Page 14 of Vicious Princess
They let me enter the building. The inside of the castle matches the outside. It’s dark, moody, and chilly. It’s hard toimagine the ruler of the country living here. Wetra’s king lives in the most lavish palace.
Just thinking about that man makes blood boil in my veins. I take deep breaths as I walk down the corridor on the left to calm myself. I have to be focused.
The door to the office is open. In the middle of the room, there’s a large wooden table. An Ezkai sits behind it, writing something in a large leather-bound notebook. Another two Ezkai stand behind him.
When their gazes shift to me, I greet them. The fae behind the desk lifts his head. His eyes are grey and cold.
“What business?”
I square my shoulders. “I’m here to join the Order of Ezkai.” After a pause, I add, “Sir.”
He gives me an once-over. What is it with Ekions? Every single fae I meet has to look me up and down as if I’m a piece of meat. It’s considered extremely rude in Wetra.
“Human.You have an accent. Wetra or Emera?”
“Wetra.”
There is a hint of disgust in his expression. “Are you a Decarios?”
I try not to show my annoyance. “Yes, I am,” I say, lifting my chin. “I have scars to prove it from my Wetran Decarios training.”
“How outdated. We don’t practice the old Decarios ways in Ekios anymore. The General is not a savage.”
Heat creeps up my chest, neck, and face. I say nothing, though.
“Your previous training doesn’t count here,” he says. I blink at him, my eyebrows rising. “The Order of Ezkai is composed of only the most skilled DecariosinEkios, who have proven that they’re worthy to be part of the Order and serve the Ezkai General.”
I’m baffled. What does that mean for me?
I lift my chin. “And how do I prove that I’m worthy to be an Ezkai?”
With a light sneer, the fae says, “You join Ezkai Academy like the rest of the Decarios and train inourways to become a worthy soldier. At the end of your six months of training, you are given an opportunity to show you’re worthy to join the Order.”
I nod. “Great. I would love to sign up for the Ezkai Academy, then.”
The Ezkai doesn’t look pleased to hear that. “How well do you understand Ekiosh? Can you read?”
“Yes, sir. I can speak and read well.”
Technically, I’m not lying. It’s just aslightexaggeration.
He doesn’t look convinced or impressed. “The training is fully in Ekiosh. We don’t offer translations. If you don’t understand something and fail your training because of it, we don’t offer second chances.”
“I understand, sir.”
“You have to fill out this form,” he says, then pushes a piece of paper towards me. “We start training new recruit groups at the beginning of each week. You’ll start your training in three days’ time. Don’t be late to your orientation, otherwise, you’ll be eliminated. Every Decarios only gets one chance to join.”
“Of course, sir. I understand.”
I take the paper, and he offers me a quill. With shaking hands, I fill the form and hand it back to him.
Many questions dance on the tip of my tongue, but I hesitate to voice them. I don’t want to reveal just how much I don’t know about Order of Ezkai and this training. I’ll figure it out in three days’ time.
“Be here in the office at eight a.m. sharp on Monday,” the soldier says. “If you’re late by even one minute, you’ll be expelled.”
I’m buzzing with excitement when I nod, say my thanks, and leave the office. Finally, after three years of trying to find my way, I’m on the right path. I’m so close to my future, I can feel it breathing down my neck, teasing me with the promise of sweet vengeance.
Starting Monday, I’ll train like I’ve never trained before. I’ll ace that damn program, join the Order of Ezkai, and climb the ranks to the very top until I’m known as the most powerful Ezkai in history.
