Page 46 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Mine.

He all but growled, the energy engulfing them both.

Ivy’s sweet moans sung out in submission as she clung to his shoulders. They felt everything. Every ridge of his cock as she felt it. Every cushioned clench of her pussy, swallowing him whole. Every shared pleasure. Every shared desire.

Mine.

The only thought penetrating through the intoxication, a joint resolution.

As tension built inside Rain, Ivy’s body answered in a chain reaction. Lost to each other their bodies moved solely on instinct. Their moans sounded uncontrollably. It was impossible to decipher who felt what or where one began and the other ended. Their bodies moved on autopilot as their orgasms ignited simultaneously.

Ivy trembled as she squirted her release, while Rain tensed into his. With four final sharp thrusts he began to fill her, but their shared release wouldn’t allow it to end there. An onslaught of releases cascaded out of them. Waves of pleasure rippled through them, their loud moans swallowed by messy needy kisses. Her pussy clenching and milking every drop out of him, until they were both, well and truly beyond spent.

Rain’s grip on her waist eventually loosened, he flopped down onto the bed, exhausted. Ivy followed sprawling helplessly across his chest. Catching his breath, he pulled back his energy, letting Ivy come back into her own body. They lay entwined for a while, their hearts settling back into their natural rhythm. Rain gently stroked feather-light touches along Ivy’s back as she nuzzled into him.

He kept his channel open; he needed to feel her, wanted to know what was on her mind. Despite what they’d just shared, he was nervous to know where her thoughts may roam now that everything was out in the open. She felt lethargic and content but there was a similar note of nervous energy within her. He pulled her closer instinctively and she nuzzled deeper into his neck in response.

“That is what I missed last time.” She finally said, breaking the silence. A smile grew on his lips; he knew what she meant. If anything could be said about their compatibility, there was no denying that their powers combined produced the most incredible sex. Her sexual energy alonemade it more than an adequate experience with any partner; she had them at her mercy, eager to please her at any cost.

Combined with his ability, amplifying the shared experience and incorporating their emotions took it to the extreme. There would never be anything more satisfying. He laced his fingers around her neck, tilting her jaw to face him and kissed her like his life depended on it. He channelled his emotions back into her, to ensure she knew exactly how he felt in this moment. Whatever tomorrow brought with it, tonight he was hers.

Chapter 19

It is the day of the qualifier tournament, and Rain woke expecting to find Ivy curled against him. To his own surprise and irritation; disappointment hit him when he realised, she wasn’t there. A flicker of panic rose until he reached for her energy signature and found her across the hall with Snow. Both felt like their usual selves. Thank the gods. He didn’t have time to hunt her down this morning; he needed to be on the move.

He showered, dressed, and was out the door within minutes, downing the protein shake Neel had left for him. Determination thrummed through him. He refused to let his team down today—especially after missing the practices they’d organised. Thomas had relayed his excuses, but guilt still gnawed at him. This determination had nothing to do with avoiding the abnormal level of attachment he now felt toward his betrothed. Nope; denial was his greatest ally in that department.

As the palace shrank behind him, so did the distractions of the last twenty-four hours. In their place came the weight of the last nine days, settling like a stone in his throat. The palace walls had been a cocoon for his nervous system—a temporary reprieve. Now, outside them, everything flooded back. Dread seeped into his bones. The attachment to Ivy felt like a shackle once more and his confusing feelings for Jay resurfaced with a vengeance.

Part of him couldn’t wait to see his team again, to sink into the comfort of their easy camaraderie. The other part was suddenly, painfully aware of the mess he’d made in regard to Jay and Ivy. Facing Jay’s open, trusting face suddenly felt like the worst idea imaginable. Ridiculous as it was, the Verday incident was starting to feel like the easier of his recent catastrophes. It was always going to be complicated, getting involved with Jay; especially when everyone knew Rain was betrothed to Ivy. But now he was beginning to understand just how irresponsible he’d been. Anxiety surged through him at the thought of seeing devastation in Jay’s eyes. It made his stomach twist violently.

Every instinct told him to turn around, to hide, to avoid the fallout. But he refused to be a coward. He’d learned long ago that the world didn’t stop just because something terrible happened––especially when you were the terrible thing. Rain was used to being the villain in someone’s story.

So, he would put on his big-boy pants and face whatever was coming.

The driver pulled up at Greys Water station. Rain would have to take a fifteen-minute train ride to reach the stadium; the only permitted method of entry. No road or foot traffic was allowed; every person had to scan their identifier when boarding the train and again at the stadium gates. Anyone who refused could be denied entry or even arrested. The Shadow Guard were infamously strict, which was why the stadium remained the safest zone in the realm and the only territory where all kingdoms could freely mingle.

Rain chose the Royal compartments at the front of the train. Normally he preferred the mixed shuttles at the back, blending into the crowd. Those carriages were designed for cross-kingdom groups or for anyone wanting anonymity. Most people still rode in their segregated carriages, sticking with their own for comfort and safety.

But today, Rain didn’t want to risk being recognised too soon after the incident. The air already felt thick with unease, layered with distrust, tension and fear. Understandable, given the recent attack and the kingdoms’ escalating declarations of war. No one would dare confront him, but that didn’t stop the emotional knives of their worry from cutting into him. It was hard enough being out in the open with his own nerves fraying. If his team turned against him today, he might just combust on the spot.

When the train arrived, he let others board first. Most passengers were already onboard from earlier stations; this was the final stop before the stadium. Anyone boarding here was either running late or staying nearby for the games.

He scanned his pendant to enter the carriage, then again at the door of an empty compartment; extra protection for aetherial passengers. As it opened, the lighting strip along the ceiling shifted to UV blue—his kingdom’s colour. He sighed internally. The whole cabin glowed like a beacon announcing Blue Prince on board. Another reminder of why he preferred travelling among mortals. As a royal, he couldn’t escape his reputation.

Fifteen torturous minutes later, the tannoy chimed.

“End of the line. Arrival at Greys Water Stadium. Please be ready to scan your identifier as you exit in an orderly manner. Thank you.”

Rain was already at the exit, leaning against the rail. His nerves had driven him to pace the corridors instead of staying in his compartment; much to the annoyance of a few other royals. They wouldn’t dare say anything, but he felt their glares. He wasn’t popular among the royal circles; some envied his power, others feared it. Either way, the feeling was mutual.

The doors slid open. Royal carriages always unloaded first, giving them priority through customs. Rain had no intention of going through yet.He’d rather wait for his team and walk in with them or, if they wanted nothing to do with him, slip back onto the train and disappear.

After what felt like the longest minute of his life, the rest of the carriage doors opened and hundreds of people spilled onto the platform, all eager to reach the gates. A tidal wave of energy slammed into Rain—excitement, nerves, curiosity, a few sharp stabs of hate or fear from those who recognised him. The platform was packed, yet a clear ring of space formed around him, like an ant circle avoiding something hazardous.

He kept his head high, scanning faces, searching for anyone from his team.

“Rain! You made it!”