Page 44 of Vicious Princess (The Trials of Death and Honor #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I can barely focus enough on my training for the next three days.

I’m at the library, trying to finish reading a text written in the most complicated Ekiosh I’ve ever seen, when two Ezkai arrive. I know exactly why they’re there.

It’s in my gut.

From afar, I watch the librarian exchange a few words with the soldiers and point a finger towards where I sit.

Their faces are not kind as they approach me.

I don’t move, every muscle in my body tense. There’s no way I can fight my way out of this situation.

What good would that do anyway? I’m fucked either way.

So, when they order me to get up, I rise from my seat without arguing. They let me gather my stuff and drop the books off at the librarian’s desk before I’m escorted out of the building and away from the academy.

On my way to the castle, eerie calmness settles over me. Maybe it’s a sign my training is finally paying off—I’ve mastered perfect control over my emotions.

Or maybe I know there’s no point in feeling any other way.

I’ve made my bed. Now it’s time to lie in it.

To my surprise, the Ezkai don’t escort me to the administration. Instead, they walk me deeper into the castle.

We pass the war room I’ve been to before, but don’t enter. We walk by the door that leads to the hall where the soiree took place what feels like ages ago.

Finally, we reach a single iron door with two dragons caught in a deadly dance. Their snouts are reaching towards the sky, spewing fire as trying to set the whole world ablaze.

One of the Ezkai opens the door and gestures for me to enter. They don’t follow, closing the door behind me.

I stand in front of a large desk carved from onyx that matches the dark stone of the walls. Behind it, in a massive wrought iron chair sits none other than the Ezkai General. On his right, stands Taaslord Noire.

I swallow. Hard.

“Cadet Wildarrow, please take a seat,” the General says pleasantly and gestures at one of the two seats in front of his heavy desk.

Without hesitation, I move forwards and lower my ass onto the hard iron chair. I find it odd to this day that Ezkai surround themselves with so much iron, considering it’s poisonous to the fae.

“Sir,” I say, remembering myself. I bring my fist to my heart and dip my chin low.

The General taps his chin with his fingertips. “Do you know why you’re here today?”

“I would rather you tell me. Imagination is a wild thing when left unchecked,” I say.

A corner of his mouth twitches upwards. “Very well,” he says. From the way he lounges in his chair, you’d think we’re friends having a casual conversation about the weather. “We have received a complaint about you breaking one of the only three Ezkai Academy rules.”

The sharp inhale I take is the only sound in the room.

I’m paralyzed by fear. I can’t even open my mouth to speak.

So much for mastering full control over my emotions.

“One of the cadets from Oathsteel squad has come to us, claiming you are having an inappropriate relationship with one of your instructors, Ezkai Major Daegel Talbot. The cadet claims they witnessed you kissing on the academy grounds with their own eyes,” the General says.

“As I’m sure you were briefed on your orientation day, having intimate relationships with instructors is forbidden.

Breaking that rule is grounds for expulsion from the academy. ”

“I’m aware, sir,” is all I can manage.

The Ezkai General laces his fingers in front of his chest. “Are you saying the claims made by your fellow trainee are true?”

From the looks on their faces, I know it’s just a rhetorical question. It would hurt me even more if I tried to lie my way out of this.

So I choose to keep my mouth shut.

Tense silence stretches between us.

I guess they’re waiting to see if I’ll confess. I’m too devastated to say anything. I can’t believe I threw away my future for a man who couldn’t even be honest with me.

Finally, the General clears his throat. “Usually, we conduct an investigation and take the official testimony from the person who issues the complaint. If our investigation shows that the complainant’s testimony is truthful, we act. However, the situation we find ourselves is…not as simple.”

My gaze snaps back to the General, and I frown. “I’m not sure I understand, sir.”

The General and Taaslord exchange a glance.

The Taaslord is the first to speak. “Well, while we received the complaint from the cadet—Kata Nightingale—before she could give the official testimony with witnesses, as is custom according to our laws, she went missing.”

I stare at them, flabbergasted. “What?”

“I see you were not aware,” the Taaslord says carefully

Frowning, I shake my head. “Of course I wasn’t. She was just there this morning?—”

The words die on my lips.

Was Kata really there this morning at breakfast?

Now that I think about it, I have no clue when I last saw her. I’ve been so consumed with my heartbreak, I’ve barely noticed anything around me.

I look between them. “When was this? When did she go missing?”

“Three days ago, she made the complaint. That night was the last time she was seen on castle grounds,” the General says.

Three days.

That night I had an argument with Daegel. That night he once again assured me that he’s taking care of things. My stomach twists painfully. No way.

“The situation we’re in is complicated, because without Nightingale to give an official testimony against you, we can’t conduct an investigation,” the Taaslord explains.

No way am I getting out of this so easily.

“I’m also not inclined to punish you or even expel you from the academy due to your accomplishments, Cadet Wildarrow,” the General says, surprising me.

I blink at him.

“You excelled during the mission, taking down one of the most dangerous fae in the country and keeping your wits about you even when things went exceptionally wrong,” he says.

“And you saved my life. It’s something I, as all the other Ezkai, take very seriously. For that alone, I will not punish you.”

“Thank you, sir,” I say. “But I’m confused. If Nightingale’s complaint is technically only a rumor and you don’t want to punish me, why am I here?”

The fae before me exchange another glance.

Slowly, the General leans forwards in his seat and braces his forearms on the desk. He laces his fingers and pins me with an intense gaze. “Eros Wildarrow, the Royal Commander to King Francis’s Royal Guard for many decades.”

My stomach sinks. “My father. You knew him?” I shake my head. “Of course, you did. You’ve been the Ezkai General for close to a century, and he served as commander for many years before leaving the Royal Guard.”

The General nods. “I did. He was a great man.” He pauses, as if considering his next words carefully.

“About a year before he left the Royal Guard, he came to me with a personal matter. He asked for my help transporting his family from Wetra to Ekios and keeping it hidden. I swore an oath to never speak about it to anyone, but considering you’re his daughter, and the only surviving member of the family, I think his spirit will forgive me. ”

“I—” The words die in my throat. “He said nothing about moving to Ekios.”

“I guess, somewhere along the way, something went wrong,” the General says, eyes kind. “I agreed to help, of course, and sent a group of my Ezkai spies to Wetra. But they never returned. Months later, I learned about the fire.”

“Why are you telling me all this now?”

“Your father said someone would betray him, that there was a secret rebellion threatening the throne of Wetra.”

My eyebrows rise all the way to my hairline. What?

“He died before he could explain more. You survived the fire and found your way to Ekios. Chose to join the Order of Ezkai and serve me directly.” A heavy pause. “I must know if you plan on bringing trouble to my doorstep.”

“This is the first I hear about rebellion or betrayal,” I say cooly. “I came to Ekios and joined the Order of Ezkai because I figured whoever murdered my family will eventually hunt me down, too. I need to protect myself.”

It’s not a lie. But it’s not the entire true either.

Both fae watch me closely. I bet they’re listening to my heartbeat. I keep my breathing even to keep my vitals in check.

As much as I can, anyway.

“You have nothing to fear while you’re in Ekios,” the General says. “I promised your father that his family would have sanctuary here, and I intend to keep that promise. However, there’s something I need from you, I won’t lie.”

“What is it, sir?”

“You are the first human Decarios in over a century to dare attend Ezkai Academy. None before you who attempted to join the Order managed to do so. If you were to excel during the rest of your time at the academy and graduate, I’m almost certain you’d be extended an invitation to join the Order.

I can even tell which unit has their eyes on you already. ”

I can’t help the prickling excitement that spreads across my chest, turning my breaths shallow.

“You, the first human Decarios joining the Order of Ezkai, would be a monumental moment in Ekiosh history. It would also be a pivotal moment in international politics. You have the power to open the door to more humans and dwarves settling here in Ekios, helping us build a thriving, diverse future,” he says.

“I need you to make it to the Order. I need you to be the symbol of diversity.”

“I understand, sir.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that,” he says. “I must say, it would be unfortunate to waste such a potential by siding with the wrong crowd, Cadet Wildarrow. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Tense silence stretches between us.

Is the Ezkai General himself telling me that Daegel is not to be trusted?

“I think so, sir,” I manage. “I have the honorable intention of serving as your most loyal Ezkai. In whatever capacity you need me.”

He doesn’t need to know all the revenge-related details.

All in due time.

Actually, now that I know about his promise to Dad, maybe I can count on the General to help me get my revenge.

When I prove to him I’m reliable, loyal, and capable.

“That’s what I thought,” the General says. “I hope your actions will align with your intentions, and we won’t have to deal with any more dangerous rumors that may end your promising career before it even begins.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” I bow my head.

“That’s all, Cadet Wildarrow,” the General says, dismissing me. His dark gaze glimmers as he watches me rise to my feet. “Don’t make us regret our decision.”