Page 106 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

“But I saw you kill my guardians.”

“I know,” Rain said softly. “And they deserved that fate.”

She shivered, hugging her arms around herself as she looked out the window. A thread of sadness snagged in her aura, trembling like a trapped insect.

“It wasn’t their fault,” she whispered. “It’s me. I make people do those things. I think… I deserve to be locked away here. Like Daddy wishes.”

Rain stepped closer, voice steady.

“I understand why you feel that way. I used to feel that way too. Sometimes I still do.”

Her eyes lifted to his.

“But when I learned to control my powers and I could be around others without harming them, I met incredible people. People I would die for. People I will live for.”

His mind flickered to Jay, to Snow, to his squad, to the strangers who had shown him kindness when he had none for himself.

“It isn’t easy,” he continued. “The burdens of the past stay with us. But you can learn to control your power, just as I have. Nobody should have to live like this, Rose. We were made for this world — not to hide from it.”

He smiled, a real, bright, hopeful smile, as an idea sparked to life.

“I believe in a better world. And I believe we’re here to change it. That’s why we’re more powerful than previous generations. Rose… I’d like to ask you to join me. Let me help you and your sisters. We’ll get you to safety. We’ll help you understand your power, how to gain control and when you are ready, I’d like to invite you to be a valued member of my court.”

Rose’s eyes brightened; wide, innocent, hopeful.

A child who had never been offered a future before.

“You have good words, Blue Prince. I think I like you.”

Her smile warmed the room, her power wrapping around him like a soft, radiant embrace; not influencing him, but holding him, the way his own energetic hugs held others.

“Please, call me Rain.”

“Rain,” she repeated fondly, tasting the name. “Why are you not affected by me all of a sudden?”

She inched closer, walking delicately toe-first, doll-like in her movements.

“It’s my power,” he explained. “I thought being around you with my guard down would be difficult. But it’s the opposite. I can feel where yourpower sits against mine. You make me feel warm and happy—loved, I suppose, like Scarlet said. It’s pleasant but not consuming.”

She stopped in front of him, her fingertips hovering near his face, amber eyes searching his irises as if she could read his soul through them.

He instinctively leaned back, avoiding her touch.

She gasped softly.

“It’s true,” she whispered, dazed. Confusion and hope tangled in her aura; she had never met anyone who could withstand her.

“As much as I appreciate this is a big moment for you, Rose, we need to leave. I still need to release your other sisters, and I fear that may be difficult. We have a long journey ahead, and none of you seem fit to travel far.”

Her fingers hovered in the air, but her gaze snapped to her room. Panic flickered. She darted to her shelves, clutching books to her chest, then hurried to her vanity, stuffing items into a cloth pouch.

“Rose,” Rain said gently, “we can’t bring those. We’re travelling on foot.”

She shot him a sharp look and continued gathering belongings, reaching for jewellery next.

“Rose, we don’t have the means to carry anything. My team are human; they aren’t protected from your powers like I am. I’ll likely have to carry each of you at some point. We can’t afford the extra weight.”

“I am not leaving without them!” she cried, voice cracking. “It’s all I have. They mean too much to me.”