Chapter 85
PHOENIX
My inauguration ceremony is one giant bore. I’m counting seconds until Vera finally joins me and takes me out of my misery. First, I must stand in front of the monks and swear a thousand and one oaths as the new Ezkai General.
I swear, it takes me an hour to get through every oath and get the blessing from the monks. No wonder this part of the ceremony is private. Who would want to sit through that and watch me do it? I bet in ancient times it used to be a form of torture.
However, as I sit on the throne forged from the smoothest onyxian bronze in the middle of a dais at the end of a massive ballroom, I’m not sure the second part of the ceremony is any better.
The line of people in front of me, all ready to introduce themselves and show their respect, is endless. Every single noble family comes to bow in front of me, leaving me gifts as they pledge their service to my reign.
I forget their names the moment their faces disappear into the crowd of people. It’s too much to remember, all the families with their names, responsibilities, histories, and tunic colors. My head spins at the amount of information that’s thrown at me.
But at least I don’t have time to be with my own thoughts and feelings.
Noire approaches and takes a place on the right side of my throne.
He’s tall, but the throne is set on a platform with three steps, so when he stands next to me, his head is where my shoulder is.
I’m not allowed to touch the hundreds of gifts gracing the dais in front of me.
My Ezkai will handle them all. I’m only allowed to express gratitude and accept the pledges by word.
I shift in my seat, itching to get my dress off and get away from the crowd. A dull headache pounds in my left temple. With so many people in one space, all of their attention and feelings directed at me, I have to deflect a lot of strong emotions.
Not all of them are pleasant.
People have opinions about a human ruling the land of fae.
Oh, so many opinions.
I turn to Noire. “Where’s Vera? I haven’t seen her yet.”
“Not sure, General. The Ezkai tell me she hasn’t arrived yet,” Noire says, his eyes scanning the crowd.
I sigh. Where on earth is she? I could really use a friend right about now.
“General, that was the last gift,” Noire says after a moment. “You may now rise and go mingle in the crowd.”
He winks at me as he says the last words. I reward him with one of my broody glances, but rise to my feet.
“I hope you’ll be here with me, Noire?”
He offers me his hand and I take it as I climb down from the throne.
“Absolutely, General,” Noire says.
I loop my arm through his and allow him to lead me through the crowd.
“I’m not sure which of our outfits tonight is more extravagant,” I say quietly to Noire as we pass people and I nod and smile politely.
Noire chuckles. “Kitajo usually appreciated having me be the best-dressed one in the room. He always said people need something pleasant to look at while he does business.”
“I see the logic behind that sentiment, and I must say I don’t disagree. A carefully crafted distraction is always useful,” I say, scanning the crowd. Where is Vera, for fuck’s sake? “I’m more of a leather-pants-and-combat-boots type of girl, so you’ll still have your moments to shine.”
“You flatter me. But I doubt anyone will look at me now that you’re the General,” Noire says with a smirk.
I don’t need to look to know that’s true. Every single pair of eyes in the room is on me. As if I were the most prized artifact in a museum.
I’m very grateful for Noire’s company as we make rounds around the hall and socialize.
He handles the majority of the conversations and keeping people entertained.
I only need to do the bare minimum, and for that I’m eternally grateful.
All I have to do is look powerful and assuring. Even if I’m crumbling to pieces inside.
An Ezkai approaches us and whispers something into Noire’s ear. Noire nods and then turns to me. I’m hoping he will tell me that Vera’s finally here, but my hopes are quickly squashed.
“General, the ruling parties from Wetra and Emera have arrived,” Noire says and my heart sinks.
“You must meet them and accept their congratulations on your win. It’s a regular part of the change of the Ezkai General.
Due to the treaty all three countries have, the other leaders must pay a visit when another country chooses a new leader.
” When Noire sees my face, he adds, “Nothing to worry about. We won’t be discussing any politics or new deals today. It’s just part of the ceremony.”
What Noire doesn’t know is that I’m not worried. Oh, far from it.
Rage surges through my veins. I have to focus all my strength to calm myself and not allow it to bubble to the surface.
Last time I was in the room with King Francis, I almost lost it and killed him. If not for Daegel—
Painful claws seize my lungs so hard I can’t breathe for a heartbeat. But I manage to get my emotions under control somehow.
I’m above it now.
I have learned, and I know better.
I have control.
It takes everything in me to not explode when the familiar voice says, “Ezkai General Phoenix Wildarrow, please accept our congratulations.”
Inhale.
Exhale.
I don’t think.
I don’t feel.
I simply am, a steady mountain.
I dig my fingers into Noire’s forearm and we turn to face Francis Blackwell, the king of Wetra. The man my parents loyally served for decades. The man who ruthlessly betrayed them and sent them to their deaths. The man who took everything away from me.
“King Francis, thank you. We’re delighted to have you here with us tonight,” I say, my voice sweet as honey.
“The pleasure is all ours, General,” King Francis says and smiles. “I was beyond excited to hear that you, our precious Wetran gem, have successfully won the trials.”
I struggle to breathe through the fury inside my chest.
“We are lucky to have Phoenix Wildarrow be one of us now,” Noire says. “I hope your visit to Ekios is pleasant.”
“Thank you, Taaslord. My family and I will enjoy the few days we have here. The trip was much more pleasant this time around.”
“Glad to hear it,” Noire says with a smile.
I want to draw the dagger strapped to one of my thighs and plunge it right in the middle of his throat so I can watch him bleed out on this floor, under my feet. It would break the peace treaty between the countries, and definitely would start a war.
But oh, how much satisfaction it would bring.
My thirst for vengeance, thirst for his blood, sings in my veins.
When his Royal Commander, Axel Dukas, approaches, I’m ready to burst. Noire gently pats my hand that rests on his forearm, which brings me back to the present. I’m thankful for it.
“General.” Axel Dukas greets me in an official Ezkai manner, which surprises me. “An honor to be in your presence. Congratulations on the win.”
“Thank you, Commander.” I manage to get the words out.
“General, if you don’t mind, I’d love to speak to you before we leave,” Axel Dukas says smoothly.
“I’ve always marveled at the discipline your Order of Ezkai has and I would love to tour the infamous Ezkai Academy to discuss your training system and see how we could improve the way we train our Decarios back in Wetra. If you have time, of course.”
I think I may have an aneurysm. But by some miracle, I remain composed and gracious when I answer, “I make no promises, Commander Dukas. But I’ll see what I can do.”
I’m lucky an Ezkai interrupts us. “Excuse me, General.” I turn, acknowledging the soldier. “There is an urgent delivery waiting for you.”
I exchange a glance with Noire. He frowns, clearly having no idea what this urgent delivery is all about.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I say to King Francis and Axel Dukas politely.
“Of course, General. If duty calls, you must answer,” the king says and Noire steers us away.
When we’re far away from King Francis, Noire whispers, “All in due time, General. Be patient.”
I bite my tongue and nod. We follow the Ezkai out of the ballroom and down the corridor into one of the rooms reserved for meetings.
When we enter, I’m surprised to find it empty. The Ezkai soldier leaves us alone. There’s a small black box on the long table.
I glance at Noire. He shakes his head.
“Allow me,” he says when I try to approach the box first.
Noire picks up the box and inspects it. When he finds nothing suspicious on the outside, he opens it. He frowns, and then his eyes widen.
“What is it?” I look at what’s inside over his shoulder. On the red velvet pillow rests a black diamond choker that I recognize immediately.
Vera’s choker.
One she never removes.
Everything around me stills.
“There’s a note,” Noire says, holding it up for me.
I grab it from him.
My fingers tremble as I unwrap it.
The moment I read what’s in the note, my heart sinks.
“General?”
“A life for a life. Those are the Caligos ways,” I read out loud.