Page 146 of Vicious Princess
“First of all, congratulations on making it through your rigorous training at Ezkai Academy. Surviving that and making it alive and well to this day is an accomplishment on itself. You should be proud of that, of everything you’ve learned and managed to accomplish to this day.”
“Yet it’s not enough to let everyone join,” whispers Roman, who stands on my right.
I elbow him on the side and hiss, “Shut up.”
“That being said, not all of you will make it into the ranks of the Order.” The General gestures at the soldiers behind him. “As your final academy assignment, you were sent into missions where your performance was evaluated by all five Ezkai units. Those of you who left an impression strong enough for a unit to want you in their midst will be extended an invitation to join the Order. Those who don’t receive the invitation… Well, better luck in the next lifetime.”
I take a deep inhale, then slowly exhale.
Fear slams into me with such force, my chest tightens. What if my good performance wasn’t enough? What if someone else knows what Kata knew and no unit will choose me?
Once again, I find Daegel in the crowd.
Nothing in his gaze or face tells me I should be worried. He made sure nothing stands between me and my destiny, my future as an Ezkai.
I lift my chin and look straight ahead of me.
“When you hear your name called, you have a choice to make—to accept the invitation extended to you or reject it. If you choose to accept it, take your spot with your unit. Proudly,” the General says.
“Unit representatives, step forwards,” he orders. The power in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. “Announce your choices.”
Five familiar faces step forwards.
Ezkai Gavriel, Ezkai Cassandra, Ezkai Xander, Ezkai August, and Daegel all move to stand on both sides of the General. Each of them carries a scroll.
“See you on the other side, princess,” Roman whispers and squeezes my pinky finger in his hand.
The touch is brief, but offers me the assurance I didn’t know I needed.
I smile at him.
“Cadet Foltembalem, the Scrivener Unit chooses you.” Ezkai Gavriel reads the first name from the parchment in his hands.
A tall, lanky fae from a different group of cadets marches forwards with his head held high. His group mates cheer for him.
Only ten names are called by Ezkai Gavriel, none from our group. Ezkai Cassandra is next to step forwards. She calls for twenty cadets, and the last name is from our group.
“Cadet Vesper, the Protector Unit chooses you,” she reads.
Bloom and the rest of our group—except for me—cheer the giant on as he charges forwards to take his rightful place amongst the Ezkai from the Protector Unit.
Ezkai August is next.
He’s in no rush as he lifts the parchment in front of him and slowly unravels it. When he calls the first name, I cheer the loudest of all the trainees.
“Cadet Barthol, the Mender Unit chooses you,” Ezkai August calls out.
Roman’s face lights up.
Proudly, I clap and cheer as, with one last glance my way, Roman walks over to where the Ezkai from his unit stand. And just like that, we stand on opposite sides.
Ezkai August calls for only seven names; all the rest are from other cadet groups.
The odds of receiving an invitation are even lower than I thought. There are over a hundred of us here, yet barely half will make it to the Order if they call for so few. I hoped for the Protector Unit, but Ezkai Cassandra doesn’t think I fit whatever they’re looking for.
Only two more units left.
Ezkai Xander’s next. He goes through the names quickly—there are only three. My stomach sinks when I realize Fern from our group is the last one on the list.
