Page 63 of Vicious Princess
He quirks an eyebrow at me. “Yes. We are.”
I shake my head. “I’m not allowed to leave the castle grounds while I attend the academy. It’s one of the three damn rules. I already broke one rule with you. I have no plans of doing that again.” He looks amused, which only ignites my anger. “You might be attractive and charming, and a really good fuck, but I’m not going to jeopardize my chances of joining the Order of Ezkai just so you can take me out and do”—I wave my hands in the air—“whatever the fuck it is you intend to do tonight.”
By the time I’m done speaking, his amused smirk has bloomed into a large grin.
“Are you done yet,princess?”
“I told you not to call me that. We sparred.”
“Indeed. Yet I don’t remember you winning.”
I clamp my mouth shut. This fucking asshole. Heat surges through my veins at the memory of his lips on mine.Gods damn it.
From the inner pocket of his leather jacket, Daegel pulls out an envelope with a wax seal. “If you’re done throwing a temper tantrum, I can explain. As yourmentor, I requested permission for you to leave the grounds if I accompany you, whenever your training requires. The permission has been granted by the administration.”
He holds out the proof for me.
I blink at him. “Oh.”
Finally, I reach for the envelope. When I try to take it from him, he doesn’t let go. His dark eyes sparkle. “I didn’t peg you for being such a good girl, Wildarrow.”
My cheeks heat, but I refuse to acknowledge the way my body reacts to his words, to the tone of his voice. I grip the envelope harder, and with a chuckle, he lets go.
I rip it open and quickly scan the paper inside.
“Is this the secret mission you mentioned?” I look up at him from the paper. “That’s why we’re going to the city?”
Daegel shakes his head. “No. The mission will involve your whole squad. This is a simple training session.”
“Why does it have to happen outside the castle grounds?”
“You’ll see.” He opens the gate, gesturing for me to go.
I only stare at him.
“Come on now. You’re just as fucking stubborn as your bow today.”
“Maybe that’s why we’re such a good fit.”
“I have no doubt,” he says. “Trust me. As your mentor, I want you to succeed. This might help you understand yourself and your affinity a little better.”
Trusting him is not the issue. I don’t trust myself—that’s the problem.
When I’m around him, my body is not on the same page with my mind, and without the constraints of the academy, I’m afraid I might be reckless once again.
As if he could read my mind, Daegel says, “I’m not going to touch you or kiss you again, Wildarrow. You have my Ezkai word and honor.”
“Fine,” I say, not wanting to continue this conversation.
Without another word, I stride through the gate, into the crowded night streets of Jaakii.
Daegel doesn’t speak muchas we make our way towards the location he keeps a secret. Despite the silence that stretchesbetween us, I don’t feel awkward. I’m too busy gawking at all the establishments we pass on our way.
Jaakii is a beautiful, thriving city. Its energy is equally mesmerizing during the night as it is during the day.
“Every district in Jaakii is so unique and different, full of personality,” I say.
Daegel’s eyes are on the street ahead, but he nods. “Yes, it has been this way since it was first built. Ezkai General Maria Genova wanted fae from all over Ekios to make a home at the base of her castle. So she sent out an invitation to all the clans and, as an incentive, allowed them to build their neighborhoods according to their individual visions.”
