Page 133 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Daphne clung to Rain’s hoop.

“I didn’t doubt you,” she whispered.

Rain smiled. Jay huffed behind him.

The first four crossed easily, but Emily and Rogan lagged, blocking the rest.

“Pull her across, Rogan!” Rain shouted. “I’ll handle the rest.”

Rogan obeyed. Rain kept Emily suspended until she reached safety. The crowd gasped; another team must’ve slipped.

Finally, they reached the final stretch: a tightrope leading to a tunnel slide.

One by one, they hooked their arms and legs around the rope, shuffling toward the tunnel. Easy for everyone…

Except Jay.

His ribs wouldn’t survive the angle. Even with Rain absorbing the pain, he wouldn’t be able to move.

“You’ll have to swivel onto my front,” Rain said. “It’ll be awkward, but I can do it.”

“You want me to face you?” Jay asked, voice small.

“Yes. You’ll be against my chest while I pull us across.” Rain smiled as Jay’s heart kicked into overdrive. “Unless you have a better idea.”

Daphne reached the other side and dropped into the tunnel.

“Okay, so I just…” Jay breathed. He didn’t finish the sentence as he wrapped his legs tighter around Rain’s waist. Figuring out the manoeuvre while Rain held them suspended, Jay pivoted, gripping Rain’s shoulders, twisting until they were face to face.

Jay’s eyes flicked to Rain’s lips.

“Rain,” he whispered. “I’m sorry. For blaming you. I was angry at the situation, and I took it out on you.”

Rain didn’t trust himself to speak. Instead, he pressed his forehead to Jay’s, grounding them both.

Then he got back to work.

After three swings, he caught the rope with his feet, shifting his grip. Jay rested his head against Rain’s chest, trying to stay still. Rain pushed them along, muscles burning, mind flickering back to Verday night, of the electric fence.

He shook it off.

Jay was here.

An anchor.

Safe and warm.

His boots tapped the end of the line. He let his feet fall, both of them dangling from a great height.

“Okay. You first. I’m right behind you.”

Jay nodded but didn’t move. Instead, he pulled himself higher, searching Rain’s eyes for permission.

Rain hesitated, surprised but gave it.

Jay kissed him; a soft, desperate, apologetic act.

Rain kissed him back, tongue sliding between Jay’s lips, a longing groan escaping before he forced himself to pull away. Wrens’ energy was cursing them from the finish line.