CHAPTER 96: FIVE DAYS LATER...

Lucien leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the cool glass of the carriage window. The forest outside blurred past, a smear of green and shadow. He already ordered the guard to make the ride faster but he wanted to scream at the driver to go faster, to whip the horses until they collapsed, anything to close the distance between him and Rin. But he was trapped, suffocating in his own helplessness, while his father pulled Rin deeper into his web.

The carriage rocked, and Lucien’s thoughts spiralled. He replayed every moment... Rin’s blood in the dirt, Ezra’s lifeless body, Julian’s mocking smile. Julian. That traitor, that snake. This was all his fault. If Lucien ever got his hands on him again, he’d make him pay. He’d tear him apart.

"Lucien Vortellion," he muttered to himself, his voice bitter. "The heir who couldn’t save the one he loves." He slammed his fist against the carriage wall again, the wood creaking under the force. The pain in his knuckles flared, but it was nothing compared to the ache in his chest. "I’ll find you, Rin. I’ll get you out. Even if I have to burn the capital to the ground."

The driver glanced back, startled by the second thud, but Lucien ignored him. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, his mind racing with plans... none of them clear, all of them desperate. He didn’t care what it took. He’d face his father, the enforcers, the entire empire if he had to. Rin was his reason, his everything. He wouldn’t fail him again.

.

.

Five days later, the main carriage rolled to a stop, its velvet-lined interior a stark contrast to the tension within. Evan Vortellion sat with his usual composure, a stack of documents balanced in his gloved hands. His sharp eyes flicked over the pages, but his mind wasn’t on the reports. It kept drifting to the boy across from him.

Rin.

Unconscious for days, curled in the corner like a wounded animal. His silver collar gleamed against his pale throat, a cruel reminder of his captivity. His wrists were bound, the ropes cutting into his skin, but his face—even bruised and hollowed by exhaustion—remained striking. Beautiful, almost, in a way that made Evan’s lips twitch with something dangerously close to affection.

The Head Enforcer rode alongside the carriage, his horse’s hooves kicking up dust. He gave a sharp knock on the window, and Evan slid it open with a flick of his wrist. "My lord," the enforcer said, bowing his head. "We’ll stop here for the night. Camp until dawn. We’ll reach the capital tomorrow."

Evan nodded, his voice smooth as silk. "Do it."

The enforcer hesitated, his scarred face tightening as he glanced at Rin’s slumped form.

"...And the prisoner? Shall the collar remain locked?"

Evan’s gaze hardened, his eyes narrowing. "Unlock it."

The enforcer stiffened, caught off guard.

"My lord... forgive me, but what if he—"

"Do as I said," Evan cut in, his tone leaving no room for argument. It was soft, almost calm, but it carried the weight of a guillotine.

The enforcer swallowed hard, his hand twitching toward his sword before he thought better of it. He climbed into the carriage, his movements careful, as if stepping into a lion’s cage. His scarred hand reached for the silver collar, and with a sharp click, it fell away, clattering to the floor.

Rin stirred.

His lashes fluttered, his eyes opening slowly, clouded with confusion at first. Then they sharpened, taking in the dim interior of the carriage. The first thing he saw was Evan’s face, calm and unreadable, watching him like a predator studying its prey. The second was the enforcer, the same man who had fastened the collar around his neck with such brutal force back at the academy.

Rin’s stomach twisted, a surge of anger and fear flooding his veins. He struggled against the ropes binding his wrists, his glare darting between the two men. "Where... am I?" His voice was hoarse, scraped raw from disuse.

"You’re in a carriage," Evan answered smoothly, his tone almost gentle. "Little omega."

"I know I’m in a fucking carriage!" Rin snapped, his words sharp despite his weakness. "Where are we?"

"The road to the capital," Evan replied, unfazed by Rin’s defiance. His lips twitched, as if he found it amusing.

Rin’s chest tightened, memories crashing over him like a tidal wave—Ezra’s body crumpling to the ground, Lucien’s bloodstained sword, the enforcers dragging him away. His throat burned as he forced out the words, "I swear, you won’t get what you want from me. I’ll never give it to you."

Evan’s lips curved into a faint smile, his eyes glinting with something dark and unreadable. "How sure are you?" he said softly. "Why don’t you try to escape? I dare you."

The enforcer frowned, clearly uneasy, but he bowed. "I’ll prepare camp and food, my lord."

"Yes," Evan said, his gaze still locked on Rin. "Make sure to add plenty of meat for my prey. Maybe it’ll fatten him up a little." His smirk was sharp, predatory.

The enforcer’s eyes flicked to Rin, hard with disdain. "I understand, my lord. Plenty of meat for the little rat."

Rin glared back, his silence venomous, his eyes burning with defiance.

When the enforcer left, Evan’s hand moved—calm, deliberate. He cupped Rin’s face, forcing him to look up. Rin’s skin prickled under the touch, his heart racing with a mix of fear and fury. "What the hell do you think you’re doing?" he spat.

"Just a little self-reassurance," Evan murmured, his voice low and intimate, like a lover’s whisper.

"What...? What are you thinking?" Before Rin could finish, Evan’s other hand pressed sharply against Rin’s leg.

Crack.

The pain was blinding, a white-hot explosion that tore a scream from Rin’s throat. It was raw, jagged, echoing outside the carriage. The guards outside froze mid-task, their hands pausing on their gear. The horses shifted restlessly, snorting in the cool night air. But no one dared interfere. Not with Duke Evan Vortellion.

Rin gasped, his breath coming in sharp, ragged bursts. His face was drenched in sweat, his vision swimming as he stared at his leg, twisted unnaturally just above the ankle. The bone burned, a relentless agony that made his stomach churn.

"W...why? Why?" Rin questioned with his trembling voice as he stared at his throbbing foot. "Why are you so keen on making my life so miserable?"