Chapter Ninety-Six

REMI'S POV

The storm outside howls as we step onto the ship, its sails whipping violently in the wind. The sky above is a turbulent sea of dark clouds, lightning flashing across the horizon. Raelisar moves ahead of us, his steps fluid, almost predatory, as he leads the way to the deck. I follow closely behind, my body tense, every muscle wound tight as I struggle with the weight of the Black Pearl’s power, still pressing on me, trying to claim me.

I can feel it, deep in my chest, pushing me, pulling me. It’s a constant hum, a darkness that wraps itself around me, threatening to take over. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep fighting it.

Rhodes, walking beside me, seems unaffected. His expression is impassive as always, though I can feel the tension in him. There’s something about the way he holds himself, like he’s always on the edge of control. His presence is comforting in its own way, but I can feel the pull of the storm both inside and out, and it makes my breath catch in my throat.

We reach the edge of the deck, and Raelisar turns to face us, his figure outlined by the flashes of lightning. The ship rocks under the pressure of the storm, but Raelisar stands steady, unaffected by the chaos around him. He looks between me and Rhodes, his expression unreadable.

“So, it’s time,” Raelisar says, his voice low and almost bored. He looks at me, and for a moment, there’s something darker in his eyes. “The Autumn King has made his move. I’ll be staying here for now. I’ve got my own plans to attend to.”

I swallow, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. I didn’t want to leave him behind, but I understand. Raelisar’s loyalty isn’t to us. He’ll do what he needs to do for himself.

“Isn’t he coming back with us?” I ask, my voice betraying a hint of hesitation.

Raelisar shrugs, not bothering to look at me. “What do you think?”

Rhodes, ever the steady one, steps forward, his voice calm but firm. “He’ll be back, Remi. Don’t worry. For now, we have to focus on getting out of here.” He turns to Raelisar, offering a small nod. “Until next time.”

Raelisar gives a short, humorless laugh. “Sure. Don’t hold your breath.”

He turns and walks away, disappearing into the shadows of the ship, leaving me with Rhodes.

I can’t help but watch him go, uncertainty gnawing at me. I’ve never trusted Raelisar completely, and I know I probably never will. But in this moment, I can’t deny the bond we’ve shared—however brief it’s been.

I turn back to Rhodes, his eyes already on me. His jaw is tight, and I can see the weight of the situation pressing down on him, just as it is on me. He doesn’t say anything at first, his gaze searching my face, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Finally, he reaches out his hand. “Come on,” he says, his voice low, a command wrapped in tenderness. “We’re leaving this hellhole. Let’s get you back where you belong.”

I hesitate for a moment, feeling the storm both inside and outside of me, and then, I take his hand. The moment our fingers lock, the world seems to shift around us. The pain of the Pearl surges, but I don’t let it break me. I won’t let it. Not with him here.

Rhodes’s grip tightens as he pulls me close, his presence grounding me. “Stay with me,” he says, his voice soft but firm.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I reply, the words almost an oath.

He nods, the corners of his mouth pulling up just slightly. I can see the flicker of something in his eyes—relief, maybe?—but it’s gone before I can place it.

He extends his arm, his movements fluid, and in the blink of an eye, the world around us warps. The ship, the storm, the Fifth Isle—they all fade away, replaced by the dark, familiar world of the Midnight Court.

We’re back.

The air is thick with the familiar hum of magic, but this time, it feels different. More controlled. More like home.

Rhodes doesn’t let go of my hand as we step onto the solid stone of the Midnight Court, the vast halls stretching out before us. The intensity of the Pearl still vibrates through me, but now, here, it feels more manageable. I take a deep breath, trying to settle into the familiar surroundings.

“We’re here,” Rhodes says quietly, his voice almost a whisper as he looks around, scanning the room. He seems to sense something that I can’t place—his focus is sharp, his eyes flicking toward Keiran’s study, then back to me. “You’re safe now.”

I nod, though I can’t shake the feeling that something is still hanging in the air. Something isn’t quite right, even though we’re here.
Rhodes’s hand doesn’t leave mine. It feels like he’s holding me together. Keeping me grounded.

We walk in silence through the halls, our footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. I can feel the pull of the Midnight Court around me, but I’m not ready to let go of this moment. Not yet.

And when we reach the study, I can feel the tension in the air. Keiran’s study is always filled with the weight of decisions, the heaviness of a ruler’s life. I can hear voices inside, but as we enter, the room falls silent.

Keiran, Kallias, and Xaden are all there, standing around the large table in the center of the room, their expressions unreadable. But when they see us, they don’t speak immediately. Their eyes flick to me, then to Rhodes, and I know what they’re thinking.

I feel their gaze on me, the intensity of it heavy, but I don’t look away.

And then, with a swift motion, Rhodes steps forward, his grip on my hand tight as he pulls me closer to him, his body shielding mine from the gaze of everyone in the room. He places me gently in a chair, his movements precise, controlled, but there’s a fire in his eyes that I can’t ignore.

Then I see it, just behind the spymaster.

All three of the men headed steadily towards me.