Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
PHOENIX
“Can I offer a word of advice as your closest confidant and advisor?” Noire’s voice is smooth.
With a sigh, I plop on my chair and put my legs on top of the table in the war room. It’s just the two of us now. Finally, a peaceful moment.
“Go ahead, Noire.”
Noire glides—not walks, glides—over to the window and looks at the sky. He claps his hands behind his back and takes a deep inhale. He exhales, and then looks over at me.
“Leading from a place of frustration will only result in more frustration.”
“Alberich deserved it,” I say flatly. “He and Yoni are pushing against this too hard. They must be in on this with Caligos. Have you checked for any financial affiliations between the noblemen and the Caligos organization? Banishing Alberich eliminates at least one in-house threat.”
“Nobleman Alberich is not one of the Caligos. He only barks loud, but has barely any bite,” Noire says. “Nobleman Yoni, on the other hand…His family is one of the Caligos families.”
My jaw drops and I lean forward, planting my feet on the floor. “You know that for certain? You have evidence? And you haven’t done anything about it?”
Noire smiles. It’s a sad smile full of heartbreak.
“Tackling one Caligos family means tackling all of them at once. That’s the way things go with Caligos, it’s the reason why they have survived so long and have grown into the power they hold now.
Kitajo was the only Ezkai General in history brave enough to attempt such a feat.
We were very close, oh, so close. Look where that got him.
” He pauses and turns away from me, towards the window.
“I would rather you not face the same fate, General. Maybe we should focus on other areas that need your attention instead of starting your reign with such a controversial show of power.”
“I appreciate your concern, Noire, but I’m going to pass that law. I owe Vera that much. She may not b—be here anymore, but her legacy must survive. I promised her.”
His gaze softens. “Vera may not be dead yet, General.”
My heart skips a beat, the sliver of hope I’ve tried to ignore awakening. “Have your spies found something?”
Noire shakes his head. “Not yet. But until we find the proof of her death, I would rather not make assumptions.”
I look at Noire for a beat too long before I avert my gaze.
Cradling such hope is dangerous. Foolish. It’s better to make peace with the reality than carry false hope and be heartbroken later.
But I don’t voice that to Noire.
I clear my throat. “Well, whatever the case is, I am going to do this.”
Noire smirks, dipping his chin. “Ah, I miss youth solely for these bursts of untamed ambition and hope.”
I frown. “Don’t patronize me.”
“I wouldn’t dare, General,” he says, walking over to my desk. “I admire your bravery and drive. I would not want to squander it, or extinguish your fire. My job, my only mission, is to protect it at all costs.”
“Then help me pass this law. To honor Vera’s legacy. Also, the Talbots need to be punished for what they’ve done to her.”
That family deserves my wrath just as much as King Francis. Maybe even more. I have all the intentions of repaying them for what they’ve done.
Noire sighs. “We’re in a complicated position. You, as an Ezkai General, have a lot of responsibilities resting on your shoulders. You can’t just take off whenever you desire and go after one of the most prominent Ezkai families, throwing accusations without proof.”
My cheeks heat with anger. “But it’s the Talbots! You know that they’re the ones who kidnapped and killed her! They didn’t need to sign their name on that damn note for me to know who that message was from.”
“I’m aware of that. However, Vera’s death is not confirmed.
It’s a silent threat from them. The Talbots don’t want an open war just as much as you shouldn’t want it either.
It could destroy the delicate balance that holds House Dzuni and the Order of Ezkai together.
We could be plunged into a civil war. That would make Ekios fragile.
Knowing how difficult King Francis has been, it’s safe to say he’d jump to use that to his advantage. ”
Anger boils thick in my chest at the mention of my family’s killer. It’s hard to breathe.
Finally, I manage to get the words out. “So what? I just sit here surrounded by riches and infantile nobles in my castle and do nothing?”
Noire smirks. “Ruling a country is not nothing, General. You’ve got to familiarize yourself with many things, and your focus should be on becoming as strong as you can be. I have my spies working on finding Vera, and once we have evidence, we’ll come up with a plan of action.”
“Vera’s gone, Jax is in prison, and here I am, completely powerless to change that.” I cross my arms and sink back into my seat, looking away from him.
Noire sighs and takes a seat opposite me. For a while, he allows me to simmer in my grief and frustration alone. When my temper settles, I clear my throat and face him again.
Before I can say anything, Noire pulls out a deck of cards from one of his sleeves. I frown.
“A round of Bloodiamond?”
I blink, taken aback by the unexpected offer. Slowly, I nod. I’m not very good at it, but might as well see where this takes us. Noire starts shuffling the cards with ease. Holding the deck face down, he deals me and himself a hand. He places the rest of the deck between us.
I eye the cards in front of me. A memory surges to the front of my mind, of my father dealing the cards for me, my sisters, and my mother at our large dining table after dinner. I used to delay picking up my cards, waiting for others to go first.
My fingertips tingle with anticipation while my heart bleeds with dread. I swallow, push those emotions to the farthest corner of me, and pick up my damn cards before Noire.
One thing hasn’t changed. I have the worst luck with cards.
My hand is so bad I might as well give up now. But, of course, I keep my face neutral and look up from my cards at Noire. He wears that pleasant smile I have come to like. A lot. It puts me at ease.
“Twelve of Bones,” he says.
“You go first,” I say without glancing at my cards.
From the deck, he pulls out one card and places it face up between us. Nine of Dragons. Spirits of the gods be damned. I might have a chance at winning this time around after all.
“Vera mentioned once that as the General I’ll have a right to challenge King Francis to a duel that would settle the blood debt. Is that right?”
Noire nods.
“I assume there’s more to it? Timing needs to be right. Do I need House Dzuni or Order of Ezkai backing?”
It’s my turn. I pick up the card from the deck and place it next to the Nine of Dragons. Three of Cups. Things are really looking up for me. I can’t believe it.
“Blood debt is yours to claim, you don’t need anyone’s permission. But it would be politically smart to ask House Dzuni to vote. It gives them a sense of agency and makes them feel respected and included. Which is always good for you in the long run.”
I hate it, but I suppose he has a point.
“And what if they vote against it?”
“They won’t. As you already noticed, Ekions respect ancient traditions deeply. Besides, fae love a good bloodshed.”
I snort.
Noire pulls the next card. Twelve of Bones. Interesting. Two more cards. Only two more cards. I steal a glance at him. There’s nothing. Not a single sign of what Noire thinks about his cards.
He’s good.
“King Francis will not duel me himself. He’s not a Decarios, and while he’s a vile man, he’s not stupid,” I say. After a pause, I add, “He’ll probably ask his Royal Commander, Axel Dukas, to duel me instead of him as per Wetran duel laws.”
“I would expect nothing less from King Francis. Are you worried about dueling Dukas?”
Truth be told, I am.
I may have won the trials. I may be a powerful Decarios. But he has years on me.
He was one of the first people to train me when I was little.
“I would prefer to be stronger when I face him,” I finally say to Noire.
He nods, eyes trained on his cards.
It’s my turn. I pick a card and set it next to the other three. It’s a Five of Cups. My heart picks up the pace. One more card.
“Might be worth paying Master Oka Oya a visit. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you again so soon.”
I snort-laugh. Noire smirks.
I jerk my chin at Noire. “Your turn. Last draw.”
Noire slowly reaches for the deck. Picks up the one on top. Turns it over and puts it face up. Five of Cups.
I can barely control my excitement as I put my cards facing upwards on the desk in front of me.
There is only one combination more powerful than what I have. And it’s almost impossible to be that lucky. Noire smirks, and one by one lines up his cards for me to see. He has three Twelve of Bones and two Nine of Dragons.
My smile drops. No fucking way.
Gaping, I look up at him. “How the fuck?!”
Noire shrugs. “Spirits of the gods must be on my side today.”
With a laugh, I sink back in my seat. “And here I thought all this time I would win the hand.”
Swooping the cards off the desk and into his hand, Noire chuckles. “There’s an old Ekion saying that those cursed in cards are blessed in love.”
I scoff and roll my eyes. Yeah, sure. Whoever invented that saying clearly hasn’t met me. I have the worst luck in cards and love.
A sharp pinch in the middle of my chest is hard to ignore. I rub the place with my fingers, watching Noire shuffle the cards. Daegel, Daegel, Daegel…
The backs of my eyes burn, and a lump lodges in the middle of my throat. I bite the inside of my cheek until the taste of copper stings my tongue and those damn memories are back in the place where they belong—buried deep at the back of my mind where the sun doesn’t shine.
“Speaking of,” Noire says, carefully. “There’s something we have to discuss.”
I wave my hand. “Well, go on.”
Noire clears his throat. “I’m not sure if Vera mentioned it when she offered to be your patron during the trials, but…generals aren’t allowed to have families and to marry.”
I blink at him. “I’m aware.”
Noire nods. “Good. You’re free to take lovers, and that’s why we have wonderful Caetras.”
“I’m good, thanks,” I say flatly. “Is that all?”
Noire looks uncomfortable. I’ve never seen the Taaslord uncomfortable.
“Our tradition requires the new Ezkai General to go through a special sort of ritual once they settle in their role, one that ensures their oath to serve only Ekios is undeniable. One that ensures the balance won’t be disturbed by the General bearing children.”
I’m startled for a moment, lips parting. I haven’t even thought about that.
“So, I have to go through sterilization. That’s what you’re saying?”
“We call it the Ashen Oath, the ritual,” Noire says. “I’m sorry we didn’t communicate it well before you took the reins.”
“It’s not like it would have changed my mind about it.”
Would it have? I haven’t thought about children for years. Maybe never. Before my family’s death, I was too young. And once they passed away…I had other things on my mind.
“Let’s just get it over with,” I tell Noire.
“I’ll speak with the monks to start the preparations.”
I nod, absentmindedly.
Noire shoots me a glance. “Another round?”
I wave my hand. “I’ll pass.”