Page 190 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

A squadron of at least four hundred.

It was… not friendly.

I had to call rank and make it known that I was Aetherial and the cousin of King Taffy.

Audible sigh.

Only then did they let me leave — after turning the truck inside out, mind you. Bloody vultures.

This isn’t normal interaction with your kingdom, which leads me to believe King Azrien suspects we’re up to something. I suppose we are aiding you without his knowledge.

They didn’t get anything out of me. I told them to speak to my King as I was out on a royal errand.

Your orders are safely tucked away in my breast pocket; they didn’t frisk me.

I await your orders regarding this matter, Your Highness. But no doubt Taffy will hear of this from your father — perhaps we should ensure he hears it from us first.”

The message ended.

Jay’s face drained of colour.

His already puffy eyes looked stark against the sudden pallor of his skin. Horrified, he reached out and grabbed Rain’s wrist; instinctively, protectively.

Rain’s stomach twisted.

He should not have listened to that message in public.

Not with Jay.

Not with anyone.

“Why would King Azrien have troops near Romandy?” Jay asked, voice trembling as he searched Rain’s eyes for answers.

Rain sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“That’s what I’d like to know,” he said calmly, though tension coiled beneath his tone. “But it leads me to believe he’s followed my demands and removed the troops from the southern region.”

He met Jay’s gaze; steady and serious.

“What are they telling you? And Jay… please. Keep what you heard and what we discuss, between us. I trust you. But I need to remind you that anything I share in confidence must stay between us.”

Jay’s expression shifted; something inside him settling, solidifying.

Conviction.

Loyalty.

A quiet, fierce protectiveness Rain had never expected to see directed at him again.

He tightened his grip around Rain’s wrist, grounding them both.

“You can trust me,” he said, and the certainty in his voice made Rain’s chest ache.

Jay swallowed, then continued, words tumbling out in a rush as he tried to make sense of everything he’d heard.

“We haven’t heard anything. But my dad hasn’t been home since Rozday. The council is working nonstop with the King—that’s all I know.”

He paused, brow furrowing.