Page 148 of Vicious Princess
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Daegel silently leads all the new Ezkai who joined the Executioner Unit out of the great hall and deeper into the Castle. Other newbies are walking behind us, separated by their units.
I don’t know anyone in my unit except for Bloom. With a huge grin on her sun-kissed face, she approaches me and bumps her shoulder into mine as if we’re good friends.
As if she never helped Kata almost drown me.
“Nice work, Wildarrow! I didn’t think you’d make it out of the training alive, let alone join the Order,” she says.
“Thanks,” I say dryly.
That’s a weird way to compliment someone, but I guess I’ll take it.
“We’re going to be unit mates,” she says. “We have to stick together. Have each other’s backs and all that.”
I frown, eyeing her sideways. We turn the corner, and Daegel’s steps halt. He turns to face us and points at a red door with intricate art embedded in the iron.
“Behind this door is the artist who will give you the very first mark of Ezkai, which all of you here today have earned, together with your new rank in the Order. Once that mark is on yourflesh, you’ll be officially one of us. There will be no way back. So, if you still have any doubts about being part of the Order, now is your time to turn around and leave.”
None of us do. Obviously.
We didn’t come this far to change our minds now.
Daegel gives us a curt nod and opens the door. “Who’s going in first?”
Without saying a word, I step forwards.
My stomach churns from the unknown. But I’d rather face it now and get it over with, rather than stand here and wait to meet my future.
Daegel doesn’t enter the room with me, closing the door behind my back. Inside, it’s dark, the space lit with candles scattered on the floor. No windows, no other doors. Just a padded bench in the middle and a fae with sparkling amber eyes standing next to it.
“Name,” he says, voice hoarse. As if he doesn’t get to speak too often.
“Phoenix Wildarrow,” I say.
The fae scans the notebook in his hand and taps a finger on it. “Yes, right here. Ezkai Lieutenant Phoenix Wildarrow.” He closes the notebook gently, and his gaze snaps to me. One of his eyebrows rises. “I’ve never done a human before. Let’s hope you don’t bleed out.”
Lieutenant?That can’t be right.
“Come on now, little bird,” he says, patting the bench. “Let’s see what human flesh feels like under my needle.”
I approach the bench. There’s a small wooden table behind the fae with glass jars of ink and intimidating-looking tools.
“Take off your top. I need you naked down to your waist.”
I slip out of my leather jacket.
Before undoing my leather corset, my fingers pause on the first hook. The fae doesn’t look bothered, nor does he look ready to give me privacy.
Quickly, I remove the corset, the air tickling my bare stomach, back, and breasts.
“On your stomach,” the fae says, jerking his chin at the bench.
I follow his orders.
Once I’m settled on the bench, I fold my arms under my head and rest my cheek on the back of my hand. The scent of burning sage is strong here, and there’s a hint of something else…a scent I can’t name.
The fae quickly prepares his tools and leans over me. Goose bumps skitter all over my skin when he runs a finger over my spine.
