Page 81 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

“Let’s go inside,” Rain insisted.

Jay’s face lit up. Rain squeezed his hand and held the door open for him. A welcoming jangle of a bell and the smell of old books washed over them as they stepped inside. Rows of wooden shelves filled the space, every inch utilised. Rain was surprised the young territory had such a treasure trove.

Jay moved eagerly toward the historical section; his special interest. Rain followed close behind, watching him with quiet adoration.

“Oh, by the Gods, what a collection,” Jay breathed, standing before columns of old tomes. He reached for several but hovered, too reverent to touch.

Rain settled beside him, prepared to stay as long as needed.

He noticed an original copy of The Reign of King Caelum; his grandfather, on the shelf above Jay’s head. Only one other copy existed, locked in the palace library. He’d been forced to recite from it as a child during heir lessons.

Beside it sat more volumes of his grandfather’s reign—numerous, thanks to his endless queen consorts and children. He hadn’t stopped until he produced a son: Azrien.

Rain was about to look away when a glistening title caught his eye: Shahariar: Prophecies of the Blue Kingdom. He reached up and took it. The cover was glossy gold, embossed with runic symbols.

He opened it carefully. Inside was a handwritten note addressed to him:

Your Majesty, Rain Beau Royale.

The one true king the world has waited for.

My predictions end with you; many believe you to be the end of times.

I choose to believe otherwise.

May my life’s work gift you a deeper understanding of who you are, and the path forged for you.

We rarely get the life we want; we get the life we need.

Your humble servant,

Shahariar

Strange.

Rain closed the book and turned to look at Jay, only to find him gone. He followed Jay’s energy signature to another aisle and found him standing over a pile of books laid at his feet.

Rain smiled as Jay looked up with a hopeless expression.

“I can’t decide,” Jay said miserably.

“Then we take them all.” Rain kissed his forehead.

“No. I can’t afford them all or carry them home by myself.” Jay pouted adorably, miserable in the dilemma he found himself in.

“You don’t need to. I’m not letting you go home alone, and it’s my treat. Come on, before you have me buy the entire store.”

Jay gawked in horror, but Rain ignored him and used his power to lift the books toward the counter.

“Rain, you can’t. I can’t accept—” Jay hurried after him. Rain paused, turning toward him with a wicked smile on his face.

“Okay, choose only one right now and we’ll buy only that one,” Rain countered, fully aware Jay wouldn’t be able to. Jay’s face matched the exasperation in his energy.

“It’s okay, I want to get them for you. Seeing how happy you are surrounded by your books brings me so much joy. Besides, you can pay me back in… kisses. I think that’s a reasonable trade.”

Jay pouted, but his energy betrayed him—bubbling with excitement he tried and failed to contain. Rain couldn’t hide his massive grin as the store clerk popped her head out.

“Oh my, look what we have here. Sorry for keeping you waiting, my senses take a while to catch up with me these days.”