Page 151 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

“Hmmm… yes, child,” Cyrrax murmured, responding to something Scarlet said — though Rain couldn’t hear her voice. Only the God could.

“You and your sisters were saved by the one True King,” Cyrrax continued, tone swelling with reverence. “All hail King Rain Beau Royale, King of the Realm. He is the saviour of all that is, was, and will be.”

The space pulsed, animated, alive.

“Yes, our sweet child,” Cyrrax whispered. “Bow for the Rainbow King. All who bow shall be blessed.”

The amber light began to dissolve, melting back into the familiar blue-white glow of the collective Gods. Their breathy rhythm returned, cool and ethereal.

“Source the Aether, True King,” the many voices said in unison.

And then the light faded.

The space dissolved.

Rain’s awareness snapped back into his body, while Scarlet’s fingers twitched in his palms as she calmly returned to herself.

Rain ripped his eyes open, heart pounding, watching her closely.

She blinked slowly, adjusting to the moonlight.

Her aura was transformed; whole, powerful, fearless.

And her gaze… her gaze was fixed entirely on him.

It was as though she was seeing him for the first time.

Seeing him through Cyrrax’s eyes.

Through the eyes of fate.

Her lips curled into the biggest, brightest smile he had ever seen on her.

“Rainbow King,” she breathed.

Chapter 43

Resting against the cool stone station wall, Rain tucked his hands deeper into his jacket pockets, fingers curling anxiously against the lining. The morning sun wrapped around him like a warm embrace, its heat sinking into his skin, softening the tightness in his chest. He tilted his face upward, eyes closed, letting the light kiss his cheeks. For a moment, he allowed himself to pretend the warmth was enough to thaw the ache lodged beneath his ribs.

It was mid-summer; far too warm for a jacket but Rain clung to the extra layer like armour. The hood offered anonymity if he needed it, but more than that, it offered protection. A barrier between him and the world. Between him and the bruised, tender parts of himself he wasn’t ready to expose again.

He hadn’t seen his teammates since Velday.

Since he’d lost control.

Since he’d accidentally projected his heartbreak across an entire bar.

The memory made his stomach twist.

Today, he needed the jacket.

Today, he needed every shield he could get.

It was their usual Rozday training time, though Rain was rarely punctual. He hated dragging himself out of the house before 8 AM. But today he’d arrived early—painfully early—because he wanted theawkwardness over with. If anyone even showed up. After Velday, they probably assumed he’d quit, vanished, or imploded.

So here he was, bright and early, ready to prove he wasn’t going anywhere.

Even if being around Jay felt like pressing on a fresh bruise.