Page 52 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

The team stared, jaws slack.

“Wow. Impressive!” Thomas gaped. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you use your powers.”

The others murmured agreement. Rain cringed, cheeks warming.

“I have,” Jay cut in bitterly, “but he probably uses them on everyone he tries to sleep with.”

Thomas and Sean both let out loud, delighted “oooohs,” while everyone else grabbed for a shot like it was a shield.

“This might be personal,” Daphne giggled, clutching her glass in both hands, “but now I’m wondering how. Like… in what way do you use your powers in the bedroom?”

The table erupted in laughter.

“You can’t ask him that,” Emily gasped.

“Why not? My mind is already thinking of a million ways it could come in handy,” Daphne shot back. Rain fought to keep a straight face, feeling Jay’s stare burning into him. “I’m not asking what he did with Jay specifically. Just a general enquiry.”

“Daphne!” the girls chorused.

“Okay,” Rain said, raising a hand, “as much as I’d enjoy educating you young mortals in the fine art of fucking an aetherial with powers like mine… I need another drink.” He plucked a shot from the tray.

“Said like a century-old royal,” Wren laughed. Rain flashed her a grin.

“Let’s drink to… meaningful connections,” he said, eyes settling on Jay as he downed his shot.

“Pfft. What would you know about that,” Jay muttered.

Everyone side-eyed him, echoed “meaningful connections,” and drank.

Rain slammed his empty glass down. “Right. Rouge, get up. We’re talking. Now.” He grabbed another shot and threw it back. “Let’s get this over with.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you, thank you very much,” Jay replied, nose in the air, stubborn as ever.

Rain leaned forward, voice low. “I wasn’t giving you the option. If you don’t move, I will use my power on you to get that sexy little ass of yours moving.”

“You will not,” Jay snapped, horrified.

“Try me.”

The girls scrambled out of the booth, grateful for the excuse to escape the tension. Jay reluctantly slid out after them, snatching a jug and a straw like armour before stalking to a small table a few rows away. Rain followed, spun a chair around, and straddled it, resting his chin on the back as he watched Jay take long, stubborn sips without looking at him.

Under normal circumstances, Rain would tease him for being this adorable. The thought alone sent a sharp ache through his chest. His expression fell. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“Well?” Jay finally said, when the silence stretched too long. “You wanted to talk. Talk.”

Rain swallowed. “I… I’m sorry.”

“Yes, you would be.” Jay’s tone was cool, but his eyes were burning. “But what exactly are you sorry for? Sorry you got caught? Sorry for leading me on? Or sorry you didn’t get to fuck me before I found out that’s all I meant to you?”

The words were too harsh for Jay’s gentle voice, and Rain flinched.

“No. None of that is true. You know it’s not.” Rain’s voice cracked. “I didn’t lead you on, and my intentions with you were never about sex. When I said I love you, I meant it. I mean it. I think I mean it. Fuck, this is so messy.” The alcohol wasn’t helping. “Look—everything with us is real. I care about you. Ivy… Ivy is just Ivy. I’ve been betrothed to her since I was conceived. That was never something I hid from you.”

“Being betrothed and being together are two different things, Rain.” Jay’s brows pinched. “I thought they were.”

“They are.” Rain exhaled shakily. “The thing is… Ivy’s power is seduction.”

Jay leaned forward, jumping ten steps ahead. “She used her power to get you to sleep with her?”