Page 105 of Vicious Princess
Where the fuck is Daegel?
I ignore the pain and discomfort, pushing forwards.
Just as I reach the edge of the property and a tall stone fence emerges in front of me, an idea pops into my mind.
I can’t outrun them.
But I can scale the wall and fucking shoot them.
Once I reach the fence, I glance around for any sort of leverage. Of course, there’s none. Not unless I want to climb a tree and jump from it onto the fence.
Not a bad idea.
I run to the tree closest to the wall and quickly climb to the highest branch that can keep my weight without breaking. Plum trees are not very tall, but they are wide. The branches are not very thick, but rather abundant.
I get very intimate with all the different small branches as they scrape my face and neck while I prepare for the jump. With an exhale, I charge and throw myself off the tree into the fence.
I hit the wall flat, my ribs rattling from the impact.
There’s no air in my lungs, and for a moment, I can’t breathe in. But my fingers have a grip on the edge, and with trembling arms, I pull myself up.
The two Ezkai arrive at the fence right as I manage to scramble onto my knees.
Is this part of the training, or should I be fucking worried about someone sending mercenaries after me?
No. These are Ezkai.They must be Daegel’s personal guards.
I roll my shoulders and lift my bow, aiming at the first Ezkai. They both stare at me with curious eyes.
As if they don’t believe I would actually shoot them.
“Assholes,” I murmur and let go of the arrow.
It lands right in the middle of Ezkai’s thigh.
He hisses from pain, grabbing his thigh. The second Ezkai doesn’t react quickly enough.
I send an arrow straight to his shoulder.
He backs away a few steps, eyes wide.
“Enough, Phoenix. My men are not the enemy.” Daegel’s voice reaches my ears.
A moment later, he steps out from the shadow of the trees. He looks up at where I’m perched, eyes sparkling.
“That was beautiful, though,” he says with a smirk.
Panting, I flip him off.
He gestures for the men to go. The two Ezkai limp away from us. Once they’re out of earshot, Daegel cocks his head to the side with a sigh. “Come on, princess. If I don’t know what’s wrong, I can’t make it right.”
I huff and secure my bow on my back.Thank you, I whisper to it in my mind, then jump off the wall.
Our gazes lock. Slowly, I approach him. Daegel remains calm. He’s always so fucking calm, and collected, and confident, and self-assured, as if he has everything under his fucking control.
Usually, I find it hot.
Tonight, though, it makes me furious.
