Page 31 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

“Thank you, Neel. That will be all,” Rain said, offering a half-smile.

“Very well.” Neel bowed, still beaming, and quietly ushered out the young girl who had helped him arrange the food.

“Sorry about that,” Rain muttered once they were alone. “I don’t tend to have visitors. He’s excited.”

“Must be cool to have your own butler?”

“I guess. I’ve always had assistance, but Neel’s like family.” Rain gestured toward the balcony. “Come on, sit. Tell me everything. I still can’t believe you braved coming here.”

“Hey, you think I had a choice?” Thomas laughed as they settled into the lattice chairs. “Wren and Emily are terrifying, man. I’m here on orders. Nobody else can get into Nilantra, so it was down to me to make sure you’re alive. We’re all worried about you.”

Rain tensed, apprehension tightening in his chest. Was he ready to hear what they thought of him now?

“How is everyone?” he asked quietly.

“Everyone’s fine. Just worried. We don’t know exactly what happened, but Jay’s sure it wasn’t your fault. He told us you were just visiting him before you got caught.”

Rain flinched. Jay defending him twisted something sharp in his gut.

“The propaganda between kingdoms is insane, bro,” Thomas continued. “None of us believe any of it, especially since every report contradictsthe last. I never realised how hated we are. Blue Kingdom, I mean. And you? You’re a hero to us, but to them… phew. It’s wild.”

“I did kill those people, Thomas. I’m not innocent.” Rain’s voice was low. “I’ve been killing their people for years.”

“I know, man.” Thomas took a swig of yellow juice. “Mmm––this is nice. What is it?”

Rain huffed a surprised laugh, grabbing his own glass. He sipped slowly, letting his empathic walls lower just enough to feel Thomas’s emotions. What he found startled him. There was no judgement, no fear. Just acceptance.

“Passion fruit. My favourite.” He took a larger gulp. “How are you not…” He trailed off, searching for the words. “I don’t know. Why aren’t you angry? Or scared? I just admitted to killing over eight hundred people. I expected… something. Anything. Surely not everyone feels like you do. Wren must be questioning everything. And Jay—” He winced at the memory of Jay’s room, the intimacy before the chaos. “He must be wondering how I went from being with him so casually to murdering hundreds of his people. And the others, not from Blue, they’d be smart to keep their distance. Especially now that this might turn into a full-scale war.”

“Look, I can’t speak for everyone,” Thomas said, shrugging. “But for me? You’re my prince. We’re on the same side. And you’re cool. You actually listen to us mortals — unlike certain Royals who shall not be named.” He widened his eyes and jerked his chin toward the palace. Rain smirked at the boldness.

“But the team feels the same. We’re worried about you. And we’re worried this means you won’t want to be on the team anymore. We all agreed that if you’re out, we’re all out.”

Rain inhaled sharply, the sincerity hitting him harder than expected.

“They don’t hate me?” he asked, needing the confirmation.

“Dude, nobody hates you. Well, I’m sure plenty of people do, but not us.” Thomas grinned as Rain sagged back in his chair, stunned. “So… are we still a team? Because I really don’t want to be the one to break the bad news.”

“I’d never let you guys down. You’re stuck with me until you decide you’re done with me.”

“Cheers to that, brother!” Thomas raised his glass and downed the rest. Rain raised his own with a smile.

“I bet that’s nice with vodka.”

“Oh, it is. Maybe a little too nice.” Rain grimaced at the memory of past hangovers. “Jay’s all right then?”

“Jay? Not both Reds? Or Jasmine, Sean, Daphne?” Thomas teased. “He’s still obsessed with you, don’t worry. He practically begged me to get your Connekt for him. Would’ve been nice if we had a way to reach you.”

Rain blinked. “I don’t use technology. I’m channelling energy ninety-five percent of the time. The idea of people reaching me even in my solitude—” He shivered. Then paused. “But… maybe I should. Now that I have friends who can’t just drop by.”

Thomas grinned. “Ayyy, I don’t mind regular palace visits. I could get used to this.”

He began digging into the trays of food.

“Are we really going to war with everyone?” he asked earnestly.

“I won’t lie; it looks probable. Without saying too much, the King’s plans—successful or not—will cause chaos. Red’s allies will have to join them. Orange and Yellow aren’t threats to us yet, but to our friends? I don’t want to be used against them.”