Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuyRAhJtZZ
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXLsimMz0B
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvCM8uoZcx
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuefleZW46t
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkBFoDuO8T
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JVaJFdzqW
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnHL1Qab1R
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONcmky0kd6
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWWwl9nzVj
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ25j8xbaf
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleLd4WTbTe
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7M7wEIXAv
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s4tJM45sB
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zjBQotBcd
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZGIurAWRM
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aS73Fi8Eo
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sredtIKSa
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbytpRG5JU3
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXyBku1tnu
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuEm1w2Xcu
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSdv3E0ef5
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AFTWyG4qB
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ8pU3QtDZ
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvz7B9xwr3
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9QvHbgjEh
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH93zzP9eou
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlCNr8pqms
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0L28EdUoD
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tPHX4BzEY
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwmlVa7bCT
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwSv27sall
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLkfIJ9UVh
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF11XnMiat
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvk7vEYPkh
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTR27OVrDc
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUl0qCDDjW
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBSOOSiX2z
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLAKwXJ45S
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN02MeUUscB
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6WdLaOcLc
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0LbhGAtq2
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM0Re87pvV
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqfZtLZ98Z
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2lgsU93AB
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS8upzvV74
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdty5N94LK3
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYsmueGw6U
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcgCcimZg2
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1igS8IaaUM
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATPtF7mS1u
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrL9qYq6Wy
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssWSLWFYFb
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa2pEUzDre
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq3p526IEh
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPelHvI2oD
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiBQ1se7vt
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQey9RiXe3
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKTayTbieJ
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThhkxDPNK6
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN8g5dHhwC
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR67D5BDHY
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEmBuNT5R4
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya2QVQzcyw
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBGJxvBBH0
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9ssp6zGg1
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkp7A1sG7v
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk5S0kBlMd
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkHf1RuhTn
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCVHMa39O5
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljXBpF4M7F
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMdsKmj4F7
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGVrM7w84G
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb39aBq7NM
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVD2AuRdcG
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSu3ix6Rda
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dvVC6s0RS
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu6oK79WBP
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi6CzOILxO
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U2JbZejvU
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3dE3ej5t2
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbJIeoWhFI
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyUBffZ1X3
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlZGEesVYj
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsFKMOGgKk
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmXJLRG4Tz
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FeWc1Mq2t
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENnnHEdzBx
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCoUUG7L9v
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6ZTTV9Phm
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB840pm6yp
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYPUSUbR32
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OTVymKnkt
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTkSCpnnmu
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw0Ps3cYhu
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XRtjNhyKM
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby1mhAKiVL
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPshevveH6j
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBGD9rmU0J
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTfIiN13Ic
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAWzlYyjuF
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4xXkN16za
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqF1fCzTsK
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqIDukhKR8
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUDNqjivpZ
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ358u0H09hT
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4PfXpnpdT
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijys68cHBx
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBohQEY0dY
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLGc3PuFvO
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhtWXUZ1wT
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiBwa5XdNp
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddvuuOlLxR
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxvS0qlrme
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUR3KnoJ5a
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MU0IxZlTi
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4RWC0zyOi
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP7xuwLST8
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSCOBbC5SJ
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWA3wYTh1J
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q2VPfIIrO
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdEkhS6yYO
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyb39YKwGp
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePhy8jvBOI
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHROIKgWQOc
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqcLdo7B6F
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFElzihIQQv
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKob3HVKeor
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9j2auMqc4
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk7B7lwIkO
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5cz2w4wzk
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEREhC1jtB
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kmq2uvPh9
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjcVcrW6EK
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyErcpOeRg
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNG3YvbOtd
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNJF03ITVo
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKptSIvsesz
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgldd53AkW
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kiaXMoMIJ
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fx0kMFgJR
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQuTXUXaqB
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMpEyq6bnc
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSRX6hludU
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArcZE5gjpN
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZrQi64LDJ
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTawqt8a6Db
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOccnB9zoK
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JlWxjTPSa
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dlQhrjtiQ
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA7HE4kLjG
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xe7aAyBWa
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6IH6DqVHv
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGwKopp3Od
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUByamLsBvL
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBeKi9WTuF
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7ZcQNYkjp
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1Kq5eFYXc
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjgl4jFxYQ
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPCYzyhBbU
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCypHLh2DOb
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6CkmM0cBE
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjSqIJRPOZ
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMc23aNeE2
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmE9tulloI
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG96in1PNdB
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPFPRW8vX7
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS94iEXvjd
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeyEm96hLi
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDrG387GO1
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75SPgYIAfO
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4T7UyrWhA
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZKf6oR8pE
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5AGRxOrFq
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3yzbT3Us0
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyELHUubb9p
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuAzrhQPLl
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPDxHV5o17
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kqMsgmbgf
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC3bnNyRPb
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY3Zr63AEt
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaGKc6byf0
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCDp4NNLTG
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih15xpUxHi
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7hR3YqcV2
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fub1aRvy0
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjIis0BBMe
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6addbmD5S
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt6borByR5
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWIAZLQies
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrqB60SQwc
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKY7naj6ze
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9mmv6sKrM
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWiiEGbX1V
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBZm9N4n3M
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fFNbMSmXK
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsLxggJ3Rn
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXhIiy9bA8
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70aoArHqRr
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJWkV9if6B
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZRYCfcfnE
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0ofV1JbDZ
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooZH0aoOOA
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD6a8DcqHe
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKRaEBeDQn
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0KDfjkX2p
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOJgmFAoyb
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcxFJJzXbv
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqwDpjuwFU
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7XA0sCyQI
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXHF1fUhyh
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnQqXHEJ9e
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGJxLzLC4Z
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB43y1PVaK
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8MYuVhmDd
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZjys2s7Nt
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHxN6eC5M3
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofPBy78xtn
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcv6IrqO83
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01KfwXbY23
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmbvfJLqN3
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2pwKcS22u
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau4UVZkQz2
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kS4Oy1Ri6
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxNH94uvfn
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf73J4HtYB5
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuywU7tphx
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NX3MKNC66
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8QJgTTsmK
Blades saluted.
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“Let’s get to it133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUwmCLvzAn
then.” Vander saluted back.
