Page 193 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Isolated.

Lonely.

He closed the lid of the half-eaten pizza box and nudged it away with a sigh. Dinner had become his favourite time of day; the princesses giggling around the table, Briar arguing about who got the last slice, Rose humming softly, Ember curled against Snow, Scarlet telling stories with wild hand gestures.

This house had been alive.

Now it felt like a mausoleum.

Rain shoved his boots on and stepped out into the night, deciding that being surrounded by strangers in a bar was preferable to being alone with his thoughts.

The sky was heavy with low clouds, the air thick and humid, clinging to his skin like a second layer. It matched his mood—dark, oppressive, inescapable.

His mind spiralled.

He’d spent the entire afternoon on calls, and the over-stimulation had left him raw.

Henry had made it back safely—thank the Gods—and had already begun preparing the troops. Their call with King Taffy had started smoothly, Taffy calm and composed as always, reassuring Rain that Azrien had no grounds for suspicion.

But then Taffy had shifted the conversation.

To his children.

To Candy.

To the engagement.

To Rain’s “future role” in the Pink Kingdom.

Rain’s stomach had twisted.

He already had too much on his plate; too many responsibilities, too many secrets, too many lives depending on him. The thought of mentoring another empath, of entertaining an engagement he wasn’t ready for, of being pulled deeper into Pink politics…

It was suffocating.

Henry had stepped in before the conversation could escalate, suggesting they postpone any plans until after the princesses’ formal meeting on Cyrday. Taffy had been disappointed but Rain couldn’t bring himself to care. Not tonight.

He’d made the necessary calls regarding the release of the southern region, but the general had been nothing but hostile, chastising Rainfor abandoning his squad, refusing to share intel, shutting down every attempt at communication.

Rain had hung up feeling more disconnected from his own kingdom than ever.

The Order of Aurora had been the opposite; warm, eager, reverent. They had assured him they were ready to serve, ready to follow, ready to rise when he called.

But even that reassurance couldn’t soothe him.

There had been no word from the girls.

No update.

No message.

Nothing.

Until he knew they were safe, he wouldn’t rest.

By the time Rain reached The Black Hole, thunder rumbled overhead, driving people off the streets and into the bar. The place was packed; bodies pressed together, energy buzzing, voices rising in anxious chatter.

Rain pulled his power close, scanning the room without letting it overwhelm him. Once he was satisfied there was no immediate threat, he locked his shield back into place.