Page 54 of Vicious Princess (The Trials of Death and Honor #1)

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

W e return to the safe house at separate times. I go first.

“Oh, thank the spirits of the gods,” Roman says from the couch where he rests. His under-eye bags are turning blue, and he’s holding a bundle of something that smells awful against his nose. “I thought you were dead!”

“Is your nose broken?” I jerk my chin at him. He nods. “Sorry, Roman. The bouncers took me to see the leadership.”

Ezkai Gavriel enters the living space, his hard gaze settling on me. “You put on quite a show, cadet.”

I nod, not sure if he’s mad at me about it or…proud.

“You know the identity of our target?” Ezkai August asks, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

“I do,” I say.

“Sit and give us a full brief,” Ezkai Xander says, pointing at a chair next to the sofa.

I settle on it and give them an in-depth report on everything that happened, from the moment we set foot into the warehouse with Roman, up until the moment I was taken to Gloria’s office.

“Gloria Esclar just let you walk away?” Ezkai Xander’s eyebrows are all the way at his hairline.

“She didn’t just let me walk away,” I say. “I signed a contract she gave me, which is not something they take lightly. I’m sure you’re aware.”

Ezkai Xander nods.

“Foolish.” Ezkai Gavriel spits the word. “These contracts are how Caligos successfully enslave thousands of clueless fae, and you just signed it as if it were nothing.”

I bristle. “I didn’t just sign it as if it were nothing , Ezkai Gavriel.

I signed it because it was the only way for me to leave her office and come here to inform you of the identity of the person running the establishment you’ve been trying to take down.

Everything I did from the start was to aid the success of this damn mission. So, please, don’t patronize me.”

Ezkai Cassandra tries hard to stifle a smile, but she can’t help it. Ezkai Gavriel shoots her a glare, and she pretends to cough and turns her back to us.

“Recklessness is not a good quality for an Ezkai, Cadet Wildarrow,” Ezkai Gavriel says. “Just something to keep in mind.”

“Understood, sir.”

Ezkai August and Ezkai Xander exchange an amused glance.

“Thank you, Cadet Wildarrow. You brought us a very important piece of information,” Ezkai Xander says.

“She did more than that.” Daegel’s voice comes from behind me. A shiver runs down my spine. I can’t help the way my body reacts to his presence. “She gathered information in less than a day that your fully trained Ezkai unit couldn’t gather in weeks, then handed it to you on a silver platter.”

Ezkai Xander doesn’t look pleased to see Daegel here. Neither does Ezkai Gavriel. Roman widens his eyes at me, clearly picking up on the tension between the soldiers. I shrug.

“I’d be quick about it if I were you. The Executioner Unit wants her,” Daegel adds. “And I have direct orders to have her at any cost.”

“We’ll see about that,” Ezkai Xander says with a smirk. “Good for you to join us, Ezkai Daegel. Even if a day late.”

Daegel pushes off the wall he was leaning against and enters the living room. All eyes are on him, because his presence commands it.

“Yes, my apologies. I was pulled into a last-minute highly important mission by the Ezkai General himself. I got here as quickly as I could,” Daegel says.

“You’re right on time for us to discuss the new plan of action now that we know who runs this underground establishment,” Ezkai August says. “Cadets, we’d like to hear your strategies.”

The few of us in the room exchange looks. All of a sudden, I feel as if the whole world rests on my shoulders. I need a pillow and a bed. Scratch that — I’ll even take the floor.

“She’s a Decarios,” I say and yawn. “Her two bouncers were Decarios, too. I assume everyone close to her will be Decarios.”

Ezkai August nods. “Useful information, thank you.”

“Well, that fucks us over,” Roman says. “Because of that and because we don’t have Ezkai numbers for a raid, the only viable path is…assassination.”

I glance at Ezkai Cassandra. “What did the groups scouting the perimeter find out about the warehouse?”

“There are three back entrances, one for the staff, one for deliveries, and the third one is probably used as an extra way out,” she says. “All three back entrances are guarded by two or three Caligos at all times.”

Quickly, I look at Daegel.

The entrance we used after meeting with Gloria had no guards or bouncers… Was it unbelievably lucky timing, or does Daegel know about a secret back entrance that the Ezkai spies have no clue about?

We could sneak inside the warehouse through the back entrance Daegel showed me… I can find my way into Gloria’s office and wait for her to show so I can slit her throat quick and easy before slipping out the same way.

But now I have an easy way in—I’m part of Gloria’s talent . I don’t need to sneak around.

The discussion around the room about the best strategy is lackluster. Clearly, everyone’s drained and tired, some snappier than usual. After thirty minutes of arguing and going from one idea to the next, Ezkai Gavriel calls it quits.

“Get some rest,” he says. “Tomorrow, we rise with the sun. Hopefully a new day will bring some useful ideas to you, cadets.”

All of us cadets are sleeping in one of the empty rooms on the first floor of this run-down house. We’re packed tightly next to each other on the floor, wrapped in wool blankets. I use my backpack as my very hard, cold, and uncomfortable pillow.

Yet I don’t think the ache in my left hip from the hardwood floor or the lack of a soft pillow under my cheek is the reason I can’t calm down enough to sleep. My whole body is taut like my bowstring.

The rest of the cadets have no trouble sleeping.

Roman is snorting on my right. Suddenly, I wish I drank last night, too. I bet if I were hungover, I wouldn’t have issues falling asleep now.

With a sigh, I push myself on my feet. I leave my backpack but take the blanket and quietly open the door. The corridor is dark, quiet, and empty. The whole house is.

My feet are soft on the floors as I make my way to the second floor. I need to find the way out, get onto the roof. A cool breeze and the night’s sky full of stars will help me sleep.

Once I climb the stairs, there’s a small landing with three doors on each side and a small window. I unhook the metal keeping the window in place, and it opens with ease. Peeking my head outside, I see there’s a smaller slanted roof right below the window.

With ease, I climb out onto the small roof and carefully follow the wall until I reach the drain.

It barely takes me any effort to scale it and reach uppermost roof.

It’s a bit slanted, and the clay is hard under my back.

But I can see the clear sky and all the stars that stretch as far as eyes can behold, and well beyond.

Anytime I watch the stars now, it always reminds me of that night my family’s house burned down with them inside. The last time I spoke with Mom, Dad, and my sisters…I was angry. The last words I told my parents were full of fury and desperation.

I will never forgive myself for it.

If I didn’t have my temper and hadn’t stormed out, I wouldn’t be here now. I would either be dead, just like them, or…what if we would have found a way to escape together if they weren’t preoccupied with managing my tantrum?

I sigh and close my prickling eyes.

“Have trouble sleeping, princess?”

My eyes snap open at that voice. Daegel pulls himself up and over the edge, then elegantly pads over to where I lie.

I nod. “Something like that.”

He grabs the corner of the blanket and peels it away before slipping under it, right next to me. Dangerously close to me.

Alarmed, I sit up. “Are you sure it’s safe for you to be here with me? What if someone sees us?”

Daegel shakes his head. “Don’t worry, I closed the window behind me. Everyone’s deep asleep.”

“Why aren’t you?”

He looks away from me, gaze settling on the horizon. “I had too much on my mind.”

I rest my head on his shoulder, grateful for his company. Even if we have too many unresolved things between us, still.

When he doesn’t elaborate, I prompt him. “Such as?”

“You.” The way his voice dips makes me shiver from pleasure. “Today I came too close to losing you, and it…put things into perspective for me in ways I never could have fathomed before.”

“Sorry about causing a mini life crisis you weren’t prepared for,” I tease.

Daegel’s lips are gentle as he kisses the top of my head. “It was about time. So I should thank you.”

“Well, in that case, you’re welcome,” I say lightly. I look up at him through my eyelashes. An amused smirk dances on his face. “Just let me know when you need another one.”

I wink, and he laughs.

“You’ll age me before my time, princess,” he says softly. “I’d rather we don’t fight and can be on the same side from now on.”

“There’s nothing I want more from you,” I say. “Did you mean what you said earlier? You won’t be involved with Caligos anymore?”

Daegel’s shoulders lift with a deep inhale and drop with a long exhale. “I meant it when I said that I choose you, Phoenix,” he says. “Because of that, I’m committed to finding a way out. But I’ll need your support and patience. Lots of patience.”

I cup his cheek with my hand, and he leans into my touch. “You’ll have it. Anything you need.”

“It’s not going to be an easy process. And it may take longer than you or I might like. It’s not just the Caligos organization I’m leaving behind, it’s… I have to find a way out of my legacy and family. To fae, that’s…well, a death sentence. Family and legacy are everything to us.”

Tangy guilt is sour at the back of my throat. Here he is, ready to leave his family behind to be with me, to ensure my goals are not compromised, and he doesn’t even know the real reason why I’m here.

Why I’m desperate to climb the ranks of the Ezkai.

Why I need the General to think I’m loyal.

I shove the unwanted feeling away and lock it in the furthest corner of my being. I’m not ready to reveal all my cards.

Not even to Daegel. Not yet.

“I understand,” I say softly. “I understand this isn’t easy on you and that it will be a fight.

I appreciate you for doing it.” My hand slides down from his face, to the middle of his chest. “That’s courageous and, honestly, fucking sexy.

Your silent strength and confidence are what made me fall in love with you. ”

Daegel’s eyes widen a fraction at my words. My heart flutters, then drops. It’s not an easy admission for me, and what if?—

“I’m in love with you, too,” he says, cupping both my cheeks in his palms and bringing his mouth to mine. Over my lips, he whispers, “I thought you might not love me because of who I am.”

“I love you for who you are. I don’t care about your family or Caligos, Daegel,” I say.

Our lips meet and melt together.

Daegel is careful and gentle, as if it’s not me he’s holding but a fragile flower. Carefully, I part my lips and brush my tongue over his bottom lip.

An invitation for him.

I want him to claim me with all he has.

Thankfully, he does.

With confidence, he pushes me onto the roof and deepens the kiss. I pull on his shoulders, desperate to feel his full weight on top of me. His hips settle between my legs?—

With a chuckle, he pulls away. “I know just the cure for sleeplessness, princess.”

“You better share it with me,” I breathe out.

He kisses the middle of my throat, his hand traveling down from my cheek to cup my breast. Even through the leathers, my flesh burns under his palm. “I have every intention of sharing it with you.”