Even if Phoenix doesn’t visit every night, only the hope that she might is enough to get me through the day.
“You can always learn to cheat,” I say. She narrows her eyes at me. “Just a suggestion, if you’re so desperate to win.”
“Not sure learning to cheat the cards is appropriate for an Ezkai General.”
“Probably not. In fact, it might be scandalous.”
A corner of her plump mouth curves up. But any traces of the amusement vanish in a blink.
“Actually, it might be fitting considering my government is infested with damn Caligos parasites.”
She worries at her bottom lip, staring at her cards.
I gently nudge her knees with my knuckles. She blinks rapidly a few times, and then looks up at me.
“What happened? Talk to me, darling.”
At first, she hesitates. But then she sighs and says, “I’m trying to pass the law I promised Vera I’d pass once I’m the General, and the House Dzuni who are corrupted by Caligos are resisting it. Hard. Noire wants me to drop it for now, but I can’t. I made a promise to Vera.”
I frown. Rearrange my cards. When she doesn’t speak anymore, I say, “You just took the position of the Ezkai General. You need some time to get used to it, to get things in order, and get used to leading a country. Give yourself some time and grace. One step at a time.”
Phoenix hums. After a moment, she jerks her chin, “What do you have?”
“Six of Crows.”
Her gaze flicks up. “Three of Cups.”
“You start, my dearest.”
She picks a card and sets it between us. Twelve of Bones. I don’t look at my cards, there’s no need. Phoenix narrows her eyes at me.
I chuckle. “Staring at me like that won’t help you figure out my hand, or your odds.” A pause. A corner of my mouth lifts. “Itmight provoke something else, though. If that’s your intention here, then by all means, carry on.”
She clicks her tongue and flips me off. She might act all annoyed at me, but I don’t miss the way her cheeks heat.
Phoenix clears her throat. “So, back to your issues with Talbots. I thought once Daegel was—” She pauses, unable to speak for a heartbeat before she continues. “—dead, your contract binding you to them would be void.”
“I thought so, too.”
I pick up a card. It’s Six of Crows. Over my lowered lashes I watch Phoenix’s reaction to the new card. She widens her eyes a fraction and quickly runs through her cards.
She has Six of Crows in her hand. There’s one next to the deck. Judging from the way she got excited about the second Six of Crows, she definitely has Twelve of Bones…
I don’t miss the satisfied smirk on her perfect lips.
It’s truly embarrassing how many times those lips plague me in my dreams, teasing and seducing, yet always an inch out of my reach.
Just like during my waking moments.
Thankfully, Phoenix chases the inappropriate thoughts away with a question that makes my heart drop to the pits of my stomach. “Does that mean you still belong to them?” She leans forward, and whispers, “Does it mean you’re a Caligos?”
I shake my head. “To become a Caligos, there must be an initiation ceremony, after one has earned their right to become a Caligos. I’m only their slave.”
The last word tastes bitter on my tongue.
“How do we get you out of it?”
I shake my head. If only I knew.
