angry?” Vander asked,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Yu9VMFCW
rubbed his hands together. He didn’t look up at his friend the entire time he122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbsc4wrMgB
explained what happened during the prince’s absence as he was too afraid as to122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLfpGktZOL
what he might say.
“Why would I be angry?” Cuvera122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4EOLUiaQi
asked. Vander looked up to see confusion etched on his face. “You saved my122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErr7SBxhGi
father’s life; I’m surprised he hadn’t given you a parade to celebrate. Did he122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78dCP3j8k7
offer you anything at all?”
“No,” Vander shook his head. “He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxI7uCmZ24
wanted to keep everything quiet because it wouldn’t be wise to let the people122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2y5P1SPMe
know how close he was t death. He didn’t want to start a riot or anything.”
“Sounds like him.” Cuvera snorted122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0P1pxEc5k
taking another hit on his pipe. Smoke billowed out as he continued to speak. “Have122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo2rkVUt9O
you had a chance to interrogate the prisoner yet? I bet he has some details122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS4khMt25V
that he should share with the class.”
“Not yet.” Vander hesitated. “I’ve122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMINZhK5kL8
been busy.”
“Well, there is no time like the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQCsOdT3Vr
present.” Cuvera got up from the couch then disappeared into his room. He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNbd2rRwsK
reappeared moments later wearing a Blade uniform with a hood to obscure his122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGJtjRvQ9j
features. He strapped a fake sword to his belt. It would pass as a real one122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1snQc35Wd
sheathed, but the blade itself was made from rubber. It would fail if anyone122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTQU1Oc1Sh
asked him about it.
“You should rest.” Vander shook122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcdPZXDsW5
his head. “You only just arrived home. Surely this could wait for another day.”
“And miss the chance to see who122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvufhnJfj5
tried to kill my father?” Cuvera scoffed. “Nonsense. Plus, based on how you’re122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK159gqVrsc
past year has gone, I think you could use the chance to unleash your pent-up122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM8MUqhJqX
anger. Come on, this will be fun.”
Never one to say no to his oldest122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZJJO974CY
friend, Vander relented then followed his friend out the door and deeper into122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLiFg3XU5T
the castle.
The dungeons were in the bowels of122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqUkad5BcQ
the ground underneath the castle walls. It was on the same plane as the Pitts,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqUHddHItX
but very few people knew that. As far as people knew, dungeons didn’t exist.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa3hFWadNc
They believed that all prisoners of the crown were sent to Jewelthorne’s mines122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jSNtNPoMZ
to live out their days mining precious resources until the day they died, and122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMmRNp1u88
that was true for most prisoners. However, those who tried to take out nobility122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCKJtVWDU5
or members of the crown, a fresh hell waited for them.
The dungeons were on the other122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4gPnNy46U
side of a secret panel that opened by pulling a torch handle located within the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOo7S4UAfU
cellars. Vander grabbed the torch so they could see, but Cuvera walked down122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8A3WojNuC
without hesitation. The cellars were cold and damp with a winding staircase122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaOXkR3sEw
that led several stories down. It was a pain to clean, so many of the servants122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaewCAgEXu
didn’t bother leaving cobwebs and dust everywhere. Only those being punished122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQMj37Uw1x
were every told to come down here, so many were on their best behavior.
When they stepped off onto the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8HuIdvn1x
ground, they spotted two Blades guarding the door that would lead into the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ND6i8IKCD
actual prison. They were tough, tougher than most Blades, who took their job122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRhnUNnonF
seriously. No one would be allowed through without prior authorization, unless122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfTS5baVF2
you were the King or Prince.
“Stop where you are.” One of the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPzE0ycBWj
voices boomed. They lowered their pikes, so the tips were pointed at Cuvera and122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33loLyNHwh
Vander. “No one is allowed through here, even if you are Blades.”
“Oh sorry.” Cuvera removed his122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xqheToFSj
hood revealing a glimmering smile. “I didn’t want to be seen by any other. Is122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnYCOQDsWH
it alright if we go in? I’d hate to use my status, but…” He let that threat122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4WUmV0de3
hang in that air allowing the guards to figure the rest out.
“We are under direct orders from122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCLJoDmd3V
Lord Cranton,” they hesitated. However, they knew the Prince out ranked him.
“I’ll deal with the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgKmM7K8GK
repercussions.” Vander nodded. “Let us through.”
“As you wish.” One of the guards122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1OVK5gafI
removed a set of keys from his belt then unlocked the steel door that opened122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmKce6nlpC
into the prison. “If you want to open the door you’ll need this key.” He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KwJ4w1RfD
unclipped one of them then handed it to Vander. “Leave him in one piece. I122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3PQJjq6Wp
think the King wanted him interrogated tomorrow.”
“Might not be needed if we can get122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT08GXBlWKd
the information out of him tonight.” Cuvera frowned. “Thank you.” He opened the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3PlkPXQDX
door then stepped inside. Thanking the two Blades, Vander then followed his122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7jNoQ5s7A
friend.
Thankfully the royal dungeons122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjXqkd6qD9
weren’t used too often so there was only one person, and he was locked in the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNiIu55hve
cell farthest from the door without any windows or ventilation. The space stank122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUowmVNZSPk
of unwashed body odor and festering wound and that was something no amount of122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oUvxnt5yZ
cleaner could remove. At least there were no rats or cockroaches waiting to122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci0MSOoEc8
feast on you, but it made it painfully boring being here on your own. Vander122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe9pcSidmd
was surprised the assassin hadn’t gone crazy in the days he hadn’t been here.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkwVBOH5JT
Most went insane after the first.
The assassin looked worse than122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseUHO6MRLa
Vander remembered. He must have gotten roughed up when he was brought down122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVIjgWcDvj
here. His eyes were swollen and there were bloodied bandages wrapped around his122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I7iZxCaR1
stomach. All he had was his tattered cloak to protect him from the chill. Moldy122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbEcMD4PGu
bread and hard stew sat in bowls inside of the cell, untouched.
“So, this is the man who jumped122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCic0J9IAe
you in the alley.” Cuvera frowned. “He looks likes any of the bums I’d trip122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQzazHi5AJ
over in the slums, not a scary assassin.”
“Give me a knife and we shall see122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZzKD1P33W
how scary I am.” The man growled. He looked up from under his cloak and while122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3hatLk5xY
Vander could see the determination in his eyes, he knew the assassin could122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfyjWGZOfA
barely stand let alone hold a knife.
“Someone with balls I like that.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuWizPd2Qa
Cuvera took the key from Vander’s hand then used it to unlock the cell. The122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1asyPawy5
door swung open, but before Vander could stop him, Cuvera walked inside, kicked122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3JliOGDN1
over some of the bowls, then punched the assassin in the face. Blood splattered122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e4rOEgVl3
the ground, but he didn’t stop at one. He punched the man several times until122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCrA4MLBQX
he heard teeth hit the stone floor. The man groaned as Cuvera kicked him in the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV1F2ThAvs
side. He would have continued if Vander hadn’t grabbed him around the waist and122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz4taFQ9Iz
throw him to the side.
“Stop.” Vander blocked the prince122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsebJZFdwh
from going near the assassin causing his friend to squint his eyes in anger.
“He tried to kill you Vander and122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7vTw6kHNX
you’re just going to stand there and not punish him?” he asked. “Where are your122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSelfco8Ct0
balls?”
“It’s not my place to torture him,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEXJaVLoQ1
Cuvera.” Vander scoffed. He looked down at the man who curled back up into a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeE90a937P
ball instead of standing up. He didn’t even wipe the blood from his mouth. “There122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRmgLaOoAa
is information he has that we need, but it’s up to my grandfather and your122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh70oMqyee
father to decide who gets to do it.”
“Why are we waiting around?”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFG0ze2SxJ
Cuvera asked. “He knows where those bastards went who ordered my father122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgLNcz7HxN
poisoned.” He violently kicked one of the bowls, so it shattered against the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPMhv7dcjx
wall. “This is so annoying.”
“Someone tried to poison the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDb6S1yTj9
King?” The assassin laughed. “I know nothing about that. My orders were to kill122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS4pjDqOME
a Blade. My friends and I were given the time and place. We didn’t know it was122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDBYDg6kBk
going to be you.”
“Do you know who ordered the hit?”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQlJ2YGavY
Vander asked.
“It’s not my place to know.” The122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvieIm94YA
man shrugged. “I just follow orders. That’s all.” Vander strained to tell if he122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme856sZUtP
was lying, but based on the steady beat of his heart, he was telling the truth.
“Tell me more about the poisoning122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa6YhMiLGP
of my father.” Cuvera squats down in front of the assassin. “And I want to know122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSeA7y0fvc
everything.”
“I told you princeling,” he said122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4B3OgdWHw
with a sneer. “I know nothing about that.”
“Which group do you belong too?”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvSPaj7nM7
Vander asked. The assassin fell silent, but his eyes smoldered with rage.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl7xOl65c7
“There are ways I can use to find out.” The assassin stuck his chin out122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZdLMhOe7Z
indignantly.
“Hold him.” Cuvera demanded. “This122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUG167QvTQ
is an order as your prince, not a request from a friend.” Nodding his head,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagxYC940bK
Vander grabbed the assassin then held him against the wall, so his feet were122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiJOpnASrA
dangling. Even though he struggled, he wasn’t strong enough to do anything122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpIWyuirja
after days of not eating. So, after a few seconds he hung there like a limp122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9G8B93otG
noodle. “Knife.” Vander removed a knife from his belt then placed it in his122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCicWuZUH4
friend’s outstretched hand.
Cuvera placed the knife against122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFIxgiXI31
the man’s arm then cut open the sleeve. He wasn’t gentle doing it drawing a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFledi4WOA6
little bit of blood in the process. He pulled the rest down to reveal a heavily122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ETYGMtsue
muscled, but bare arm. Frowning, he moved onto the next arm with the same122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht4y9comRy
result. He clicked his tongue annoyed as he walked around the assassin who122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNaObDfKTU
likely knew what he wanted but wasn’t in the mood to help.
“Make him kneel.” Vander pulled122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtMLtqhVgd
the man off the wall placing him on the ground. Then he kicked out both knees122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaQNDuugYk
making him cry out in pain, but he fell to the ground placing his hands out in122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlemUDFpK8
front of him to catch himself. Vander gripped the back of his neck then122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshNiBVH0FQ
squeezed causing a small cry of pain to squeak out of the assassin, but he122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHScbYINym
didn’t move.
“You won’t get your answers by122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nSkqijjFS
torturing me.” He rasped. “I’ve been through far more than you have.” Without122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49tBqbzXjj
warning, Cuvera slammed the knife into the man’s shirt then ripped downward.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5q2L4VB9b
The man stifled his screams as the knife tip bit into his flesh.
Vander wasn’t122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXuEkBFRTr
sure what the prince was after, but it became clear once he parted the bleeding122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p6STqxNMX
shirt from the back to reveal an emblem that sent chills down his spine. It was122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7SlXO4JSa
an entwined green snake tattoo with a sword shoved through the mouth and122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UkFM2kJiY
through the back. Even though he hadn’t seen it before, he knew that this was122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAoyDUxzTe
the emblem of the Green Serpents.
“Well, we have122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUhOH7nEKR
one answer.” Cuvera smiled. “We know you are a Serpent and that lines up nicely122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZdYn4Y4cw
with the intelligence that we already have.”
“I already told122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAKBH2TdG6
you,” the assassin shivered. “We had nothing to do with the King’s illness. It122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDbL9WjtVr
wasn’t us.”
“Vander.” Cuvera122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX6AcFW2Qk
stepped back but tilted his head towards the assassin. Sighing, Vander hauled122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWSxLrXHJq
the guy up to his feet then punched him in the stomach. The man doubled over122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy77mZnlw2p
but Vander brought his knee up right into his jaw. The assassin stumbled122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXD0DPTrF4
backwards, but he quickly righted himself. He spat out a wad of blood at122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dwf6Zb8W7
Vander, hitting him in the face. As he struggled to wipe the blood away, the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyePSIHps09
assassin tackled Vander pushing him into the bars. He let out a cry of pain but122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bkj0VHgs5
recovered quickly. He brought both fists down onto the assassin’s back slamming122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAcOFt4mSg
him into the ground. The assassin tried to crawl away, but Vander grabbed his122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6l7WZCf3P
leg pulling him back in.
The two of them122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs10K3NNzaf
fought while Cuvera sat there with a small grin on his face. The fight ended122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN01QOFPmNK
when Vander drove his elbow into the man’s already damaged jaw. That final blow122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN0Np83rPc
was enough to dislocate it then to keep him from crying out, a blow to the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7rZwRP6qR
temple rendered him unconscious. Vander got up, staggered for a second, before122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7rSaV0Q4z
fixing himself.
“Why did you make122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1EW94v40s
me do that?” he asked the prince.
“I didn’t make122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD1PXq5owE
you do anything.” The prince shrugged. “It looked like you need to release some122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl7Ih6DlqG
rage, so I merely gave you the opportunity, plus we learned something in the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38sOsmXgT3
process. Come on let’s go.”
Vander looked122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXzi9uJiEe
down at the assassin before following his friend out of the cell and back122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrKydY1sCI
towards the door. Cuvera didn’t say anything as they left, but Vander whispered122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUGBEGOD02
to send a healer for the man inside. The guards nodded their head but didn’t122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0Glypso65
move. They would wait a few minutes before ‘discovering’ that the man had tried122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77ltxx6pxv
to harm himself. It wasn’t the first time they did something like this.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXRp0riUUn
However, the King would find out then there would be hell to pay.
“Man, that was122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBZOEfIzlr
awesome.” Cuvera cheered. “You were so badass when you were beating him. You122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnyk1BOVvr
got to teach me how to fight.”
“If I remember122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWyjLlbN4b
correctly that didn’t go so well the last time.” Vander mused. He held his hand122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevkYDMiFvV
out for the knife then promptly sheathed it as to not arouse suspicion. Last122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLlkeoBWiQ
time Vander had tried to teach the prince how to fight, they were ten years122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTva4MoMTGe
old, and one punch was enough to send him crying to his mother. The King122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSpHeol0Sw
shortly put a stop to that.
“This time be122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9dpwa8QHv
different.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m in peak physical condition.” He threw a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2CbOMFPQl
couple of jabs into the air. Normally Vander would have laughed, but he had122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxyxW43AUp
just been ordered to beat a broken man and it didn’t sit right with him. Cuvera122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB8EZfmruz
had his moments, but he wasn’t cruel. This was out of character for him,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyupieufeF
hearing about his father almost dying must have spooked him enough to act.
They made their122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmUfLWKQg6
way through the castle heading back towards Cuvera’s apartment. They saw a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0srI4MyXF
couple of noblemen with their escorts, but they all bowed their heads once they122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu00LgzfPFK
realized it was the prince which allowed Vander to go unnoticed. He still122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IBxxqamBk
hadn’t covered from his other injuries and now he could add fresh ones to the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHJ9RAFTmJ
list. Despite being weakened, that assassin wasn’t a push over. He got in a few122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n33QYnCCp
strikes causing some pain in the process. Despite the quicker healing he had,122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zfowlkYQz
these injuries would still take a bit.
Vander noticed it122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZLAG05KCq
before Cuvera, but there were two people waiting for them inside of his room.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79VutGDhWR
He relaxed once he recognized their scents as Eliza and Kiara. Shea must like122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqdGNjixRj
them because he didn’t sense any distress from their bond. If anything, she122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55xgeb2GDS
felt joy and excitement. Vander decided to keep his mouth shut about the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xPbDS9PGl
visitors, his little dose of payback.
“Let’s get122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwLULDH8GM
something to drink.” Cuvera gripped the door handle. But when he pushed it open122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjm6CHeuxs
his face fell. “Shit.” He whispered.
Kiara was sitting122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCkLsAxLwc
on the couch running her hands through Shea’s fur. Shea was standing on top of122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrO28P4iKK
her knees licking her face as she laughed. Eliza was standing behind her sister122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3eeeFiVa2
with a bemused expression on her face. Upon hearing the door open, the two women122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCwzI8t6F4
turned to look at them. Eliza nodded her head respectfully, but anger flooded122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fkq0kpxUI
Eliza’s .
Both had changed122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSPJAMKmNK
their outfits to match the cooler climate of Eluvia. Eliza had been given a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TCOEHKxvB
long blue dress, but was wearing an orange shawl over her arms, an ode to her122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdz9lEbC5h
home country. Eliza was given slacks, a blue shirt and a jacket that looked a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tOCgwPCOl
lot like a Blades. Her hair had been pulled back into a tight ponytail. She122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9GlLyjgTf
gave Vander a small smile then she turned back to look at her sister.
“You were122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2RTCHPRsa
supposed to escort me around the castle.” She growled. She got up from the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYDMVYz18g
couch and stormed over towards them. “Where have you been?” Vander quickly122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnMUG9dcXA
tried to slink back into the shadows, but she caught him. “You’re not going122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb1EFnOBBz
anywhere.” She snapped. Her face softened once she saw the blood on his face.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgam3Hmq0x
“Are you injured?” she asked.
“It’s nothing.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVUNf61Ouh
Vander tried to hide it, but Kiara grabbed him. Vander hissed in pain, so she122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1jGEWzimN
removed her hand.
“Eliza, can you122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnOHty2f59
tend to his wounds so I can have a chat with my fiancé?” she asked. “Please122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNkljROVTl
don’t fight me on this Vander, I’d hate for our friendship to start on a bad122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYytR2bUECB
foot.” He looked towards Cuvera, but he averted his eyes.
“As you wish.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK6OLzakb4
Vander bowed his head.
“This way.” Eliza122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bgKSarmqp
escorted him to the bathroom then she shut the door. Moments later he could122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilomi4aJgf
hear Kiara yelling at him, but he couldn’t hear what was being said. “Undress.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0phQPrpjP5
Eliza said.
“Excuse me?” he122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHfKTye45h
asked.
“You’re not the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAglxhrDn4
first man I’ve seen naked.” She scoffed. “And I doubt you’ll be the last.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x9rIGZQXL
Undress so I can see what I’m working with.” He hesitated, but due to her122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuvbiGeNaU
incessant staring he did as she asked. Moments later his clothes were in the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIavw6FHul
corner of the floor as he stood there not even bothering to cover himself. If122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7wQ5ZPTNl
she wasn’t embarrassed, neither would he.
She looked at him122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNbE6epEmd
over tracing the scars on his body lightly with her fingertips. The gentle122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3R9EKMLCg
touch caused him to shiver which placed a delicate smile on her face. Looking122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJSm0AW4nv
down at himself, he noticed more bruises than he thought spreading across his122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXMFXFAs1o
body. However, nothing compared to the giant bruise along his back. When she122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5a0VNNcAh
touched it, he was filled with such immense pain he almost turned around to122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIwfk9QRdn
punch her in the face.
“You’ve been122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGlyCJuoiv
involved in multiple fights recently.” She muttered. “But this one seems122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOPI3K6mFp
recent. I heard the person who tired to kill you is locked in the dungeons. Is122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwiKvnz1qO
that where you were?”
“Yes.” Vander122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ05vGJD0Sh
said. He wasn’t sure how she knew about the assassination attempt on him or122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlXiQd3hIF
where he was located. He suspected Bricen’s spies told her, but there was no122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrlhMs0XCW
way of knowing for sure.
“You shouldn’t122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuMgt1aWOn
beat those who can’t fight back.” She said. “It’s not a good look, especially122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqXOTMo097
for a Blade.”
“Even if the122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP9S4TyS7X
prince ordered you too?” she didn’t say anything else after that. She applied122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnt1XEwbrQ
some salve onto his wounds and the numbing cold allowed him to finally relax.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgj8I4HIm1
Once she was done she told him to put his clothes on while she went out to talk122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAIZyeoPxS
to Kiara. When he got outside he saw that Cuvera was nowhere to be found.
“I told him to122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh6FtSzR0s
tell his father what happened as well as what you discovered.” Kiara said. “He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dhiNv3CsI
didn’t want to leave me, but I said you were here to protect me if I needed it.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQXJDOT1Av
Now, I’m asking you to escort me around the castle. Are you up for it?”
“Yes.” Vander122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVroyf2zWQ
bowed his head. She turned to look up at Eliza who nodded her head in122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJRYWJHSht
agreement.
“Good thing your122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uSoNxb2yt
fight with the assassin didn’t go worse or I’d have gone without an escort.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAjM2g0EfT
She grinned.
“Someone would122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy8BPH7JD4
have taken you around when I couldn’t.” Vander explained. “We tend not to let122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1Ge72ZQI7
those of the royal family go without one, even within the castle.”
“You Eluvians are122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjj4KrAmaE
so protective.” She sighed. “You should really let your noblemen learn to fight122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM37oCEerH
for themselves.”
“Do you know how122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLqpMuxqsG
to fight?”
“It’s rude to ask122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId9QDTMG2X
a lady,” she grinned. “But perhaps if you’re nice I’ll give you a122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpTdXUsC2U
demonstration.” Eliza coughed into her hand. “Alright, escort. Let’s go.” She122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUt8Qe49YE
got up off the couch and headed towards the door. Vander hesitated for a moment122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtllms7zE1E
then followed. Shea stayed where she was in front of the couch.
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“Let’s go.” He122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4bglxXXFP
said to her. She quickly got up and raced out the door nearly knocking Kiara122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9AAQuOy5Y
over in the process.
