Before I know it, my senses are open. And I reach.
The flaming hands of pure, untainted rage slither towards the king across from me.
Rage is spicy on the tip of my tongue. The king’s cheeks heat, and he adjusts himself in his seat.
Fuck my grand plans of vengeance.
This ends now.
Just as the fingers of bubbling rage are about to wrap around the king’s neck, Daegel squeezes my thigh hard enough to make me wince.
I snap out of my fit for a heartbeat. But it’s enough to bring me back to my senses.
Quickly, I close my senses off and glance around the room. Nobody seems to have noticed my slip.
When I steal a sideways glance at Daegel, he gives me a loaded look. I clear my throat and focus back on the conversation.
The General spreads his arms. “Who am I to stop them? Ekios borders are open to anyone who dares to venture here.”
A muscle in King Francis’s jaw ticks. “General, I came here to talk to you and make sure we work out something that satisfies both our people. Not only yours.”
The General leans back in his seat and laces his fingers in front of his chest. He flashes the king a smile. “I’m always eager to negotiate, King Francis. And my intentions are always honorable. However, I’m not going to change my mind about passing a law that benefits my people to satisfy your fears. We opened the borders, it’s part of the original deal we made, Francis. I can’t stop people from coming to Ekios.”
“General—”
“Your Majesty, closing the borders of Ekios is not an option, and is not going to benefit your economy or ours, and the General isn’t willing to change his mind about this particular law,” one of the noblefolk, a fae with a daring sky blue tunic says, her voice soothing. “However, what we can offer is a quota on how many humans per year Ekios will allow to settle here.”
King Francis looks at the fae, considering her words.
“Come on, Francis,” the General says after a moment. “This way, you get to keep some of your whores, and Decarios.”
King Francis pushes off the table and rises. His entourage rushes to their feet, too. Only Axel Dukas takes his time standing.
“I’ll consider it, General,” the king says. “You’ll hear from me by the end of day.”
His heavy robes rustling, King Francis strides out of the war room.
My shoulders slump and I exhale a shaky breath. My relief doesn’t last, because Ezkai General says, “Ezkai Phoenix, may I have a word with you in private?”
CHAPTER TEN
PHOENIX
I remain seated, my knee bouncing while we wait for the Ezkai and nobles to leave the war room. Only the Taaslord remains, always shadowing the General, no matter what.
Daegel glances at me over his shoulder before closing the door behind him. Once it’s only the three of us left, the General sighs, pushes his chair back, and sets his heavy boots on the edge of the large table.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the most powerful man in Ekios this casual.
When the General speaks, his voice is full of…amusement. “You don’t seem too fond of King Francis.”
I look at the Taaslord standing over the General’s shoulder and then back at the handsome fae. “I’m not. Never said I was.”
“And why’s that? Your family was one of King Francis’s loyalists.”
Does the General know that King Francis murdered my family? Did my reaction to King Francis give me away? Surely if Daegel noticed my rage, other fae in the room did, too. At least those who are vigilant enough.
“You wouldn’t be fond of King Francis either if you knew how he treats his Decarios,” I spit, voice full of venom. I can’t help it. “We’re fucking property for him, his personal killer squad. It’s the law that every human Decarios born in Wetra needs to serve the king, no exceptions. He lies to everyone that it’s an honor and a gift, oh so rare. But it’s just another form of slavery.”
