Chapter 17
The realisation that the Blue prince possessed more than one power shifted the atmosphere on this side of the hall.
A subtle but unmistakable tension rippled through the nobles.
They had no idea of the full scope of the twins’ abilities.
That Rain and Snow didn’t just have one or two gifts, but several.
As Queen Virginia had said, a second ability was unheard of. Multiple? Impossible.
Only those who had been directly affected by Rain’s powers knew even fragments of the truth.
Mostly members of the Blue and Green courts, and of course the Red Kingdom, who had witnessed the more violent side of his abilities.
A handful from other courts had been caught in the crossfire of his slips, like Prince Julian, who had once been dragged into a “planned” orgy—planned by Sebastian, of all people—without Rain’s knowledge of the intention behind it.
That incident had escalated far beyond what anyone expected.
After the main courses were cleared, the king launched into a long, droning speech while dessert plates were set before them.
Loyalty, pride, unity; the usual rhetoric.
Rain downed several extra glasses of champagne, deliberately tuning out the sound of his father’s voice.
Ivy tried several times to pull him into conversation, but every time she looked at him, the tightness in his chest returned, stealing his words.
Snow, ever the saviour, picked up the slack, chatting easily with Ivy while Rain leaned back and half-listened.
Once dessert arrived and everyone became absorbed in their plates, Ivy slipped back into her usual touchy, possessive self.
Her hand slid up his inner thigh as she leaned in, her lips brushing his neck before she whispered into his ear.
Rain instinctively checked for witnesses.
Julian had his back turned, deep in conversation, which allowed Rain’s guard to drop just enough.
“Baby, I’ve missed you,” she breathed, scraping her teeth lightly against his earlobe.
His head tilted toward her before he could stop himself, alcohol lessening his resolve.
Lust flickered through him, sharp and immediate.
She must have seen it; her gaze narrowed with predatory satisfaction.
Her palm cupped him through his trousers, and his breath hitched.
Her smile widened, triumphant, as he leaned in and kissed her—slow, soft, controlled.
He watched her eyes flutter shut before closing his own, cupping her chin as he deepened the kiss.
He pulled back reluctantly, remembering where they were.
“I’ve missed you too.” The words surprised him with their sincerity. What is wrong with me? Guilt threatened to rise, but Ivy didn’t give it room. She tugged him back in, fingers slipping beneath the open collar of his shirt to trace the bare skin of his chest.
“It’s like you want me to take you right here in front of everyone,” he teased, kissing along her sharp jawline.
“Don’t tempt me with a good time,” she purred, pushing him back just enough to look at him properly. Her hand stayed on his chest, anchoring him. “But I want you all to myself.”
Her hazel eyes locked onto his, then drifted to his lips, then down his torso.
Her energy was entirely focused on him—no jealousy, no distraction, no games.
She wanted him. She loved him. She craved him.
This was the version of Ivy he always fell into: raw, vulnerable, open.
But it was only one facet of her, and he knew it. Right now, he didn’t care.
A primal urge surged through him—to claim, to mark, to forget everything else. He knew it wasn’t right. He knew he’d regret it. But the thought didn’t linger long enough to stop him. His mind had narrowed to a single point, ruled by lust and possessive pride.
“Let’s get out of here,” he murmured.
She laughed softly, biting her lip as she glanced around to assess the room. Guests were already rising, exchanging farewells, drifting toward the exits. The banquet was only the welcome event; tomorrow’s ball would be the real mingling.
“Okay, big boy. We can leave,” she whispered, then leaned across Rain to tap Snow’s arm. “I’m tired. We’re going to slip out. I’ll see you at breakfast?”
“Yes,” Snow said brightly. “I’ve planned a girly day for all the princesses. We deserve a pamper before the ball. It’ll be a good chance to catch up.”
“Perfect.” Ivy smiled. “Goodnight.”
As Rain stood, Snow tugged at his arm and hissed in his ear, “Do you know what you’re doing?”
“Nope,” he replied bluntly, offering Ivy his hand. She took it with a grin.
They circled the table, exchanging polite farewells. As they neared the exit, Rain’s hand slid from hers only to wrap around her waist, his palm settling on the curve of her perfectly sculpted ass. She pressed herself against him, arm snaking around him.
They were steps from the doorway when a voice called out behind them, stopping them cold.
“Royale!”
Julian’s voice cut through the air. Both Rain and Ivy tensed; for entirely different reasons. Rain twisted inward, pulling Ivy against him as he turned to face the purple prince.
“Yes, Tyrian,” he replied, making no effort to hide the dismay in his voice. Ivy stayed pressed to his chest, her heartbeat thudding nervously against him. Rain began to loosen his hold, but she fisted the front of his shirt, silently insisting he keep his hands at her hips.
“I heard you’re competing in the games tomorrow,” Julian sneered.
“And what of it?”
“If you think you and your rejects can compete with me and my trained athletes, you’ve got another thing coming.”
Rain laughed; a low, amused sound.
“It sounds like you’re feeling a little threatened, Tyrian.”
“Threatened?” Julian scoffed. “I could sweep the floor with you if I wanted.” His jaw clenched, fists tightening at his sides.
“I truly think you’re delusional enough to believe that.” Rain said, deliberately sounding bored.
“Ok, Royale,” He pointed his finger too closely to Rain’s face, Ivy’s grip tightened begging him to remain calm. “Let’s make this interesting… how about a bet. My team beats your pathetic excuse of a team tomorrow.”
“And what are we betting on, Tyrian?”
“The winner escorts Ivy to the ball tomorrow.” His smugness was palpable as his gaze moved to challenge Ivy.
“There it is,” Rain said, slow and mocking. “Your true intention. Bravo.” He clapped a hand against Ivy’s ass; partly because it was the only hand, he had free, mostly to entice a reaction out of Julian.
Julian’s jealous glare didn’t disappoint.
“Deal.” Rain extended his hand. Ivy let out a tiny, startled breath. Julian took the offered hand, they both squeezed hard, each trying to crush the other’s fingers. Rain raised an eyebrow, smirking. Julian was the first to pull away, scowling. Rain would never be the one to back down.
“See you in the arena,” Julian said through gritted teeth. Then his expression softened as he turned to Ivy. “Sweet dreams, Ivy.” He dipped his head before walking back into the hall.
Only when he disappeared did Ivy’s body finally relax.
“Well,” Rain said, dropping his hands from her hips and stepping back, “this just keeps getting more and more interesting.”
“Come on, babe. Don’t let him ruin our night.” She tugged at his hand before he could move out of reach, releasing a small pulse of her power; a subtle lure, trying to pull him back into the heat they’d shared moments before.
He squeezed her fingers gently, then let go. The smile he offered her was weak, strained. His chest ached again, a familiar, unwelcome pressure.
He didn’t trust himself to speak. He simply turned and walked toward his rooms, Ivy following close behind.