Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
PHOENIX
Isit on the plush velvet bench on one side of the moving carriage while Ezkai Emil and Ezkai Bjorn sit opposite me.
Despite me glaring at them the whole journey from Ezkai Castle to Vera’s studio in Bussek, they’ve managed to keep their eyes trained somewhere above my head. Not a single ounce of emotion visible on their faces.
I don’t remember Ezkai General Kitajo having two Ezkai trailing him everywhere he went.
It’s for your own protection, General. Noire’s voice rings in my mind.
“Shouldn’t you wear your masks?” I ask sharply, breaking the silence. “You used to wear your masks when you first started guarding me.”
Ezkai Bjorn turns his bright blue eyes to me. “Taaslord Noire advised us not to wear the masks.”
I arch an eyebrow.
“It’s more personable,” Ezkai Emil says, and adjusts his leather gloves. “The Taaslord advised you’d feel more comfortable if we didn’t hide our faces.”
That’s exceptionally dangerous for them as Ezkai guarding the Ezkai General, to walk around with their faces revealed like that. What is Noire thinking?
Could they be Caligos?
No, a voice of reason immediately echoes in my mind.
Noire would never choose Ezkai he didn’t trust with his life to guard me.
I clear my throat. “I appreciate your service and Noire’s thoughtfulness. But please wear the masks when you’re in public. What good is having the two of you protect me if you’ll be dead by end of the week?”
They both blink at me.
A corner of Ezkai Emil’s mouth curves. “Yes, ma’am.”
Ezkai Bjorn only grunts and nods. He’s rough around the edges, but handsome. Both of them are. I never realized before. But this is the first time I’ve actually looked at my guards closely.
If they’re going to go with me everywhere, I may as well make peace with it and get to know them.
The carriage comes to a halt and both guards spring into action. But not before slipping their black Ezkai masks over their faces. I smirk, satisfied, and get out of the carriage after them once they signal it’s safe.
Bussek is lively, with music playing in the streets full of people. I pause as I step out of the carriage for a moment to take it all in.
I inhale deeply, filling my lungs with the familiar scent of life.
Nostalgia tugs at the corners of my heart. I was so focused on winning the trials when I lived with Vera that I scarcely paused to appreciate the art district.
What a missed opportunity.
I used to be so eager to escape. All the sneaking around behind Vera’s back to see Daegel…a man I thought loved me, but who truly only wanted to control me and keep me as a prized possession.
My heart still aches whenever my mind wanders to him.
My guards flank the doors to Vera’s studio as I approach and knock. We only have to wait a couple of seconds before the door swings open.
I meet Bart’s eyes and nod. “Good morning.”
Bart blinks, surprised to see me. But he recovers quickly. He presses a fist over his heart and bows at his waist, as is appropriate.
“May we come in?” I ask. “I’m sorry to drop in so abruptly, but we need to speak.”
“Of course, General,” the huge, tattooed fae says and invites us inside the studio. “It’s an honor.”
I don’t say anything to that.
As I enter the familiar space, it feels foreign. A quick sweep of my gaze over the living area tells me everything is the same. Yet, Vera’s not here, and her absence makes the space feel…empty.
“Please have a seat, General,” Bart says, eyeing my Ezkai, who take up their positions against the wall next to the entrance. “Can I offer you something to drink? Jasmine tea?”
Gods, Ekions with their flowery water.
“Thank you, Bart,” I say. “Tea sounds lovely.”
Bart disappears behind the door that leads to the kitchen and I make myself at home. As I walk through the space, passing the conversation pit with plush seating, my chest is tight.
With a deep exhale, I move along towards the dining table. I don’t even want to look outside to the back garden where I spent so many weeks meditating and training with Kazh, with Vera’s intent eyes watching from afar.
I take a seat at the head of the dining table just as Bart returns with the tray, Hel and Hojo following him. I nod at the girls, and they greet me the appropriate way before joining me at the table.
Once the tea is poured and we are all seated, tense silence settles. I glance back at my Ezkai, but their faces are covered with masks.
They’re two cold, black, leather-clad statues carved out of marble. The contrast is stark against the warm interior of Vera’s studio.
Hojo’s soft voice breaks the silence first. “Do you bring any news about Vera?”
I meet her gaze, full of worry. For a moment I’m too choked up to speak. But I clear my throat and say, “Unfortunately, I don’t have much to offer. We have confirmation that she’s alive.”
For now.
I don’t voice that, though. Her apprentices don’t need to hear it.
The collective sigh of relief from the three of them twists my heart even more. Hojo closes her eyes and whispers a prayer of sorts. Bart rubs his sharp jaw, which has been rigid with tension, and Hel simply stares at me with her huge red eyes, waiting for more.
“But we don’t have the location where she’s being held. My Ezkai are following all the leads,” I say.
“We’ve been asking around,” Bart says.
My gaze snaps to him. I arch an eyebrow in question.
“During parties with the Order and House Dzuni, to see if anyone knows anything,” he adds.
“I understand. That’s extremely dangerous,” I say, voice stern. “Caligos managed to snatch Vera from right under our noses. Imagine what they can do to you if they think you’re a threat.”
Bart purses his lips. “With all due respect, General, I’m well versed in Caligos ways.”
My gaze slides down to the red ink marking his flesh. I clench my teeth so hard it hurts.
“We’re all in danger while they rule from the shadows,” Bart adds. “You included, General.”
I cup the steaming jasmine tea between my gloved palms. “I’m aware. I would rather not lose any people on my side at the moment. So, leave the Caligos and Vera to me.”
From Bart’s gaze, I can tell he wants to argue with me. I understand the desire to help. It’s Vera we’re talking about. She’s precious to me, and I’ve only known her for months. While they’ve known her for years. They were saved by her.
But I’m the Ezkai General. And Bart knows how to play Ekiosh politics. So he simply nods.
I steal another glance at my Ezkai before I ask the next question. Surely Noire picked them, because I can trust them to not run their mouths.
I’m not sure I want to risk it, so hoping for the best, I say, “Vera kept such a beautiful garden, with so many flowers local to Ekios and other lands. Now that she’s gone, who’s taking care of her precious plants? It would be a shame to let them wither in her absence.”
Bart follows my gaze to the soldiers. For a heartbeat, he’s silent.
But then he looks at me and smiles. “A most well-kept garden indeed. We’re taking care of it well, rest assured.
Ri helps a lot. She knows a lot about what it takes to keep a thriving garden with cared-for flowers, even in the current climate. ”
Something unreadable passes between us.
I smile back at him and nod. “Good to hear. If winter proves too cold, let me know. I’ll see that it’s handled.”
Thank fuck Vera’s apprentices are just as sharp as she is. So, the Savage King operations are still alive, despite Vera’s absence. That’s a relief, even if small.
“Absolutely. We’ll protect what’s hers,” Bart says, then dips his chin. “Thank you, General.”
“Now, I have a favor to ask you all. Nobleman Juti, what do you know about him?”
Hel rolls her eyes with a groan. “Insufferable asshole. Unless he’s drinking, snorting, smoking, fucking, or bathing in life’s other pleasures and luxuries, you won’t find him doing anything useful.”
My eyebrows hike all the way to my hairline. Interesting.
Bart smirks. “He’s one of those young-generation nobles who just came into their wealth. After his mother passed away, he became the head of the family and the House Dzuni representative.”
“Ah, one of those,” I murmur with a nod. “Does he have any vices? Something he truly desires?”
“He’s got a peculiar taste for power play,” Hel says in hushed tones, leaning forward. “This is very unprofessional of us to reveal, but you’re the Ezkai General, and Vera loved you.”
“Power play, you say? As in, he likes to control whoever he’s with?”
That’s not very useful for me.
A mischievous smile splits Hel’s unusually pale face. “Quite the opposite, General. Nobleman Juti loves to be dominated. Hard.”
I purse my lips and think for a minute. Not sure how that helps me win his vote…
Wait. A thought pops into my head.
“I need your help hosting a party for me,” I say, finally. “I want a small circle of nobles invited. Nobleman Juti and his closest circle, plus a few of your favorites. Keep it small, exclusive. I want Nobleman Juti to think he’s special to be invited by me.”
Bart nods. “Not a problem. Preferred date?”
“As soon as possible,” I say and tap a finger on the wooden table. “Spare no expense for this. I want Nobleman Juti to feel as if he’d died and gone to the place of his wildest dreams.”
“You got it, General,” Bart says with a dark smirk.