Page 87 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Chapter 31

After getting dressed, Jay insisted on going home. Rain had wanted more time—craved it, even—but he didn’t push. He was becoming painfully aware of how terrible he was at relationships, and he’d promised himself he would let Jay set the pace.

He called upon the Shadow Guard to escort Jay home. At first, they were reluctant, claiming they weren’t a public transportation service and that Jay should take the train. Rain did his best to keep his temper in check, but he wasn’t having any of it. He made it abundantly clear that they were transporting precious cargo on behalf of the Blue Kingdom, and if anything happened to Jay, he would not hesitate to become a problem. A very large, inconvenient problem.

Once Jay was safely on his way, Rain returned home and ate lunch with Snow, recounting his unexpected encounter with their aunt and the discovery of the book of prophecies. Snow had nothing new to report from her own research; she concluded that anything truly valuable was likely locked away in the royal vault.

They agreed that a trip to the vault would be necessary and something they’d have to orchestrate together. Neither of them had authorisation to enter. Their father had fortified the vault specifically to keep them out, a direct consequence of their childhood mischief. Snow had once tried to sneak them into the vault to cheer Rain up after one of his episodes. They had succeeded, and it had worked; becomingone of Rain’s favourite memories: the two of them carefree, dancing around in stolen robes and jewellery. Their father had punished them heavily afterwards.

While Rain was organising the team shirts with Neel, the royal guard caught up with him.

“Your Highness, a message from the king,” a broad soldier announced from the doorway of Rain’s quarters. He stood tall holding out a sealed scroll.

Rain approached, took it, and muttered a vague thanks before cracking the wax and unravelling it.

“I am called to duty,” he said under his breath; mostly to himself, though Neel heard. “Fantastic.”

“I will ready your uniform,” Neel replied, eyes widening. He wisely chose not to voice the concern Rain could feel radiating off him.

Rain tossed the scroll onto his desk, mind racing with possibilities. Moments later, Neel reappeared from the closet and laid the uniform over the armchair before disappearing again to fetch his boots. Rain pulled off his shirt, checking the dressing on his bicep to ensure it didn’t need redressing before he left.

“Thank you, Neel,” he said when his friend returned. “Please inform Snow of my departure. And if you could ready the team shirts for me; I hope to be back in time for the tournament on Velday. If I’m not, ask Snow to show up in my place. I’d hate for them to think I let them down intentionally.”

He was covering his bases. A little tournament should have been the least of his concerns, but his friends mattered. His duty would always interfere with his personal relationships; especially with mortals, but he hated the idea of disappointing them. Especially after the loyalty and support they had shown him. Apprehension settled in his gut. This could be the moment everything changed; the moment he would be forced to intervene and set things in motion.

“Yes, sir,” Neel said. He turned to leave, then hesitated. “Sir…”

Rain felt the surge of emotion Neel couldn’t voice. He smiled tightly and pulled him into a brief embrace.

“Right,” Neel said, forcing himself back into composure as he stepped away. “Gods be with you, sir.”

He left without looking back. The guard outside shifted aside to let him pass, then resumed his position.

“Are you just going to stand there and watch me undress?” Rain asked coldly.

“Sorry, Your Highness, but I’ve been ordered to keep my eyes on you after handing you the scroll,” the guard grunted.

“Yeah, fuck that.”

Rain shoved him out the door with his power and slammed it shut, locking it. The guard immediately began pounding on the hardwood, demanding he open it. Rain rolled his eyes. He was second in the chain of command, yet his father’s influence had emboldened the guard to disrespect him openly.

He scanned the perimeter only to realise there were guards everywhere. His father expected him to run.

Good, Rain thought. Underestimate me.

He had no intention of running.

He took his time lacing his boots, deliberately slow, only opening the door once he was adjusting the cuffs of his pants; purposefully provoking the guard. The man barged in scowling. Rain barely acknowledged him as he grabbed the velvet pouch containing the Red Aetherchrome and slipped it into his pocket.

He strode down the hall, the guard trailing at his heels; irritatingly close. Rain pushed through the entrance hall, opening the doors with his power before the stationed guards could react.

At the top of the steps, he stopped abruptly. The guard behind him crashed into his back. Rain turned with calculated arrogance, catching the man by the arm as he stumbled. If Rain hadn’t grabbed him, he would have tumbled down the stairs.

Rain steadied him, dusting off the front of his uniform with a smug smile.

“You should really watch where you’re going. You could have hurt yourself.”

Embarrassment flickered across the guard’s face before he masked it with a stiff, neutral expression. His energy, however, pulsed with shame.