Chapter 17
“Ow, ow, ow!” Vander sat in the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F5QxJ9afe
chair within the medical room while Topal placed topical ointments on his155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVq6rIYS47
wounds. He had removed his shirt to allow the doctor to check him over and155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtFTiq60kI
there were already colorful bruises gathering on his skin. Eliza, who was in155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB7b83F5H8
the adjoining room being attended to by Topal’s granddaughter seemed to be in155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ0TsdPthG
better spirits. She was laughing the entire time with no sounds of pain.
“She did quite the number on you155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wmzR76eOK
huh?” Topal asked. Vander could see the little smirk gathering on the old man’s155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31cTsmnRKg
face as he checked him over.
“You know I heal quickly, Topal.”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTy4iJNjYo
Vander snorted. “Short of killing me, I’ll be better off sooner than she will.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdx3sQJpDx
So, I’d say we were about even.”
“Don’t forget a lot of the nobles155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhN5Z3dzQl
saw you getting your ass beat, so you better pretend like you’re injured for a155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dkSPw9bCq
while.” Topal slapped Vander’s ribs causing him to sit up hissing between155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuHAlWt2lv
clenched teeth.
“I’ll remember that.” He hissed.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUQhkWXE5R
Vander turned towards the door. He could hear two people coming down the hall155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K70v7lcqQ
towards the room. Based on their scent and how Shea was acting nonchalantly155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwjGSO5kKQ
about it, it was Cuvera and Kiara.
Cuvera didn’t even knock, he just155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTTKtEAQ1f
walked in with Kiara coming up behind him. “Damn, you look like shit.” He155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm08t97Ol0t
grinned. “But don’t you think you should put a shirt on.” he frowned. “You’re155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3IwJkRo1h
making me look bad.”
“Nonsense.” Kiara jabbed his side.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRIyjqBuFB
“He’s the one who just got whooped by Eliza. You could have taken her easily.”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8yclaDW92
She winked at Vander when Cuvera puffed out his chest in pride.
“Damn right I could.” He said,155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhroRn6jD8
slapping her on the ass causing her to squeal then punch his arm. “Go see how155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsdzHKsGop
your maid of honor is doing while I talk to Vander for a second.”
“You’re wish is my command.” She155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ePlAdjOMr
curtsied. Vander told her than Eliza was in the other room then pointed towards155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRSn49CPmm
the doorway. She walked through then closed the door behind her, so they155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Swqb5IkNw
couldn’t overhear what was being said.
“Doctor, would you mind giving us155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmsLGRu1HG
the room?” Cuvera asked.
“Of course.” Topal clipped his bag155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtVS6SFWCd
shut but left the container of ointment for Vander. “Rub this on your wounds155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5jnLCgYJC
twice a day. They should clear up in a week or two.” Vander thanked the older155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLCz6Ve286
man and watched as he closed the door.
“What is it you wanted to talk to155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYgeu5i3bC
me about?” Vander asked. Cuvera sighed then pulled up a seat across from155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KpVsHvfTe
Vander.
“I want you to be my best man for155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VqqUmrw1Z
the wedding tonight.” He said. Vander stared at his friend a little confused.
“Who else were you considering?”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hPPBi0JCm
he asked.
“No one.” Cuvera sighed. “You’ve155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0ienJLm9K
been with me since the very beginning and despite what the nobles say, you are155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FfwLZtw80
the closest friend I have. You are the only one I’ve wanted by my side155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7021fcGg4l
tonight.”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6FpjnUph2
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvKOlXiGJe
“Why did it take so long155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowIfpIIMCG
for you to ask me?” Vander laughed, but immediately regretted it, holding his155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZVJMfAaKX
side in pain. “Have you asked my grandfather to make sure it’s alright I skip155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvt9ObIOTT
guarding duty tonight?”
“I asked him after you left.”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3UK7MUJYk
Cuvera nodded. “He said it was fine provided you agree. My father will deal155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTncP0KX7d2
with the nobles, I just need you to say yes.”
“Do you have something for me to155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMirf8BC89
wear?” Vander asked causing Cuvera to break out in a wide grin. “All my155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNitIZHGMS
clothing are for going out on the town or performing my duties as a Blade. I155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcdoWB3nqh
don’t have anything you would consider,” he waved his hand around. “Appropriate155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwt0kCsPsZ
for a wedding.”
“What do you take me for?” Cuvera155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVWRYgkLDi
scoffed. “Come on, this will be fun.”
Thirty minutes later Vander found155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHK4PUQh2J
himself in Cuvera’s room standing on a circular stand with three mirrors155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMRnZSeMva
surrounding him. There was an army of people coming in and out of the room with155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1dmpyDtba
a seamstress taking his measurements with a thin tape. She made notes on a155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IhJEJwXI9
piece of paper then shouted orders to her people.
“Give me the silver fabric.” Opal155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OwIy4RPLM
Jayne ordered. Apparently she was of no relation to Topal, but Vander found155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrVOFYKcFk
that hard to believe. No way multiple people be that bad at naming their155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEm5024BG7
children. “Yes, this will match your hair quite nicely.” She muttered to155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K6lYr3Nhf
herself. She snapped her fingers and the helpers brought in some more fabric155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMllvnDhVU
for her to look at ranging from blues all the way to yellows. She placed the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUN8pantWE
silver fabric on Vander’s shoulder. She then started to place other fabrics on155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcUELCfYjj
top until she found a dark blue she liked.
“Is it done?” Cuvera asked.
“I have all the measurements I155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Et7thizW5
need from him as well as the colors to best match his complexion along with155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcNOm5FNWn
your outfit.” Opal mused. “I never thought I would get the chance to work on155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdJecQtUxR
you, Vander, it will take all of my power to make this work, but I daresay you155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCqg9xUSNi
will like the results.”
“Thank you.” Cuvera smiled. “Get155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsMzeaouXA
him a few rings and a necklace as well. He doesn’t like spending money on155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWppa6zStnz
himself, so I get to do it instead.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqlvHzmcr1
send you my bill. When do you need this by?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BlqfSmHFm
Vander looked over at him with a frown.
“I thought the wedding was155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRip574ZLV
tonight?” Cuvera and Opal looked at each other then burst out laughing.
“This wouldn’t all be done by155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7tEEJyL5L
tonight dear boy.” Opal wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I have two155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6Lzp8WNAc
dresses to make and your suit. I’ll be up all night making sure everything is155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JkOjR73wW
ready.”
“I made sure it was okay if I155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINKWo3mgmv
postponed it until tomorrow.” Cuvera explained. “If anything, my father was155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DQUuLfiPC
relieved for more time, so he approved it.”
“What am I supposed to do with155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI7QqZcS36
myself now?” Vander groaned.
“Don’t know.” Cuvera shrugged. “Go155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOnlB0zCdf
for a walk, get drunk, get your dick wet, whatever you want. I’ll see you155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr33vMUnCYj
later.” He winked then quickly slipped out of the room.
“Jackass.” Vander muttered. He155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRMtH4Yn2n
slipped on his clothing, clipped his sword to his belt, then left the room.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbALNbjD2fD
Shea had been forced to sit outside so she wasn’t in the way, so she joined155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI6IuPjc22
him.
“That seemed like fun.” She155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUJXuYK0wj
said.
“Well, now we have the night off.”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId5mru5dvH
He replied. “What should we do now?”
“I would like to head back if155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcijcUfQd9G
you don’t mind.” She said. “I’m tired.”
“You are more than welcome to head155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBEafAwn8H
back to the bedroom if you want.” He said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t forget you have to155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsDBtYkplG
oversee the protection detail around the castle for tomorrow’s wedding.” She155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ1P41rIeR
said. “Perhaps you should focus on that while you have time.”
“Ah shit, I forgot about that.” He155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENr2LV18RL
groaned. “So much has happened within the past several days that it slipped my155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebI1EzA9fC
mind.”
“Then it’s lucky that my mind is155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOEGkOH1D2
still about me.” Vander turned around to see his grandfather standing behind155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVagJvvB6FM
them. “How many times have I told you not to talk to Shea where others can hear155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7RpYwtbfT
you?”
“Sorry, Grandfather.” Vander155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumoYPyLon4
muttered. Shea licked his hand before walked down the hall and disappearing155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSLojVCejU
into the darkness. “She’s heading back to my room to sleep. She hasn’t been155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmh884FzGh
sleeping well lately.”
“With all the wardens here, I’m155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnCbg7aSvE
surprised anyone is sleeping.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, do you have a moment to155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mwbP48KNU
chat? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Charles led the way155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBrJw7DGMx
down the hall and up a flight of stairs towards his office. There were two155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrbcutGsDF
Blades standing at the door whom he dismissed with a flick of his hand. Once155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b4iSNkKF1
inside, he poured both a small glass of whiskey.
“Eliza passed.” Charles answered155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGK8Tjnub4
the unspoken question after he drained his glass and poured himself another155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8o4P1fvVQ
one. “After the wedding we will initiate her as a Blade Captain with control of155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWQfZcqjJq
her own squad.”
“Are you sure about that?” Vander155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomlMIOXWJ3
asked. “There are abound to be plenty who are going to be pissed they got155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aJcQo5MmX
passed for a promotion to someone from Bricen, even if she is qualified.”
“They are able to challenge her155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg86Cq4FRqb
for the spot, but based on how she was able to take you down, I doubt the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhwmjFy2Fc
others will be able to keep up with her.” He explained.
“Come on gramps,” Vander rolled155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHGtirjZqk
his eyes. “I was holding back, and you know it.”
“An ass whooping is an ass155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGJ2Tq9jls
whooping Vander.” He laughed. “Plus, I expect she was holding back as well, and155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdld5Qk4JWY
she had just finished running the gauntlet beforehand. I think you would have155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoczFU8l7t
lost if she wasn’t exhausted.”
“You’re supposed to be on my155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSsGA7fuMR
side.” He grumbled.
“I’m for whatever makes us155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhje5S3OQ5x
stronger.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Malcolm told me about what Ross155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa6p6V1sBj
had told you when you visited him. While I’m not happy you went there,155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5MTHSqJgY
especially without telling me, we now have an enemy to focus our efforts on. Was155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2sKvK3s3u
there anything else he could tell you?”
“There was, but I’d have to fight155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95V56Y1d7e
in the pits against his champions.” Vander explained. “It’s not something I’m155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnjZqLpUIl
keen on doing, but I will if I need to.”
“That might not be necessary.”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtp6VSWqcc
Charles was quiet for a moment. “What do you know of Draken? The man Warden155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp8ulV76X9
Valarian always keeps with her?”
“Not much.” Vander admitted. “Just155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC975o4Ynz
that he’s a strong fighter.”
“Not just that.” Charles got up155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH0CyvQX7L
from his desk to walk towards one of the bookshelves. He skimmed the shelves155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGvQJfm6ZT
for a moment before selecting an old black book with gold trim. He flipped155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWzLsi6bkg
through the pages until he found the one he wanted then placed it on the table155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C8u3ctUK9
in front of Vander. It was a picture of Aubum, the deity of mortality and155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVH3cOXvbQ
death. One of the children of the Darkness.
Aubum was a mysterious deity. Not155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1XOS1PAeo
much was known about him even within the texts of the other deities. Before his155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1S2E9ajRK
arrival, humans were immortal, but Darkness had created him to rob them of the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP43ZBnTba
one thing they coveted more than anything, their lives. It was a move to try155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiWS33jolP
and weaken her parents and siblings, but it backfired because humans prayed to155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76WBtFCFDA
the deities even more afterwards. Some believe he did it to weaken his mother,155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT0p0weSOv
but that was the minority opinion.
Aubum was human in appearance, but155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo8wVkMmy2
his hair was bright green while his skin was the color of death. He wore white155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviBCcALcC8
robes with sandaled feet. His weapon of choice was a large scythe, but he used155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTvp5bQJQQ
it more to walk with than as a weapon considering how old he truly was.
“Are you telling me that Draken is155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi4mWXp3q5
the Ma’akti of Aubum?” Vander asked. “I thought he stayed out of human affairs155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHBfWYALHn
until their death?”
“It’s something passed down since155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3SeFda4Tg
the Valarian line started.” Charles explained. “Out of everyone in the council,155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk1ow2VAfU
only the King and I know who he truly is.” There was a slight gust of wind that155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZO1uduvT2
wafted around the apartment as the smell of decay appeared in Vander’s nose. In155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kFjwAZwSv
one deft movement, Vander jumped from his seat and drew his sword pointing it155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09lXfPcfUC
at one of the darkened corners.
“Good.” A voice hissed from the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUGQYnygNf
shadows. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as a man stepped out from the shadows,155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeXwITXi5l
but they clung to him as if trying not to let him go. Now that Vander’s eyes155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRLIWK7HUd
could adjust, he realized the man had dark green, scaley skin, and large155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARkLzTReoF
canines that jutted past his top lip. He was wearing a long-mottled cape which155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD23pHEtmgD
allowed him to blend with the shadows along with leather armor protecting his155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRJGFVLXL0
chest. He wore a series of knives on his belt, likely his preferred weapon of155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHZyVYwoBI
choice.
“Draken, you came.” Charles bowed155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yGFADEoMT
his head respectfully. “Would you like a drink?”
“No thanksssss, Commander.” He155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hVodMKhWk
hissed. “But why have you asked my missssstressss for me? I wasssss hoping to155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImCGGAGyGL
enjoy my ssssstay?”
“Can you stop hissing?” Charles155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tYr8rH6ot
asked. “I know you do it just to make people piss their pants, but you don’t155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncIvJpjiQ4
have to do it here.”
“Sorry.” Draken laughed. It155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV4sGkMx3R
sounded raspy like he had been smoking for decades, it was likely his throat155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wFmFiI6tp
wasn’t used to normal speak. “It’s a habit at this point.”
“How did you get in here?” Vander155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KXYAv83SX
asked.
“Do you expose your secrets to any155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCgTEDRoNg
who asked Unna’tun Ma’akti?” Vander stared at him surprised. “Only those with155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQTudKj90B
her abilities can sense me when I’m cloaked considering we are cousins of a155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jXQBi3nBr
sort.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Vander155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbnBIQY5aJ
shrugged his shoulder. “This is something I would kill to keep secret if you155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx3c2Z0yCQ
catch my meaning.”
“Don’t worry.” Draken smiled. “I155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yIzX3Q2gJ
won’t tell anyone anything. This is a secret that should stay in the shadows155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpYxPSFqtI
with as few as possible. None of us wish for our secrets to be exposed,155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6U9XVkn6j
especially not those in power.”
“Only a select few will know of155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjMZfavDQM
this.” Charles explained. “We have sworn on the book of Humjir to keep the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwHheUvyz4
identities a secret. If anyone breaks that vow, they will die.”
“I trust you.” Vander sighed. “But155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdelmYUbIXi
onto the question, why is he here?”
“Because I have a job for him.”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebrCPf1zvm
Charles explained. “We have someone in our dungeons who knows the location of155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBYRU9pttI
whoever tried to kill our King. I want you to pry the information out of my any155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0GOvZTgNa
means necessary then track down whoever sent him here. When you find them, I155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj82M1CzMyh
want to know about it.”
“And who will protect my Warden155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh6tFPqO02
while I do this?” Draken asked.
“We will have our best protecting155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wbo9SOHoD
her.” Charles assured him. “Captain Alexander will take three others to help155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcptgMJ5wXU
protect her.”
“Do you trust him?”
“With my life.” Vander answered.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09RLKPSAU2
“We’ve been through a lot together. We will protect her with his life if need155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReI6uu5V9n
be.”
“Then very well.” Draken bowed his155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7lRDJCHHU
head. “Should I make daily reports?”
“No, only report when you finish.”
“Understood.” With that Draken155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabe4Q3kbVB
slunk back into the shadows then disappeared. Vander didn’t speak until he was155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklf61sbXLZ
sure that the man was gone.
“That was something.” He said.
“He’s always been like that, but155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVxTLoH3fe
he gives results and that’s what matters.”
“Will the guards walk in on155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8bIGSHkCj
anything?” Vander asked.
“I gave the guards the night off.”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VA3vW8kS6
Charles sat back down in his chair. “No one will hear the man’s screams. I want155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hf63omYE4
to get this done as quickly as possible.”
“Cuvera and I questioned him155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11k1aOP3s7
before, and he swore that they had nothing to do with the King’s poisoning.”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrU3yIisVb
Vander explained.
“You know better than to trust155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSruPaCeRAs
someone like that Vander, unless you doubt Ross’ word?”
“Ross always has some hidden155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFy1UwpWoV
agenda, but he wouldn’t lie to me.” Vander frowned. “It could be his155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pn8HLpBqt
information is wrong.”
“We will see what happens once155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHXT3c9WNc
Draken finishes his investigation.” Charles tossed back his whiskey. “His155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡielpuHU3Mh
methods are cruel, but we need that now. Any moment we waste is another chance155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWmIV9dSWc
they must kill Malcolm.”
“I agree with you.” Vander also155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYueFNVru6
drank the burning liquid which caused him to grimace. He hated the taste, but155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AXt8AEFWI
it did relax him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore gramps.”
“What should we talk about then?”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYF78YEl0q
Charles grinned. “Would you like to talk about your attraction to Eliza?”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B4Q9o0TIM
Vander choked on his drink.
“What?” He sputtered. “I don’t155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYesHFwbPf
like her!”
“So that mild bit of flirting155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqshn7YNF6
while you fought this morning was nothing?” Charles asked. “I might be old, but155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBe28VPOCu
I’m not dead yet and neither are you. You’d be a fool not to be interested in155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4cWzHu2xY
her.”
“Come on, I barely know her.” He155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRns1WMknOH
protested. “Besides, she can find someone better.”
“I know Bree dumping you hurt, but155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7qPxdnufg
you can’t close yourself off forever.” His grandfather sighed. “It’s time you155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPu6uDif4a
found someone to settle down with. I’d like to have great-grand children before155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqhtKrQgx7
I die.”
“I’m only twenty, gramps.” Vander155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7nzbJGcVq
sighed. “We have plenty of time.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Charles155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo66VsUVBc
mused. However, he got a sad look in his eyes that Vander couldn’t quite figure155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOnhTOb4Ta
out.”
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, yes.” Charles waved him off.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EL8HxTwY9
“I just think she will be a good match for you as well, Vander. Give it some155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrli5gvSe1
thought, but ultimately, it’s up to you.”
“Thank you.” Vander sipped the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewnRJ8lwok
drink. “It is alright if I sleep? I’ve had a long day.”
“Of course.” Charles smiled. “I155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YvSLlmcfs
will see you tomorrow.” Vander walked over to the other side of the desk and155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEA9mWROlt
kissed his grandfather on the top of his head. With a small wave he left the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCCu8XNVVQ
room.
He decided to take the long way155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6062eg6joz
back to his room opting to take a walk along the outer corridor towards the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRbt9PQTDE
other gardens. The gardens behind the castle were filled with various bushes155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRTEp0OzAq
and flower gardens ranging from roses to daffodils. There were pathways that155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMQ56iMNeq
weaved around each garden bed and benches were people sat while they enjoyed155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBndroaTmTg
themselves. Here nobles were allowed to visit, but with the wedding tomorrow,155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RKlNFL23Q
many were resting.
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The full moon was high in the sky155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiysYyri9t
when Vander sat down on a secluded bench in a corner garden. Despite the chaos155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAirFAL6fP
that was his life and Unna’s gifts constantly clawing at him, he enjoyed the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nWiY8X8lb
quiet serenity that this spot offered him. It was one of the few places he155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMkpuwWFKY
could feel at ease and not have to worry about anyone else. He lay down on the155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5HukVMevC
bench to stare up at the moon before closing his eyes to rest.
