Page 137 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Snow frowned. “Father barely tolerates Raymon. He despises everything about the Red Kingdom. No offence,” she added to Wren and Jay.

“None taken,” Wren said dryly. “The feeling is mutual.”

Snow pressed on.

“Then you get there and find the four Red princesses locked away in towers like damsels in distress. Obviously, your hero complex kicked in, and direct orders went out of the window.”

Rain smirked. “Obviously.”

“Obviously,” Snow echoed, rolling her eyes affectionately. “And I know you wouldn’t return them to Father. So… where are they?”

“They’re somewhere safe,” Rain said simply.

He wasn’t giving more than that. Not here. Not with so many ears around them.

Jay’s hand inched closer on the table.

“Isn’t your dad going to be angry you didn’t bring back the princess he wanted?”

“He will be,” Rain admitted.

He shifted his arm, offering Jay his open palm. Jay hesitated, then took it, lacing their fingers together. Rain’s chest loosened.

“But I think I can rectify it,” Rain continued. “The Red informant offered something in exchange for the eldest princess. If I offer Father the same thing, he won’t care about the girls. He’ll use the situation to fuel Red hatred and justify his war.”

Snow narrowed her eyes.

“What will you have to do for him?”

Rain smiled too brightly.

“Something I’m more than happy to take care of.”

Snow didn’t buy it.

Her vibrant green eyes sharpened.

Jay leaned forward. “I wish there was a way to expose Drazier for neglecting his daughters. It doesn’t seem right for everyone to hate you. We should be celebrating you. Thanking you. Maybe even get King Drazier to abdicate sooner.”

“It’s okay,” Rain said softly. “I’m used to the heat. And don’t worry; his reign will end soon enough.”

Snow slapped his bicep.

Hard.

“No, you are not!” she snapped.

She slapped him again. Rain lifted his arm to shield himself.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m serious, Rain! If you think I’m going to let you do something so—so stupid, so reckless, so dangerous—then you have a reality check coming your way.”

She huffed back into her seat, glaring daggers at him.

Rain rubbed his arm, wincing.

The team stared between them, wide-eyed.

“What is she talking about?” Jay asked cautiously.