Page 41 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

He dug into the braised Wagyu, his mouth already salivating as the exquisitely tender meat melted on his tongue. The click of heels behind him sliced cleanly through the noise of the hall, sharp and deliberate and unmistakably hers. Rain didn’t need to turn. Her energy reached him first, sliding across his senses like warm silk, familiar enough to recognise instantly and unwelcome enough to make his pulse tighten.

He spun anyway.

Ivy glided past him in a slow, unhurried sweep, her hand trailing across his broad shoulders as though she owned the right to touch him. The contact was barely there, a whisper of fingertips but it sent a controlled jolt down his spine. She didn’t look at him at first. She didn’t needto. She knew he was watching.

A servant pulled out her chair, and she folded into it with effortless grace, the emerald fabric of her dress clinging to every curve like it had been poured onto her skin. The deep V of her neckline dipped low enough to draw his attention. Before he could stop himself, his eyes travelled — traitorously — down the line of her body before he forced them back up.

She was already looking at him.

Not smiling.

Not smirking.

Just watching him with that cool, assessing gaze that always made him feel like she was peeling back layers he didn’t want exposed. Her lips parted, slow and deliberate, as she reached for her glass.

“Are you still broken?” she asked as she raised the glass to her lips.

Chapter 16

“Hello to you too. Where have you been?” Rain hissed under his breath. It came out more accusatory than he intended or maybe he meant to accuse her. He wasn’t sure.

“Mmm. Did you miss me, Darling?” Ivy murmured, brushing her fingers along the back of his hand. A pulse of her power slid into him, causing his cock to pulse traitorously. His fork clattered against the plate. He cleared his throat, glancing around. Snow was watching them like a hawk.

“I was expecting you yesterday.” He replied, attempting to keep his tone even as he readjusted in his seat.

“Oh, you were? Why?” Her gaze pinned him. He didn’t need to read her energy to know she was angry, but now that she was close, he couldn’t resist. Her anger was controlled, focused, not her usual reactive flare. Sensing the seriousness of her mood, he sent her a small energetic apology, a gentle nudge of warmth.

Her energy softened for a heartbeat before she snapped, “Don’t do that.”

“My bad,” he muttered, returning to his food. They ate in silence while conversation buzzed around them.

“I’m glad to see you’re fixed,” she said at last. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. I thought you’d prefer it.” She was right, under normal circumstances he would have appreciated the distance. Normally, she ignoredhis boundaries anyway. This new restraint felt less like consideration and more like punishment. He didn’t dare voice that. He barely wanted to admit it to himself.

“Can we talk later?” he asked quietly, placing his hand over hers. Relief loosened his chest when she laced their fingers together and smiled.

A throat cleared down the table, loud enough to snag his attention. Rain glanced up to find Julian staring at them. No, staring at Ivy. She quickly released his hand only to catch his chin, turning his gaze back to her as she pressed a soft a kiss to his lips. Her energy shifted sharply, highlighting that her attention wasn’t only aimed at him. A strong desire to put on a show crept into her energy. None of it was for Rain; it was a deliberate spike aimed at the purple prince. It hit Rain like a punch.

He let her kiss him but kept his eyes open, watching her, reading her. Her gaze never left Julian. Betrayal tightened around Rain’s ribs like a vice. When she finally pulled back, she caught him watching her. Shock flickered across her face before she smoothed it away. Her energy skittered nervously, but she held herself together.

Julian had already turned back to Sebastian, though Rain could feel the strain of his emotions—too similar to his own.

Ivy’s hand slid around Rain’s forearm, her thumb stroking gently. He ignored it and returned to his meal. His appetite was gone, but chewing gave him something to do. His stomach had been protesting earlier; now it felt hollow.

Laughter and chatter filled the hall, but Rain felt sealed inside a bubble of heartache, too aware of his surroundings. Snow kept sneaking glances at him while politely answering Queen Juniper. Across from him, two nobles in salmon-pink discussed their Lobster Thermidor. To his left sat their queen, quietly observing the room. To the right of the pink nobles, a purple-clad female listened intently to Snow and Juniper.

Ivy’s energy pressed like a boundary on his right, tugging at him whenever his attention drifted left. He could shield, but instinct told him not to. Not today. Not when everything in him felt like it was bracing for impact.

“Prince Rain,” the Pink Queen called, pulling him back into the moment.

“Yes, Queen—” He faltered. “Forgive me, my mind is elsewhere and your name escapes me.” He cringed internally, realising his disrespect.

Snow elbowed him sharply.

“Virginia Rosenthorpe,” she said warmly. “Former princess of the Orange Kingdom. And this is my husband, King Taffy.”

“Of course,” Rain said with a polite smile. He remembered the Pink Kingdom’s fascinating tradition of naming heirs after sweets. His favourite had always been the late King Cookie, whose reign had been as eccentric as his name. A trait that seemed common among the Pink born royals. Their kingdom was known for its extravagance and vibrancy, and Queen Virginia embodied it: a carousel of pinks and lime green, her bodice a swirl of silk pattern. Even her tawny hair was fastened into fashion-towering braids and wisps of curls adorned with tiny flowers wove uniquely around a sparkling floral crown. A masterpiece.

“I was wondering if you’ve ever considered visiting the Pink Kingdom?” she asked, her energy warm with a hint of mischief.