Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
PHOENIX
Ifind the Taaslord halfway down the stairs leading to the spy lair. Ezkai Emil is with him. The relief is obvious in Noire’s face the moment he lays his eyes on me.
He dips his chin in respect towards Kazh. “Master Oka Oya.”
She ignores him.
“Vera’s alive,” I tell him.
I toss the box to him. He catches it elegantly and slides the top open. His face grows sad, but a blink and any trace of emotion is gone. Wordlessly, I pass him the note and he quickly scans it.
I clear my throat. “Has the captured Caligos revealed anything else?”
Noire’s eyes snap to me, but he says nothing. He looks around the dark, empty stairway as if there could be enemy spies hidden in the shadows and shakes his head.
“Not here. Follow me, General.”
He descends the stairs, his dark robes floating behind him dramatically. I and my entourage follow. Once we reach the familiar door and enter the space with a huge map of Ekios carved on a huge table where I met Ezkai Seraphina and Ezkai Xander, Noire turns to us.
He folds his hands in front of him and clears his throat. “The Caligos man you’ve met has passed away without revealing any more information. His words to you were his last words, unfortunately.”
I sigh. “Do your spies have any new information on where Vera could be?”
Noire’s voice is grim. “Not yet.”
“All these resources at our disposal and nothing?” I bark, throwing my arms.
It’s not very General of me to lose my temper like this. But I’m agitated, and receiving this message…Well, it hasn’t helped.
“I’m going with Kazh to find my dragon,” I say to Noire after I’ve calmed down. “She agreed to help.”
Noire nods. “Of course, General.”
“You’ll stay here and keep things in check. Please,” I say. Noire nods again. I glance over my shoulder at my two guards. “I guess you’ll be going, too.”
They don’t even blink.
“You may want to take a group of loyal soldiers with you on this adventure,” Noire says.
I flex my fists. “I don’t know which ones I can trust.”
“I can help you with that,” Noire says.
Reluctantly, I nod.
Slowly, I approach the map of Ekios. The misty lands of fae. It used to be a thing of fairy tales, so distant and dangerous for so many years. Now, it’s the land I rule.
It turns out, it’s just as dangerous as Dad always said. Maybe even more so. Did he know about all the political intricacies, about Caligos? If he was close with General Kitajo, he must have.
I trail a finger over the northern mountains where the Trial of Wisdom took place. Even from the map, I can tell those mountains where the dragons live are vast. They stretch for hundreds of miles. My heart stumbles in my chest.
How am I to find my dragon?
It may take me years.
Oh gods. What if it takes me years? I don’t have that kind of time.
I need to protect my throne. To save Vera. To find a way to free Jax…
Without turning to Noire, I say, “Noire, Caligos was able to hurt Jax in prison. Even with all the protection measures I put into place. He may be dead by the time I come back if my Ezkai can’t be trusted.”
Kazh snorts, but says nothing. I glance at her in the corner of the room, inspecting her sharp, long nails. She’s awfully quiet.
“I’ll look into this, General.”
I whirl on my heel. “What are my options with Jax?”
Noire hesitates for a beat. Then says, “Slim, and unfortunately, grim.”
I glare at Noire for a long moment. Silence stretches between us. I’m supposed to be the most powerful person in Ekios, and yet…I’ve never felt this powerless.
I open my mouth to speak, but an idea strikes me. I blink and close my mouth.
“Yes, General?” Noire prompts.
“What if he helps me find the dragon? That must count for something. What if his punishment is to help me find and bond my drag—”
Words die on my lips when I see Noire’s expression. I bite the inside of my cheek so I don’t fucking scream.
“While that’s not an option, this idea of yours reminds me of something,” Noire says.
“Well, tell me,” I mutter when he doesn’t speak.
Noire frowns. “Mr. Kregger took the General’s life. That’s an unforgivable crime. Our traditions dictate that a life for a life is a fair bargain.”
My stomach drops. “I won’t kill him.”
I would rather keep him in prison than have him executed.
I can’t watch another important person die.
Not. A. Fucking. Chance.
“He made his bed,” Kazh finally speaks. “Now he must sleep in it.”
Noire meets my gaze. “I’m not speaking about death, but sacrifice.”
I frown.
“There’s an ancient ritual that dates way back when, before the Ezkai General times, when one could bind their life to another’s as a means of protection,” Noire explains.
“Okay, okay,” I murmur, nodding. “What does that mean exactly? Jax can bind his life to mine and become an Ezkai?”
“He can never be an Ezkai,” Noire says. “He’s not a Decarios.
This role is something different. He isn’t required to be an Ezkai because it’s penance.
We’d perform a ritual, during which the spirits of the gods would bind his life to yours.
If you were ever on the verge of death, his oath and duty would be to sacrifice his life to save yours.
Eternal service or death, these are the only paths for him. ”
I’m stunned. That doesn’t sound like the perfect solution, but…
“And what would happen if he were to die?”
Noire shrugs. “Punishment would be served. You’d not be harmed.”
“That doesn’t sound like a fair bargain to me.”
“It’s the most fair bargain Mr. Kregger can get, considering the circumstances,” Noire says gently.
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth while I consider Noire’s solution.
Would Jax agree to this? He’s been fighting to gain back his freedom, and instead, it’s this. Another form of slavery.
I sigh. “Okay, Noire. I will ask him. He must choose his destiny himself. If he says yes, what will this ritual require?”
“House Dzuni must approve,” Noire says and I groan. “Jax must face the trial for his crimes.”
I run my hands over my face. Fuck me.
“How long will this take?” I ask. “I don’t have the time to waste entertaining the nobles. I need to get Jax out and head north.”
Noire purses his lips. “It can be done in a day. I’ll call House Dzuni in for the trial tomorrow.”
I nod. “Perfect. I’ll speak to Jax now.”
“May I have a word with you in private, General?” Noire speaks just as I’m about to head out.
I pause and glance at Kazh and the Ezkai.
Kazh waves her hand in air. “Tell me when you’re ready, General.”
With that, she leaves. My Ezkai guards look at Noire for permission to be dismissed. It irks me to no end. He nods and they close the door behind them, leaving us alone.
“I know this may not be the best time, but the monks reported that they’re ready,” Noire says.
I frown. “Ready for what?”
“The Ashen Oath, General.”
“Oh, that.”
Noire nods, face calm.
I have completely forgotten about that ritual, with all the other things going on.
I shrug. “I guess let’s get it over with if the monks are ready. How long is it going to take?”
“The ritual should take no longer than half an hour, General.”
I head for the door. “Great. Let’s go.”
Noire doesn’t move. When he speaks, his voice is gentle. “Are you sure you want to do it now? While the ritual is short and painless, you may want to prepare for it mentally. It’s not an easy thing to go through. Besides, it would be good for you to rest right after. There may be—”
I lift my hand to interrupt. “I’m fine, Noire. Nothing to ponder about. If that’s what I must do as the Ezkai General, I’ll do it. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself after.”
Noire blinks, but says nothing more.
I open the door and wave for him to go first. “Show the way.”