Sixty-Two

The night sea stretches out before me, an inky expanse illuminated by the faint glimmer of starlight and the silver sheen of the moon. The gentle lapping of the waves against the hull of the ship is a lullaby I have known since childhood, a sound both soothing and suffocating. At the helm, my hands grip the wheel tightly, knuckles white in the cool night air. The wind tugs at my hair, a wild mane of red, as if trying to tether me back to the life I left behind.

Returning to my father's isle is a bitter pill to swallow. The very thought makes my stomach twist with a familiar sense of dread. The King of Keiran's enemy isle is a tyrant, a man who rules with an iron fist and expects absolute obedience. It’s why I fled, seeking my own destiny, carving out a name for myself in the unforgiving seas. Powerless under his rule, I swore never to return. And yet, here I am, steering a course back to the very place I escaped.

My father was nothing like the twins dad. Their father was good, went to war to fight for his people. While my dad just sit and commands others to fight for him from the throne.

As the ship cuts through the waves, my thoughts drift to Remi. There is a raw power in her that is undeniable, a strength that radiates from her like the sun. But she is also sweet, kind in a way that confuses me. How can someone so powerful be so gentle? It makes me want to hate her, to resent her for possessing what I have always craved yet never found. But that sweetness, it makes it impossible to hold onto my envy. It softens the edges of my jealousy, leaving me conflicted and vulnerable.

With a sigh, I relinquish the wheel to a trusted crew member and make my way below deck. The ship’s interior is dimly lit, the flickering lanterns casting long shadows on the wooden walls. I find Xaden in his quarters, leaning against the table, his eyes glinting with that usual mix of arrogance and indifference.

"Xaden," I greet, trying to keep my voice steady.

He barely looks up. "Vienna. What do you want?"

"I wanted to talk about Remi," I say, stepping closer. The confined space makes his presence even more overwhelming, his shadowed wings a constant reminder of his power.

"What about her?" he asks, finally lifting his gaze to meet mine. His eyes, those damned red eyes, bore into me with a coldness that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Why are you so interested in her?" I ask, trying to keep the accusation out of my voice.

My brother have always had each other. And I have always had Xaden, in some fucked up, mutual respectful friendship sort of way.

Or so I thought...

Things have been different since this Offering. Xaden doesn't look at me the same way anymore.

It's like she dropped out of the sky and can suddenly answer every one of the Inner Circle's long forgotten prayers.

Xaden smirks, a cruel twist of his lips. "She's useful. Powerful. Not something you'd understand."

His words sting, hitting a nerve I try to keep buried. "I understand more than you think."

He laughs, the sound grating and dismissive. "Do you? You think just because you run a crew of pirates, you know anything about real power?"

Anger flares in my chest, but I tamp it down, refusing to give him the satisfaction. "I know what it means to earn respect, to command loyalty."

"And yet here you are, following orders like a good little soldier," he sneers. "Still running back to Daddy when things get tough."

The words hit harder than any physical blow, stripping away the facade I have so carefully constructed. He’s right. Despite all my efforts, I am still powerless, still seeking validation in the eyes of those who see me as nothing more than a pawn.

"Why are you doing this?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Because it's necessary," he replies, his tone suddenly serious. "We need her. And we need you to play your part."

I clench my fists, hating the helplessness that washes over me. "And what about Remi?"

"What about her?" he repeats, his eyes narrowing. "She's not your concern."

"But—"

"Enough, Vienna," he snaps, cutting me off. "Focus on the task at hand. Leave the rest to me."

I bite back my retort, feeling the familiar weight of powerlessness settle over me. With a final glare, I turn on my heel and leave his quarters, the door slamming shut behind me. As I make my way back to the deck, the night air feels colder, the stars dimmer.

Xaden has always seen me as someone who can handle myself. Someone he should respect.

But maybe that's just because he is aloof, doesn't care about me in the slightest.

And I gave my neck and blood for him...literally.

Powerless. Always powerless.

But not for long. I return to the helm, staring over the sea mist. I vow to myself that I will find a way to tip the scales, to reclaim the power that has always eluded me. And perhaps, in doing so, I will finally understand the strange, conflicting feelings that Remi stirs within me.