Page 57 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Jay was.

He lifted Navy into his arms and dipped her in a similar manor. She threw her head back, casting a waterfall of curls to the floor as she giggled, happily swaying upside down.

The applause that followed wasn’t for Ivy and Julian—it was for Rain and Navy.

“Curtsey to your audience, princess,” he whispered, as he placed her back on her feet. She curtseyed; he bowed and the crowd erupted with glee.

Snow joined them with Erica in tow.

“It’s my turn to dance with our brother. Erica will take you for a drink, Navy.”

“Okay! I love you both lots and lots!” Navy hugged their legs and skipped off.

Rain and Snow linked hands and stepped back onto the dance floor as a slow ballad began. Others followed suit, pairing up across the dancefloor.

“Sometimes I forget how clever you are,” Snow said softly.

“I have my moments,” he replied. “Though I’m not sure how you could possibly forget.”

“Well, you also make a lot of stupid mistakes.” She smiled. “But seriously—you needed that kind of publicity. I couldn’t have planned it better. You just… did it. Effortlessly. Charismatically. Like someone who will make a great king.”

“Jee, sis, you’re going to make me cry. I’m not sober enough for this.” He teased again, not knowing what to do with the compliment.

“Absolute genius. Two questions,” she said. “First—how are you really feeling?”

“I’m fine. Don’t give me that look—I am. I need to process everything sober, but it doesn’t hurt like yesterday. Honestly… last night felt like a goodbye. I didn’t realise it then, but maybe it was meant to be our farewell fuck.”’

Snow rolled her eyes.

“I hear you. Second question—and I want full emotional detail—how annoyed is Ivy that you didn’t cause a scene? Bonus points for Julian’s reaction.”

Rain laughed. Of course she wanted intel. Snow re-positioned her hand to the cuff of his sleeve, releasing his power from her binding touch.

“She’s annoyed. Obviously. She’s throwing emotional daggers at us both. She knows we’re talking about her—there’s regret, anxiety. She’sscared. The future with me was written for her, and she’s worried she’s making a mistake choosing Julian.”

“And Julian?”

“Smug as fuck. Happy. In love. She loves him too—you saw it all over her face, right? He came down here expecting a fight, and he’s relieved I didn’t give him one. Because despite his bravado, he knows I’d kick his ass and win.”

Rain exhaled.

“So really,” he finished, “it’s a bittersweet symphony.

“I love your power. I’m glad you got it and not me, but it is extraordinary.” Snow moved closer, hugging him as the song ended. She leaned into whisper, “And I think you’re better off without this betrothal. I have a feeling there’s something better out there for you.”

Rain froze, genuinely shocked to hear her say it.

“Can I expect your support when Father finds out?” he murmured back.

Snow sighed, pulled away, squeezed his arms, and nodded. They parted, heading in opposite directions.

A server approached as Rain leaned against a draped alcove. He waved off the champagne and asked for a rum on the rocks instead. The champagne was starting to taste like fizzy regret.

His gaze drifted to Queen Virginia, who looked spectacular in a feathery pink puff of a gown. Her crown held her hair like a scoop of ice cream. Her husband, in a candy-cane pinstriped suit, looked utterly flustered as she lectured him about something. Rain was about to tune into their energies—purely for entertainment—when a familiar shrill voice sliced through the crowd.

“Rain! Darling!”

Aunt Igna.