Page 25 of Vicious Princess (The Trials of Death and Honor #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

N ext morning, Daegel doesn’t show up for our morning training session. Can’t say I’m surprised after how it ended yesterday.

It’s for the better that we stop this before it escalates and someone gets hurt or in trouble. I’m aware.

Yet the sinking feeling in my stomach is still there. The disappointment that fills my chest is hard to swallow.

I kick a pebble with my boot and turn to leave the training hall when a white piece of paper on the bench catches my eye. Slowly, I approach the bench and pick it up. Inside, is a simple note:

Time to switch up your training so you don’t grow lazy, cadet.

Meet me at sundown by the eastern gate.

There’s no signature, but I know it’s from Daegel. It’s written neutrally enough that if someone reads it, they won’t suspect anything. Just a thoughtful mentor communicating to their mentee.

I pocket the note and head back to the barracks. A morning run before breakfast should help me clear my head.

I have no clue what Daegel has in mind and what the day ahead of me holds. But as I charge down the usual path, wind whipping at my cheeks and my hair, my skin buzzes with excitement to find out.

I find the east gate right as the last rays of sun disappear behind the horizon. The castle grounds are quiet. I haven’t met a single soul on my way here. Nobody at the barracks questioned where I’m going, most of the cadets busy playing dice or cards or reading to pass the time.

Daegel leans back against the wall next to the narrow gate, one ankle hooked over the other. His muscular arms are crossed over his chest, his Ezkai leathers accentuating every damn line.

I can’t stand the fact that he’s so attractive. Why couldn’t Ezkai Gavriel be my physical training instructor? Or someone else less hot, preferably someone I haven’t slept with.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Ekiosh folks greatly value being on time,” Daegel says. “Being timely is one of the best ways to show you respect someone.”

I cross my arms. “I’m not late. You said at sundown.” I point my thumb behind me. “The sun just went down.”

“I see. I should have been more explicit with my instructions. In Ekios, when we say at sundown, we mean while the sun still sets. Not after.”

I press my lips into a thin line. “You should have specified that, then. I’ll keep it in mind for future.” I look around us. “What are we doing here?”

Daegel pushes off the wall. “Tonight, we’re heading out to Jaakii.”

He heads over to the gate, but I remain rooted in place. When he notices that I’m not following, he glances at me over his shoulder.

“No. We aren’t.”

He quirks an eyebrow at me. “Yes. We are.”

I shake my head. “I’m not allowed to leave the castle grounds while I attend the academy.

It’s one of the three damn rules. I already broke one rule with you.

I have no plans of doing that again.” He looks amused, which only ignites my anger.

“You might be attractive and charming, and a really good fuck, but I’m not going to jeopardize my chances of joining the Order of Ezkai just so you can take me out and do”—I wave my hands in the air—“whatever the fuck it is you intend to do tonight.”

By the time I’m done speaking, his amused smirk has bloomed into a large grin.

“Are you done yet, princess ?”

“I told you not to call me that. We sparred.”

“Indeed. Yet I don’t remember you winning.”

I clamp my mouth shut. This fucking asshole. Heat surges through my veins at the memory of his lips on mine. Gods damn it.

From the inner pocket of his leather jacket, Daegel pulls out an envelope with a wax seal.

“If you’re done throwing a temper tantrum, I can explain.

As your mentor , I requested permission for you to leave the grounds if I accompany you, whenever your training requires.

The permission has been granted by the administration. ”

He holds out the proof for me.

I blink at him. “Oh.”

Finally, I reach for the envelope. When I try to take it from him, he doesn’t let go. His dark eyes sparkle. “I didn’t peg you for being such a good girl, Wildarrow.”

My cheeks heat, but I refuse to acknowledge the way my body reacts to his words, to the tone of his voice. I grip the envelope harder, and with a chuckle, he lets go.

I rip it open and quickly scan the paper inside.

“Is this the secret mission you mentioned?” I look up at him from the paper. “That’s why we’re going to the city?”

Daegel shakes his head. “No. The mission will involve your whole squad. This is a simple training session.”

“Why does it have to happen outside the castle grounds?”

“You’ll see.” He opens the gate, gesturing for me to go.

I only stare at him.

“Come on now. You’re just as fucking stubborn as your bow today.”

“Maybe that’s why we’re such a good fit.”

“I have no doubt,” he says. “Trust me. As your mentor, I want you to succeed. This might help you understand yourself and your affinity a little better.”

Trusting him is not the issue. I don’t trust myself—that’s the problem.

When I’m around him, my body is not on the same page with my mind, and without the constraints of the academy, I’m afraid I might be reckless once again.

As if he could read my mind, Daegel says, “I’m not going to touch you or kiss you again, Wildarrow. You have my Ezkai word and honor.”

“Fine,” I say, not wanting to continue this conversation.

Without another word, I stride through the gate, into the crowded night streets of Jaakii.

Daegel doesn’t speak much as we make our way towards the location he keeps a secret. Despite the silence that stretches between us, I don’t feel awkward. I’m too busy gawking at all the establishments we pass on our way.

Jaakii is a beautiful, thriving city. Its energy is equally mesmerizing during the night as it is during the day.

“Every district in Jaakii is so unique and different, full of personality,” I say.

Daegel’s eyes are on the street ahead, but he nods.

“Yes, it has been this way since it was first built. Ezkai General Maria Genova wanted fae from all over Ekios to make a home at the base of her castle. So she sent out an invitation to all the clans and, as an incentive, allowed them to build their neighborhoods according to their individual visions.”

“Wait, what ?” I eye the group of fae children sharing a huge bowl of fresh berries on the side of the street.

Fae children are so cute with their big round, colorful eyes and pointy ears, they almost make me want children of my own.

“So, every district belongs to different a fae clan? What are those clans, and how are they different?”

“Not anymore. We don’t have clans. Now we have noble families, Ezkai families, and the rest of the fae. Before fae society divided into what it is today, though, we had mountain, forest, seaside, sky, and earth clans.”

I wave a hand around us. “Which clan built this district?”

“Bussek was built by a sky fae clan. They were the creatives, artists, and entertainers. Nomads of sort, too, never staying in one place for long. One moment they’d be here, and the other moment, vanished like morning mist,” Daegel says.

“Even to this day, the fae descended from sky clans tend to be more creative than others.”

“What happened that forced the clans to disappear?”

Daegel shrugs. “Once Jaakii was built and thriving, Ezkai General Maria Genova wanted change. A way to separate the city fae from the rest. She restructured society and modernized different districts, too. But to this day, the essence of the past lingers in the streets of Jaakii. Ekiosh fae love to honor and remember their ancient ways and traditions.”

I can tell we’re not in Bussek anymore from the change in the crowd. Fewer cheery faces greet us and less laughter echoes around us. Here the streets are emptier. The people we pass look less than friendly.

The fae look dangerous, actually.

I brush a finger over my blades strapped to my waist to soothe my nerves. Where the fuck is Daegel taking me?

I steal a glance at him. He doesn’t look even one ounce worried about the change in our surroundings. Clearly, he’s familiar with the local customs.

“Do you know what fae clan you descended from?”

A corner of his mouth quirks. “All fae do. We take great pride in our lineage.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

“My family descends from the mountain clan. As all fae Decarios.”

I don’t get to ask any more questions, because suddenly Daegel turns into a narrow dark alley and drags me after him. My heart thrashes against my ribs.

At the end of the alley, there’s a red door. When we approach, Daegel knocks in an odd pattern. A moment later, it opens. A tall and wide fae appears. One of his pointy ears is missing the very tip as if someone took a slice out of it. A long scar stretches across his face diagonally.

Wordlessly, the bouncer eyes me over Daegel’s shoulder. He says nothing, just moves from the doorway.

Daegel gestures for me to go inside first. As I pass him, he whispers, “Stay with me at all times. This is not a friendly place for local fae, not to mention foreigners like yourself.”

“How on earth is this part of the training if this place is dangerous even to you ?” I whisper-yell at him.

Once the bouncer closes the door behind us, we’re plunged into darkness. Panic’s cold fingers crawl over me, gripping my chest. When Daegel’s hand finds mine, it eases.

His lips brush my earlobe as he whispers, “I never said this place is dangerous to me.”

Gently, he tugs on my hand. I don’t have any other choice but to follow him deeper into the darkness. It’s not long before a door in front of us opens, and my ears are assaulted by loud cheers and screams.