Page 107 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Rain’s heart cracked for her; a girl whose entire world was contained in a single room.

He crossed to her, gently taking her hands as she clutched her crown.

“I understand how hard this is,” he said softly. “I promise, I truly do.”

He let calm seep into her energy, smoothing the jagged edges of her fear.

“Your battle of strength begins today. Choose to be more than a room full of things. One day, you may return for everything we leave behind. That will be your choice to make. But right now, choose to live. Choose to change your circumstances. Come with me.”

Her breath shuddered.

She nodded, small, trembling, but willing.

“Okay… I can do it.”

She didn’t sound convinced.

She pulled away, moving to the mirror. With trembling hands, she placed the crown atop her curls.

“But I am bringing this,” she declared, grabbing her makeup bag and stuffing jewellery inside. “And this.” She snatched a stuffed animal by its long fluffy ear. “And I will be back for all of you,” she told the room.

Rain smiled, placing a steadying palm on her back and nudged her toward the exit. She kept glancing over her shoulder, nearly turning back several times, but his firm hand kept her moving.

“I don’t have time to teach you proper shielding techniques,” he said as they descended the stairs. “But you’re going to be difficult for my squad to be around. I’m going to share my energy with you. It’ll feel strange; like feeling my emotions as your own, but wrong. Don’t panic.”

She paused mid-step, studying him with wide eyes, then nodded.

“Okay… we can do this now,” he sighed.

He extended his power toward her.

She inhaled sharply, eyes widening like saucers; then he cut her off, snapping his shield into place.

“How?!” she gasped.

Rain dropped his guard again, freeing himself from her influence.

“It takes time to master. You’ll learn. Right now, you have no shield at all; you’re constantly switched on. That must be exhausting.”

“I do nap regularly,” she admitted quietly.

“That makes sense. I can sleep for days after a burnout. What I need you to practice is visualising yourself surrounded by pink clouds.”

Her brows lifted.

“That’s what your power feels like to me; a cloud of loving energy. Everything it touches falls under your spell. Eventually, we’ll learn to control that cloud. For now, imagine capturing it in a bubble that is impenetrable, holding the cloud close to your body.”

He felt her try.

Her power retracted slightly; then snapped back into place.

She sighed, frustrated.

They reached the exit.

“That was good,” Rain said warmly. “If it were easy, it would come naturally. Allow yourself the grace to learn and fail. Failure means you’re trying.”

He smiled to himself; Isarion’s words echoing through time.