Page 128 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Scarlet leaned against the counter; eyes fixed on a tray of pastries she didn’t dare touch.

“Rain,” she whispered.

He turned toward her.

“Thanks.”

A tear slid down her cheek.

“For helping us.”

Her lip trembled.

Their bodies were finally catching up to the truth; they were free.

Rain swallowed hard.

“Guys… it’s going to be an emotional few weeks. Maybe months. I want you to know I’m here for you. I’ll do everything in my power to protect you. I’m only sorry I couldn’t get to you sooner. If I had known…”

He let the words fade.

It didn’t matter now.

He forced a smile.

“Right, what have we got here? A croissant… a Danish… oh, you have to try this one, it has egg custard inside. My favourite.”

He plated a few pastries and handed them to Scarlet, giving her the permission she needed. Rose grabbed a frosted cupcake and sat beside her.

They ate slowly; starved bodies satisfied after only a few bites, then drifted upstairs to find rooms.

Rain spent a few minutes with Scarlet, reminding her of her breathing technique, her fire-ball visualisation, what to do if panic arose. She was likely too exhausted to be a danger, but caution was better than regret.

When he was certain they were settled, he stepped outside.

He reached into his pocket, fingers closing around the Red Aether.

He let it pulse through him; warm, electric, revitalising.

He had a tournament to get to.

It was surprisingly harder to leave them behind than he had anticipated.

Rain stood on the front steps for a long moment, hand still resting on the door frame, listening to the muffled sounds of the girls exploring their new sanctuary; Ember’s soft giggle, Briar’s thundering footsteps upstairs, Rose humming to herself, Scarlet’s quiet breathing as she tried to steady her emotions.

He felt all of it.

Their exhaustion.

Their fragile hope.

Their fear of being abandoned again.

Their tentative belief that he would come back.

It tugged at him, sharp and unexpected.

He had to trust they would be okay.