Page 99 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

Not a welt.

Not even heat.

The blast faded. The chamber dimmed from white-hot to ember-glow. The girl gasped, a horrified cry ripping from her throat as shefolded in on herself, grief pouring off her in waves so strong, Rain nearly staggered down the stairs.

I have killed again, her energy screamed.

Rain slowly peered around the door frame. Her eyes snapped to him: wide and disbelieving. Terrified. He sent a soft pulse of calm into her aura as he cautiously stepped back into the room.

Smoke curled harmlessly off his shoulders. His hair was singed at the ends, but his skin… untouched.

“I’m okay…” Rain whispered, unsure if he was reassuring her or himself.

He lifted his hands before him, staring at them as if they belonged to someone else. They trembled faintly; not from fear, but from the shock of what he had just survived.

The girl recoiled, confusion twisting her features.

“You… how are you still alive?”

Rain inhaled. The air tasted of soot and scorched stone, but it didn’t burn his lungs. His pulse hammered in his chest. He had been in countless dangerous situations, but nothing—nothing—had ever felt like this.

For the first time in his life, he had felt the edge of death. Had been certain he was done for.

And then… nothing.

No pain.

No damage.

No consequence.

Fuck…maybe I am fucking invincible.

How?

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

Her flames flickered again, licking at her fingertips as she clutched her chest. Panic spiked through her aura like a lightning strike.

“You can’t control that, can you?” Rain asked gently.

She shook her head, breath hitching. Her pulse spiked and the flames surged outward again.

This time Rain was ready.

He threw up a barrier, the fire slamming against it like a tidal wave. Heat rolled over him, but the shield held. He didn’t know if he needed it, but he wasn’t about to test the limits of whatever miracle had just occurred. His clothing was already half-destroyed; he didn’t wish to trek home naked on top of everything else.

She scrambled backward onto the metal cot, curling into the corner, clutching a blackened figurine to her chest. Her bedding was nothing but charcoal.

Rain approached slowly, lowering himself onto the edge of the cot; close enough to show he wasn’t afraid, far enough not to startle her.

“My name is Rain Royale,” he said softly. “Do you know who I am?”

She shook her head frantically, nails digging into her palms. Her dress; a simple red slip remained intact, clearly made of fireproof fabric.

“I am the Prince of the Blue Kingdom. I’ve been sent to rescue you. Do you have a name?”

She inhaled sharply, amber eyes darting over him with frantic, erratic movements. Her pulse spiked again. Rain reinforced his shield as her body tensed, flames threatening to burst.