“You may believe seeking vengeance is your life’s purpose right now, but it doesn’t have to be the only thing you do with your time, Ezkai Phoenix. Mentoring and helping shape you intoa powerful Ezkai serves the Order and Ekios in the long term.” A corner of his mouth curls. “Besides, taking out King Francis may be beneficial for Ekios. As you’ve seen, he’s proving to be quite a thorn in my side.”
I clasp my hands together and smile.
The General himself wants to mentor me and make me into a lethal weapon. And I can help him in return by eliminating a man who stands in his way.
I press my fist above my heart and dip my chin in respect. “Sir, it’s an honor. Thank you. I would love nothing more than to be your mentee.”
I’m so flustered and excited I’m about ready to get on my knees and kiss the man’s feet.
“Good. But I must warn you, becoming my mentee will come with a lot of perks, and some drawbacks,” he says, carefully. “You’ll have more eyes on you than now, and may even face some pushback from those who don’t approve of you gaining my favor. Being my mentee will also test your loyalty and inner strength, over and over again. You may not agree with me, but you’ll have to obey.”
Is he talking about Daegel here? I lift my chin. “I’m ready. I’ll work twice as hard if I must to prove I’m worthy of your favor.”
“Great,” the General says and flashes me a smile. One of those dazzling ones that makes every woman’s knees tremble. “We’ll start with a training session next week. I want to introduce you to the blessed trinity, a concept you must master to become unbreakable.”
I grin. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
Elated, I rise from my seat and head for the door. Just as I open the door, the General’s voice reaches me. “Claiming blood debt you’re owed can be a lonely path, Ezkai Phoenix. Walking it is not easy, and when you finally claim what’s yours, it won’tbring you the satisfaction you’re seeking. I doubt your father would have wanted this path for you.”
I freeze.
“I’m not trying to talk you out of it, Ezkai Phoenix,” he adds. “But it’s my duty as your mentor to warn you.”
I snap out of it and, with a curt nod, leave.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
PHOENIX
The relief that floods me the moment I set foot in my apartment almost makes my knees buckle.
“What a fucking day,” I murmur, right before I face-plant onto my bed.
For a minute, I just lay there like a corpse. Anger and rage are two emotions that drain me most. It’s all-encompassing. Devouring. Not a single inch of the body is left untouched by it.
It’s exhausting. Even the conversation afterward with the General drained me. I still can’t believe the Ezkai General himself will mentor me.
I can’t believe I told him about my desire to avenge my family’s death. And how liberating it felt. How good it feels now to feel like I finally have someone in my corner to help me punish King Francis.
The mattress next to me dips. A moment later, a hand lands on my back. Daegel glides it up and down the length of my spine. Even though Ezkai leather separates us, a chill runs down it.
He doesn’t speak. But I can feel it, the question that hangs above us.
With a sigh I push myself to my elbows and turn to look at him.
The moment our gazes lock, he says, “You want to tell me what was that about, princess?”
Even though I know it’s pointless, I still try. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
One of his eyebrows quirks up. “Your reaction to the king. You almost losing control over your emotions and killing him?”
Another sigh. I push myself to sit facing Daegel.
Daegel puts a hand on my knee. “I know you have secrets. I’m not blind. I let you keep them, because I know how hard it is to allow something you hide in the dark to surface in daylight. I gave you time, because I thought when you’re ready, you’ll share. But what happened today was dangerous, Phoenix. If I wasn’t there, if you had lost control…if the king was dead because of it, it would start a war. You know how serious that is?”
I lower my eyes. Nod.
“Clearly, keeping whatever you have hidden inside you behind those walls is not working. I love you. I’m yours. I’m here to share that burden so you don’t have to carry it all by yourself.”
