Page 38 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

“Aunt Igna,” Snow interjected, clearly trying to rescue him, “Ivy mentioned you’d extended your gardens. I bet they’re magnificent, I would love to visit sometime.”

The twins and Ivy had spent their childhood summers alternating between the two kingdoms—a carefully crafted arrangement meant to nurture Rain and Ivy’s future betrothal. They’d spent more time with the Green King and Queen than with their own parents, hence the familial titles.

“Oh yes, darling, you must come see. I know you’ll adore the renovations. And we would be more than happy to have you. It’s long overdue.” Igna’s smile widened but her eyes flicked to Rain, not Snow. “Ivy would love nothing more than to have you in our home again.”

“Where is Ivy this morning?” Olivis asked, pulling Igna’s gaze away. “I was surprised she wasn’t with you on arrival.”

“Oh, she’s in one of her moods. You know how she can be.” Igna waved her fan dismissively. “She’ll be arriving with Sebastian this afternoon. He had a few loose ends to tie up, and she insisted on joining him”

The twins exchanged a look. More time until Ivy arrived but when she did, which version of her would Rain get?

“Rain, darling,” Igna continued, leaning closer with a glint in her eye, “I heard about the terrible ordeal with the Red Kingdom. Those hostile inbreds. I’m so glad you showed them who the real threat is.” She dragged her fan up his arm.

He tensed, resisting the urge to bolt. Discomfort crawled up his spine as he fought against the urge to defend the Reds who lost their lives, because of his actions.

“Now, now, Igna,” Olivis chided gently, her steal gaze narrowing at the intimate gesture. A reaction that surprised Rain. He found it intriguing that his mother took notice, while he didn’t appreciate Igna’s attention, it was part of the seductive charm Ivy had inherited. His mother had never cared to find fault in this behaviour in the past. “It isn’t polite to discuss politics over tea. That’s a dinner topic, is it not?” She motioned for a servant to pour the tea. Her eyes flicked to Rain, watchful; likely worried he’d lose control if pushed too far.

He wouldn’t. Ever since his powers returned, he felt stronger, steadier, replenished, even. As if a well inside him had finally been filled. Besides, he’d kept his shields up for most of today and he didn’t need to be an open channel to read this room. He had expected Ivy to be here first thing, draining him dry at the earliest opportunity. With the turmoil of his mind, it felt wiser to keep himself shielded as long as possible, knowing it would be harder to do so with her around.

“I do apologise,” Igna said to the room, then leaned back into whisper, “I just wanted you to know I’m extremely proud of you.”

Proud?

What the hell is she proud of?

He stayed silent, choosing annoyance over engagement.

He drifted back into contemplation as the conversation shifted to court gossip. Until a sudden chill pressed against his forearm, snapping him back. He shot Snow a glare. She returned a pointed look that, to anyone else, meant nothing. To him, it meant: Open your channel. Now.

He obeyed.

His shields dropped, allowing the room’s energy to flow through him. He kept his range tight, his focus only on the five signatures in the room: the three females and two servants. He tried to focus on Snow, but something in Igna’s aura snagged his attention.

On the surface, she was her usual self—content, chatty and grateful for a break from her own court. But beneath that… something else. A deep, guarded concern shrouded in sadness and guilt. She was shielding it so tightly it felt like she didn’t want to admit it, even to herself.

Interesting, Rain thought. Igna was usually easy to read; she said everything she shouldn’t and always looked on the bright side. This was… new.

After a moment of getting nowhere, he shifted his focus to Snow. Their eyes met. She knew how to communicate with him like this, after a lifetime of practice. She manipulated her emotions with precision, nudging his thoughts exactly where she wanted them.

Mother looks tired, he thought, following the thread she offered.

He looked at Olivis properly for the first time. Her eyes were puffy and shadowed. Her energy frayed with sleep deprivation. He shared the sensation with Snow, letting her feel what he felt. Seconds later, Snow let out a very unsubtle yawn and flushed pink.

“Oh my, pardon me,” she said quickly, mortified. “I had a very late night. Organising a banquet and ball at such short notice leaves little time for sleep.”

The other ladies glared at her rudeness. Snow shot Rain a look. His lips twitched, dimples threatening to betray him. Their mother eyed them both suspiciously as Igna continued her story.

Mother and Father have been arguing, Snow’s emotions whispered through him. ‘About you’ came through as–It’s all your fault.

He’d suspected as much. He’d avoided his parents since Phaeday dinner, waiting until Igna and Edmond arrived before showing his face. Knowing they would keep up appearances and pretend nothing had happened.

Aunt Igna feels different, Snow nudged.What is she worried about?

Rain hesitated, checking that he wasn’t projecting his own thoughts. No—this was Snow’s observation too. Something was off. He regretted not paying closer attention earlier.

He nodded subtly, signalling he understood, then turned his attention back to Igna.

“…Ivy wasn’t having any of it, of course,” Igna was saying. “She put him in his place. You know how she can be—our girl has impeccable timing. It was outrageously funny.”