Page 10 of Vicious Princess
“Shut up, Sparkle Boy.”
I shove him into the wall not so gently before walking away.
“Hope to see you again, Grumpy Blade,” he calls after me.
Without turning back, I flip him off.
CHAPTER THREE
From all the stories I’ve been told, Jaakii, the bustling capital of Ekios, is supposed to be deadly. Dangerous fae and other creatures ready to take my life at every turn.
Apart from that group of thugs who decided to try their luck, the city is not as bad as I expected.
As I make my way through the last humble streets of Spuleb, towards the bridge so I can cross the river weaving through the city, all I can see are peaceful folk.
With the small leather bag hanging on my shoulder, I almost blend in with the local crowd. Most fae I pass are in simple—a bit filthy—clothing. Workers, with hands bearing marks from years of hard manual labor. Despite that, they are smiling at each other as they chat lightly in the streets.
The architecture of the low buildings is earthy and minimal. Most are residential, with some small taverns and shops perched in certain first floors.
It’s a very different picture from what I grew up hearing about Jaakii and Ekios back in Wetra.
Ekios is the land of dangerous magic and cruel fae, my father would warn us when we enjoyed a glass of homemade wine after food, our little family gathered around the dinnertable. Mother and Father would drink pure wine, while me and my sisters would have the child-friendly version of it—wine diluted with so much water, it barely tasted like the real thing.You better hope that war or a mission for the Crown doesn’t take you there, because it’s a savage land, and fae are hostile to humans.
I roll my shoulders, trying to push those painful images as far away from me as possible. Into the deepest corners of my mind, where they can’t disturb me. Three years later, the emotions that come with those memories are still overwhelming.
For some reason, the pleasant echoes of the past are hard to bear. Especially when I remember that all I have are memories—I will never again get to climb trees with my sisters, inhale my mom’s scent when she hugs me, and feel the security of my father’s embrace. It would be so much easier if I could forget it all.
Before I even finish crossing the bridge over the Black River, I sense the shift. It’s like I’m in a completely different city all of a sudden.
I glance down at my map, which tells me that I just crossed into a new district of Jaakii called Cesteeg. The streets I walk are cleaner, the stones of the pavement brighter. Fae are still dressed modestly, but you can tell the flowing materials are of the highest quality, every inch of their clothes polished and ironed.
While I was in Spuleb, barely anyone paid me any attention; in Cesteeg I’m observed by every pair of passing eyes. With my leathers and lack of pointy ears, I stand out like a sore thumb in this crowd.
V told me plenty about the ways of these folk on the journey to Ekios. He even taught me Ekiosh to make my Ezkai training as easy as possible. Yet he failed to let me know how different each district of Jaakii is.
I miss Vasquez and his voice already so much, it hurts. The thought of never seeing him again, never having his fingertips trace the lines of my body in the dark, takes my breath away.
I push that feeling aside, bury it in my little graveyard as deep as I can manage. Never again will I make the mistake, of allowing someone into my heart.
The pain of losing them isn’t worth it.
I feel very out of place while I make my way through the streets of Cesteeg. Three years ago, I would have felt at home in Cesteeg, but after everything I’ve been through…
Nothing feels like home.
By the timeI reach Bussek, my feet are burning. I’m not used to walking so much anymore; my soles are weak. Twelve months at sea can do that to a person.
Bussek’s main street is blooming with life, even at this hour of the night. I slow my pace as I pass the colorful buildings, trying to read what’s written on the signs. While I’m able to speak Ekiosh fluently, reading is another matter… I’m mediocre at best. I hope that won’t impact my training. How much do soldiers need to read, anyway?
Finally, I reach a building painted in a deep color. It’s too dark outside to tell whether it’s blue, green, or simply black. The sign above the door reads,Kazh’s Inn.
I glance at my moldy map to double-check if it’s the right place. Yes, that’s the inn V marked with red on the map for me.
I take a deep breath to steady my racing heart and enter the establishment. The lobby is modest and dark, lit only with large candles fitted on each of the walls.
My feet make no sound on the earthen floors. The exposed wood beams on the ceiling are mere inches from the top of my head. All the walls are covered in colorful painted canvas. I stopto admire a painting of beautiful plum blossom trees at the base of a huge mountain with icy peaks. Black dragons are circling the mountain, their wide wings outstretched.
That’s breathtaking.
