Page 133 of Vicious Princess
Shaking my head, I step away from him. “You keep scolding me about throwing myself into dangerous situations, but you’re just as reckless if not more?—”
Words fail me.
“Phoenix, please?—”
“No,” I interrupt him. “Do you fucking understand how dangerous this is? What will the General do when he hassolidevidence you’re aiding Caligos, huh? He’ll kill you and make an example of it. It’s just a matter of time.”
“He won’t. He won’t find out, and he won’t kill me,” he says. “Besides, I don’t have a choice in this matter, Phoenix. You have to understand, my family… Things are complicated. And I’m trying to find a way to navigate this. But it’s not easy.”
He’s right about one thing. Things are complicated for him, and they’re complicated for me, too.
If I want to keep the General’s favor so I secure his help in ruining King Francis’s life, Daegel’s involvement with Caligos is a threat. One I can’t afford.
Yet my heart wants what it wants.
“We can’t be going on like this. The fact we’re breaking an academy rule is the least of our issues. I can’t compromise my future in the Order by being associated with Caligos, Daegel. If I’m with you, then the General will see it asmytreason,” I say.
Daegel closes the distance between us and cups my cheeks. “I know, Phoenix. I know. I don’t want to risk ruining your future. But also, I’m selfish enough to not want to let you go. I choose you. Today, here, I choose you. I’m sorry I lied and hid this side of my life from you. I shouldn’t have. I should have trusted you. I shouldn’t have kept you in the dark. I’m sorry that your future was threatened because of me. I don’t want to lose you, not over this. I want you in my life. And I’ll do anything in my power to have you, even if it means burning this whole fucking operation to the ground or finding a way out of Caligos business so it doesn’t harm your career in the Order just because you chose to be with me.”
“You would do that? Cut ties with Caligos just so it wouldn’t threaten my future in the Order?”
He doesn’t even bat an eyelash. “Absolutely. If that’s what it takes to have you, then I’ll do it.”
“I want to believe you.”
“Then believe me, Phoenix.” He takes my hand and places it in the middle of his chest, right above where his heart races. “You and me, we’re good together. I want a future with you in it. If you’ll have me.”
I can’t find the strength in me to say no to that.
Not when he’s holding me close to his body and looking at me with eyes full of…longing and affection.
When I’m with him, I don’t feel so alone in the world. He feels like home.
Instead of answering him, I bring my lips to his. When our mouths collide, the ground shifts underneath my feet, and I’m flying, soaring high above the clouds.
Oh, how I missed this.Him. His hands all over me, his delicious scent overwhelming my senses, and his soft mouth exploring mine.
By the time I pull away, we’re both panting.
“We need to get back,” I say, breathless. “The rest of the squad is probably losing their mind. Roman was hurt when they took me.”
Daegel nods, but his eyes are focused on my lips. After a couple of seconds, he seems to get back to his senses and reality. He clears his throat, then says, “You need to understand something. We don’t have much time. Gloria may have bought our lie and let you sign the contract. But she’s definitely sending her spies to find out about your past and identity. When they do, they’ll know we lied, and then the whole mission will be compromised.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
We return to the safe house at separate times. I go first.
“Oh, thank the spirits of the gods,” Roman says from the couch where he rests. His under-eye bags are turning blue, and he’s holding a bundle of something that smells awful against his nose. “I thought you were dead!”
“Is your nose broken?” I jerk my chin at him. He nods. “Sorry, Roman. The bouncers took me to see the leadership.”
Ezkai Gavriel enters the living space, his hard gaze settling on me. “You put on quite a show, cadet.”
I nod, not sure if he’s mad at me about it or…proud.
“You know the identity of our target?” Ezkai August asks, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
“I do,” I say.
