It wasn’t an odd question, but the timing felt strange. He was serious when he said it was unlikely that the vampire queen’s forces would try to poison him again, but did she think that they would attack the capital? Or rather, did she believe that he couldn’t protect her? “Why?” Her lips twitched and she nodded at the depiction. Adolph looked at the window and winced. “You don’t think it’s just a metaphor?” “Can you handle a sword?” She asked with a wry smile. He sighed, “I suppose you have a point…” “If something happens,” Laurel said. “I don’t want to be a useless shield.” She looked up at him, “You wouldn’t begrudge me that, would you?” Adolph grumbled. She knew he would never begrudge her anything. “Very well,” Adolph nodded. “As soon as we get back, I’ll arrange someone t

