Chapter 39 #2
Vera and Jax are behind me, and before I even realize it, I’m standing in line waiting for my turn.
It doesn’t last long, though. The moment the game master notices me, his eyes widen a fraction.
He says something to his assistant in a hushed tone and then gestures for people in front of me in line to move.
They part, making way for us, and the game master bows at his waist.
“Welcome, Ezkai Phoenix, the honorable champion of Val’taz Ezkairin,” he says. He gestures at the marked spot on the pavement. “We’re honored to have your interest. Please, go ahead. Allow us see what you’re made from, bless us with your gifts, and appease the spirits of the gods.”
I glance back at Vera, unsure whether he’s mocking me or if the game master is serious. She nods and jerks her chin towards the targets.
Okay, then.
All eyes are on me, burning with curiosity. I murmur my thanks to the game master and his assistant when he hands me the bow. The white chalk X under my feet is bright. Getting into the position feels as natural as breathing.
So does lifting my arms and drawing the string of the bow.
One breath, and the whole world stills around me. The noise of the celebration floats far away from me. My gaze narrows in on the target in front of me: a young, tall man with a large, round pumpkin on top of his head.
My breath travels through my bloodstream; I sense it in every single cell of my being. It’s the most serene state, that split second before I let the arrow go. It whizzes through the air faster than the eye can see and lands right in the middle of the pumpkin.
The crowd cheers, startling me. I blink and look around. A rather large crowd is gathered to watch me.
“Next!” the game master orders and the young man exchanges the pumpkin for a smaller round melon with deep red stripes.
I choose another arrow from the quiver. This bow is nothing compared to my old precious bow, or my new one made from a sea monster’s spine. But it’s good enough to make my heart beat faster while I hold it.
Draw the string.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Let go.
It lands right in the middle of the tiger melon and cracks it in two. The crowd cheers and laughs when red juices pour down the young man’s face.
“That’s a juicy one! Give it to the kids,” the game master shouts.
He gestures for the next target. A green grapefruit, a tad smaller. I shoot. Then there goes a blood orange. An apple. A black mandarin. Last, they bring out a fire-honey fig. It’s so small I bet most people can’t see it well, this late into the evening.
When my arrow lands right in the middle of it, pinning it to the wall, right in between the red bricks, the crowd roars. I smile from ear to ear when I turn to Vera and Jax. It’s been so long since I felt this alive.
Jax is clapping his hands and cheering with the crowd. Vera awards me with a small smile and a nod of approval.
“Ezkai Phoenix, everyone!” the game master bellows over the crowd. “The future Ezkai General, whose arrow never misses!”
The crowd cheers for me as I join Vera and Jax, and their enthusiasm is contagious. I want to throw my head back and howl with laughter. Instead, I smile and nod, and murmur my thanks to the people as we walk away from the game area.
“That is what I’m talking about! A badass fucking archer you are,” Jax says, beaming.
This time around, his praise doesn’t irritate me. I even smile a little.
“That, Phoenix, was the perfect show,” Vera says, proudly. “You participated in the games like your people do, so they feel like you’re one of them while still showing them the reason why you should be the next ruler. Excellent. Our attendance tonight will reap great rewards.”
“Thank you,” I say, surprised at such high praise coming from Vera.
Vera doesn’t say anything else, but the way her eyes smile for the first time since we met tells me more than her words ever could.
We wander the streets for a few more hours. The tension that usually lingers in the air between us transforms into something different. We tease each other, and we crack jokes. We share a laugh, and I find myself falling deeper into this warm feeling of a real friendship.
I miss it dearly. It reminds me of Roman. I miss him, too.
Eventually, Jax is pulled away by a group of Ri’s girls. It’s only me and Vera. For a while, we walk in silence. It’s comfortable, and there is no need to disturb it. But I’m curious.
“So,” I say, glancing at her. “You and the late Ezkai General were…a couple?”
“Not technically a couple. Traditionally, Ezkai Generals are not allowed to form close romantic relationships.”
Her voice and face are neutral. She doesn’t meet my gaze though.
“Not allowed to be in a relationship? But they’re allowed to take lovers?” I frown. “So, love is forbidden? How can it be expected of us?”
That is something I have not even thought about. What am I to be—a ruler, and a priest? Nonsense. Does Daegel know about it? He said if he were to be the Ezkai General, I’d be his Taaslord and we would be together. How exactly would that work if, as Ezkai General, he can’t be in a relationship?
Vera sighs. “You’re like fire, so quick to bust into flames.
You’ll get burned and burn everyone close to you in the end, mark my words.
Yes, the Ezkai General is allowed to take lovers, and not only for the pleasure of the body, but for their heart too.
There are many forms of love, and each offers something special.
However, as a General, you’re committed to the country.
That is the only commitment you’re allowed to make. ”
I’m so bewildered by what she says that I completely forget why I wanted to know about her and the late Ezkai General.
“I just remembered I need to go speak with Ri,” Vera says. She stops and turns to me. “Are you going to be okay if I leave you alone for ten minutes?”
“Sure, no problem. I know my way around Jaakii.”
Vera nods and walks away.
Once I’m alone, my mood sours. I don’t want to be here any longer, surrounded by strangers lost in the frenzy of the celebration.
I want to be alone.
But just as I turn, two familiar faces pop up. Bloom and Fern are making their way through the crowd towards me. Gods, how long has it been since we last talked? Months or weeks? It feels like years, but the last time I saw my former squad mates was at the late General’s funeral.
I wasn’t a social butterfly before or even after joining the Order. But now…I’m a whole separate island.
I force a cordial smile onto my face. “Hey, guys. Enjoying the celebration?”
Bloom and Fern halt in front of me. After a beat of silence, they press their fists over their hearts and bow at the waist for me. I stare at them, mute. Are they fucking for real?
When they straighten their backs, I see that Bloom is grinning and Fern has a mischievous smirk at the corner of her mouth. Ah, some things never change.
I roll my eyes. “Assholes.”
Bloom barks a laugh and pats my shoulder. “You got it, Wildarrow.”
“We just couldn’t resist teasing you a bit,” Fern says slyly. “Wouldn’t want our favorite human to lose her humility.”
“So thoughtful of you,” I deadpan.
“You entering the trials caused a havoc in our bets,” Bloom says. She leans closer to me and drops her voice a couple of octaves. “Gotta say, the odds are not in your favor. Ezkai Daegel is the crowd favorite.”
Fern inspects her nails. “Who can blame them? Have you seen that face? The pedigree? He was born to be the next Ezkai General.”
My stomach is in knots.
“Oh, I’m aware,” I say.
Fern glances at me and smirks. “Oh, we know.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, Wildarrow, I threw in my bet with you,” Bloom says. My eyebrows hike all the way to my hairline. “Nobody believed you could graduate Ezkai Academy, and look at you. If you pull another one of those, you’ll make me a rich woman.”
“Best of luck, Wildarrow,” Fern says. She gives me that famous Ekiosh once-over. “I almost grew to like you.”
I smile at that as they walk away.
You can always count on fae to be brutally honest.
For a moment, I allow myself to get lost in the past, the memories of Ezkai Academy and how things were different back then. I was a different human. What sort of person will I be after the trials? Will I even recognize myself?
A familiar voice snaps me out of it, the low-timbred notes sending shivers down my back. “Are you enjoying yourself tonight?”