Page 150 of Vicious Princess
Daegel smirks. “I can. After your performance during the first mission, all three units expressed interest immediately.”
“What? No way. Why didn’t you say something? I was so anxious about no units choosing me all this time!”
“I couldn’t give it away, princess. I’ve broken enough rules with you as it is.”
“Oh, now you’re worried about breaking rules, huh?” I say, teasing.
Daegel brings his forehead to mine. “Better late than never?”
“One question…just to be certain—it wasn’t you who picked me because I’m sleeping with you?”
Daegel chuckles. “Absolutely not, princess. You did it all on your own.”
Satisfied, I slide my hands up his shoulders.
“What’s that?” I tug on the leather strap that rests on one of his shoulders.
Daegel steps away from me and removes it. It’s a beautiful leather quiver with arrows inside. I frown.
“This is your graduation gift.”
He holds out the quiver—the most beautiful, elegant quiver I have ever seen in my life. I blink, surprised. Emotions swell in my chest and rise to my throat. I swallow, blinking rapidly.
“You didn’t have to.” My words are barely louder than a whisper. “This is beautiful, Daegel.”
“Look at the arrows,” he says with a smile. “They’re made from the same material as your bow. Each arrow is carved with the history of all the fae clans. They’re blessed by the spirits of the gods so that you never lose them and every single arrow always finds its way back to you.”
Slowly, I slide one arrow from the quiver and gasp. The smooth bone is full of intricate fine lines, each weaving together to form images of fae, dragons, and nature.
“Oh gods, this is—” Words fail me. I shake my head. “Daegel…I love this. Thank you.”
He pulls me back into his chest with a wide smile. “I’m glad you like it, princess. Now that you’re a highly trained Phantom Ranger who’s in tune with her bow, you need a proper set of arrows.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and bring my face close to his.
“So thoughtful of you,” I whisper. Our lips are inches away. “I don’t think a simple thank-you is enough to convey just how much Ilovethis gift.”
Daegel’s eyes flash with desire. “Ah, is that so? Then why don’t you show me instead?”
Slowly, I drag my tongue over my bottom lip and nod. “Mm-hmm, I think I have to.”
I’m elated when our lips meet once more.
I made it into the Order of Ezkai. I have a powerful man on my side.
The Ezkai General himself has taken notice of me.
Soon, vengeance will be mine.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
Two months later
Every muscleand bone in my body is against it, but I make my way down into the basement of Lynx’s Den.
The light and cheerful chatter from the bar is distant once I descend to the bottom.
A long, dimly lit corridor opens in front of me.
