Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
PHOENIX
My mind is reeling by the time I reach the plum orchard in the castle grounds.
I couldn’t sleep at Daegel’s. Not after the declaration he made.
“Will you?” I choked the question out after he told me his father wants him to enter the trials. “Is that something you want?”
Daegel hesitated. A frown formed between his eyebrows. Finally, he said, “It’s an honor. One that’s so rarely bestowed upon Ezkai, to become the General. I’ve been climbing Ezkai ranks for years. It would be the height of my career as an Ezkai.”
I was not surprised to hear that. I knew about Daegel’s ambition from the start. If he had come up with this idea by himself, I wouldn’t bat an eye.
But it’s his father’s wish. His father who’s a Caligos.
And Daegel promised me he’d cut ties with that part of the family legacy.
“What does your father have to do with any of it? Why did he ask you to enter these trials? Why not enter them himself?”
“I was born into a family who had plans and expectations for me when I was just a fetus in my mother’s womb. For them, it’s their way, or no way at all.” The look he gave me was full of resignation. “All the members in my family have roles to play.”
Daegel opened up in way he hadn’t before.
“My father, as the current head of the family, runs all of the operations that our family is involved in with Caligos. It’s his legacy, and one day it’s supposed to be mine, too.
My mother has a higher position in the Order of Ezkai than my father, so she’s not as involved in the Caligos business, and focuses more on keeping up the family name in the public eye.
And me… Well, I’m their heir who’s supposedly destined to be the next Ezkai General,” he said.
That’s when I realized how much trouble we’re in.
Not only does his father not approve of him dating me, but Daegel’s ambition and loyalty to his family, even if he says he doesn’t like the tight leash around his neck, goes above everything else.
Even me, and his love for me.
If we’re to have a future together, I’d have to bite my tongue and accept it. That I’d always come second, if not third.
Tears spring to my eyes, blurring the sight of a tree in front of me as I draw the arrow. Scorpio hums in my hand. Since the day my bow allowed me to bond with it by revealing its true name, I’ve noticed that it only ever awakens when strong negative emotions rule me.
Anger. Rage. Aggression. Heartache.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Let go.
The arrow whizzes through the air and hits the trunk of the tree right as a lone tear escapes and rolls down my cheek.
With a sniffle, I brush it way. Pull another arrow from the quiver.
Life’s as fragile as a house of cards. One moment everything may look and feel like a dream, everything you’ve always wanted. And the next, it’s gone in a blink of an eye.
I thought I learned that lesson when I lost my family. But the ache that’s settled in my chest tells me I haven’t.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Let go.
The arrow lands true.
One by one, I draw the arrows and shoot them until my quiver is empty. Unfortunately, I don’t feel any better. So, I go to retrieve the arrows and start again.
Just as I draw the first one, aiming at the thin branch at the very top of the plum tree, the sound of rustling leaves reaches my ear.
It’s midnight, and I’m in the middle of the plum orchard on the castle grounds. Nobody’s supposed to be here at this time.
I pivot on my heel, aiming the arrow at the intruder.
When I recognize Vera’s steely eyes, I lower my bow. “You should know better than to approach a Decarios with weapon in hand in the middle of the night unannounced.”
“Phoenix Wildarrow, the daughter of deceased Airo and Tana Wildarrow one of the most influential Decarios families in Wetra,” Vera says, taking a step closer to me. The ivory suit she wears offers a stark contrast to the darkness of the night. “I’ve been looking for you.”
She carries herself with confidence. Yet, there is an aura of melancholy around her. Quickly, I open up my senses and I’m met with…nothing.
I cock my head sideways. “You’re a Decarios?”
“No. I’m just a simple fae.”
“Then why can’t I read your emotions?”
She arches an eyebrow. “You Decarios think just because you have the ability that it’s your right to intrude on others’ emotions. It’s appalling.”
I don’t understand.
If this fae is not a Decarios, then how come I can’t access her emotions? It only every happens with other Decarios. I’ve never met a regular fae, human, or a dwarf whose emotions I couldn’t read.
“I would apologize for the intrusion, but I couldn’t read you, so…”
To that, she says nothing. We stare at each other for a few heartbeats.
I’m the first to break the silence. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
A breath hitches in her throat. The only indication of any sort of emotion that my words may have induced.
She doesn’t say anything to that, either. Instead, she says, “Do you know how the next Ezkai General is chosen?”
I nod.
“Good. We don’t have to waste time with explanations,” she says and takes another step closer to me.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman—fae, human, or dwarf—as stunning as she is.
“Val’taz Ezkairin will start in a week; the sign-up is open.
Every member in Order of Ezkai are allowed to take part. ”
“I know. Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I want you to enter Val’taz Ezkairin.”
A laugh bubbles out of my chest. I’m so surprised by her words, I shake my head.
“I don’t understand. What?”
“This is not a joke, Phoenix,” Vera says, eyeing me from head to toe. “It’s a very generous business offer. A proposition one may get once in a lifetime. An opportunity of a lifetime. I’ll ensure you have the support of the most influential folk, and everything you need to help you win.”
I lift my chin. “Who says I want to enter Val’taz Ezkairin?”
She comes even closer. We’re standing face-to-face. Her steel-colored eyes bore into mine, and I feel like she’s looking in the deepest corners of my soul.
It takes everything in me not to avert my gaze.
It would make me look weak.
Her words are quiet as a whisper. “Tell me you haven’t considered it.
” When I don’t reply, she flashes me a half smile.
It doesn’t reach her eyes. “That’s what I thought.
Someone like you, a human Decarios who dared venture into the land of the unknown and attempted to get into an ancient order of soldiers where humans are not welcomed, has the potential to be great.
And often ambition to help them get to greatness.
Besides, Kitajo shared with me about the blood debt you’re owed.
You know, as an Ezkai General, you could challenge King Francis to a duel.
It’s our tradition and law. He may not be an Ekion, but he’d have no other choice but to accept or he’d look like a coward in front of people from three nations. ”
My jaw drops. That…sounds too good to be true. But if Vera’s telling the truth, the only thing standing between me and claiming vengeance is these trials.
“Okay, fine. I may have entertained that idea,” I say. “Why do you want me to enter the trials? To offer support and back me up? There is a number of other Ezkai, more powerful and better-trained fae Ezkai, you could support instead. I’ve only been in the Order for a couple of months.”
“But you’ve been training for the majority of your life.
You saved Kitajo’s life.” When she says the General’s name, her voice quivers slightly.
“He believed you will be the one to revolutionize Ekios’s future, make it diverse and thriving.
A human Ezkai, a powerful and capable one who can unite all three races.
He had plans for you. I trust Kitajo’s judgment.
And I think you’re the best candidate to help me fulfill what we’ve been working towards for so long. ”
“Ah, so there’s something you need from me if I were to become the next General.”
“Of course. Everything in life has a cost.”
I arch an eyebrow. “I’m not going to become the Ezkai General just to be your puppet.”
“Nobody’s asking you to be a puppet,” she says. “All I’m asking you is to pass the law Kitajo was working on before he passed away. One where the government takes control over brothels all over Ekios.”
Warily, I eye her for a moment. That’s it? That’s her price?
If that’s all I need to do to get her support and help to become the next Ezkai General…well, I don’t see why not.
Daegel…
If I enter Val’taz Ezkairin, we’ll be fighting against each other. We’ll become enemies. Only one of us will walk out alive.
I don’t know if I can do it.
Cold fear fingers wrap around my heart and squeeze so hard I barely manage to down a breath.
“There’s one more thing, Phoenix,” Vera says. “If you were to become my chosen champion, and accept the support and help I offer, you’ll have to cut all ties with Caligos.”
I blink rapidly at her. “I don’t—I’m not affiliated with Caligos!”
Vera glances down at her nails, bored. “You’re affiliated with Caligos by association to the Talbot heir. If you do this, if you accept my offer, you’ll have to sacrifice your ties to him.”
My heart sinks.
I open my mouth to speak, but she lifts her palm to silence me. “Don’t give me an answer now. Think about it. Sleep on it. In three days’ time, I’ll find you and we’ll speak again.”
She whirls on her heel and walks away. All I can think about as her silhouette disappears behind the sea of trees is that I can’t have both.
I have to choose between Daegel, or revenge.