Page 40 of Vicious Princess (The Trials of Death and Honor #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

T he next two and a half months fly by in a blink. Our training pace becomes more rigorous, which makes sense considering we’re rapidly approaching graduation.

The day when some of us will be gravely disappointed, while others will receive an invitation to join the Order.

I spend my days in lectures, early evenings in the library, and late evenings into early mornings training with Daegel. Once in a while, I use the permission slip and train at his estate.

The privacy the setting offers us almost makes me forget the threat looming over our heads. Especially when every training session there ends with hot and passionate sex. I think those earth-shattering orgasms are the only things keeping me energized, considering how exhausting my schedule is.

Whenever we’re around people, though, we act professional.

While Daegel doesn’t refer to me as human anymore during his lectures, his eyes and voice are cold whenever he addresses me.

“Cadet Wildarrow, wait for you turn,” he snaps.

I glance at him over my shoulder and lower my bow. It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes.

That would be disrespectful, and he’d have to punish me.

I’m definitely not against a punishment, but the kind I desire can’t be administered in front of the whole group of cadets…

So, instead, I say, “Sorry, sir.”

With a bow in hand, Kata passes me close enough our shoulders brush when she whispers, “He’s so good at pretending, isn’t he? Doesn’t fool me, though.”

My spine goes rigid, and I cease breathing. But I will my face to remain neutral. Her malicious chuckle as she walks away makes my hands tremble with fury.

So far, she’s been all bark and no bite. I think having something over my head, something to torture about, is a kink of hers. One thing I know for certain is if I’m presented with another opportunity to strike her down, I won’t hesitate.

“Your turn, Wildarrow,” Daegel barks.

The way he eyes Kata makes my stomach churn. He still hasn’t revealed how exactly he intends to solve our problem with her, which only adds to my anxiety.

I step forwards and lift my bow.

Since that mission, things have been stable between us. I still haven’t figured out my bow’s true name, but I have learned how to read its subtle cues, which saves me a lot of trouble.

I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I think we’ve started to bond. The way my arrows land true with ease in all ten targets is a good sign for me.

“Well done, buddy,” I whisper to my bow as I move to the back of the line again.

“That’s enough for today, archers,” Daegel says. “Put your bows down and join the rest of the cadets to spar.”

I walk back inside the training hall and rest my bow and quiver on the bench next to my bag. I consider unsheathing my blades, too, but change my mind and go look for a partner to spar with.

The moment I turn around, my gaze locks with Kata. I wait for her to stalk towards me like a predator towards its prey. This bitch won’t give me a damn break.

Her face is so close to mine, I feel the warm breath on my cheek when she speaks. “Do you know why we have the rule that forbids fornication between instructors and cadets? So that we don’t have weaklings like you sleeping their way to the top where they don’t fucking belong.”

I shove her away by her shoulders. Her nostrils flare as she takes a fighting stance.

“The last time I checked, you were the one who can barely hit a target with her bow,” I sneer, advancing towards her. “If you’re looking for someone to call a weakling , I’d recommend you look in a mirror.”

With a roar, she swings a fist at me. I move out of her way just in time and sweep my feet at her ankles. She’s quick to dodge, jumping into the air with unnatural grace.

We whirl around and face each other again.

“You must have a very fragile ego that just won’t allow you to leave me the fuck alone,” I seethe at her.

Kata’s only answer is a series of punches and kicks, all aimed to hurt me. I dodge the punches, but she gets me on the side with a kick. It hurts like a bitch, but I don’t stop, throwing a few punches back at her.

It’s a fight that goes nowhere. She attacks, and I deflect. When I attack, she deflects. Panting, we both pause and circle each other.

Her eyes narrow, and a blade flashes in her hand.

I arch an eyebrow. “Playing dirty?”

“Matching your style.”

I roll my eyes. If that’s how she wants to play, then I’m all for it.

Once I unsheathe my own blade, she charges. I hiss when her blade slashes up the outside of my forearm. Driven by rage, I cut into her side with my blade. It slices through her leathers with ease, drawing blood.

She retreats a couple of steps. “I’m going to fucking kill you.”

I spread my arms wide and bow at my waist in front of her. “I’d like to see you fucking try.”

Instead of waiting for her to advance, I attack.

I’m watching her blade, so she catches me by surprise when her punch collides with my jaw. Before I can recover, she stabs her knife into the side of my thigh.

I gasp from the searing pain and punch her right in the nose. Blood pours, and I use the moment she’s startled to swing my blade at her, aiming for her damn neck?—

Someone catches my hand in the air. I whip around, furious, to find Daegel.

“The last time I checked, sparring doesn’t involve knives,” he says, voice calm.

I yank my hand away, and he lets go without a fight. Panting, I lick my dry lips and taste copper. I bring my hand to my lip.

It’s split.

“Apologies, Ezkai Daegel,” Kata says sweetly. “We got carried away, since the fight was so good.”

The look Daegel gives her terrifies me. It’s the first time I see such darkness pass over his features.

“I don’t want either of you bleeding on my floor,” he says, jaw tight. “Roman, Bloom,” he barks. The fae appear next to us immediately. “Take your friends to the mender’s office. Make sure they don’t stab each other on the way.”