Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLUeEZ6kA9
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mRQ40JlRq
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV00pnSyC2U
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJzG98pjuY
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xrcHfwzry
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZMMpss1yz
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtZns6bDHw
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmdfcsjO8u
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1wftIFkVL
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TK2u3qW5S
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PBZN7K2f9
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvGkEaOnD7
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoE0j1eyx0
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQzdOHW0xX
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLLVI4pI2q
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjDdvQF4GA
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCcNCbLjLX
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPg5H5jkAK
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfJ6mOBGsW
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTcBLuFkYb
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDFf9GZRH8
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxQ9vE7hFK
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcUVqoBHWi
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyXBnMyIxg
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mUlLk01h5
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3cLvUGFxv
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1t8N4ScqT
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYMfSbX39Y
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4anO0ntutI
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ioBlQpp9Q
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuEzrUtTnf
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa95utALs3o
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yaUsJS1a0
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAatkfZESF
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSRcspCrjw
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCICY0gxLd
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P5K5JAUrW
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JWiJ6MEZV
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlHwt5ksAp
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErSNwly47F
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4yuB1XcCo
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gp2Dh4K6y
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlk32Gk06N
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gMQVsnrRJ
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJuRV0D1ks
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluvqzI3vA2
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo01378ZF5
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXwHhxMQIf
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7iZkNXDCb
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPfr97TVAF
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7suwVcojEr
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8tXeuqvOO
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAXI8oPY6V
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLStjJibqY
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7aX2MZ1p5
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboe6q7CAhm
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K4R2yCZpI
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJLyyKiuVo
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TE2VL2Yhl
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0tCWHInla
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpP7ouiT8Q
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZq8BkzXbU
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhScv0SzLI
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBjhrNLsWF
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLsxESRh6z
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7NYrfSPuv
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxQjrZRDpX
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgROFSlfSAz
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPYzbLK0nv
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl77poeaQDB
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7hxTGORnk
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTYKSBLy6d
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwRYASs8DZ
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv7jy8qwfH
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq3M6tonoT
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiI1giqU8T
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mUXoQJgiP
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYKueMq6fN
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93I959yUSD
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzvNNTniuW
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4gpr2IkQC
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7NRVPxeEG
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6HorwTG6c
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdQn3qfqMF
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5F3EojPBO
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqd3js4fql
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS2rH6IoWF
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq3E8TCeuY
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNopLknHAD
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RZNJT3ucU
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7kkW9luwT
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKNULFd2ow
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHkO2EKCe1
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rjiAw1uLb
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEYt4KPbf5
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4miUj0vqTj
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZxiLiP9Q7
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3HrMiM9ox
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrirywaTmh
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXBp0CnJkB
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G7c28RfmV
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtIZK7yzuA
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL5BeVGtfs
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHWDJvs4y7
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q9QrcrcKm
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHiu7pcuVl
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp0IA0LvN8
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08pQqRwJh1
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC406GrRjHY
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU0aP5hOUF
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsIrAiwVGJ
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHtesjICjJ
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDQhCR3NCM
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ1Ea5Ctp3
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHFgwT6jbd
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIHNNQxz9Y
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF6wqtnQtN
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPSmty35Wv
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzoa68ePlW
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3yiPFfdEc
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd4mvGhyMX
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1zpy9EzK7
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdX5Jhsh8c
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkbCJ0OpSa
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hbD3tsSaC
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPsm5KJdKB
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8rTGKJ5hM
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLJ5hyUmbq
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEdZE1Y77Y
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVSpuhoXVR
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOEIleRcwJ
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCh5oWQcTb
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMc22tNQem
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHJAskcDWl
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2Dj6bxSFu
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiBxFxzuHW
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QOjadkXyx
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpabT5IGxe
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpfhcjzRTe
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXGcEXwmHC
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrdYICHozL
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagY4s0yQ8s
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL53hxXHQtD
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0V8j7OW6j
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRniPPpVGc
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsCfzXm3Lo
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2cujQSA09
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuiXKsGnWp
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBR0WAhwTp
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3ISiNQCpd
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBzOZHq1Fs
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQVlrGnDnq
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHouM4pqGw
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lP2Ou5GlU
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQtO6LwnJf
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpMlySXDok
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFmA0ZG7lO
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKllgdqTx6G
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6ytAR32ke
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3adi7H1v5
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr49rhnU2QX
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEIovTkRIp
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmXZGIvJyj
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMgOTEHiGI
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHm7DYttJa
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAuoj0tw55
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyA5lVzYQg
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58YQDQ72rN
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQUV4uGTuI
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhGWuwLkXj
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3zP7vKOcq
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEsbh24CVN
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvDP65uNd0
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYbDp3qotD
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J9eORstHY
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YAPZpio4Z
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkV3UhnAFR
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKszBKhlsm
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8DEdPOKNY
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJEfLuythy
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmMDnAYfoX
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9TdNfBcwL
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Izoml7pwv
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENuNs5wfhP
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXNcfuQKae
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QtiyLeEAD
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBp3Um9DfZ
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfBL8D8Syw
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAHBkZcJrq
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKiKYlHyCL
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXSB7TAIvD
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7wJDu9CdX
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB2Wwakk1l
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0bHjG11oB
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1Ya85gwj5
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtop3J1nNF
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E3VcFibjK
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDjwGwrc3S
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwGptLRZY1
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgfvu0Y207
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KrHoDrNdi
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllRml986U6
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQecdItMkV
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsRiJxXXeG
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiKV6QOKLk
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b6tlaaBeb
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqx9Tr0OKz
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jjdcTIBPE
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M6twzTVsI
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrm8IX1MiS
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPF5BU8kkd
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP400kQPGf9
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CgrL3b73l
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk61xPRqSEx
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF9TMyMSEn
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvP42EmspA
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1IBozVNgF
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuCPO4J774
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvzuXNQXuF
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPxBKvlFTM
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjyZ21JEO8
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ62zqazlDf
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIX25PWZrl
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTkwFfW80i
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJZZ7gDxVS
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBW1g7SADF
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtKmVNFDup
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZd9PW4mqF
Blades saluted.
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNZmqcBAdt
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkW8xgV3UV
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRa3Vhg1BG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ246qkszclo
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD8kGmv3P6
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqROXH9ZJUq
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozcOzAIm1W
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbicWTOzYTR
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX466tXsIn
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J497PxegR
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BPoytbLbg
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNzbkTTwle
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMwdkBLNBx
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0TGSzn1c3
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWPoTduzU9
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuejvfzsFD
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2RNRnij8i
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p2W4vsm6R
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpkTKYMJYz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B1c5reWGm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcOyWaza4R
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKy6P9PZuz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrtThH7JIe
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1qjnkMZ2M
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfNpH5POf0
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh70GyZTdyT
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9BKQN7NKd
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHr8ZZajqf
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmjOkGKB5B
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1cDg9WX9m
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07RsX6IuRx
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgOuywuFie
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhJbHCe9yp
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nwIudHsKh
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4SoYiKx4p
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNlRQ2GrWm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPVBCaIbHP
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNvReZytIR
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9knivArGEQ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPGSjEZELb
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5kPsNqpQ3
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfnSMwlpNX
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99IMU4LRp7
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP4t7RldBf
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIZKwc2dKU
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRkqPGJO9j
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKD4dhU24l
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdlU3B3eNn
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ymJUlNjGL
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGIpTQLgbO
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ikkp25Tux
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFNufLUFuf
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKzNfew87x
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1MNDfs3mq
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV0u51Z1Zi
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbbSgHcLGG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvn5dBRJwW
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss8TRxVTOH
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiQ7eTy2K1
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PqRZ6xUWe
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZa4PMLpyg
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt1jMKGRRp
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAATaud5pm9
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaj0eLvQfs
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnWq36ZaDW
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66W0ev2jjM
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipngE9ruia
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vovYBafeC
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2v4GtmYRh
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0khMMYkyE0
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBLIpPCoMf
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawfBvsQIhC
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnguAxAC65
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xGdlbOqRn
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfFebJ4RMm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGvH2oHjZj
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqjaI2Fo7E
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCitpDhjhjG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkhJouXRZu
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAURuqCUoi8
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12JxbpzJBm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkYEbD6uxy
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T10tu7Nbq
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28SWQYzXt1
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDxFInFVzV
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u9249bfLu
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2O6cQOHQA
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh68PQKP8xo
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOOvbwLqFv
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE3vGPa3Zk
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWIUFf8gN7
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dmfQ12Fb3
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn3J2nTtGF
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZUjZgN4Ua
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwGpW2LRwd
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELPwUyFcsV
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF5M9e8Qet
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFDV4RKkwK
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJw5PG6qvP
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pqVzLUpn3
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNvKcEFG7t
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReSTR9ph5x
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOKZWIv00H
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM6PvHBbU4
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhJ7ZmdfN6
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o6Hmujyag
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelvqfZrzZc
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCwDdJBA3B
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aypFa2QC6
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94uR62efCt
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qtTs73Mmg
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6SfzuGy9F
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGdWkZSG5W
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlQDbv7T7X
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSURWh8cFKS
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvbmJ1gzck
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74tBpAuern
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLsOEgLHm1
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR0TcVSNPM
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2SHZs05Ic
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGuHbgAZjE
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZR4K47H0D
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMnFWmFCXL
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA6FwTF3ZG
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2mapJMjyC
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWwkgady59
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Q33jGZO1
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk83Q54IVl
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOn1MDVhzm
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM3FTyYKWc
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGfp8DzWOd
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKkqM7KB1b
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZoSCeumgF
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnPMYsuvi9
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsKKVNGhWe
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV93BoghpI9
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFbV7ikSbz
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe46ERCrs20
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTKO4YQnGM
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOFmSiJciY
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAla1vD4j4
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI5ZTGc9vJ
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHGMK1idpv
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2i1ypV8Uy
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWclq419R0
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhUJi4fPXt
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbwMZCfrHK
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn9kFnrRnV
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFuO7FsCUH
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHG6xxSOlh
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumawjSAmh7
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN4VWskBom
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LDWfKx7vR
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrIPULFpnM
“Let’s get to it102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xySYCyyeb
then.” Vander saluted back.
and then Add to home screen.