Page 39 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Rain’s brows knitted. He’d caught only the tail end. Igna’s energy spiked with anxiety, as though she’d said too much. Her nervous smile remained plastered on her face, her posture frigid.

He glanced at Snow. She wore the same expression; alert and uneasy, only hers had an undercurrent of disapproval.

“Auntie, are you suggesting that Ivy has been accepting suitors?” Rain, shifted uncomfortably at Snow’s question. A strange sensation coursed through him as he locked in on Igna, fixed on both her energy and her emotions.

“Verdyx no!” Igna spluttered defensively, the lie flickering bitterly through his channels. “My daughter’s beauty attracts a lot of unwanted attention; I am sure you have witnessed that yourselves. But her loyalty is to Rain, he has been the centre of her attention for as long as I can recall, there has never been a flicker of doubt of her intentions. Darlings, I am offended that you would question our commitment to our agreement.” Her hands clutched at Rain’s wrist, panic thrumming through her energy, piercing through her hazel stare. They pleaded for him to believe her. To believe her lies.

It was jealousy, the weird sensation coursing through him. He was jealous at the realisation that someone else was encroaching on his territory. Possessive too it would seem. Keeping his face neutral he offered Igna a reassuring nod, appeasing her immediate concerns. She continuedher nervous rambling, latching onto a defensive approach, encouraging apologies out of Snow, for suggesting such a thing.

To Igna and Olivis, Snow appeared apologetic and understanding. Rain knew better; he felt her energy flare protectively. Something was amiss and Snow wouldn't settle until she uncovered the truth.

Chapter 15

It was Cyrday afternoon, and Ivy still hadn’t sought Rain out—which was wildly out of character and, stranger yet, it had him on edge. Enough that he’d reached out for her energy signature more than once, just to settle the unease twisting in his gut.

She and Sebastian had arrived just before dinner. Rain had seen their car pull up and fully expected Ivy to appear at his door within minutes. Instead, she’d gone straight to the far eastern wing; the furthest she could be from him while still inside the palace. Again, very unlike her.

Snow confirmed that neither Ivy nor Sebastian came down for dinner. Reaffirming their suspicions that something was amiss. Igna had skirted around the topic of Ivy having an admirer, even joking about it after their father suggested they begin arranging the wedding. Snow was convinced Igna was trying not to say something she desperately wanted to say, which aligned perfectly with the emotional read Rain had gotten from her that morning.

It all pointed to one thing:

Ivy was probably entertaining someone else.

Which was a good thing.

Right?

Then why did his stomach feel like it was being wrung out?

Rain stood before the full-length mirror, rolling the sleeves of his royal-blue silk shirt to just below the elbow. The banquet was relativelyinformal, allowing the males to dress more simply while the females tended to go all out. Rain chose an open-collared shirt, unbuttoned to the sternum – where his pendant rested, paired with tailored trousers and polished shoes. He was required to wear his kingdom’s colours, as was everyone, but thankfully, his crown wasn’t necessary. Kings and Queens always wore theirs in public, while princes had to for formal events. Rain ignored that rule often.

He ran his fingers through his hair, checked his reflection one last time, and stepped out.

Guests from Purple and Pink had been arriving all day. The palace buzzed with suffocating energy that threatened to overwhelm. Rain had to lock down his powers every couple of hours, regretting each time he stretched his range searching for Ivy. It felt like punishment layered upon punishment.

Yet here he was again, releasing his shields as he stalked toward the banquet hall, directing his energy only toward familiar signatures. Snow was easiest, her energy felt like an extension of his own. She was in her element, networking effortlessly. He felt Igna, Edmond, Sebastian… but no Ivy.

He was about to reach toward her room when another familiar energy bounded down the corridor, accompanied by an adorable, off-key singing voice.

“Navy is that you I can hear?” he called, turning into her hallway.

“Rainyyyyy!” she squealed, skipping straight into his arms. He lifted her and spun her around, her turquoise skirts flaring like petals.

“You look very beautiful, princess.”

“Pretty dress,” she said, dragging frost-painted fingernails down the fabric.

“Yes, a very pretty dress for a very pretty girl.” He kissed her cheek. “Let’s go join everyone. Good evening, Erica, you look lovely as well.”

Her nanny blushed and thanked him.

Navy played with the pendant on his necklace as he carried her toward the hall, humming her little rhyme and making the charm bounce against his collarbone. But as they entered the noisy hall, she quietened, hiding her face in his shoulder.

“It’s okay,” he whispered into her hair. “It’s scary for me too. Want to know a secret?”

She peeked up at him with wide olive eyes.

“You know how small animals are more scared of you than you are of them?”