Page 130 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Rain winced. He’d been so consumed by the mission that he’d forgotten entirely about the southern offensive.

“Shit. I forgot about that. No, I wasn’t there. How bad is it?”

They all stared at him like he’d grown a second head.

“I haven’t stopped for two days,” he said, exasperated. “Forgive my ignorance. Catch me up and fast.”

“You’ve taken the entire region,” Jay said, voice sharp with accusation. “Imprisoning any surviving citizens.”

Rain’s stomach dropped. Jay’s energy stabbed at him; betrayal, hurt, fury. Rain rubbed at his sternum instinctively but kept his expression neutral.

“You mean the Blue Kingdom has,” Rain corrected, though his mind raced. Had this been his father’s plan all along? “I haven’t been in battle. I haven’t been anywhere near the southern region. And I’m not King. I’m not General. Those aren’t my commands.”

“How can you stand there and lie to us?” Jay snapped. “Do you think that little of us? You show up last minute looking like that—fresh out ofbattle! I’m a modern history major, Rain. There’s no way they could’ve succeeded without you. Their prized weapon.”

The words hit harder than any punch. Rain couldn’t hide the hurt in his eyes.

“I wasn’t there, Jay. I was on a secret rescue mission. I’ve spent the last forty-eight hours in the desert. I probably have sand in every bloody orifice to prove it.”

He flipped his pocket inside out, sand spilling onto the ground.

“Do you really think I’d lie to you? Do you think that little of me?”

Jay swallowed, shame flickering across his face, cheeks flushing red. Rain stepped closer, reaching for his hand but Jay shoved his hands into his pockets and stepped back.

The tension was suffocating.

The tannoy blared overhead; a blessed interruption, calling all participants to their starting positions.

“My brother wouldn’t lie to you,” Snow said fiercely, linking her arm through Rain’s. “He loves you.”

Jay’s jaw dropped, guilt flooding his aura.

“You need to change your shirt,” Snow said, tugging Rain aside and gesturing to the black t-shirt she wore.

Rain’s gaze lingered on Jay for a heartbeat before he turned to his sister.

“You were going to take my place?”

“Yeah. Of course. I couldn’t let you down while you’re off risking your life.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Can you even climb?” he teased, trying to lighten the air, though every energy signature around him was a knot of confusion.

He ripped the buttons of his ruined camo shirt, yanking it off. It suddenly felt like a target painted on his back.

“I have limbs,” Snow said drily, handing him the clean shirt. She held up his charred uniform. “What happened?”

“I’ll explain later. Turns out I’m fireproof.”

Her eyebrows shot up. He gave her a look that said don’t ask.

He pulled on the black t-shirt and fell into line behind his team. Purple padded walls funnelled them toward the starting zone. The first challenge: a padded obstacle course with ten hidden flags.

Thomas handed him their red team band, patting his shoulder.

“It’s rough for us Blues today,” he whispered. “Everyone’s looking at us like we’re the villains.”

Rain sighed and positioned himself behind Jay; just as they’d planned.