Page 51 of Vicious Princess
The dragon huffs, sending out a strong current of warm air. The scent of burning coal is so strong, I almost gag. It eyes the crowd and then folds itself in a little ball. A fae sits tall on its back in a saddle.
The same handsome fae I ran into the other night on my early-morning run.
“Good evening, noble fae, honorable guests from Wetra and Emera, and my loyal Ezkai,” he says with a broadsmile. “Welcome to my castle for a night full of pleasurable entertainment and not-so-pleasurable talks about international politics.”
The crowd roars with laughter.
I’m startled when Roman pushes a drink into my hand. I blink and look around. No Ezkai Gavriel or other students. I got separated from the group and didn’t even notice.
“Never in the history of Ekios was an Ezkai General as fuckable as Kitajo Hiromasa. Believe me I’ve checked,” Roman says, eyeing the fae. He turns to me and jerks his chin at the drink. “Try it, it’s good. It’s one of the traditional Ekiosh wines made from purple blossom plums.”
No fucking way. That’s the Ezkai General?
He’s young, handsome, and charming. With ease, he slides off the dragon, pats it on the snout, and whispers something only the creature can hear. The dragon roars, unfolds its wings and, soars into the sky.
I can’t believe I bumped into the Ezkai General on my run.
I can’t believe he was so nice to me.
The bold shadow fae and the stunning fae in a suit approach him once the dragon is gone. He exchanges a couple of words with the shadow fae, then chuckles before offering the beauty in a suit his arm. She places her palm on his forearm, and he leads them through the crowd.
Now it all makes sense, why the crowd parts when she walks the street, and why all the nobles and Ezkai gravitate towards her. She must be the Ezkai General’s wife, essentially a queen.
“We’re so lucky to be here tonight,” Roman whispers, his voice drenched with excitement. “Not every day one gets to see so many powerful folks in one fucking room. Look, even damn Emera’s Council is here, in Ekios. With us, in the same damn space, breathing the same damn air.”
Pulled by curiosity, I turn to see where he’s looking. Indeed, five stocky dwarves dressed in the most lavish black iron armor encrusted with glimmering gems stand in a group, drinks in their hands.
They’re the only dwarves here. I can’t say I’m surprised.
“I’ve never seen dwarves in real life before,” Roman says. He crinkles his nose. “They’re much shorter than I expected. How can they be stronger than humans if they barely reach your shoulder?”
I bring my drink to my lips. “You don’t get it because you’re fae, and you’re taller than normal.”
Roman quirks an eyebrow. “Normal for who? I’m a rather average height for fae.”
I roll my eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“Mmmm. I’m not so sure. I’d like for you to spell it out for me, princess.”
I’m about to flip him off for wanting me to acknowledge the fact that fae are taller than humans when it hits me.
IfEmera’s Council is here, it means King Francis and his court are also here. Which is very,verybad news for me.
Just then, two figures approach Emera’s Council.
A tall man with waist-length raven hair, part of it pulled up into a loose bun atop his head. He wears the burgundy uniform of the Royal Guard, all sharp edges. King Francis’s Royal Commander, Axel Dukas—the man who torched my family’s home that night.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The king is right next to Axel Dukas, his gold-embroidered robes flowing down his meager frame like a waterfall. His crown and his gown are overkill here, and his attire doesn’t make him look any more powerful when he’s next to the Ezkai General or the dwarves.
My feet are moving before I know it.
Roman’s voice is surprised. “Hey, Phoenix! Where are you going?”
Over my shoulder, I say, “I’ll be back in a moment. Bathroom.”
With a racing heart, I make my way through the crowd as quickly as I can without drawing attention to myself. I need to find a place where I won’t be noticed. King Francis might not recognize me—I’m not sure if he knows my face—but his damn Royal Commander, who’s flanking him at all times, will surely remember. Considering he torched my home with my family inside, I don’t think he’ll be happy to see I survived.
