Page 56 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Leaning against a sand-filled pillar, he let his gaze drift. Members of the Pink Court caught his attention; their appearance a magnificent spectacle. One woman wore a wooden frame around her skirt, colourful feathered birds floated inside it, fluttering as she moved. Her hair was sculpted into the shape of a beak. Rain adored the absurdity of their formal fashion; they were works of art at an otherwise boring affair.

A shift in the music made his stomach drop. The band began to play Ivy’s favourite entrance song.

“His Royal Highness, Prince Julian Tyrian, Heir to the Purple Kingdom, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Ivy Emerald of the Green Kingdom.”

Rain reluctantly looked up, taking a long sip of champagne.

His heart hit the floor.

Ivy wasn’t dressed in green. She was draped head to toe in deep purple lace that hugged her curves and flared at her thighs in a perfect mermaid silhouette. Emeralds and amethysts glittered across her gown and through her long waves of hair. She looked radiant. Intentional. Calculated.

She stared directly at him as she descended the stairs.

Julian led her to the centre of the dance floor. Pompously regal. Only then did Rain truly look at him, he was dressed in deep violet velvet, his shirt made of the same sheer lace Ivy wore. They were coordinated. They were making a statement. And Rain understood every part of it.

They moved together effortlessly, Ivy’s attention fixed on Julian’s face, her dark lips curved in adoration. She looked happy. She felt happy. Rain’s chest tightened, but beneath the sting was something gentler—relief. She deserved happiness. And he could never give her that.

He grabbed two more glasses from a passing tray and downed one. His thoughts were getting too sentimental if he was agreeing that Ivydeserved joy. Something had most definitely shifted in the universe, because nothing made sense anymore.

“Rainyyy!” Navy’s little voice chimed from his left, pulling him out of his spiralling before the frost could settle around his heart.

She stood beside Snow, who gave him an apologetic look.

“Sorry,” Snow said. “I didn’t know. I thought it was suspicious she hadn’t arrived yet. She enjoys a dramatic entrance, but she’s rarely this late.”

“It’s Ivy,” Rain said, hugging his twin. “Ever the performer. You look beautiful, by the way—now that both eyes are done and those things are out of your hair.”

Snow nudged him.

“And you look far to put together for someone as intoxicated as you are. Is there significance to her wearing purple?”

“I believe she’s breaking off our betrothal,” he whispered. Snow nodded, unsurprised. “A bold move, a dangerous one at that.”

“Rainy, why aren’t you telling me I’m beautiful like Snow?” Navy pouted.

Rain gasped dramatically. “Princess, I am terribly sorry. You look absolutely stunning. In fact, I’m certain you’re the most beautiful princess here tonight.”

She beamed adorably. An idea suddenly sparked to life. One that would redeem him of Ivy’s humiliating insult. Rain dropped to one knee and held out his hand.

“Princess Navy, would you do me the grandest honour and share this dance with me?”

“What? Rain—” Snow tried to intervene, but Navy was already bouncing with excitement.

“Yes, yes, yesss!”

Rain took her hand, inhaled deeply—summoning sobriety that did not exist—and with a quick glance back at Snow, led his little sister to the dance floor. He chose a position near the couple, who were still the only ones dancing. The crowd watched with thinly veiled anticipation, likely expecting Rain to cause a scene. Many hoped he would.

He bowed dramatically to Navy. She squealed and stepped onto his shoes. The crowd melted into soft “aww’s.”

He began to move with her, balancing her tiny weight on his feet. He risked a glance at Ivy and Julian. They were watching, aghast and confused. Rain flashed them a perfectly fake smile.

His heart hammered, but outwardly he was the picture of confidence; dancing with his little sister beside his former betrothed and her new partner.

As the song progressed, he spun Navy, her dress fanning out as she giggled and kicked her leg like a ballerina. The room adored her.

The song ended in a dramatic flourish. Julian dipped Ivy into a show-stopping kiss, conveniently close enough for Rain to see every detail. It was intentional.

He’d expected it. It didn’t hurt the way it should have. Maybe he was too drunk. Or maybe he’d finally accepted Ivy wasn’t his.