Page 47 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

A small, sprightly figure fought her way through the crowd, nearly trampled as she bobbed and weaved between bodies. Rain helped, parting the crowd with a gentle push of energy, creating a brief pathway for her. A few people panicked at the sudden shift, but he sent out a calming pulse to counter it. When he was in control, he could do a lot of good without causing chaos.

Emily launched herself at him, arms wrapping around his waist, completely ignoring his moody composure. Being from Blue, she’d been raised to adore him politically, but she also had a naturally warm, ocean-like energy: cool and inviting, yet wild and unpredictable. Barely five feet tall with blonde waves and ocean-blue eyes, she was fast, light, and fearless; a perfect asset to the team and never shy about telling them what to do.

“Hey, Em. Is everyone with you?”

“Yes, of course! We didn’t ride together, but we all boarded at the same station. We figured it was safer than risking the mixed shuttles with the way things are between the kingdoms right now.” She squeezed him once more before letting go. “How are you, honestly?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” He cleared his throat. “Is everyone… okay with me being here today?”

“What!” She smacked his chest with her tiny hand. “Don’t be ridiculous! We need you. You’re one of us. We’re all team Rain. We know you better than that. You don’t do anything without a reason, right? And while we don’t know exactly what happened, we know you. But Red propaganda is insane right now. Jay and Wren told us what they’ve been hearing during practice and the rumours are so far from the truth it’s laughable. I knew you royals exaggerated for your own agenda but wow.”

Rain winced. It didn’t take much imagination to picture the media messages and whispers. He’d seen it all before. The “green-eyed predator,” the fearmongering campaigns warning soldiers to protect their wives from the Blue Prince’s seductive influence.

“Sorry,” Emily said quickly. “You’re not like the rest of them. Ah—I didn’t mean it like that—”

“Stop. It’s okay.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a small smile. “Thank you for trusting me. It means more than you know.”

“Aww, you big softie!” She threw her arms around him again. Rain stiffened, unsure how to reciprocate. Friendship like this still felt foreign; like something he wasn’t entirely sure he deserved.

“Rain!”

The familiar voice he’d been dreading cut through the noise. Relief and panic collided in his chest. He scanned the crowd and spotted Jay and the others struggling against the crush of bodies, being pushed toward the gates. Some of the crowd—specifically a cluster of Red citizens — were deliberately blocking them, shoving harder once they realised who they were trying to reach.

Frustration surged. Rain nudged Emily behind him.

“Stay behind me.”

He stalked into the crowd. People froze the moment he approached, parting instinctively without him needing to lift a finger. Fear had its uses; sometimes it made people behave better than they otherwise would. Sad, but true. And today, he would use it to protect his own.

Two large Red men were shoving Jay, their backs to Rain. His powerful presence thrummed through the air as he approached. Sensing the shift, they spun around, courage draining from their faces as Rain squared up to them.

A new worry flickered through him: would his friends face consequences after today? Would their own kingdoms ostracise them for standing beside the “devil prince”?

The men backed away with their hands raised, fear radiating off them.

Rain grabbed Jay and pulled him into a tight hug. Jay melted into him, warmth, and relief flooding through Rain’s chest. The tension in his shoulders eased; he’d feared rejection, but Jay’s affection hit him like sunlight.

“Fucking traitor!” one of the cowards spat as he reached the gate.

Rain reacted before he could think. A sharp burst of energy shoved the man into the metal railing. Guards noticed immediately, one of them grabbed the offender and pushed him through the gate; a warning, or perhaps a reminder not to start something none of them could finish.

“Rain, was that necessary?” Jay scolded, though a half-smile tugged at his lips.

“It was a reflex,” Rain said, smirking.

“Yeah, yeah—a flex for sure.”

“Enough flirting, you two, we need to sign in and warm up.” Wren cut in. Rain could feel her nerves buzzing at the attention they were drawing. Guilt twisted in his gut. Maybe this was a bad idea.

“Woah, hold up, yo! We’re all here, finally back together and today is going to be legendary! So, get in here for a group hug!” Rogan—tall,lanky, and eternally enthusiastic—threw his arms around them. The rest of the team joined in, forming a chaotic, warm, ridiculous pile of limbs.

For the first time that morning, Rain felt like he could breathe.

“Okay, follow me. I’ll get us in quicker,” Rain said as the group loosened and drifted apart.

“Show off,” Jay muttered, elbowing him. Rain gasped theatrically, then jabbed him in the ribs, and bolted. Jay lunged after him, but Rain only laughed, slipping out of reach every time. It felt good; light, childish, uncomplicated. That was what drew him to Jay most: the way their connection made everything feel innocent again.

By the time they reached the guards, Rain slowed. Jay didn’t. Instead, he collided into Rain, a fistful of his shirt the only thing keeping him from losing his balance. Rain smiled widely as Jay flustered awkwardly. The guards immediately waved them toward a closed lane, bypassing the queues.