“Ezkai Phoenix, the honorable participant of the trials, not only obeyed and respected the rules of the Trial of Wisdom, but she also demonstrated the true power of a great Ezkai General. She won the fight against the dragon without spilling its blood. She’s the most worthy of the win.”
Now, everyone in the crowd cheers and claps. Loud. I can’t help the smile that spreads on my face.
“Your request for eliminating this young Ezkai is denied,” Noire says over the cheers.
Ezkai Reizei grinds his teeth but says nothing. When I finally glance over at Daegel, there is a tiny smirk at the corners of his lips. But his eyes are haunted.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
PHOENIX
I lounge on the comfortable leather armchair in the corner of Vera’s studio. Vera wastes no time—the day after we’re back in Jaakii from the mountains, she throws a huge celebratory party for me and all of my supporters.
“It’s a huge win for you, us, and everyone else who chose you as their champion. We must celebrate accordingly,” she tells me.
I don’t argue with her.
Even if I don’t show it, I want to celebrate my first win.
Nailing that damn challenge without slaying the dragon is a huge boost of confidence. One I couldn’t have anticipated.
Vera’s in Nobleman Uringi’s lap on the opposite side of the studio. She throws her head back and laughs. The black diamond choker she always wears glimmers in the candlelight. Uringi’s gaze is hungry as he watches her. While Vera and I are like night and day, on two different paths, sometimes I wish I was more like her.
She’s so elegant, so intelligent, so effortless. And most importantly, she’s widely loved and admired. The world is hers.Everything she desires is within reach. All it takes is one glance, one smile.
I envy that.
The party is in full swing. A group of people still sits around the large dinner table full of the most lavish dishes Vera’s chef prepared for tonight. Three Caetras are dancing next to the fireplace, their bodies moving graciously to the rhythm of the music. I’m pretty sure they’re Ri’s girls. But Ri herself is not here tonight.
Jax and the rest of Vera’s crew lounge in the conversation pit. They’re playing cards. I watch them while I sip on my whiskey.
“I think you’re cheating,” Jax says, rubbing his chin. There’s a frown between his eyebrows. “You’re dealing me bad cards every single time!”
“No, Jaxy. You just have very bad luck,” Hojo says, and chuckles.
Jax runs a hand over his hair, a crooked smile on his lips. His eyelids are lowered, lush eyelashes casting a shadow on his pale cheeks. The fact that he’s this handsome infuriates me every single time I look at him.
Spirits of the gods have a wicked sense of humor.
Jax taps a finger on the table, licks his lips, and then puts another card on the pile in the middle. There’s a brief moment of tension while they all wait for Tanaka to draw a card and lower it next to Jax’s. Everyone erupts with laughter. Jax loses another round. He growls in frustration and buries his face in his palms.
I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips. It draws Jax’s attention even through the noise of the party. He glances at me sideways. I tilt my glass towards him in a mocking cheer. I swear, right before he turns back to the group, there is a tiny smirk at the corner of his mouth.
Something in my belly flutters.
I’m conflicted.
Jax leans forward and takes a wild strand of Tanaka’s blond hair. He playfully twirls it around his forefinger. A blush rises over her pale features. A weird feeling is pressing against my chest. I’m surprised a courtesan can blush. Maybe Vera trains them to do it on command as part of the seduction?
When Jax whispers something into her ear, she giggles. I sigh and avert my gaze. What a sly motherfucker.
Before I can brood over Jax’s never-ending flirting with everything that moves, Vera approaches me. Tonight she wears a long deep red satin dress with an open back that flows down her frame like a bloody waterfall. It’s the first time I see her not in a tailored suit.
“This party is in your honor,” Vera says. “Yet, you don’t look as if you’re enjoying yourself.”
“I am enjoying myself. I’m just not the social butterfly you are.”
She smiles. Without asking, she settles on the arm of the chair close to me. The scent of her plum blossom perfume envelops me. It’s familiar and comforting by now.
