Noire nods. “While she’s in a relationship with Ezkai Daegel, he keeps her out of the Caligos business.”
“I told her that she’d need to break up with him if she were to get our support.”
“Ultimatums are dangerous, Vera dear. You know that.”
I scoff. “I won’t help her if she’s sleeping with the enemy.”
Noire pats my knee reassuringly and rises to his feet. “Fair, Vera. If you think she can agree to your terms, I trust you. The Black Night is in two days. You may want to pay her a visit before that to seal the deal.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
PHOENIX
Still reeling after my argument with Daegel, I head out to the city to find an appropriate outfit for this Black Night event that’s supposed to be the opening ceremony that marks the start ofVal’taz Ezkairin.
My mind is running a thousand miles an hour, my heart aching so bad I want to curl into a ball and cry my eyes out. But I have deadly trials to prepare for. So, I roam the streets looking for a decent tailor shop where I can buy a nice dress for this opening ceremony.
I have no idea what the ceremony is like, or what kind of dress I should look for. My idea of participating in deadly trials involves fighting in an arena, or something along that line. Not participating in a fashion show.
Finally, I notice a sign to a tailor shop. The moment I enter, I’m met with an array of silks, and fancy lace.
“Good afternoon, miss,” a young fae woman with blush-pink hair and matching-color eyes greets me from behind a counter on the left side of the shop. “How can I help you today? Areyou looking for a custom gown for an event, or something more simple?”
“Something simple. I don’t have enough time for a custom piece,” I say, looking around the shop. “I’ll know when I see it.”
“Of course. Take your time. And don’t hesitate to let me know if I can help.”
I nod and dive between the many clothing racks stacked closely together. As I look through all the beautiful dresses, I can’t imagine wearing any of them. All of them are too big, too luxurious, toolady-of-the-castle instead ofsoldier-of-the-castle.
I’m already feeling out of place as it is. I don’t need a dress to amplify that. Not when I’ll be surrounded by my opponents, which are all older, wiser, stronger, and more experienced than me. All fae.
Somewhere behind me, the bell above the door chimes as someone else enters the shop. I look back to see a familiar face. Vera’s cold silver eyes are looking directly at me. As if she knew she’d find me here.
In three days time, I’ll find you and we’ll speak again.
Immediately, alarm rings in my mind. How did she know I’d be here?
“Vera D’Argent,” the tailor greets her at the door.
Slowly, I stalk towards her. My hand goes for my favorite dagger. Vera jerks her chin at the shop owner without a word and the woman disappears to the back of the shop immediately.
How much influence does this woman have? She’s barely older than I am.
Her grey eyes are cold as the depths of deadly winter.
“Phoenix Wildarrow, we meet again,” she says. “I’m so glad to hear you considered my proposal and signed up for the trials.”
“How did you know I’d be here?”
“I’ve got my sources,” Vera says, cocking her head to the side. She looks me up and down. “Are you ready to be my chosen champion?”
I scoff. “Well, obviously. I can’t do this without you. But I’ll warn you—I may have agreed to be your champion, but I won’t be your puppet.”
“I don’t want a puppet, we’ve already established that. I want an ally,” she says. “A strong one I can trust. One who won’t have the Caligos win and run this country to the ground.”
So, there’s more to her than simply wanting to pass a law. Vera wants to protect Ekios from the destruction Caligos will bring if one of them is the next Ezkai General. It’s a noble cause.
I lift my chin, “You have my promise that I’ll do everything in my power to pass the law you want passed, as long as I get a chance to claim the blood debt King Francis owes me.”
