Page 118 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Vass spun, kicking out. Rain dodged and drove a fist into Vass’s jaw. Blood sprayed as Vass slammed into a tree. He pushed off it, launching himself at Rain, dragging them both to the ground.

He was still suffering from Briar’s attack—pain stabbing down his spine—but adrenaline and Rose’s influence twisted his mind.

He no longer saw Rain as his prince.

He saw him as an obstacle.

Something in the way of what he believed was rightfully his.

The logical part of his mind; the part that would never lay a hand on his superior, was gone.

“Stand down, Sergeant!” Glass shouted, weapon raised but she couldn’t fire. Not without risking Rain.

Vass threw another punch. Rain let it land; a sharp crack against his cheek, then seized the opportunity. He caught Vass’s wrist mid-impact, twisting it sharply to the right. The movement exposed Vass’s throat, leaving it vulnerable.

Rain didn’t hesitate.

He drove his fist upward with brutal precision, striking directly into his windpipe.

The shock hit Vass first—eyes widening, mouth falling open—then the sound. A horrific, wet choke as his airway collapsed. Blooded drool spilled onto Rain’s face as Vass fell back, clawing desperately at his neck.

He couldn’t breathe.

Panic flooded Vass’s aura, slamming into Rain’s open channels like a tidal wave. Rain felt every ounce of it; the terror, the regret, the instinctive will to live.

He straddled the man; jaw clenched and placed both hands-on Vass’s head.

A quick twist.

A clean break.

Silence.

Rain shuddered as Vass’s death tore through him; a cold, violent shock that rattled his bones and hollowed his chest.

“Sorry,” he whispered, voice cracking. “I’m so sorry.”

A gentle hand touched his shoulder.

Glass.

“It was necessary,” she said simply. No judgement. No hesitation. Just truth.

They gave Vass a moment; a breath of respect his final moments didn’t deserve, before dragging his body toward the encroaching fire. Flames swallowed him quickly, erasing all trace of the Blue soldier who died in enemy territory.

Then they headed back to the group.

Rose sat cradling Ember, humming a soft tune, her voice trembling but sweet. Briar poked at a pile of charcoal with a stick, her expression blank and distant. Scarlet still knelt where he’d left her, shoulders shaking.

Rain approached her slowly and knelt.

He lifted her chin with a gentle finger.

Her breath hitched. A flicker of heat pulsed in her chest, but it stayed contained.

“It isn’t your fault,” he whispered. “You haven’t been trained. The people who should have supported you… let you down.”

Her eyes glistened.