Page 6 of Vicious Princess (The Trials of Death and Honor #1)

CHAPTER FOUR

T he scent of smoke tickles my nose.

Then there’s the heat—the flames lick at my face, burn my lungs from the inside out.

“Fane?” I choke out.

No answer.

The house is a skeleton of flame and ash, screaming as it collapses.

I run, desperate.

I can’t find them.

A figure in armor emerges at the edge of the inferno. He wears the Royal Guard uniform.

Dark eyes on me. I recognize those stark features.

He turns his back.

“No!”

I reach the door?—

Hands grab me. Hold me back.

I thrash and scream. “No, let me go. Please let me go?—”

Fane walks out of the room, a charred skeleton with our mother’s eyes. “Why did you leave? Why didn’t you help us?”

I wake with a gasp, soaked in sweat.

Just a dream. Just a dream , I repeat in my mind like a prayer.

But the ache in my chest feels real.

I struggle with the tiny metal hooks of my corset top. My fingers are clumsy, hands trembling after a sleepless night. Without the comfort of V’s body next to me, the nightmares are back.

“Son of a bitch,” I curse when I once again miss a hook.

Last night after dinner, I took a cold bath because there was no warm water and went straight to bed. I’ve been trying very hard to ignore Kazh’s words, but they still echo loudly in my mind as I hook the last clip of my corset and start strapping my knives around my belt.

I miss my bow. I don’t regret giving it to V, of course. But I need a new bow. Blades are good enough weapons, yet I don’t feel whole without a bow.

I slide my shaking hands inside brown leather gloves, covering the scars, and grab my bag before leaving the small room. It’s on the second floor of the inn, where all the sleeping rooms are located.

The moment I descend to the first floor, the delicious scent of breakfast reaches my nostrils. My stomach growls, and I’m tempted to grab some food. But I don’t have the patience to deal with Kazh or her men and their condescension this morning.

Cold early-morning air hits me in the face like a brick wall. It’s crisp and fresh, biting the exposed skin on my cheeks as I stride through small streets, towards the center of the city. I pull the hood of my coat over my head, but it does very little. I’m cold right to the marrow of my bones.

I don’t need to look at the map in my hand because Ezkai Castle stands on the highest hill right at the center, looming over the city. It’s quite an impressive sight, because the castle has high towers built from dark stones.

But it’s not as impressive a sight as the regal mountains with white peaks that disappear into the clouds outside the city. I don’t know how far these mountains are from Jaakii, but even from here, they’re breathtaking. I can’t stop staring.

It’s not like it’s my first time seeing mountains. Wetra has mountains. But they’re very different—dry and rocky. I much prefer the mountains in Ekios.

The walk through Bussek to Ezkai Castle is not too long. The whole territory is surrounded by high stone walls. It takes me a while to find the entrance, because there’s only one. I pass through massive wrought iron gates and follow the stone path up the mountain.

The sun is higher in the sky already, but it offers little comfort. I can still see my breath in front of me. When I reach the top of the path, I find two soldiers in front of the main entrance to the castle.

I press my fist over my heart and dip my chin as is appropriate when I approach them. They offer me unwelcoming frowns.

Finally, one of them speaks. “What business?”

“I’m a Decarios. And I’m here to join the Order of Ezkai,” I say.

Both Ezkai look me up and down and then exchange a glance. It worries me, their coldness. What if they don’t let me join? I have no backup plan. I’ll have to get on my knees and beg.

“Go inside and turn left. At the end of that corridor, on the right, you’ll find the office,” one of the Ezkai finally tells me.

I bow my head. “Thank you.”

They let me enter the building. The inside of the castle matches the outside. It’s dark, moody, and chilly. It’s hard to imagine the ruler of the country living here. Wetra’s king lives in the most lavish palace.

Just thinking about that man makes blood boil in my veins. I take deep breaths as I walk down the corridor on the left to calm myself. I have to be focused.

The door to the office is open. In the middle of the room, there’s a large wooden table. An Ezkai sits behind it, writing something in a large leather-bound notebook. Another two Ezkai stand behind him.

When their gazes shift to me, I greet them. The fae behind the desk lifts his head. His eyes are grey and cold.

“What business?”

I square my shoulders. “I’m here to join the Order of Ezkai.” After a pause, I add, “ Sir .”

He gives me an once-over. What is it with Ekions? Every single fae I meet has to look me up and down as if I’m a piece of meat. It’s considered extremely rude in Wetra.

“ Human. You have an accent. Wetra or Emera?”

“Wetra.”

There is a hint of disgust in his expression. “Are you a Decarios?”

I try not to show my annoyance. “Yes, I am,” I say, lifting my chin. “I have scars to prove it from my Wetran Decarios training.”

“How outdated. We don’t practice the old Decarios ways in Ekios anymore. The General is not a savage.”

Heat creeps up my chest, neck, and face. I say nothing, though.

“Your previous training doesn’t count here,” he says. I blink at him, my eyebrows rising. “The Order of Ezkai is composed of only the most skilled Decarios in Ekios, who have proven that they’re worthy to be part of the Order and serve the Ezkai General.”

I’m baffled. What does that mean for me?

I lift my chin. “And how do I prove that I’m worthy to be an Ezkai?”

With a light sneer, the fae says, “You join Ezkai Academy like the rest of the Decarios and train in our ways to become a worthy soldier. At the end of your six months of training, you are given an opportunity to show you’re worthy to join the Order.”

I nod. “Great. I would love to sign up for the Ezkai Academy, then.”

The Ezkai doesn’t look pleased to hear that. “How well do you understand Ekiosh? Can you read?”

“Yes, sir. I can speak and read well.”

Technically, I’m not lying. It’s just a slight exaggeration.

He doesn’t look convinced or impressed. “The training is fully in Ekiosh. We don’t offer translations. If you don’t understand something and fail your training because of it, we don’t offer second chances.”

“I understand, sir.”

“You have to fill out this form,” he says, then pushes a piece of paper towards me.

“We start training new recruit groups at the beginning of each week. You’ll start your training in three days’ time.

Don’t be late to your orientation, otherwise, you’ll be eliminated.

Every Decarios only gets one chance to join. ”

“Of course, sir. I understand.”

I take the paper, and he offers me a quill. With shaking hands, I fill the form and hand it back to him.

Many questions dance on the tip of my tongue, but I hesitate to voice them. I don’t want to reveal just how much I don’t know about Order of Ezkai and this training. I’ll figure it out in three days’ time.

“Be here in the office at eight a.m. sharp on Monday,” the soldier says. “If you’re late by even one minute, you’ll be expelled.”

I’m buzzing with excitement when I nod, say my thanks, and leave the office. Finally, after three years of trying to find my way, I’m on the right path. I’m so close to my future, I can feel it breathing down my neck, teasing me with the promise of sweet vengeance.

Starting Monday, I’ll train like I’ve never trained before. I’ll ace that damn program, join the Order of Ezkai, and climb the ranks to the very top until I’m known as the most powerful Ezkai in history.

Once I have all the power and influence, I’ll be a stone’s throw away to avenging my family’s death.

The moment I round the corner, I walk into something hard. Or, rather, someone .

I brace my hands on this person’s broad chest to steady myself. Two strong hands grip my shoulders to help keep me upright.

“Oh, sorry,” I say, startled. “I was so lost in thought, I didn’t see you there.”

A low chuckle rumbles from the depths of that broad chest. I lift my head to find two deep amber eyes looking down at me.

The stark beauty of this fae takes my breath away.

His jaw is square and sharp, his lips plush and sensual, full of secrets untold.

He reminds me of one of those ancient soldier statues carved from marble we have in all the temples around Wetra.

“No, allow me to apologize,” the young fae says. His voice is smooth as silk, and it snakes up my spine, spreading pleasant tingles. “I should have paid more attention rather than rushing so blindly.”

Before I get too sucked in by his charm and ungodly beauty, I clear my throat and take a step back. He lets go of my shoulders, but I can still feel the phantom of his touch lingering.

He observes me with curiosity. Nothing like the judgmental appraisals that I’ve experienced so far in Ekios.

“I’ve never seen you here before,” he says. How can someone have such a hot voice? “Are you a new recruit?”

I brace one hand on my hip. “Do you personally know every single person who walks in and out of Ezkai Castle?”

He laughs. “Good callout. I don’t know everyone. But I would remember if I had seen you here before.”

“I’m flattered.”

His eyes sparkle when he rubs the corner of his mouth. “Not going to tell me why you’re here?”

I cock my head to the side and purse my lips, pretending that I’m considering whether I should.

“How about your name, then?”

I feel rejuvenated for a moment. Free of the burdens I’ve been carrying. It’s fun to flirt and get lost in the moment while an attractive stranger courts me. Yet it’s not why I’m here. I made a promise to myself that I intend to keep.

“ If our paths cross again, I’ll tell you my name.” I walk around him without waiting for his answer.

“ When our paths cross again, I’ll want more than that,” he calls after me.

Despite my best efforts, my lips curl into a smile.