Page 87 of A Requiem of Fire and Ice

“Senri doesn’t know much, only that her business in Oceanview Harbour lacked sustenance.”

The door opens behind us. “Oceanview Harbour?”

Of course, she was overhearing our conversation.

“Can we question her?” Pandora continues, intriguing me. “There’s a memory from my past she can enlighten me about. So…”

“Pandora—” Astin says, but I cut him off.

“Tell Senri Toshiharu to place her in their cells,” I say, and a smirk settles on my face. “I am curious, too. But I will interrogate her.”

Pandora steps back into her room. “Whatever. I’m fucking bad at interrogations unless I’m using my body.”

What?

I eye Astin, but he’s too busy staring vacantly at the closed door. He is not the only one curious about Pandora and her life before meeting me.

Chapter 38

Pandora Hart, July 18th

Stars are absent from the dark sky. Thick clouds hide the moon’s presence, blackening the sea until it looks like we’re floating in darkness. The only thing that indicates we are out at sea is the sloshing water parting as the ship glides towards the Kingdom of Cloud.

A cool breeze hangs in the air as I lean against the railing and overlook nothing. Such a sad, bleak night is filled with nothing but a damn prince watching my every move like the stalker he is. Off in the corner, the Prince of Darkness hides in the layers of shadows, but the unsettling red glow clarifies he has eyes only for me.

“Are you just going to follow me around all night?” I say, the hint of bitterness plaguing the tone of my voice. “I don’t see why you are. It’s not like I can go anywhere else.”

Prince Reen steps out of the shadows. The lamp outside the door leading to the dining hall illuminates his features, sharpening them until his looks can cut stone. Almond eyes narrow, but there’s a playfulness in them hidden beneath the layer of suspicion.

He leans against the railing and folds his arms across his chest. “I’m not following you because I believe you’re an idiot who will jump off the ship to escape the deal you made. No, we’re nearing the Kingdom of Cloud. More assassinations will appear from above.”

I smile. “I thought you wanted me dead.”

“By my hands, Pandora. Any other death would be devastating. I was meant to kill you.”

“You’re so fucking crazy,” I breathe.

“Says the one who declined my offer to become a Knight of Eraminia. Instead, you want us to fight to the death, and whoever survives gets their wish.” Prince Reen turns around, takes out a cigarette, snaps his fingers until the flame lights it, and inhales deeply. Streams of smoke emerge from his mouth as he says, “You’re a mystery to me. Someone I cannot place. And when I cannot place something, I want to kill it.”

“Why?”

“Because it means they’re a wild card. An elemny who eagerly dances with fire without care for who or what’s in their path. Someone who will kill without remorse. Someone like me.”

I eye Prince Reen. “And who are you?”

A smirk settles across his lips, and bright red eyes darken until they reveal the souls hidden there, crying out from the agony and slaughter to which he has subjected them. “Who fucking knows anymore?”

I huff a laugh. “It seems like we have much more in common than we want. This might be the reason for our animosity. We see ourselves in the eyes of another.”

Silence hangs in the air for a breath at a time. Aside from the lamps attached to iron hangers, the only other light comes from the orange glow of Prince Reen’s cigarette.

“What are you going to do if you end up killing me? It’s unlikely, but enlighten me a little.”

“Cocky.” I smile. “Uh…my boyfriend wanted me to be myself and do things I want to do.”

Prince Reen arches a brow. “Boyfriend? The peanut butter fucker?”

“Peanut butter…” My eyes widen, and I howl with laughter. “Xavier!? Fuck no. He’s not my boyfriend. No, I’m talking about Desmond.”