Chapter 18
“Hey, are you alright?” Vander131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54rpwqtPcn
slowly opened his eyes to see Eliza standing over him. It had only been a few131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Zdd87bLj
hours since he had fallen asleep. The sky had lightened up only slightly, but131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiTt8GYDqz
it was still several hours until dawn. He sat up from the bench with his back131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLa46DQVxI
protesting from the sudden movement.
Once his eyes131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFx8PQEKLr
adjusted he looked back up at Eliza, who didn’t look as though she got much131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHclMOSKfgQ
sleep either. She was wearing a long coat that stopped just above her knees.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrquLyVBYJ
Her hair was down, it stopped just above her hips, and she wore a pair of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdul9vEz65t
trousers.
“I just sometimes come out here to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspCtdxotV6
enjoy the surroundings.” He chuckled, but winced as his ribs protested the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjWuGcHEVR
sudden movement. “It’s a lot quieter here than in the city, especially with all131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QuJzg8nSd
the Warden’s guards running the place. Why are you out here?”
“The same as you I expect.” She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm1SBDlnDI
sat down next to him then stretched her legs out in front of her. He couldn’t131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWvRIf72r0
help admiring the firmness of them as well as their length. “I’ve been restless131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHxbieqmRR
since I started my journey here. There is something coming, I can feel it.”
“Is there?” he couldn’t help but131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzct1VvWMkQ
chuckle. She shot him a dirty look. “Is that why you came here with Kiara?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WDkUeoqUC
Because something was coming?”
“I came here because it was my131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8I3g45rgP
duty to protect my older sister and keep her safe.” She explained. “But now131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZouVR4WbgD
that she is here, I’m not sure what to do with myself now.”
“You just got accepted into the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4BSHA85G0
Blades,” he said. “A captain at that. You can stay close to Kiara and keep her131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTLU5Ob6OB
safe. Is that what you wanted?” She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzrPypzeYZ
nodded her head for a moment but shook it.
“This was a path that was chosen131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7n4e0P7UR
for me and one I was willing to be a part of. I had been training for it since131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqLubs0N0X
I was a little girl.” She laughed, but the joy didn’t reach her eyes. “What I131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJyXBh2Y8F
wanted was to marry a prince and be whisked off my feet or to travel the world131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAFwCZEUCb
and meet new people. But this, fighting,” she looked down at her calloused131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLErtiruvb
hands with sadness. “It’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“Is this what keeps you up at131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQIFmwGxxf
night?” he asked. “Your uncertain future?”
“Isn’t that what keeps you up?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H74dHF3PQ
she countered. “Why you stay here in the garden in the middle of the night131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMULgs7J8Au
instead of being in your comfortable bed?”
“I grow restless at night.” Vander131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3Yl3InVZg
said.
“Due to Unna?” He looked at her131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9HhP1Uejl
sharply. “You don’t really keep it a secret. Anyone with half a brain can tell131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbeR1bS7wR
you’re different. The way you move, the way you fight, it’s as if you can sense131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AufeeLe69
things that other people can’t.”
“Kiara told you?” she grinned at131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHTXnjN7Bv
him.
“Kiara told me.” He sighed. He131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCib4gWnlM
leaned back on the bench, so he was staring up at the sky once again.
“I never wanted this.” He131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSAbGyP1md
whispered. “I acted to save my friends and was given this power. If I could131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P7WlsMzGd
give it back I would. I know what happens to those who abuse her power and even131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S9u5dsQlM
now I feel it scratching inside, wanting to be let loose. If it wasn’t for Shea131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymhY4xNHMy
I would have lost myself a long time ago.”
“You’ll find you can accomplish131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cor4GhBhY
great things when you have something you want to protect Vander.” She smiled.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjMTjDsfsq
“I hope you can find someone else you want to protect, to give you that131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghtmR1g2sK
strength when you need it.”
“No one has escaped this curse131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhSAo3FQR0
Eliza, no one.” He got up from the bench. “My grandfather, Cuvera, the King,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMKEFgQU0y
and Alex seem to think I can, but I don’t know. It seems, unsurmountable.”
“I still have one wish that you131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EQuS8c2fG
need to grant.” Eliza placed her hand on Vander’s shoulder. “Come with me.” Confused131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRK9cMJhyb
as to where she was taking him, he followed.
The two of them left the garden131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxhZFLK69O
heading back inside of the castle. He thought that she was going to take him to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIvIXYvcyP
her room, but instead she led him down towards the castle training room131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm05WAqwHT
reserved for the Captains, though no one used it much anymore except the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAHkx4LoDZ
commander when he sparred with Malcolm or Cuvera. Vander came here sometimes131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRqvqCbSqr
when he was being given lessons, but it had been a long time.
“Why have we come down here?” he131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnnmLXZ30j
asked. She ignored him. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail then removed131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrROUwMNC9r
her jacket tossing it on the floor in the corner. She began to stretch while131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFd8gpp8qg
Vander just stared at her dumbfounded. Realizing he wasn’t going to get the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C4X1qP2HU
answer he needed from her, he shrugged off his jacket and began to stretch as131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCXYPLBR4A
well. Either she was going to fight him or fuck him, either way he wanted to be131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VFxxjz9ZQ
prepared.
“Do you know that Bricen is the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw7Qq1UZ6Z
only country, outside of Eluvia, who had a Ma’akti?” she asked a couple of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd0pgGgSXC
minutes later. She was touching the tips of her toes when she looked up at him.
“I did.” Vander nodded. “I always131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ06sUNngrt
thought it was the King, but you were all very tight lipped about it.”
“Well, it’s not my father.” Eliza131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP97Nlfjlq
laughed. “The blessings of Azta doesn’t go through the men of the line, it goes131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99Vm92YQFs
through the women, and it’s known to skip a couple of generations.”
“What does this have to do with131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0gyG4HlGQ
me?” Vander asked. Eliza got to her feet and motioned for Vander to do the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PdYgGHTHe
same. He got up warily, keeping his eye on her as she moved around the small131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W2kD5hw6x
room.
Suddenly her hand combusted and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XNvN9L7HQ
she swung a flaming fist towards his face. Vander ducked in surprise, the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR7WTfNlne
flames singing part of his cheek. He was so startled he fell on the ground and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KI60uDgy5
started quickly backing away. She smirked sinisterly at him as she walked131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdHH7X0veI
closer to him. She held her hand up towards the ceiling, but it didn’t look as131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxawzZyweTb
though she was in any sort of pain.
“You’re the Ma’akti Azta’un?” he131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgBCPzu7Kt
stammered out. “How are you doing that? Isn’t that painful?”
“When I was younger and didn’t131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwNuoWPDKo
know how to control it, sure.” She shrugged. “But I have had time to accept my131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCVDyAm5hr
lot in life and made this apart of me. You must learn to do the same.”
“It’s not the same though.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzX7Fd5YK2
Vander’s voice hardened. “Do you know how many of my predecessors slaughtered131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwV5cZmcQ3
their friends? Their family?” He got up from his position on the floor. “Their131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh4MZsL0OA
blood was on their hands, and it took many more lives until they were put131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGYRhDIPUZ
down.”
“You cannot live in fear your131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDndawOfKp
entire life.” Eliza snapped. “You must embrace who you are, embrace the beast131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV43trsRFJ9
inside. That’s the only way you can move forward.”
“No.” he snarled. “That’s final.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEuiFUScMu
He moved to leave, but Eliza placed her other hand on his shoulder. He brought131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV8swiJCeT
his elbow back to shrug her off, but accidentally caught her in the face. She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBwURu09kR
stumbled backwards, but before he could apologize, she swept his legs out from131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU3rJHqYH0
under him making him land on his back. She was on him while he was trying to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKYGnL5nmE
stand up. She grabbed him by the collar then pushed him against the wall. He131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGecKwzYSBm
rebounded off and went for a punch which she easily ducked underneath. Then she131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsq2VreK1p
drove her fist into his stomach.
She waited around while he dry131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gesTTCsd4
heaved on the floor. “Why are you doing this?” he gasped.
“Before Kiara was going to come131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg95Kd6qq0
here, I was actually going to take her place as princess.” Eliza walked around131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDIGxvtdsn
him. “The night before, Azta came to me. She told me that someone was going to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKtxUNTcYd
need me here, one given the Curse of the Beasts. That he would need my help to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzG7f2Y8g2
realize his true power.”
“My true power is death and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4lwubKXza
slaughter.” He wobbled to his feet, but his eyes were focused on her. “Nothing131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuYQJ3qJgQ
can change that.”
“Even if it’s the ones you loved131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWezgRUPTJ
being threatened?” He growled his response, so she held her hands up in front131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmX5Rr9JUh
of her. “Eventually you will have to make a choice, Vander. Accept who you are131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlTdrjpKFu
or those you love and everyone around them will die because you didn’t.”
“Does this have to do with Veyar’s131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IIEUWX3u6
prophecy?” he asked. She looked at him confused then shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t speak to Veyar, only131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfoYiZutxm
Azta, and only when she wants me to.” She explained. “If Veyar talked to you,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDH5okJtBD
it’s for your ears only. What did she tell you?”
“About the freeing of the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLd5sWqGON
Darkness.” He said. Eliza’s face grew pale.
“Let’s just hope that doesn’t come131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6estyYWmn
to pass.” She said. “They need a lot more than a few of our powers to make it131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoGYAiWOmV
happen. If something like that was going to happen, the deities would be up in131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlH9JpxwnI
arms. Let’s just focus on this for now.”
“There is no this.” Vander dusted131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmonUAK6Cnb
himself off. “I’m out of here.”
“This was my wish, Vander.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrL3RxqW4Y
Eliza’s voice stopped him dead in his tracks. “Or do you go against your word?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE7JZkbx2R
His shoulder’s slumped as he turned back to face her.
“I will make you regret this.” He131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL4D93Q7kq
sighed. “I still have my wish as well.”
“Do your worst.” She squared up.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXVRnHIyJL
“This time, please fight back.”
“I cannot control the strength I131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdjdMO4f8k
possess.” He warned. “If you get hurt, Kiara will have my head.”
“Don’t worry about hurting me.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVJthjW4jD
She grinned. “Worry about yourself.”
She ignited her fist and charged131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1ekZaZ49u
him. Vander closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time he removed131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbih0W8Ksu
the barriers he erected in place to protect himself and others. He opened his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLWwmLcR2D
eyes and saw the fist mere centimeters from his face, but it was slowed. He131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnC8xVtHRw
could see her fingernails, each of them crackling with the flames of the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuk1XLr3bp
goddess. He could hear her muscles tense, smell the sweat building up on her131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGNh8MpfWD
body, and taste the ashes in the air. He slid out of the way and counterpunched131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkON9d7cKwA
hitting her in the stomach. She was sent flying backwards into the wall.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjlobWSyde
Instead of bouncing off it, she ended up a couple of inches embedded inside. As131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQOyqkyuix
quickly as he released them, Vander re-erected the barriers.
“Are you alright?” he asked. Eliza131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z5YkqRII3
pulled herself from the wall grinning. She brushed off the dust from her131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGaRGlWKaZ
clothing stepping onto the broken bricks.
“Damn you do pack a punch.” She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrgMcQOrxi
laughed. “If I hadn’t protected myself using the divinity I had stored, I would131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09aMheHq05
have broken a few ribs.”
“That’s a neat trick.” He frowned.
“That’s just one of the few things131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71i2PTEKVf
you can learn if you accept who you are.” She explained. “Until then, I’ll keep131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ6a6xoJic
beating your ass. Are you ready?”
“No, but you won’t leave me along131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIydTOwQ8tj
until I am.” He got into his fighting stance. “Let’s just get this over with,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsYaLvty4Z
we have a wedding tomorrow.”
∙
Vander was sore when he woke up131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoK0O6pLAR
the next morning. Eliza kept him down there for hours trying to goad him into131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNYzSjmpPH
using the powers gifted to him by Unna, but he refused. If that punch was131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVdBMN5rkJ
anything close to what he could do, he could wreak untold havoc if he succumbed.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy4wVOFYQ8
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t let that happen. Eventually she had gotten tired and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUINidk09b
dismissed them for the night, however he knew that she would keep bringing him131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4FJ1UaNfX
down there until she was satisfied. Shea hadn’t even woken up when he arrived131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBfcvOsfM1
back, but let her annoyance known when he flopped down on top of her. She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLMfpkOu09
bounced on top of him several times before slamming her head into his side. She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMAaNLE7wP
emulated Eliza by kicking him in the side before eventually going back to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp00BPD30Ak
sleep.
He slunk out of bed towards the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknOGdvAHgy
bathroom. It was still early morning, but even from up here he could hear the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5mn9ETJQ7
buzzing of servants running around getting everything ready for this afternoon.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMq9lg4Dhm
This was going to be a long day and he had to make sure the guards were in131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0zERcdMrn
their places and alert just in case anything happened. With all the Wardens,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JHaqpiSBg
nobles, the prince, princess and the King all in one place it was a prime131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsqMHDFLnz
target for anyone looking to cripple the country. He wouldn’t leave anything to131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE4Yf5d6p2
chance, not after the king’s poisoning. He had to make sure all his bases were131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMFBcncDER
covered because if anything happened it would be his ass on the line, no one131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIuGCleFKs
else’s.
He showered quickly, but when he131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxFIcT8mHb
came out there was a package sitting on the bed with a written note on it. He131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvia2HVqCFG
recognized Cuvera’s handwriting. The note told him that it was from Madame131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQfOo7SGdy
Topal, which meant it was his attire for the wedding. He had a choice to wear131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43aJA84JOp
it now and face ridicule from his comrades, or rush getting changed later and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyXIkICsqF
risk being late. Sighing, he removed the clothing from the box and put it on.
Topal had gotten his measurements131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fKNUMFclW
precisely. Nothing bulged when he put on his clothing nor did anything hang131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB7yyXFiRD
loose off his frame. The pants were tailored to the perfect height and somehow131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZjG8SEvqZ
she had gotten the measurements for his feet as there was a new pair of boots131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs47Pfw8Ml
also in the box. Both were black and the shirt he put on was a deep blue the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmzyLFw97d
color of the Elan family crest. The frock jacket he received was entirely blue131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbBpeDXSHt
aside from the spiral pattern around the buttons and over the chest: that was131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMICZMaJTvs
the color of his hair. He had to admit, he looked good in the outfit, but it131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRSuhZQsKe
was a little too fancy for his taste. Thankfully Topal was considerate enough131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM24XXmH4Ru
to add a sword belt to his outfit so he wouldn’t feel quite as exposed without131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNbfEe1w9c
his sword close by.
“What do you think?” he turned131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQpigE7G1Q
around to face Shea. She looked up at him with a tilt of her head.
“Very dignified.” She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF16wW5YA9
barked. “Eliza will be very happy.”
“Why does it matter if she is?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkl2OwsycI
Vander asked her. “This is for me to look like Cuvera’s best man, not for131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJihY6KMoVM
Eliza.”
“Don’t act like you weren’t131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgQvr6pid4
covered in her scent.” Shea rolled her eyes. “I could smell the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngE3viTIPC
attraction between the two of you. Don’t lie to me Vander.”
“Okay, so what though?” Vander131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcjCzsMFnV
clipped on his sword. “She’s just helping me because of a vision she received,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEtf4BxjAr
no other reason. I know you want me to be happy, Shea, but these kinds of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr1nK74T3T
things take time. I’m not ready.”
“You’re just afraid of being131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo2iBzX2Ys
hurt again.” She said accusingly. “Bree made her choice and Julianna is131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2XYMguR9c
busy running her business.” Her voice softened. “It hurts me to see you131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BPAqNLcXp
so unhappy.” He took a deep breath to control his anger.
“I know, I know.” He sat down on131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQm2tBMTDK
the bed. She placed her head in his lap while he stroked her ear. “When this131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsyDZfZfNY
mess with the Serpents is done, we will take a vacation away from here. Maybe131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wl9q21wTD
go to the shore and play at the beach, just the two of us.” Her tail thumped on131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s6reKQ5ip
the bed in excitement.
“I’d like that.” She said.
“Now, let’s go prepare for the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmtiA0ibvr
wedding.”
Vander and Shea slipped from the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjisZtp24n5
room and headed towards the ballroom where his Blades would be waiting.
With the others131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxhzYl3YZK
returning from their mission to escort the Warden’s to the city, all fifty of131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuVEWFeVf4
them were in attendance. They were all dressed in their uniforms talking131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37ZCDueqEk
amongst one another, but as soon as he entered the room, they snapped smartly131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRuvRAcOHk
to attention. He marched past them with Shea following behind. He stood on top131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRBnKuHjQD
of the stage where the throne had been removed to make room for the pillars131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBKdLhQbN3
that were draped in red and blue fabric. The ten Captains stood behind Charles131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8k7PluC17
with their hands behind their back. Alex bowed his head at Vander, but Leon131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaU63Irh4u
ignored him altogether. He looked around for Eliza, but she wasn’t there. She131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAPZrKigkI
was likely helping Kiara with her wedding preparations.
“You’re late.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUCBdab5i1
Charles growled.
“Sorry,” Vander131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT1ut36PsT
bowed his head. “I had a late night.”
“Get in line.” As131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7wsmj4zuJ
soon as walked next to his grandfather, the old man whispered: “You look nice.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3zhSf4U02
Vander smiled to himself as he stood next to Alex. Shea sat down next to him.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaj1J3iNlW
Charles straightened his back before speaking to the others: “As you know, the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOfNbpO1zO
wedding of Cuvera and Kiara is later this afternoon. As such we have one duty,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM9QUzz5WV
protect the castle grounds from intruders, and keep the King, his family and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0NvKcWobX
the Warden’s safe. The guards will protect the walls while we protect the131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw76aES29c
castle. I want everyone to be on their best behavior and aware of your131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTFLfzrX6J
surroundings. I will pass it off to Vander for specifics.”
“Thank you.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4s8O6OPvT
Vander stepped up. This was his chance to prove himself as a capable leader and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdaryq3dMm
he wasn’t going to let it go to waste. He saw Rooster, Chicken, Forest, Briar,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhmkTMgnXF
and Eve standing at the back. Their new uniforms and weapons were looking shiny131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinmy7KCI0O
and new, and they looked nervous. He would have to give them something131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6od7RXEOHe
important, but also easy. He didn’t want to give them too much responsibility131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ay4NVH5ou
for their first official mission.
“Tonight is a131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMFIIXHVHG
very special night and it’s our job to make sure that everything goes131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsNCI1fh1O
smoothly.” He said. “Listen to your Captains, keep your eyes peeled and your131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwyn8WvN7v
wits about you. If something seems wrong, listen to your instincts. I’d rather131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMSvP3U08h
apologize because you were wrong than do nothing and have this place crash down131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qVcYEf7UW
around us. Now, for your posts.”
He gave131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK3mny6328
Alexander’s squad, the new trainees, the task of guarding the door. It would131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7E0fqgx2c
involve checking invitations, making sure none of the guards brought weapons,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sDluyZJ7R
and the people who were there had been invited. It would test them to stand131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTlbk6X9Xx
their group against uppity nobles who believed they were above the law and131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK2JNyilfs
making sure they could do their job properly.
He made sure131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNlzZrkWCw
Leon’s squad was paired with someone who would keep an eye on them. They would131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXr9STUdGE
oversee patrolling the upstairs, checking rooms and windows for any potential131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnryM4Uj0An
hazards. There would be four squads alternating to make sure no one got tired.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3znRgPDaV
One squad would be walking around the ballroom during the party to escort drunk131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCuXYVzOJA
revelers to rooms that have been set aside for them. There would be some squads131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4nDgJTbkO
stationed in the kitchens and along the delivery tunnels. He made sure no131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwQ7Ejv4EO
routes were left unprotected. If there were any gaps he would be the last line131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZK4u6erf4
of defense. Shea would keep her eyes on the king and prince the entire night.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOHPf0UogN
She would warn him if there was anything suspicious going on.
He gave one last131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNuxFH32R1
warning to the troops. “The people who attacked the king and nearly ended his131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3vgPOq49v
life, as well as my own, are crafty and skilled.” He said. “Keep your eyes on131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eWhWjgYQs
each other and watch each other’s back. No one goes anywhere alone. Am I131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnB8PdtxXE
understood?”
“Yes sir!” The131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDss1jyeQv8
Blades saluted.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap5lyItR6F
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww4iJu7sHb
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeML9HUSq4Z
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ4u8nmKEi
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogmVX3hiJK
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp0fr8j56U
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfeTfboIBN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDGNMevi9b
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wxh34bnPP
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUhm3wkWZc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW41ZmTn8jA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0JuOehVDj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREPDmPuNfd
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbxV8HZDhI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJn6gYUtUm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW9UUjeVpU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnubspdHmad
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ5kJNig96
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFGotUUWWN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoDYRxVbq6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIzmPUAFWU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mX0GlgkRy
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL8GEnNf6F
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqUhNQyTr6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdaXCPs0Da
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgXWEvEiyc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBnS9npzSN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j6OPBOQey
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuY5ZFSPz5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldnFjGuKjW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR5ndg8h0i
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ek5SvxC2o
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8A923EirZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9KFOT7PVk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUtrWlvT2t
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgpDhnzQ8Y
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvijSRQERFZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QeU6S9uuo
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdiWyqqMM3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd8NAXN1F7
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZWKLPT7a9
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarzu0tvouW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWbyg5x5HE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRJFrhCn5G
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJRkhcpQEj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hu7pLlI0C
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2fSSDTrP0
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwQZl2q2GA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2AYSw0sRD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5fKAaVoie
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHidk4A7FDz
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUmUBSQkbE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVB8GlEs3R
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1rViSmZnj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERgMGwImbx
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJiLXJb0n5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43guB0jScP
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVDMmDXBAV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxuy5of6xk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEh9LCF7kM
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgtphNXI3z
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiht7jodfP
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOejYZYv8hz
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVg1AOlObd
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WXsoLKmTT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVH9NcMMCy
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhy5CEh7w5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zE7YqDgUu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumpwzEQYfM
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOtGg4uVHU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UbsCbUjdZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDO4C6ypHQ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AnRdqEGcF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DROOtoymD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c1nbBSufW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1fqyY7zU8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFSLjvBHtZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK2IFmBw9Y
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBz579p7m7
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSVp7xZTNy
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPmOAH21Cj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh5siSK1WI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF66Lvh3AdZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmFW3S0ckC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEN2Kb9eUb
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlldzWn2ofW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESqJy2SBrs
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg0spPBW1J
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiraifWlVwt
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgEPlKtAaa
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEelkJHpgPh
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9JarQhPvw
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pGiBtZVBf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefp8NUCOO8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn12KYVL986
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7nkrtoza3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4lSBnPLoy
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUQ1tzGc2E
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyzi5apt1z
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y2IM3UVlX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc9nulCKpc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HeKeRE5F8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfw8sLBTD6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QcIYCTAlg
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi6WJ0PezZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wh8qUc7A7
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1pw7xiZ9z
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL7tfiyOdN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulpAGGeMja
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s6jOkLDuK
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLnJKju7Qv
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLH8Qmp79h
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMK4aUTD85
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVGO2qltEp
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYg5CxnnTV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPTd8QIokq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rUZAKtzmk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmi15YDv2m
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPZgdnyjSI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYr0HQDde4
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLNClTZ8Qt
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaO97fcQHT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZSkdTX1BD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnoJ3ltzZV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdVNsILWQx
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroxy32Xw5u
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhImd4lY0D
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM1ZeQbLTw
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mMBt7Q9qO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfF11eOWP9
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKHI8NK854
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpztTnkuQno
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yJqtiaFMW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwF9SlvQtY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAaWRM56b8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSS9snVX6q
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f848hWlT4
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhflVSYeMft
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqStoJPuDm3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwbWyRfMnz
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPayW79BY0
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH67Gl0JPRf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80rXAXPKjf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dT91BCG1L
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HmaxyHK8c
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M1SI5mUaE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLOur5MQVC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7symyK0ke
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRZlJpoxmc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wNzEk9RtT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflHbmnHKqa
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmup5vjFJGF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqkMllpsl6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh8WRtFMfV
“Let’s get to it131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GPMt2cDfr
then.” Vander saluted back.
然後按「加至主畫面」