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.General Kitajo’s words echo in my mind.
He believed I could do both. Claim the blood debt I’m owed and serve people of Ekios as an Ezkai.
Even if I stand by Daegel while he serves as a corrupt Ezkai General and find an alternative way to claim the blood debt, can I watch Caligos make the innocent people of Ekios suffer?
I’m not so sure.
I may love Daegel, but I don’t agree with his desire to follow his legacy blindly.
That’s why I step through the gate and walk up the long path leading towards the dark Ezkai Castle to sign up forVal’taz Ezkairin.
II. THE CULLING
Old Ekiosh: Thren’kael Vaesh
Often translated as: The taking of what does not belong.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
PHOENIX
Knock-knock.
The sound comes from somewhere far away. I roll over onto another side and tuck my palms under my cheek.
Knock-knock.
My eyes snap open. Through the thick curtains that cover my single window, I can’t see the light. I pull one curtain to the side and am blinded by the sunlight.
What’s the damn time?
Groaning, I roll out of bed and with naked feet, pad over to the door. When I open it, I find Daegel.
He looks me over and arches an eyebrow. “You’ve been sleeping? It’s almost noon, princess.”
I yawn and move away from the door so he can enter. “I got home late last night. Couldn’t fall asleep.”
Daegel enters the space that’s just as familiar to him as it is to me. I rub the sleep away from my eyes and stretch my fatigued limbs. I didn’t sleep well.
I frown when Daegel sets a clay tray on my tiny table that separates the kitchen and the living area of my small studio. He pulls away one chair and motions for me to sit. I do.
“What’s this?”
Daegel lifts a clay lid and the most delicious scent of roasted beef tickles my nose. I groan, my mouth salivating at the sight of the roasted meat with vegetables, still steaming.
“I had my personal chef make your favorite dish,” he says and takes a seat at the table. “You said you haven’t had roasted beef with veggies in years.”
The backs of my eyes burn. It’s true. It used to be a dish my mom made every month for Sunday family dinner.
A ball lodges in the middle of my throat. I try to swallow it, but it doesn’t budge. I meet Daegel’s gaze.
“I’m sorry, Phoenix,” he says. “I don’t want to fight with you. Not about this. I’m sorry for being a dick about it yesterday. I’ve been under a lot of pressure from my father, and the stress from having the leader of the Order and the country pass away so suddenly. I should have talked with you about my decision to enter the trials. I don’t want you to feel like I’m choosing someone else over you, because that’s not true.”
I stare at him for a moment, mute.
He has no clue I signed up for the trials last night. Guilt weighs on my shoulders. I swallow.
“Phoenix? Say something?” When I don’t answer, Daegel adds, “You’re wrong when you say that I’m choosing my family over you, okay? I’m not. You are the one I love, you are the one I want to plan my life with. This, me entering the trials to become the next General, is forus.I know you said you were considering it because it would help you avenge your family’s death. But I also thought about it. Once I’m the General, I can ruin King Francis. In fact, I don’t need to be a General to crush him. Just say a word and I’ll deliver his head on the platter for you.”
