Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkxZrbpPAn
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3IrRDOg9X
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6bheSHqX9
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6k3YweqJu
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNigdHlcAbF
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z9L55WzMK
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9qZFWU38U
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXCJF2sSn5
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm334fshhb
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziZu9VRxIA
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal0lownB4T
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbDvWmMYry
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGhGzawqhQ
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7keIkYgsY
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRW0o1SgAQ
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvuEUlkZqd
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4e7J8FgtO
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidZh3lSlAb
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Twi3PLYG
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG8qciIcAw
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfZoIcJ4Mg
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SzuChhhDs
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmhjhpM5rE
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHNcfd8oIf
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHJHajJ1EV
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzyUZblvzJ
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRknfNAKDDi
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IZJHfjgfO
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbKUo8lPbO
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiVyajzm2Y
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6l6lUAmIt
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo0Q4NXbu3
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ2vSgIOX7
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYY9vM5IUa
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbuekGRXNU
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LErOqathg
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcun39XnUZ8
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SW49HoSOb
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcLNOrf2hr
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFXsmWEb8A
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa6P9xASgl
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEepInMqJMh
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJOTSDRoNH
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh76v7ySv5
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNOUKk1nrk
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVAFGk2t6b
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzf3pmMWSl
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99Y2mjMEwg
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4jnQSX8vP
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexTa1OZFtx
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaPGsXub2G
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MvDHsnumh
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOTAEPZ6XQ
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrh3HJgI52
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlN2FDJnLI
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI20XLqg3U7
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s4K2xBrL0
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnpBBKPHnA
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqOFn2EACt
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2l2dlKmva
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM5HFQk8K0
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8ju08OmNC
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHAuneNjXU
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEY9JRLHj1
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXIasxuRhS
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAedM0DZh6
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCq2ctcfXR
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVeBao8LSh
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mOEbmBg92
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7PLkqV0Xe
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatYoDVQXsY
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOuz0VTVvi
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHPfVbrSMF
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpJTRwZOGv
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZWg1D4vm7
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT8YTESppz
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOwrsbgBtc
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveUCnt9LJr
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxOtOKtN6m
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiITr6cj6K3
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3GhdX4LAF
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMCR7IykvO
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5DcN9P4tL
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHUQgd1AmU
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfA8u8DVAI
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxnviiCj3f
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPEDyJAFYh
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8osULX3cTn
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwwTgF5PA6
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t9MR4oqiz
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawkPHnYDD1
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUsbePtcFu
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4zife7fub
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL24ILNmQn
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ291tHehR2d
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi2tWhrMlO
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1MB0nltV7
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s3sb9Q0Wz
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVydGgaLDNS
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPDCBtGNlT
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsyPM8C2BG
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Af0Dmc8eS
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1yCWMejbO
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuYtFrM3Pr
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRPSVEFamv
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjaUXNOC8c
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gOMiiYOl9
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEimL7j6Sr
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYawGC9LrD
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0nBIu1kfR
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT1u89NsJ3
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu9QlFfQYa
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve73rFQMTw
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwlWhvVRad
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpryr0sflG
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQaawNNx2Z
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0r9DOiWN0
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA1WVOm6iM
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY7NzIJOSt
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wrbjk2hPk
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqg7CyLsGJ
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GAYvdTDHf
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmtoEu1mQ4
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFPdw413u8
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMxFsnWuSP
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvKOksnm7M
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSUhL2FZy3
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrWzcjXOTT
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPq9WFBijY
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nlu7i43Rm
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKO3XjCIJH
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KydpJpJb9
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ709yssB2na
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVWn79Od0I
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWOKTU1sZH
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHPjYpRuBY
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo96B8XuI2
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz4ackWv1T
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDUKYDBSsn
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCURf1pFzVP
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡireiKm1zwy
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdu2EATPwW
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqsJ4RIUgI
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2QnS9woyI
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcUFfaf2th
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV8nN0alSL
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9uMiVeJM0
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbP6y52OJw
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyUdOCbARh
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKrlgZjqb1
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ001iQZg1sL
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRZNNOttRH
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiILvKRMNw
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E1kCwvIff
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8tmofkBhM
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgdBog2Zy1
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4M09acWSY
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4k6KbvvqG
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXYKPfOYgj
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttXibcoE1m
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJpFAjdeet
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7sT4SFd6V
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnQhJ6Mddt
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu20RFQ55Bz
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAo8nSQm6h
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivBNE4tCX2
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHIfxydGKA
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0V0rkSFzP
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6NzpCFmV4
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FQXZ2ZU72
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99fL4ABK7d
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6WiuuQTZp
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWwUu0P8dj
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUqNhbmbVe
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nRyYWrFrf
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90lr3LVSzf
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNn5cvKEgD
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTRFwTBDjk
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5Hf93aIjW
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JNI7fyvSP
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhKXQ8y135
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU50zRQEZQi
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI1aFboem6
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwwHIEEzEI
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTsJKTqkJz
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWy8feBV8t
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqhOaUsurD
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOY9qbaQ7Q
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz2LY2lJme
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnceb4EQU3
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ883e6fG70m
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5McgoNSoIA
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYvBkTN24F
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YyQiv6Ec8
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjZ9TLsLGF
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR65bOIVFHH
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvSvZiLbzh
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHgbUOJPyD
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvnGfVDHzL
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsobzRhDYE
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeHAtSyB1O
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVJG6cTetG
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVsimD7FYt
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfXxtJvRoH
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKsDSwYSCS
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGLt0Iqcb7
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01rTJEDuOI
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJoG92uQ52
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVsDnjjnKG
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyj6ozcw5K
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tn1BO2c8D
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7S3VxvRSr
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHacUyVgH7L
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOWukXsIYv
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7DcPO6elm
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubhFpbizwp
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfq267C3Eo
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BFaDM5ApM
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g2mFZrci7
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uwmp8yBxd
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1lab5EcW4
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEcVQsdi4F
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs2IZLsK0z
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy3q0vx8Cq
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5Sp7k8wYi
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj719zr1OOM
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGbn2nsanE
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRefy7EdExA
Blades saluted.
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“Let’s get to it158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUy52ZbG7c
then.” Vander saluted back.
