Chapter 70
CHAPTER SEVENTY
PHOENIX
My knees are weak as I make my way back to Daegel’s bedroom. The journey is quick because I know my way well. But it feels like it lasts forever.
Daegel is still in bed when I return. He’s awake, though.
“Where did you go, princess?”
His voice is sleepy, words coming out in a gentle growl. He yawns and stretches his strong, massive body.
All I feel is rage. Cold, bloodthirsty rage.
Trying to bide some time to clear my mind and figure out the next step, I pick up his clothing scattered all over the floor and fold it neatly.
“I went to make some coffee for us.” I’m thankful my voice doesn’t waver, doesn’t betray the storm raging inside me. “Unfortunately, couldn’t find the coffee beans.”
I stand with my back to him as I neatly stack his leathers on the armchair.
“How sweet of you. I’ll find the beans and make coffee for you. But first, let me enjoy you,” he purrs. “In my bed. Under me, or on top of me. Your choice, princess.”
For a moment, I can’t breathe. The rage at his betrayal is overwhelming.
Everything I’ve known about him, thought I’ve known about him…none of it is real.
They’re trained in manipulation the moment they leave the mother’s womb. Vera’s words ring in my mind, over and over again.
“I bet,” I flirt back as I fetch my boots and stack them neatly next to the armchair with his clothes. The familiar feel of the blade against my skin helps steady my racing heart and scattered mind. “I know exactly what I’m in a mood for.”
Daegel hums, pleased. “I like the sound of it.”
I inhale, and exhale. I’m still as a statue.
I don’t feel.
I don’t think.
I only am.
Slowly, I turn around to face him. Daegel’s in the middle of the bed with his arms crossed behind his head.
So handsome.
So dangerous.
So devious.
I always knew that about him. Yet, I thought because he loved me, he was only a threat to the world and never to me.
What a fucking fool I’ve been.
Keeping his gaze, I approach the bed and climb onto it. Daegel watches me crawl up his body until I finally straddle his hips.
Daegel’s eye burn with desire. That’s all there is right now.
How can he look at me this way when he plans on capturing me and keeping me in his basement, in a neat golden cage so I’m out of his way while he climbs his way to becoming the next Ezkai General?
“There is something extremely intoxicating about danger and pain mixing with pleasure,” I murmur over his mouth. My lips hover close enough we share a breath, yet far enough so he can’t kiss me. A part of me craves the feel of his lips on mine, still. “Don’t you think?”
Daegel licks his lips and lifts his head to try and kiss me. I pull away just enough with a smirk.
“You’re such a tease.” He breathes out the words as his head drops back onto the plush pillow. I can feel his hardness press into me between my thighs. “I do agree. It’s the most addicting combination in the world, if you ask me. More addicting than alcohol, or drugs.”
I roll my hips and it draws out a moan from him. Daegel thrusts his hips up, adding more friction. He has no idea what’s to come.
For a moment, as I caress the sharp line of his jaw, I’m torn. How can I still love him after everything he’s done?
Somewhere at the back of my mind, Lorca stirs to life.
“You know, I was thinking about our conversation last night…You went through all that trouble to assassinate Kitajo Hiromasa so you could become the next Ezkai General,” I whisper into his ear. “And you’re willing to throw that all away for me?”
I feel his muscles tense under my fingertips. Surprise flashes in his eyes for a brief second before he scolds his features back to neutral. “I told you, Phoenix. The win is not worth it if you’re not by my side in the end. My love for you is greater than my ambition.”
So. Full. Of. Shit.
“You don’t know what it means to love.” The words come out harsh.
I straighten my back, looking down at him beneath me. Daegel blinks, the mask still intact. Damn he’s good. “Phoenix, what’s the matter? Do you want to argue about this again? I thought we settled the matter last night. I’m dropping out—”
I ignore his words. “Did you really think I’d be with you if you threw me into a cell against my will and kept me locked until the end of trials, until you’re the Ezkai General? After finding out that your family traffics and sells children?”
Daegel doesn’t answer immediately.
I lean forward until our chests touch again as I pull out the blade I hid in the sleeve of the robe.
A ghost of a smile appears on Daegel’s lips when he registers the knife pressed to his throat.
All the confusion is gone from his face.
The look that takes its place is foreign to me. Cold as the harshest depths of winter.
I press the blade closer to his throat, but Daegel only huffs a laugh. “I was willing to take that risk, princess.”
The humor only makes me angrier.
“You’re sick,” I sneer.
“Maybe I am,” he says. “I’m sick with love for you.”
I shake my head. “It’s not fucking love. I don’t know what this is that you feel for me, but it’s not love. Obsession, maybe. Sick, twisted, possessive obsession.”
His eyes flash.
“You have no clue what true love is,” I say, frowning.
“Oh, and you do? You’re so starved for affection you’ll take it from anyone. That pirate prince before me, then me, and Jax would be next, huh? Well, I took care of him, so that won’t be happening, princess.”
The malice in his tone is like a slap across my face.
“Fuck you.” I sneer. “I should have told you that the first time you lied. All this time, all you’ve done is hide things, deceive, and keep me in the dark. And now you’re planning on locking me up!”
“I told you I’d do anything to keep you.”
Another realization comes to me.
“You’re the one who hired the assassin to scare me out of the trials.”
It’s not a question and he doesn’t need to confirm it. I already know the answer.
I’m silent for a moment. I can’t…deal. But I have no desire to show him just how much this betrayal hurts. Instead, I channel all my rage and anger. It’s a good thing I’ve got plenty of it buried inside me.
“I should kill you right now,” I spit.
“But you won’t,” he says, cocking his head to the side. I’m baffled by the way he talks to me now. I don’t recognize this person. “Because you can’t. Those ancient laws and traditions, always in the way.”
I grind my teeth. The sharp edge breaks the skin and blood tickles down the blade onto Daegel’s neck and the pillow.
But I don’t push it any deeper.
Daegel’s eyes show no fear.
“I doubt you can,” he says, amused. “Even if you’re angry at me, you’re not going to kill me, princess. You don’t have it in you.”
I don’t flinch at his words. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction.
I want his soul, Phoenix Wildarrow, Lorca purrs, startling me.
I ignore the trickster god.
“What are you doing with Jax in your basement?”
“Jax Kregger had a lesson to learn for his poor performance and betrayal,” Daegel says. “You know what Caligos do when you betray someone?”
“Jax isn’t Caligos.”
“Isn’t he now?” Daegel arches an eyebrow. “If you get yourself mixed up with Caligos business, you’re to obey our laws. And you’re to be punished by them, too.”
“Is he still alive?”
Daegel flashes me a smile. “No clue. I’ve been too preoccupied to check. That depends how strong he is.” All humor falls away just as quick as it appeared. “Have you slept with him yet? Is that why last night you were distracted while you were with me? Thinking about him?”
“Fuck you,” I spit. “You’ll let him go. Now. And you’ll let me leave, too.”
“I don’t think so,” Daegel says. His eyes slide down from my face to my body.
“Unfortunately, things are set in motion and I can’t change their course.
Jax will be punished. And Vera D’Argent will finally be handled, too.
But I promise, I’ll keep you safe. You’ll be in my possession, cared for well. ”
My heart sinks.
“What do you mean? What are going to do to Vera?”
Daegel says nothing.
“Taaslord Noire will end you if something happens to Vera. You know that, right?”
“Noire is not going to be able to do anything once I’m Ezkai General,” Daegel says, cocky and arrogant.
I can’t waste any more time.
Daegel won’t tell me anything, he’s too stubborn and too arrogant for it. I have to save Jax and get to Vera before Caligos take her too.
I loosen the grip on the blade and withdraw it from Daegel’s neck. A pleased smile curls his lips. Not for long, though. His eyes widen and then shutter closed as I press the point into the nape of his neck, cutting off blood circulation, and he falls unconscious.
Hopefully, this gives me enough time to get Jax out of the damn basement.