Ninety-Two

REMI'S POV

The boat creaks beneath my feet, the sound of wood groaning as it shifts in the waves. It’s a strange feeling—one I can’t quite shake. The saltwater air is thick with the promise of something dark, something dangerous. I’m not sure how long it’s been since Vienna dragged me away from the Midnight Court, but the waves have been endless, just like the questions that plague my mind.

Vienna hasn’t said a word to me since we boarded. She hasn’t explained anything, hasn’t even looked me in the eye. I know I’m a prisoner, but there’s no cage around me, no iron shackles to keep me in place. It’s the same as when I was first captured, back in the Midnight Court, chained and forced to walk in a world I didn’t understand. Only this time, I’m not physically bound, but the weight of the situation is still just as heavy.

I glance at Vienna, who’s standing at the edge of the deck, looking out at the horizon as the boat sails farther from the Midnight Court. The cool breeze ruffles her hair, but there’s nothing gentle in her posture. Her back is straight, her eyes hard with something I can’t place. For a moment, I consider asking her what’s going on—what the hell this all means—but I already know.

I’m a prisoner.

Just like before.

“You know,” I begin, breaking the silence between us, “this feels a lot like when you had me locked up in chains before. How ironic.”
Vienna glances over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. She shrugs, barely acknowledging my comment. “It’s for the better, Remi.

Keiran was losing his mind. He was corrupted.” Her tone is so casual, as if dismissing everything I’ve known, everything I’ve fought for, with a simple flick of her wrist. “At least now, you won’t be a part of his downfall.”

I’m not sure what’s worse: the cold indifference in her voice or the fact that I can see how much she believes it. I stare at her, eyes narrowing, and I can’t stop myself from speaking the truth.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with you, Vienna,” I say, my voice laced with bitterness. “I would never betray my own family. You’re the one who turned your back on everything, all for a throne that means nothing.”

Vienna doesn’t flinch. Instead, she meets my gaze with an almost mocking smile, her voice low and biting. “You’ve got some nerve, don’t you?” she sneers, her eyes narrowing. “You, who fell in love with the male who murdered your own sister.”

My chest tightens at the mention of Xaden’s past. The memory of his dark history, the weight of his actions, still lingers. It’s a scar that won’t heal, no matter how much I wish it would.

But Vienna’s words cut deeper than I expected. I take a step forward, my body trembling with anger. I don’t think, I just act, moving toward her with the intention of letting her know exactly how I feel.

Before I can reach her, two of her father’s men grab me from behind, holding my arms in place as they restrain me with far too much ease. Vienna watches, unbothered, as I struggle, my chest heaving with fury.

“I guess we do have to use chains after all,” Vienna says casually, almost as if she’s amused by my attempt at resistance. “Whoops.”
With a sharp nod to her men, she begins to walk toward the boat, leaving me in the grip of her soldiers. They drag me along with them, my heart pounding in my chest, the dread sinking deeper with each step.

The boat rocks as we board, and I’m forced below deck. The air is stale and smells of salt and mildew, mingling with the scent of crates and supplies stacked in the dark, cramped space. It’s not what I expected for a royal vessel, but then again, Vienna’s father never struck me as the type to make grand gestures.

I’m shoved roughly into a seat next to a stack of crates, my wrists bound behind me with coarse rope. I can feel the rough fibers digging into my skin, but I refuse to show weakness. Not here. Not now.

And then, from the shadows, I hear the unmistakable voice that has haunted my thoughts for weeks now.

“Long time no see, Remi.”=\]\[\\

My body tenses, and I turn to see him.

Raelisar.

His dark presence fills the room, more menacing than I remember, his eyes glowing with an eerie intensity. His long, ice-white hair falls over his shoulder, framing a face that is both familiar and terrifying. The way he looks at me—cold, calculating—sends a chill down my spine.
Vienna gives him a quick glance, her lips curling into a small, approving smile. “Allow him on board,” she orders her men, and they step aside, letting Raelisar pass.

He moves toward me slowly, each step deliberate. The moment he sits down across from me, I can feel the weight of his gaze. I try not to react, but every instinct in me tells me to run, to escape this nightmare. But I know better. I’m not going anywhere.

Raelisar leans back casually, eyeing me like I’m some sort of entertainment. “I suppose you’ve been getting quite the tour of the kingdom,” he says, his tone mocking, his eyes flicking to the ropes binding me. “First chains in Keiran’s court, now chains with Vienna’s father. How charming.”

I stay silent, refusing to play into his game.

“So, where are the boys?” I ask instead, unable to ignore the aching hole in my chest where the thought of them resides.

Raelisar laughs—a low, cruel sound. “The boys?” he repeats, as if he finds the idea utterly ridiculous. “Running a reverse harem?” He lets the question linger, a taunt in his voice.

I blush, my cheeks burning, and I turn my face away from him, suddenly very aware of how ridiculous this situation must look. “I love all of them,” I mutter, barely audible.

Raelisar raises an eyebrow, clearly not impressed. “I don’t care,” he says, unfazed. “I’m not one to judge.” He leans forward, his voice dropping to a more sinister level. “But, I’ll tell you this much: I did a number on them. They’re not nearly as powerful as they once were.
Keiran’s Isle is dying. It’s not just his city—it’s him. And he’s weak. They’re weak. Barely put up a fight.”

His words sting, but I refuse to show it. I won’t give him the satisfaction.

But when I ask him why he’s here, he doesn’t answer immediately. His gaze shifts to the corner of the room, and then, almost casually, he looks at my dress pocket.

“Because you have my Black Pearl,” he says, his tone smooth but tinged with something darker.

I feel the color drain from my face. The Black Pearl? How does he know about it?

My hand instinctively moves to my pocket, where I’ve concealed it. My heart races, and I feel a wave of panic. I know exactly what it means to have it, and it terrifies me that Raelisar wants it back.

But he doesn’t let me linger in my fear. He smiles, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Don’t worry, darling. Your boys will be back soon. Probably with an entire bloodthirsty army at their backs.”

The words hit me like a slap, and I can barely breathe through the weight of it. Everything’s spiraling out of control. I’m trapped—physically and emotionally.