Page 119 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

“I promise I will get you the help you need. One day, this will be nothing but a distant memory.”

He waited until she met his gaze fully.

“Until then… you will slip up. You will burn things. And it will hurt—inside and out. But you will use that pain. You will turn it into something beautiful. You will not let your father win. You will show him what you are truly made of; with control and grace. I will not accept anything less.”

A tiny spark of hope ignited in her aura; fragile, but real.

“Are you ready to accept that challenge?”

She hesitated, eyes flicking to his bare chest, then back to his face.

“I am ready,” she whispered.

She cleared her throat, straightened her spine, and shouted:

“I am ready!”

Rain grinned and shouted up into the sky with her.

“She is ready!”

He stood and offered his hand. She took it, rising to her full height, tall, slender, bones visible beneath her skin, but strong in spirit.

He held both her hands.

“Remember: calm body, relaxed breath. See the ball of fire in your chest. You control its size. If you lose control, pull it back into a tight ball. Can you try that next time?”

“I… can try,” she said, gazing up at the stars.

He squeezed her fingers once more and moved to check on the squad.

“How are you holding up?” he asked Renn, eyeing the bandages wrapped around his arms.

“Good,” Renn said, breath shaky. “Thank the Gods for Ember.”

“She’s something else,” Hamish added. “What happened to your cheek?”

Rain touched the tender spot where Vass’s fist had landed.

“We have one casualty,” he said quietly.

Short’s face fell.

“Vass had to be dealt with.”

The squad exchanged grim looks. No explanation needed.

“With that in mind,” Rain continued, “I need you two to stay clear of Rose. I think Vass’s personality played a role in what happened, but we don’t know how her influence will manifest in each of you. It took him frighteningly fast. I need all of you to return home to your families. We travel with more precaution.”

“Sir,” Glass said, stepping beside him, “I propose we change formation. These two up front.” She nodded to Renn and Hamish. “All Royals in the centre; including you. Captain and I at the rear.Everyone keeps distance from the princesses. Give them room to stretch their legs as we hit the dunes.”

“I like it,” Rain said. “Eyes and ears open up front. We just broadcast our location with a giant forest fire. If they didn’t know the princesses were taken, they will soon.”

The squad nodded grimly.

Rain scanned the area; eight energy signatures, all fragile, all on edge. They were exposed. Vulnerable. But alive.

They moved into the desert.