Chapter 24
He wanted the darkness to swallow him whole.
The night air was cold against his overheated skin, the gardens below stretching out in a blur of silver and shadow. For a moment, he let himself lean into the quiet, into the ache behind his ribs, into the dizzying stillness that followed the storm he’d just unleashed.
“Why did you do that?” Snow’s voice cut through the night like a blade as she burst onto the balcony. Her footsteps were sharp, furiously echoing off stone. “You practically challenged Father in front of everyone. For what? You took the fall for Ivy—who betrayed you without a second thought!”
“Snow, relax. You’re—”
“Don’t you dare tell me I’m overreacting, Rain. I am under-reacting.”
“It was the right thing to do.”
“Why must you always sacrifice yourself?” She dropped into a white wrought iron chair, breath shaking with anger she didn’t know where to put. “I understand what you did. I stand by what I said earlier—you’re clever. Too damn clever. To your own detriment.”
“I love you too,” he murmured, placing a hand on her shoulder. The moment their skin touched, his power cut off again; silence slamming into him like a migraine. He winced and pulled back, groaning. “I’m far too drunk for this.”
“You prevented a world war,” she said quietly, eyes, identical to his, locked on him with a mixture of awe and fear.
“I know,” he replied softly. “And signed my death sentence.”
The balcony doors banged open behind them.
“Is he still out here?” Ivy’s voice wavered as she stepped into the moonlight, Julian and Sebastian trailing behind her. She froze when she saw Rain, shame rolling off her in a thick, suffocating wave.
“Hi,” she managed.
“You’re welcome. Both of you.” Rain addressed Ivy and Julian flatly, refusing to indulge her guilt. “You can repay me by ensuring your kingdoms keep favour with mine. Specifically, the bonds we’ve forged with yours, Bash.”
Sebastian stiffened at the nickname; they hadn’t been on good terms in years.
“We honour our commitments,” Sebastian said coolly.
“Clearly,” Rain laughed, gesturing at the couple.
“I’m sorry,” Ivy said, voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to fall for someone else, but you never truly gave yourself to me. I didn’t want to hurt you. Okay—I did. I wanted you to suffer tonight, in a soul-crushing, heartbreaking kind of way. But not like this.”
Rain smiled softly and stepped toward her, taking her hand gently.
“Ivy, it’s okay. I know you better than you know yourself. And I didn’t do this for you—I did it for me. I’m selfish, remember?”
She let out a shaky laugh that almost became a sob and threw her arms around him. Rain held her, steady and quiet. Julian shifted awkwardly, rocking on his heels as they embraced. Rain nodded for him to take over, and Julian gently pulled Ivy into his arms, cupping her head tenderly.
“I still dislike you,” Julian muttered to Rain.
“I’m offended,” Rain said sarcastically, pressing a hand to his chest. “It’s fine. I still treasure our most intimate time together. Maybe we can revisit it on your wedding night. Hey—maybe I’ll even let you be spit-roasted this time instead of me.”
Both princes tensed, memories they’d rather forget flickering behind their eyes.
“Don’t you ever bring that up again, you fucking maggot,” Sebastian snapped, jabbing a finger into Rain’s chest. His eyes flicked nervously toward Snow.
“Maggot? Really, Bash?” Rain leaned in until their noses almost touched, voice dropping to a lethal whisper.
“And here I thought we were all friends. Don’t worry– nobody needs to know how I choked on your dick while porking your sister, while your future brother–in–law fucked me in the ass.
And of course, I’d never tell a soul how much you enjoyed your own sister suckling on your balls.
Think before you lay your hands on me again. Bash.”
Sebastian’s chest pressed into Rain’s as they glared at each other, tension crackling like static.
“Ugh, there is too much testosterone out here,” Snow snapped stepping between them.
Sebastian jerked back, shame radiating off him.
“You,” she pointed at Rain, “no more alcohol. Your sharp tongue is getting the better of you. And you two—grow up. Ivy, have a safe journey home, but I think we need some time apart. I don’t agree with your actions. Goodnight, everyone.”
She turned and headed inside.
“One day I’ll fuck your sister and have the last laugh,” Sebastian snarled at Rain, assuming Snow was out of earshot.
Rain’s fist twitched, ready to swing but a flicker of cloud above Sebastian’s head stopped him.
Snow had beaten him to it.
A single dark cloud materialised over Sebastian, crackled once, then unleashed a torrential downpour directly onto him, soaking him to the bone.
“Over my dead body,” she snapped from the doorway before disappearing inside.
Rain burst into wicked laughter.
“Yeah, I don’t think I have to worry about that,” he said, patting Sebastian’s drenched chest with a wet slap before wiping his hand on his blazer and heading back inside.