Page 11 of Vicious Princess (The Trials of Death and Honor #1)

CHAPTER TEN

T hroughout the night, I keep waking up. I’m terrified of oversleeping and missing my first day.

Just as the first rays of early-morning sun breach the sky, I roll out of bed with a sigh and get dressed. My stomach is in knots, so I don’t even try to find breakfast or a coffee. Adrenaline fuels me.

I arrive at Ezkai Castle an hour early.

The sun sleepily hangs just above the mountaintops, illuminating the clear sky in the most beautiful shade of pink. I don’t enter the castle grounds, pacing along the tall stone wall while I watch the sun rise above the mountains and the city.

A familiar roar pierces the sky. My heart picks up the pace, but this time around I know exactly what to search for. I crane my head to the sky above me, searching for the beautiful creatures.

Three dragons soar towards the castle. The one in the middle is larger than the others, its scales shimmering brighter. I’m closer this time, have a better view. The Ezkai sit tall and regal in the saddles atop their dragons.

I marvel at the sight, my chest swelling with desire so strong, I find it hard to breathe. Only when the dragons land on the roof of the castle one by one do I finally look away. I can’t believe there are dragons in Ekios.

Soon, young fae Decarios start to arrive, filtering through the large iron gate at the front into the castle grounds. Some are confident and dressed in fine clothing. While others wear simple work clothes.

So not all fae Decarios are born into prominent families here. In Wetra, human Decarios are so rare, every family line belongs to the higher society. It seems that Ekios has no shortage of fae Decarios and being gifted by the gods doesn’t secure a cushy life.

At the gate, four Ezkai guard the entrance. I offer them the official greeting, then make my way up the stone paved path that leads to the castle. At the entrance to the castle, two more Ezkai stand guard. These two eye me and gesture for me to stop.

The petite fae jerks her chin at me. “What business, human?”

Assertively, I say, “I’m here for the Ezkai Academy. It’s my first day.”

She eyes me skeptically as if she doesn’t believe a human could attend.

“Go inside and turn to the left. They’ll tell you which group you’ll be assigned to,” the other Ezkai finally tells me.

I bow my head and enter the castle. I remember the way to the office from my last time here. As I round the corner and approach the room, an Ezkai blocks my way.

“Name.” He doesn’t even glance up from the leather journal in his hands.

“Phoenix Wildarrow, sir.”

Quickly, he scans the list. Fae Decarios start lining up behind me, waiting for their turn. “Cadet Wildarrow, Oathsteel Squad,” the Ezkai says, looking up. His eyes widen a fraction when he notices my very round, very human ears.

I refrain from rolling my eyes.

“First door to the right,” he says.

I glance behind me. There must be hundreds of fae Decarios here today, all aiming for the Order of Ezkai.

The competition will be fierce.

“Off you go, human.”

Right. I dip my chin and dart around him, then through the door he pointed out.

Four rows composed of four chairs stand in the middle. Half the seats are already occupied by fae Decarios chatting quietly with each other. At the front is a large chalkboard full of scribbles. The rest of the space is bare, just naked stone floors and walls.

I take a corner seat on the last row, next to a fae my age.

She wears green cloth pants with a matching top.

It’s a clean outfit, but simple. If I had to guess, she’s not from high society.

Her stark ginger hair, the color of autumn leaves, is braided into long, thick braid that reaches all the way to her hips.

She turns to me and gives me that infamous Ekiosh glance up and down. “Nice bow,” she says. “You’re a Phantom Ranger?”

I blink at her. What the fuck is a Phantom Ranger? “Thank you,” I say, looking at my bow with a frown. “I’m not sure.”

Her pink lips purse, and one manicured eyebrow rises. “Wetra or Emera?”

“I’m from Wetra. Are you from Jaakii or somewhere outside the city?”

Her gaze is as cold as the depths of winter. “My brother who served our General for decades, was captured by your human king and granted a death sentence under the pretense of threatening the peace treaty.”

Oh dear.

“I’m sorry about your loss,” I say. Her face remains impassive. “King Francis has taken something very precious to me, too. He’s an evil piece of shit.”

Unfortunately, it doesn’t win me any friendship points.

The fae gives me another glance and, without saying anything else, turns away. We sit in chilly silence until every seat in the room fills and an Ezkai with salt-and-pepper hair takes his place next to the chalkboard.

His jaw is sharp as the tips of his pointed ears, and tight. Eyes unkind. Apart from the color of his hair, no other sighs of aging are visible.

“Welcome to your orientation day, cadets. I’m Ezkai Lieutenant Xan, Scrivener Unit,” he says, voice powerful.

“Today marks a very important day in the lives of many Decarios like you. As Decarios, you were gifted by the spirits of the gods with strength, agility, affinity to weapons and combat, and most importantly the gift of controlling and wielding emotions. Your moms and pops probably told you it makes you special. That possessing this power means you’re worthy of more.

Well, you’re not special nor are you worthy.

” His hard gaze sweeps over us. “You’re about to start the training that will determine whether you’re capable.

Some of you will succeed and rise high. Some of you will give up, because this path is too hard for you to walk and you’ll understand that.

And those of you who are not meant to be here, but are too stubborn to accept that, will die.

Just because you were born a Decarios, it doesn’t mean you have the grit and resilience to be an Ezkai. ”

That’s some motivational speech.

“Now, let me set some things straight right off the bat here,” he says, clasping his hands behind his back.

“Ezkai Academy is not a place to have fun or enjoy your youth. If you want a traditional university experience, you’re better off enrolling in Jaakii University of Humanities and Sciences or other higher education establishments.

You won’t find one here. From today on, you’ll obey Ezkai law and live by it.

If you disobey even one of the Ezkai laws or Ezkai Academy rules, you’ll be expelled.

No exceptions. Nobody cares what family you were born in or which part of Ekios you come from.

From the moment you stepped into this room to the moment your Ezkai training is completed, you are all equals. ”

I shift in my seat, glancing around at other Decarios. Nobody seems threatened by or nervous about what the Ezkai tells us.

“You’ll receive the manuals with every Ezkai law later today.

You must study and learn them by heart. You’ll live by those laws if you ever manage to become an Ezkai,” the man says.

Without looking at the board, he points at the first line of text at the very top.

“The academy rules are few, and they are very simple. First rule, you are to obey and follow your instructor’s guidance, no questions asked.

Second rule, you are to remain within the castle grounds throughout the length of your training, unless your instructors state otherwise.

Third and last rule, you are not to engage in any romantic or sexual relationships with your fellow trainees or instructors during your training. ”

That’s not too bad. The rules are a little stricter and odder than I expected, considering how much judgment my Wetran training received from the Ezkai when I was signing up for this.

But the sacrifice is worth it.

“Breaking any of these rules will be grounds for expulsion, executed immediately,” the instructor says. “You only get one chance at this. So don’t fucking blow it.”

“Yes, sir,” everyone chants in unison.

“Good,” the instructor says. “The Order of Ezkai is divided into five units. The Spy Unit is responsible for secret intelligence within Ekios and beyond its borders. The Protector Unit is dedicated to border security and ensuring safety in our home. The Executioner Unit is composed of the most lethal soldiers. The Scrivener Unit takes care of all the administration and strategy. And lastly, the Mender Unit keeps the rest of the units alive and in shape. During your training, you’ll be observed by Ezkai from all five units.

If a unit finds you worthy, at the end of your training, you’ll receive an invitation to join.

And no, before you ask, you don’t get to choose.

The decision is based on the skills and abilities you showcase during your training.

You’ll only have three disciplines to master—physical prowess, emotional manipulation and politics, strategy and history. Make every moment count.”

I soak in every bit of information like a sponge.

“On your feet, Oathsteel Squad! Part of your orientation is a tour of the castle grounds.”

He doesn’t have to say it twice. I rise from my seat with the rest of the group. Everyone starts lining up in a column behind him in pairs.

The redhead stands next to me, not even bothering to look at me. We shuffle out of the room into the corridor and follow the instructor out of the castle.

I’m curious to see more of the interior, to wander those moody corridors full of secrets. Where do they keep the dragons? Do they have dragon living quarters somewhere on the top floors?

We take the path down the hill where Ezkai Castle is, then turn right. The grounds are large and confusing. Many paths weave between the lush gardens and even an orchard. We pass a few groups of Ezkai, and they eye us with disdain and mocking smirks.

Not all fae Decarios in Ekios are from high society, but Ezkai are sure as fuck elitists.

Behind the hill and the castle is a cluster of four one-story buildings. The exteriors match the castle, the rough dark stone sucking in all the daylight. The red clay roofs offer a muted pop of color, but most of it is overgrown with deep-purple moss.

In the middle is a stone-paved square with a fountain statue in the center. It portrays two dragons lost in a dance, their snakelike bodies weaving together as they spew water out of their open jaws the way they’d spew fire if they were alive.

The instructor’s steps halt, and he turns to face us.

“This is where your training will take place for the next six months. You’ll sleep, eat, and train with the squad you were assigned to,” he says.

He points at the building on his left. “That’s where you’ll be attending lectures, and can find a library and a quiet study hall.

” He points at the place next to it. “Communal dining is right there. Breakfast is served at six in the morning sharp. Lunch is at noon, and dinner is at six in the evening. If you’re late, you don’t get a meal. ”

My stomach growls at that. My redheaded companion throws me an unimpressed glance. I grind my teeth in silence. Why is she so uptight?

“That right there”—the instructor points at the building on his right—“has the training hall, and all your physical training will take place there. Behind it there is an outside training area.” He points at the last building.

“The barracks where you’ll be spending all your time when you’re not training. ”

The sight of the small windows that line the walls of the barracks worries me. But I say nothing. Lack of natural light in my room is the least of my concerns.

“Why are you standing there?” the instructor barks. “Go inside and get settled!”

Over a dozen pairs of feet shuffle forwards. The instructor waits for us to enter the barracks and only then follows us inside.

It’s just as dark and depressing as I expected. A long, dimly lit corridor stretches in front of us.

“Your living quarters are the third door on the left,” the instructor calls from behind. “Each new cadet group lives together until graduation day.”

Our living quarters are humble. All we have are eight bunk beds stacked against two opposite walls and two wooden crates pushed under the beds, which I assume is where we’ll keep our personal belongings.

I pick the bed closest to the entrance and toss my stuff on the top bunk.

“Excuse me, sir.” The instructor turns his attention to me. “Is there a…bathroom?”

“There is a common bathroom at the end of the corridor,” he says.

My heart sinks. Fuck me . The thought of showering with a dozen other Decarios—naked, with my scars on display for everyone’s judgment—makes my skin crawl.

“Remember, you’re allowed to roam the castle grounds. Everything you need, you can find here,” the instructor says. “Leaving is not permitted, unless you have permission from one of your instructors and a damn good reason.”

Without another word, he leaves.

A tall fae with broad shoulders, dark skin, and friendly dark eyes approaches me. He jerks his chin at the empty bottom bunk. “Do you mind?”

I shake my head and move out of his way. He flashes me a smile, and I’m so baffled by it that I simply stare at him.

Thankfully, he doesn’t take my rudeness personally. He offers me his hand. “Roman Barthol.”

I shake it. “Phoenix Wildarrow.”

He squats and pulls out one of the wooden chests from under the bed. “You’re that foreigner human everyone whispers about,” he says with a playful smirk.

I cock my head to the side. “Why am I the foreigner human everyone whispers about?”

“Because you’re the only one,” he says, stuffing the things from his bag into the chest. “Rarely ever happens around here.”

I look around our group. All fae. “The only one…in the whole academy?”

He slams the top shut and pushes it back under the bed before rising to his feet. “Yeah.”

My eyebrows hike all the way to my hairline.

“I hear you’re human royalty back in Wetra. Is that true?”

I scoff and roll my eyes. “Absolutely not. Believe me, I’m no royal.”

Roman plops down on his bunk and stretches his long legs. “Damn unfortunate. I was excited about the idea of sharing a bunk with a princess.”

“Sorry to disappoint, buddy.”

Across the room, I lock eyes with the redhead from before. When her eyes narrow, shooting daggers at me, it dawns on me that I might have trouble I didn’t anticipate.