I scoff and roll my eyes. Yeah, sure. Whoever invented that saying clearly hasn’t met me. I have the worst luck in cardsandlove.
A sharp pinch in the middle of my chest is hard to ignore. I rub the place with my fingers, watching Noire shuffle the cards.Daegel, Daegel, Daegel…
The backs of my eyes burn, and a lump lodges in the middle of my throat. I bite the inside of my cheek until the taste of copper stings my tongue and those damn memories are back in the place where they belong—buried deep at the back of my mind where the sun doesn’t shine.
“Speaking of,” Noire says, carefully. “There’s something we have to discuss.”
I wave my hand. “Well, go on.”
Noire clears his throat. “I’m not sure if Vera mentioned it when she offered to be your patron during the trials, but…generals aren’t allowed to have families and to marry.”
I blink at him. “I’m aware.”
Noire nods. “Good. You’re free to take lovers, and that’s why we have wonderful Caetras.”
“I’m good, thanks,” I say flatly. “Is that all?”
Noire looks uncomfortable. I’ve never seen the Taaslord uncomfortable.
“Our tradition requires the new Ezkai General to go through a special sort of ritual once they settle in their role, one that ensures their oath to serve only Ekios is undeniable. One that ensures the balance won’t be disturbed by the General bearing children.”
I’m startled for a moment, lips parting. I haven’t even thought about that.
“So, I have to go through sterilization. That’s what you’re saying?”
“We call it the Ashen Oath, the ritual,” Noire says. “I’m sorry we didn’t communicate it well before you took the reins.”
“It’s not like it would have changed my mind about it.”
Would it have? I haven’t thought about children for years. Maybe never. Before my family’s death, I was too young. And once they passed away…I had other things on my mind.
“Let’s just get it over with,” I tell Noire.
“I’ll speak with the monks to start the preparations.”
I nod, absentmindedly.
Noire shoots me a glance. “Another round?”
I wave my hand. “I’ll pass.”
CHAPTER THREE
VERA
The crunch as his nasal bone cracks is oddly satisfying.
It’s my first time breaking someone’s nose, I must admit. I’m usually not the one to throw punches or get physical.At least not in that way.
As one of the most famous Caetras in Jaakii, people call me many things. A fighter is not one of them.
That’s the only reason why I catch this Caligos bastard off guard when he opens the door to my carriage only to be greeted by the heel of my boot.
Blood pours generously down his chest, and he curses me in all three tongues. It’s surprising he knows that many languages as a criminal. But I suppose a Caligos is no ordinary criminal.
I murmur a quiet thanks to Kitajo for teaching me basic self-defense moves despite my lack of interest in the discipline.
And then I start running.
