Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
PHOENIX
Still reeling after my argument with Daegel, I head out to the city to find an appropriate outfit for this Black Night event that’s supposed to be the opening ceremony that marks the start of Val’taz Ezkairin.
My mind is running a thousand miles an hour, my heart aching so bad I want to curl into a ball and cry my eyes out. But I have deadly trials to prepare for. So, I roam the streets looking for a decent tailor shop where I can buy a nice dress for this opening ceremony.
I have no idea what the ceremony is like, or what kind of dress I should look for. My idea of participating in deadly trials involves fighting in an arena, or something along that line. Not participating in a fashion show.
Finally, I notice a sign to a tailor shop. The moment I enter, I’m met with an array of silks, and fancy lace.
“Good afternoon, miss,” a young fae woman with blush-pink hair and matching-color eyes greets me from behind a counter on the left side of the shop. “How can I help you today? Are you looking for a custom gown for an event, or something more simple?”
“Something simple. I don’t have enough time for a custom piece,” I say, looking around the shop. “I’ll know when I see it.”
“Of course. Take your time. And don’t hesitate to let me know if I can help.”
I nod and dive between the many clothing racks stacked closely together. As I look through all the beautiful dresses, I can’t imagine wearing any of them. All of them are too big, too luxurious, too lady-of-the-castle instead of soldier-of-the-castle.
I’m already feeling out of place as it is. I don’t need a dress to amplify that. Not when I’ll be surrounded by my opponents, which are all older, wiser, stronger, and more experienced than me. All fae.
Somewhere behind me, the bell above the door chimes as someone else enters the shop. I look back to see a familiar face. Vera’s cold silver eyes are looking directly at me. As if she knew she’d find me here.
In three days time, I’ll find you and we’ll speak again.
Immediately, alarm rings in my mind. How did she know I’d be here?
“Vera D’Argent,” the tailor greets her at the door.
Slowly, I stalk towards her. My hand goes for my favorite dagger. Vera jerks her chin at the shop owner without a word and the woman disappears to the back of the shop immediately.
How much influence does this woman have? She’s barely older than I am.
Her grey eyes are cold as the depths of deadly winter.
“Phoenix Wildarrow, we meet again,” she says. “I’m so glad to hear you considered my proposal and signed up for the trials.”
“How did you know I’d be here?”
“I’ve got my sources,” Vera says, cocking her head to the side. She looks me up and down. “Are you ready to be my chosen champion?”
I scoff. “Well, obviously. I can’t do this without you. But I’ll warn you—I may have agreed to be your champion, but I won’t be your puppet.”
“I don’t want a puppet, we’ve already established that. I want an ally,” she says. “A strong one I can trust. One who won’t have the Caligos win and run this country to the ground.”
So, there’s more to her than simply wanting to pass a law. Vera wants to protect Ekios from the destruction Caligos will bring if one of them is the next Ezkai General. It’s a noble cause.
I lift my chin, “You have my promise that I’ll do everything in my power to pass the law you want passed, as long as I get a chance to claim the blood debt King Francis owes me.”
“A fair deal.”
“You said that as an Ezkai General, I can challenge King Francis to a duel? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“That’s because you’re a foreigner,” she says. “Anyone who’s owed a blood debt—Ezkai, Dzuni, commoner, Caligos, or a foreigner—has the right to challenge whoever owes them to a duel to settle the matter. It’s the most honorable way, how it’s been done for centuries.”
I arch an eyebrow. “And if I, as an Ezkai General, challenge the king of Wetra, and slay him in the duel…wouldn’t there be war between three nations?”
She’s silent for a minute. Then she says, “Emera won’t go to war unless there’s something in it for the dwarven.
Wetrans may be angry, but if everything we hear about the Greedy King is true, you’d be gifting them an opportunity to change their destiny.
It may start a civil war in Wetra, but I doubt it would start the world war.
We can work out all the political kinks once you’re the General.
First, let’s focus on you winning. There are many things at play that you’re not aware of, I believe. ”
My heart sinks.
“What things?”
Vera arches an eyebrow. “You want truth?”
“Absolutely.”
She chuckles. It’s a bitter sound. “Val’taz Ezkairin is a sacred event that’s supposed to be all about honor and true strength.
But your boyfriend and his allies are threatening to make a mockery out of it.
Powerful Caligos families have united forces for these trials.
First time ever. They have their chosen champion and enough insurance policies to make sure they win.
That’s why one of my conditions is for you to cut your ties to Daegel Talbot. ”
The idea of Caligos ruling makes me furious. Under their rule, Ekios would follow Wetra’s footsteps.
I understand it. It pains my heart, but I get it.
If only I could make Daegel hear me…
When I don’t answer, Vera says, “I have all the intentions of making you the next Ezkai General, Phoenix. Can you sacrifice what needs to be sacrificed?”
Keeping her gaze, I press my fist over my heart and bow my head. “I can. I’m honored to be your chosen champion.”
Vera carries herself with such confidence, as if she owns the world under her feet. I need her on my side, for the duration of the trials and beyond.
A pleased smile spreads across Vera’s gorgeous face. “Perfect. I was prepared to wrestle you into this decision. Glad to see it won’t come to that.”
I snort a laugh. I’d love to see that. “You don’t look like a fighter.”
“I’m not. I didn’t say it would be me wrestling you into this decision.”
I have no doubt about that.
“Who are you, Vera D’Argent?”
“You know very well. I’m a Caetra.”
“Do all Caetras in Ekios have so many resources, and influence?”
She smirks. “Only the lucky few.” Before I can ask any more questions, she says, “Now, we’d better find you a proper dress for the Black Night. This”—she waves a finger at my Ezkai leathers with pursed lips—“won’t work.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m a soldier, not a princess. I don’t need to be wrapped in fancy silks to win these trials.”
I feel most comfortable in my Ezkai leathers.
Vera walks over to one of the clothing racks and starts going through the clothing.
“Let me give you your first lesson, soldier girl. Ezkai General is as much a cultural and social icon as they are a soldier and a protector. Once you win, you’ll need to attend events, gatherings, and parties.
You’ll have to host your own. And for that, you’ll always have to dress the part.
Your Ezkai leathers will be reserved for bloodshed.
The sooner you learn how to be comfortable in every role you’ll have to play as the next General, the easier your life will be. ”
She pulls out a black silk dress with firm shoulder pieces and hands it to me.
It’s a simple silk dress with a high cut out on one leg, and a corset carefully encrusted with large black metal scales that shimmer when they catch light.
The shoulder pads are also made from the same scales, which makes this dress look like regal armor.
It’s absolutely perfect.
Vera gets me.
“I’ll need long gloves with that,” I say. “And knee-high boots that can fit at least four of my blades.”
Vera sighs. “Decarios and their attachment to their weapons…Not a problem. I’m sure Tabitha has gloves that match the dress perfectly. I’ll take you to the best shoemaker in the city.”
We return to the front of the store right in time for the owner—Tabitha—to return from the back. Vera requests the gloves and the tailor finds them for us immediately.
“Put everything on my tab, Tabitha. Thank you, honey.” Vera turns to me. “Let’s go. We have to move you into my studio.”
I follow her out of the store and halt. “Excuse me? No we don’t.”
Vera stops and turns to me. “Phoenix, don’t be stubborn. It’ll be much safer for you to stay at my studio. This way, the Caligos can’t get you as easily. I can’t protect you if you live in your apartment where compromised Decarios roam freely.”
I shake my head. “I’ll be fine.”
Vera eyes me, clearly unhappy about my pushback. I don’t want to move in with her, despite her influence, because I need space.
I need space to figure out the situation with Daegel. We need to get on the same page before it’s too late.
As if she can read my mind, Vera steps closer to me and says, “Don’t think that just because you don’t live under my roof, you get to sneak around with your boyfriend behind my back.”
My voice is just as hard as hers. “I know.”
“I hope you do. The moment I find out your relationship is not over, our deal’s off. Now, let’s go get you those shoes.”