Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
PHOENIX
Slowly, I turn. Daegel towers over me, a wicked smirk curling his sensuous mouth. “When we spoke last, you were so offended I’d hire someone like Jax to convince you to drop out of the trials, you assured me you cannot stand the guy…Yet, tonight you don’t seem to mind his company, princess.”
He wears straight black pants and a wide white shirt that’s unbuttoned almost halfway. No paint covers his face, no masks.
I click my tongue. “Seriously? You’re going to be jealous of a lackey on your own retainer?” I step closer to him. “You ordered him to follow me around like an obedient puppy. If I have to be around him, I might as well get something out of it. You will just have to deal with it.”
He doesn’t flinch at my words. Instead, he barks a laugh. It rumbles from the depths of his chest and makes my toes curl in my shoes.
Possession, dark and dangerous, crosses his stunning features.
“You don’t see me running around being close and intimate with other women, do you? I’d expect the same courtesy from you, even if we fight.”
I scoff. The audacity. I’m about to turn and walk away from him, but Daegel grabs my forearm and pulls me closer to him. “Don’t you dare walk away from me, Phoenix.”
I lift my chin in a challenge. “Or what?”
Daegel blinks, and some of the darkness evaporates from his face. He wets his lips, and in a much gentler tone says, “It’s disrespectful. You already disrespect me by cozying up with one of the men on my retainer.”
I yank my arm away. Red marks are inked into my flesh where his fingers gripped me.
“You have got to be kidding me. You hired Jax to trail after me, remember?! And now you’re angry that he’s always with me?”
He doesn’t answer.
He doesn’t have to.
I fight the urge to whirl on my feet and march away from him, as far as my feet can take me.
His stubbornness will be the death of me. The end of us.
“You are being unreasonable right now,” I say.
Daegel’s eyes are hot as coal. “You’re mine. You do remember that, right?”
His gaze falls to my breast where he left the hickey the last time we saw each other.
This overly jealous and possessive behavior is getting old. When did he become so…obsessive?
I don’t know what else to say, so I try to reason. “I’m yours. I know that. Even if we’re on opposite sides, that hasn’t changed.”
It works. His gaze softens. He offers me his hand. “Good. I want to enjoy this night with you, princess.”
I’m not sure it’s a good idea. But something in the way he looks at me…makes me want to agree to his offer.
My thoughts are probably written all over my face, because he takes my hand instead of waiting for me to take his and leads us through the crowd, deeper into the city.
“Let’s get wet.”
I grimace.
“Come on, princess. Are you afraid of a little bit of water?”
I scoff. “Of course I’m not. But this is childish.”
“Childish things often bring the most joy.”
I roll my eyes.
“We’re up.”
Of course people recognize us standing in the line. The game master gestures for the crowd to part so we can come closer to the wooden basins on the gravel full of water. Dozens of golden plums float inside.
“Welcome, Ezkai Phoenix and Ezkai Daegel, the honorable contestants of Val’taz Ezkairin,” the game master says. “Please, appease the spirits of the gods with your participation to bring us luck for the next year!”
Ekios has the weirdest traditions. I don’t say that out loud, of course. I simply smile at the game master and get on my knees in front of the massive round basin.
Daegel kneels in front of me, on the opposite side. We lock gazes, and it sends an electric current through me. He’s so handsome, it’s hard for my brain to process it.
“Hands behind your back, princess,” he says, teasing. “No cheating allowed.”
I roll my eyes, but do as he says. I grip one of my wrists hard so I don’t accidentally use my hands when I try to fish out a damn plum from water. All that makeup Vera’s girls put on my face tonight…What a waste.
“You know the rules, right?” The game master approaches us. “The first one to save five plums wins the prize.”
We both nod.
Daegel’s eyes dance with amusement and a challenge. I’m more than willing to accept it.
The game master puts two fingers in his mouth and whistles. Without a second thought or last glance at Daegel, I plunge my face into the water with my mouth open.
Water streams up my nose and throat, but I manage to catch the first plum. I bite on it, and it slips. Gods damn it!
I ignore the sting from the water going up my nose and keep my eyes shut tight. After a few more attempts, I finally bite into the plum and pull it out.
When I spit it out and open my eyes, I see Daegel’s wet face with a large plum in his mouth. His dark hair sticks to his forehead, and his lush eyelashes are full of water drops. Something about this view makes hysterical laughter rise inside me.
Daegel spits the plum out. “What’s so funny?”
I shake my head. “I wish I could have captured you with that plum in your mouth. Like a roasted piggy on a plate during a Wetran winter feast.”
I mimic the sound of a pig, and burst into laughter again. Daegel laughs, too. Before I know it, he dives for the second plum. All humor is gone, and I push my face into the water once more.
No way I’ll let him win this one.
This time around, I’m quick to bite into a plum and pull it out. But Daegel is quicker, again. He winks and dives for the third.
I’m right behind him.
The water is in my eyes, and my nose, even my throat, and I almost choke on it as I desperately try to catch the third one.
When I finally get one and pull it out, Daegel’s head is still in the water.
I have no clue whether he’s still trying to catch the third one, or if he’s already onto his fourth.
I don’t wait to find out. I dive again.
My teeth are vicious, and I hold my breath while I catch the fourth plum. I spit it out, and Daegel’s head pops up. I pay no attention to him and dive again. Every muscle in my body trembles with adrenaline.
The fifth one takes some time.
It keeps slipping and I growl in frustration. Bubbles rise from my nose and then water gets deeper, into my lungs. I choke, and the desire to pull my head out the water is overwhelming.
But I don’t give in.
I bite the damn plum, and the third time I get a grip. I rise and let go of it so I can cough the water out. The crowd around me cheers, but I’m too busy heaving on all fours to check if they’re cheering for me or Daegel.
“Phoenix Wildarrow, the winner!” the game master shouts and there is a round of loud applause.
When I can finally breathe again, I pull myself up and look around. Daegel rises at that moment, a plum in this mouth.
He spits it out and coughs. “Nicely played, princess. Congratulations.”
I can’t lie—it pleases me that I win against him, even if it’s just a silly game.
Smugly, I get up and he follows suit. The game master hands me the prize—a paper plate with sliced plums drizzled with homemade caramel. I snort at the prize, but thank the man.
“Want some?” I offer Daegel the plate once we’re farther away from the game area. “I think you deserve a treat for participation.”
He takes one piece and pops it into his mouth. “So kind of you to share.”
“I can be nice,” I say and take a bite of the juicy plum. The caramel is salty and sweet, and melts on my tongue. “When I want to.”
“Oh, I’m well aware.”
We lock gazes, slowly walking through the crowd. I don’t know where we’re going, and for a moment I forgot that we shouldn’t. Daegel and I shouldn’t be this close, our shoulders touching. We shouldn’t be sharing a plum.
Vera may see us. Noire may see us.
I look away first.
After a long while of walking in silence, Daegel finally speaks. “Has your patron told you anything about the first trial?”
I shake my head. My stomach’s in knots. “Have yours told you what to expect?”
“A little,” he admits.
Dread floods my chest, heavy and sticky like volcanic tar. Daegel’s steps halt and he faces me. I know whatever comes out of his mouth next won’t be something I want to hear.
“All champions will fight till death, until the very last trial when only one will be standing,” he says. “But we can forfeit anytime if we change our minds.”
I lift my chin defiantly. “I will not.”
He takes my hands in his. “I’ll get to my knees and beg, if I must. Just tell me. What do I need to do for you to drop out, Phoenix?”
I’m stunned to silence. But after a couple of heartbeats I find my voice again. “Nothing. There’s nothing you can do to change my mind, Daegel.”
Pain taints his beautiful features, as if my words have struck him.
Suddenly, I’m so tired I need to lie down.
When he speaks the next words, they come out rushed, in a hush.
“Your stubbornness will be the death of you, and me. If you want to risk your life, and our relationship, then so be it.” His words strike through my heart, like an arrow.
The cold resignation in his tone chills my bones.
Surprising me, he adds, “The first trial will be brutal and dangerous, designed to test our will and wisdom. We’ll be facing ancient beasts.
That’s all I know. Prepare to fight for your life against something bigger and much more lethal than yourself, or any of us. Stay safe, Phoenix.”
His hands are gone, but they leave a burning mark on my skin as he walks away.