Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
PHOENIX
He doesn’t know I’m alive, does he?
It doesn’t matter. He won’t remember my face. I was young when he last saw me in the flesh. But once he learns my name, he’ll know.
I bet he already does. No way his Royal Commander, Axel Dukas, doesn’t know that I survived, escaped, and joined the Order.
The General may think me being in this meeting will aid the cause. But it may as well make things for him even worse.
I push those thoughts away, flex my hands at my sides, and with an exhale, push the door to the war room open. Daegel is already sitting at the table. Next to him is Ezkai Xander. Two more Ezkai sit next to him, but I don’t know their identities.
I’m surprised to see two noblefolk at the table, too. It’s not often I cross paths with House Dzuni.
The General stands at the end of the table, Taaslord Noire next to him. They both turn their heads as I enter and pause their conversation.
“Welcome, Ezkai Phoenix,” the General says with a smile. He gestures at an empty seat next to Daegel. “Please take a seat. We’re just waiting for the king and his entourage to arrive.”
I dip my chin and stride forward. Once I’m sat, I’m less queasy. At least I have Daegel at my side.
He brushes my thigh with his under the table. Immediately, my body awakens. I always crave his touches.
A couple of minutes pass before the door opens. Two Ezkai with serious faces enter first. They hold the door open.
First enter the two Royal Guard soldiers, dressed in the tailored burgundy uniforms. Their eyes scan the room for threats. After them comes the man responsible for ruining my life.
The moment King Francis steps into the war room, his luxurious heavy robes rustling, my sight turns red. I grip the arms of my chair so hard my knuckles turn white.
It takes everything in me not to lose my shit. I struggle to get a breath in before Axel Dukas even enters the space. He prowls after his king, a mocking smirk edged at the corner of his mouth at all times.
When his dark gaze slides to me, he shows no signs of surprise.
I know he recognizes me.
I spent countless years in his presence. After all, he’s the one who served Dad as his second for decades before Dad left the Royal Guard and stepped down from his position as the Royal Commander.
I can’t believe that when I was thirteen, I had the biggest, fattest crush on this bloody murderer.
Horses whined. I whipped my head towards the sound.
Royal Guards—I recognized their uniforms.
Even Royal Commander Axel Dukas was here, glaring at the fire with dark eyes. I sighed, panting as I braced my palms on my knees for a moment.
Relief punched through my chest. Until Axel Dukas raised a hand.
A rider lit another torch…and threw it. It arced through the night and landed in the flames.
I look away first, lowering my gaze to the table in front of me. If I don’t get my anger and rage under control, the fae around me will notice. They can read body cues much easier.
When Daegel rests his hand over mine and squeezes it gently, I realize he already notices.
Choking a breath down, I try to clear my mind. I’m an empty vessel.
“King Francis.” The General greets the king. “Commander Dukas. It’s good to see you. Thank you for coming all the way from Wetra. Please take a seat.”
“It’s been awhile, General,” the king says as they all take a seat on the opposite side of the table.
I keep my eyes trained on the table.
I don’t trust myself. Not yet.
Daegel draws circles over my hand with his thumb. But I still clutch the arms of my chair as if my life depends on it.
He’ll have questions later. I won’t be able to dodge my way out of this. Not anymore.
How am I supposed to put together a plan and execute it flawlessly to ruin this man’s life the way he did mine when I can’t even control my own emotions when I’m in the same room as him?
I’m weak.
If my emotions rule me, he has power over me.
It’s a weakness I can’t afford.
The General takes a seat at the head of the table, and the Taaslord sits in an empty seat next to me.
“I hope your accommodations are comfortable and you have everything you need,” the General says. “I was told the journey here was stormy.”
“Thank you, General. The stay at your castle is always comfortable,” the king says. His words are kind, but there’s no kindness in his tone. “We hit the storm halfway to Ekios, which definitely didn’t make sleeping easy.”
A few laughs go around the table.
“This time of year, the sea can be unpredictable,” the General says, amused. “Hopefully lack of sleep won’t affect the outcome of this meeting.”
“That depends on what agreement we can come to,” King Francis says.
Silence settles around the table. Curious, I look up to find King Francis and the General staring at each other.
The General is the first to break the silence. “Well, I think we can both agree that we have the best interests in mind when it comes to domestic and international politics.”
“That’s what I thought, too. We always seemed to be on the same page,” King Francis says. “I always admired your rule, Kitajo. You opened up Ekios’s borders after centuries of seclusion. The misty land of fae shrouded in mystery became open to new, prosperous relationships.”
“Yes. Opening up the borders and signing trading agreements have benefited all three countries greatly,” the General says.
“As I always say, this is just a beginning. Imagine how many more doors are waiting to be opened. How many more possibilities lie behind them. However, just because I opened the borders and allowed sharing resources to benefit all three countries, it doesn’t mean you or Emera’s council have a say in how I choose to rule my country.
” The General pauses before adding, “You don’t see me expressing opinions about your choices.
Even though I disagree with many of them. ”
“I agree with you, General,” the king says. “Unfortunately, when the way you rule your country can have implications on my kingdom and its future, we cannot be silent.”
The General arches an eyebrow. “I don’t see how legalizing sex work and imposing regulation on the trade in Ekios to ensure safety of my people and stop illegal sex trafficking can or will negatively impact Wetra.”
Oh, so that’s what this is all about.
When the king doesn’t answer, the General adds, “If anything, it even benefits Wetra and Emera. Right now, organized criminal organizations are trafficking poor children out of both countries to sell their bodies here. I want that to end.”
“You see, it’s not as simple as that. Your cause is noble, but the reality of life is very rarely as simple as our visions and dreams,” the king says.
Patronizing asshole. “What do you think will happen when whores in Emera and Wetra find out their filthy perversions are legal in Ekios, and are even celebrated? That if they were to move here, they’ll be welcomed with open arms, allowed to spread their legs for money, and not be punished for it? ”
Fucking hypocrite. How dare he speak of these people who find themselves in these trades as if they’re the problem?
He has no issue paying for the company of said whores. But he has the audacity to judge them?
The General smirks. “Oh, I see. Now it makes all the sense. You’re afraid people will leave Wetra, seeking a better place to call home.”
“It seems that’s your new agenda, General.”
The General laughs. “Believe me, Francis. I don’t have a secret agenda of stealing your people. All I want to do is ensure the safety of innocent kids here in Ekios, and if I can, beyond our borders.”
“How noble of you. I don’t buy it.”
This motherfucker is playing with fire. The General’s body language is relaxed, his eyes dancing with amusement. But the Taaslord… Cold seeps from the shadows that curls around his neck, making goose bumps rise on my skin.
The king’s sly eyes shift from the General to me.
He’s looking at me, but his words are directed at the General.
“Decarios are few amongst humans. Rare. You know that well, Kitajo. I assume it’s our punishment from the old gods for sins of the past, to not bestow many gifts upon our race, unlike fae and dwarves.
Even knowing how precious human Decarios are, you poach one from us.
One, whose family was highly esteemed and close to me and my court.
Forgive me, General, for saying it, but it feels like a calculated political move that’s not in our best interest.”
Every pair of eyes around the table pins me in place.
I brace myself and lift my chin.
“After losing my family, I didn’t feel safe in Wetra,” I say, slowly. “If someone could do something so horrid to my parents, most loyal servants to the Crown, what would they do to me, a lone girl?”
The king eyes me thoughtfully. It throws me off. “I would have ensured your protection, Ms. Wildarrow. What happened to your parents was a terrible tragedy, and I’m sorry for your loss. I wish you would have come to me. I would have granted you shelter and protection.”
I’m stunned. Speechless. I look between the king and his commander, whose face reveals nothing. No way he acted without his king’s knowledge.
I don’t believe it.
I refuse to believe the kindness the king displays is real.
It’s all for show.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I choke out the words.
“As Phoenix says, she sought us out herself. I didn’t steal her from you,” the General says. “She chose to be here, and you should consider it a huge honor that a human Decarios is amongst the ranks of the Order. The first one in Ekios history.”
A beat of silence passes before the king says, “You’re right.
It’s an honor to see a human Decarios accomplish the impossible.
Congratulations, Ms. Wildarrow.” I dip my chin in acknowledgment.
“What worries me, though, is that there’ll be more like her.
Decarios, while gifted and powerful, easily succumb to vanity.
More will want to try their luck at joining the legendary ancient order of most powerful soldiers. ”
I bet he doesn’t want Decarios leaving his Royal Guard. Who’s going to carry out his ruthless orders? Who’ll protect his greedy ass then?
Just when I think I can’t get any angrier, a new hot wave, like molten lava, rises within me.
All the king does is serves himself. He cares nothing of his people, of those who suffer because of his actions.
Before I know it, my senses are open. And I reach.
The flaming hands of pure, untainted rage slither towards the king across from me.
Rage is spicy on the tip of my tongue. The king’s cheeks heat, and he adjusts himself in his seat.
Fuck my grand plans of vengeance.
This ends now.
Just as the fingers of bubbling rage are about to wrap around the king’s neck, Daegel squeezes my thigh hard enough to make me wince.
I snap out of my fit for a heartbeat. But it’s enough to bring me back to my senses.
Quickly, I close my senses off and glance around the room. Nobody seems to have noticed my slip.
When I steal a sideways glance at Daegel, he gives me a loaded look. I clear my throat and focus back on the conversation.
The General spreads his arms. “Who am I to stop them? Ekios borders are open to anyone who dares to venture here.”
A muscle in King Francis’s jaw ticks. “General, I came here to talk to you and make sure we work out something that satisfies both our people. Not only yours.”
The General leans back in his seat and laces his fingers in front of his chest. He flashes the king a smile.
“I’m always eager to negotiate, King Francis.
And my intentions are always honorable. However, I’m not going to change my mind about passing a law that benefits my people to satisfy your fears.
We opened the borders, it’s part of the original deal we made, Francis.
I can’t stop people from coming to Ekios. ”
“General—”
“Your Majesty, closing the borders of Ekios is not an option, and is not going to benefit your economy or ours, and the General isn’t willing to change his mind about this particular law,” one of the noblefolk, a fae with a daring sky blue tunic says, her voice soothing.
“However, what we can offer is a quota on how many humans per year Ekios will allow to settle here.”
King Francis looks at the fae, considering her words.
“Come on, Francis,” the General says after a moment. “This way, you get to keep some of your whores, and Decarios.”
King Francis pushes off the table and rises. His entourage rushes to their feet, too. Only Axel Dukas takes his time standing.
“I’ll consider it, General,” the king says. “You’ll hear from me by the end of day.”
His heavy robes rustling, King Francis strides out of the war room.
My shoulders slump and I exhale a shaky breath. My relief doesn’t last, because Ezkai General says, “Ezkai Phoenix, may I have a word with you in private?”