Page 36 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Maggie smiled faintly and sank deeper into the steaming water. The furred woman stepped toward the basket, her expression softening with love and reverence.

“There have never been twins or triplets among the Aetherial before, Mistmaker?” a mousy-haired girl asked as she gathered bloodied rags from the bedside. She looked no older than fifteen.

“No,” the Mistmaker replied gently. “We have always been born singular and often without siblings until adulthood. It is important for Aetherial parents to nurture each child into their divine aerth-born purpose before welcoming another life. One child’s power is responsibility enough.” She smiled as one of the infants curled tiny fingers around hers. “Until now, it seems.”

“It must mean something spectacular. Do you think they’ll be more powerful than usual?” the girl asked.

“The seers believe so. Many have already taken to solitude, seeking knowledge for us.”

A loud knock interrupted them. The Mistmaker strode to the door and opened it to reveal a tall, dark-skinned man draped in a heavy velvet robethe colour of carnations, trimmed with rose satin. His head was bowed, hands hidden within long sleeves that nearly brushed the floor.

“Amarick,” she said. “What have you heard?”

He straightened, towering above the frame.

“The Rainbow Blood has twins. Born five sun cycles ago. The first of our kind.” Gasps rippled through the room. “One of each gender like the others and they channel great power. Each harbour more than one gift.”

The vision dissolved into grey.

A new scene emerged.

Two children came into view, no more than ten, dressed in black fleece-lined robes edged with grey fur. They were unmistakably siblings: alabaster skin with an olive undertone, hair black as coal, and emerald eyes that glowed in the winter sun. Snow glittered around them like crushed diamonds.

“Come on, Sadé! First one to the top wins!” the boy shouted, sprinting ahead.

“No fair, Edu. You cheated!” she yelled back, planting her gloved hands on her hips. Her face scrunched in fierce concentration. Suddenly, Edu’s feet slid backward, his boots skidding helplessly across the snow as he was dragged toward her. He toppled face-first into a soft drift at her feet. Sadé stepped over him triumphantly, sticking her tongue out before stomping along the tracks he’d made.

“You used your power. That’s cheating!” he growled, scrambling upright.

He chased after her, hands raised. A gale burst into existence around him, swirling violently. Sadé yelped as the wind whipped her hair across her face, blinding her. The storm grew, spiralling wider, stronger. Edu’s eyes widened in terror. He froze, unable to stop the storm he had created.

“Make it stop, Edu!” Sadé shouted, clawing her hair away. She managed to form an energy bubble around herself; creating a pocket of calm within the chaos. “Eduuuu!”

He didn’t stop. Perhaps he couldn’t.

“Edu, your fear is too strong. You’re losing control. Remember your calm!” she pleaded. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he flung his arms helplessly toward the sky.

“Edu, your emotions! They matter...I can’t reach you from here, please!”

A violent gust caught him, hurling his small body through the air. Two screams—perfectly synchronised—echoed across the valley as he slammed into a frost-covered evergreen. The storm died instantly.

Sadé dropped her shield and sprinted to him, falling to her knees. She frantically brushed snow from his limp form.

“Edu, Edu, please be okay. Wake up. Wake up, please.” Her voice trembled as she lifted his head into her lap. Tears brimmed in her jewel-bright eyes. “Please, Edu…I can feel your awareness. Please wake up. Oww… it hurts.”

She whimpered and winced as she scanned his aura, absorbing the echo of his pain.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. I can take it. I’m going to take some of your pain, Edu. You’ll be okay.”

She placed her palm over his heart, closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply. Edu’s eyelids fluttered, his body exhaling as consciousness returned. Sadé’s face contorted with pain, but she forced one eye open — then both — relief flooding her features.

“You’re awake! Don’t move. You’re injured, but I took enough pain to wake your mind.”

“I’m sorry, Sadé… I couldn’t stop it,” Edu whispered.

“Shush. You just need more practice.” She brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, planting a tender kiss. “I’m going to lift you and take you home. The healers will help you. Stay still. I love you, brother.”

The scene faded to grey once more.