Chapter Twenty

***REMI
*
*Kieran was right to make the rule about not visiting the city. *

For more reasons than one.

First, the food at the restaurant where Vienna made the twins and me reservations was the best meal I’ve ever had in my entire life. We had nothing short of a feast, salad, soups, duck, and lamb, and every time I laughed my ass off with the twins about how whatever came out next couldn’t be possibly better, it was. Every single dish.

The second reason this was a bad idea, the city. After dinner, Kallias and Rhodes suggested that we go for a walk.

The City at night was a dream come to life. The stars above were outshone only by the shimmering lights that adorned every street and corner. The air was filled with the gentle hum of music and laughter, blending into a symphony that made my heart ache with longing. The buildings, with their intricate designs and glowing facades, seemed to whisper secrets of old magic and untold stories.

We strolled along the river, the rushing water reflecting the city’s brilliance like a mirror, casting ripples of light across the water. The gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming night flowers, mingling with the distant aroma of fresh bread and sweet pastries from late-night bakers. Street vendors hawked their wares, from delicate jewelry that sparkled like captured starlight to tantalizing treats that tempted even the fullest of stomachs.

Artists lined the walkways, painting and sketching the vibrant life around them, their hands moving with practiced grace. I watched as Kallias stopped to admire a charcoal drawing of Twilight House, its colors captured in shades of gray yet still somehow vivid. Rhodes, on the other hand, was drawn to a musician playing a hauntingly beautiful melody on a silver flute, the notes weaving through the air like a spell.

We passed by a courtyard where a group of dancers moved in perfect harmony, their movements fluid and graceful, each step telling a story of passion and joy. The twins and I found ourselves captivated, joining the onlookers who clapped along to the beat. For a moment, it felt like we were part of something timeless, something that transcended our own lives and struggles.

But with every step deeper into the heart, a sense of melancholy settles over me. This city, with its boundless beauty and life, is a stark reminder of why exactly I am here. Why do they call me the Sacrifice? The freedom, the light, the laughter... all of it is in the palm of my hands.

“How are you doing, Offering?”

I smile and embrace Vienna’s arm. “There are more people here than I imagined,” I admit, looking at a group of children dancing with Kallias by a fountain. “Where do they all come from?”

Vienna watches the children with me and laughs as her brother begins to be attacked by five-year-olds. “Our city is a haven for prisoners of war. Kieran opens his doors to anyone who can make it here. Some are rescued, and some are freed slaves. Some are from your world.”

“How many are…”

I can’t bring myself to say the word Vampires.

The pirate shrugs. “About half, give or take. Kieran doesn’t allow anyone from the enemy courts in unless they are slaves. My brothers and I were an exception.”
I look over to the fountain where Kallias is pretending to be wounded, and Rhodes is brooding in the corner, sharpening a knife.

I’m coming to care for both of them, I realize. They and Vienna.

“Where is the Moon Isle?” I ask, and Vienna’s red hair seems to extinguish.

“It’s…west,” she says, wearily referring to the direction. “It’d take you six days to sail to.”

And I imagine she’d hate every second of those six days.

Somehow, a small child has convinced Rhodes to join in the fake fighting. But Rhodes plays a different part than Kallias, acting as a scary villain and sending every child crowding his twin fleeing in mock terror.

“I’m sorry,” I begin, lacing my fingers in Vienna’s palm, “that your home was not what you expected. I’m sorry…” I purposefully chose my words, “I’m sorry your home was the safe place that you expected.”

The pirate shakes her head, acting every way a leader would. But I swear I catch a glint of a tear in her eye, not the starlight.

“Come on,” she says, throwing her arm around my shoulder, “time for my brothers to embarrass themselves at the pub.” This time I allow myself internally to call her my friend.

Crazy how things have changed.

Just a few days ago I was terrified that the redhead above my bed was going to cut me to pieces and feed me to the Midnight King. Now I want to go dancing with her.
Want to feel alive before the sacrifice? Before I’m dead.

Every ancestor that came before me never returned to our land. So there’s no point in fighting it, no point in pretending that my fate isn’t already set.
If I can’t find another way, I will die for these people. Die for the children who are laughing and now attacking Rhodes with sticks.

I’ve never been valued in my home, but these people, this city, they love their children. That’s a pretty damned good thing to die for.

And an even better reason to drink.

---

The night had been a blur of laughter, drinks, and the kind of camaraderie that made the world outside Rita’s seem a distant memory. Rhodes, Kallias, and Vienna had swept me up in their exuberance, and before I knew it, we were all stumbling through the doors of the most notorious dance hall in Night Isle.

By the time we were halfway through our first round of drinks, Rhodes had already started making quips that had me in stitches. It was rare to see him so relaxed, his usual brooding demeanor replaced with a lightheartedness that was infectious. Kallias, never one to be outdone, was in rare form, his booming laughter echoing through the room as he spun increasingly ridiculous tales of their past adventures.

“Remember that time you thought you could flirt your way out of a duel with Xaden?” Rhodes teases, nudging Kallias with his elbow.

“Oh, please, as if you haven’t used that smoldering look to get yourself out of trouble a hundred times,” Kallias shoots back, his violet eyes twinkling with mischief.
Vienna and I exchange glances, shaking our heads in mock exasperation. “Men,” she says, rolling her eyes, but her smile betrayed her amusement.

We danced, we drank, and the world outside seemed to disappear. It was in those moments, as I twirled around the dance floor with Vienna, that I could almost forget what awaited me tomorrow. Almost.

Vienna’s laughter was like music, her movements fluid and graceful as she led me through the throng of dancers. “You’re doing great!” she shouts over the pulsing beat of the music, her red hair ablaze.

“Thanks!” I reply, trying to match her steps but stumbling slightly. The alcohol is definitely kicking in, making everything seem a bit hazy, a bit surreal.

Meanwhile, the twins had taken to the stage, much to the delight of the crowd. Kallias attempted to perform a dramatic rendition of some ancient warrior ballad, his deep voice booming with exaggerated emotion, while Rhodes provided hilariously off-key harmonies. The sight of the two fearsome warriors making absolute fools of themselves had everyone laughing, myself included.

But despite the joy of the moment, a part of my mind kept drifting back to tomorrow. The witches were going to come and bathe me in front of Kieran’s court. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a mixture of dread and embarrassment twisting in my gut. I tried to push it away, focusing instead on the warmth of Vienna’s hand in mine, the sound of laughter, the music.

Then, as if sensing my need for distraction, a stranger appeared at my side. Tall, with a roguish smile and eyes that seemed to see straight through me. He introduced himself with a charming grin, and before I knew it, we were dancing together, his hands guiding me with surprising gentleness.

"I'm going to die for you tomorrow," I say to him over the music.

The stranger furrows his brows. "What?"

Kallias, Rhodes, and Vienna were too engrossed in their own antics to notice. The stranger and I danced his closeness a welcome distraction from my thoughts. He was smooth, his compliments flowing easily, and I found myself smiling more than I had all night.

As the night wore on and the music slowed, he leaned in, his eyes locked on mine. The world seemed to narrow to just the two of us, and I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin.

If none of the males in the castle will fuck me, he sure will.

So I dip my head back, wrap my hands around the stranger's waist, and lean in to kiss him.