My chest heaves when it hits the wall, the impact reverberating through my bones. I lose my grip on the iron bar and fall. I land on the hard ground with soft knees. Slowly, I look up to the opening of the tunnel and the iron gate swaying lightly above my head.
At least, I’ll be able to come back the same way.
Swiftly, I make my way through the castle grounds, shrouded in the shadows. I take the small gate behind the lush, plump orchard instead of the main gate and slip into the city. The air here is different than in the castle grounds.
I know my way to Kazh’s well enough by now. I haven’t seen the old crone since my victory, which has been a little over a month ago. She didn’t attend my inauguration ceremony, which…hurt a little.
I’m not certain she’ll be happy to see me tonight, or even welcome me at her inn considering how against cooperating with the government she is.
But I have to try.
Noire is right. I need my mentor.
Her street is quiet and empty at this time of night. I hope Kazh is still awake.
Once I’m at her door, I knock three times and wait. When she cracks the door open, my mentor doesn’t look surprised to see me.
Kazh throws a glance to my left, then to my right. One eyebrow shoots up. “And where is your escorting Ezkai,General?”
“If I had to guess, either sleeping or patrolling the castle grounds.Maybeplaying cards or throwing dice with their mates.”
She curses me in all three tongues. But she moves away from the entry so I can come in. I follow her to the back, right to the kitchen. I’m relieved to see her men are not there.
“I have worked tirelessly to teach you and mold you into a decent enough Ezkai to be a proper fucking General,” she spits, glancing over her shoulder at me. “After everything, I believed that we managed to make you a well-behaved little shit. But here we are.”
I chuckle, more glad to hear her curse me than I want to admit. At least she’s still here, even if unhappy to see me.
She walks up to the wood-burning stove, which holds three large simmering pots. I take a seat at the dining table. She pushes the hot pot of tea and an empty cup towards me. I pour myself some flowery water I have grown to detest less than when I first arrived at Ekios.
I cup my drink between my gloved hands. “Expecting company?”
“Apparently,” Kazh says. Using a big wooden spoon, she swirls whatever is in one of the large copper pots. It smells nice, like cinnamon and nutmeg. “I guess Noire didn’t do a good fucking job briefing you on the rules of being an Ezkai General, did he? And he has the audacity to call himself the Taaslord, and a spy master at that. Bah! You’re not supposed to wander around outside by yourself, you brainless fetus. It’s not only inappropriate for the leader of a country, but also fucking dangerous. As the most powerful woman in this damn land, you have a target on your back. A fat one.”
I can’t help the wide smile that spreads across my face. It’s such a relief to hear her call me all the nasty nicknames, even though I’m the General now.
Nobody ever calls me anything but General since I took the throne. Even Noire.
Well, there’s Jax, but…
Kazh finds my amusement annoying. She looks like she wants to smack me over the head with that big spoon in her hand.
Part of me is tempted to see if she dares.
“I was careful,” I say. “I know you think I only use half of my brain, but I know how to protect myself. Have been doing so for years.”
Kazh snorts, her back to me. “Half a brain is generous.”
I giggle. She mutters something under her breath. After I finish my tea, she looks at me over her shoulder and jerks her chin. “What, you think just because you’re a Big Powerful Ezkai General now you just gonna sit there and do nothing? Get your ass here and help me cook, you ungrateful piece of shit.”
I get to my feet. “I’m not very good at cooking.”
“Of course you’re not,” she says. “Take off your damn gloves and wash your hands.”
I do as she says. After training half naked with Kazh for months in preparation for the trials, I’m less self-conscious about my scars.
Wearing gloves at all times is a comfort, though.
I have so little of it in my life right now, I’m desperate for even the smallest feel of it I can get.
