Chapter 28 #2
“Unlike your brother, you will do what I ask of you,” Azrien said bluntly.
“Wow.” Snow sat back, jaw clenched, tossing her napkin onto her plate.
“Let’s not—” Olivis began, but Snow cut her off.
“You know what? There truly is nothing any of us can do to impress you. Is there? You would ship me off to the other side of the world without a second thought, despite everything I do for you. For our kingdom. For our council!” Snow stood, joining Rain, her voice rising.
“If only someone offered the right incentive.”
“Dear, sit down. You’re causing a scene. It is politics,” Azrien said, still smiling, amused by her outburst.
Rain braced himself; he felt Snow’s next move before she even made it.
“This is what I think of your politics.”
She thrust her hand toward the king. A gust of blistering wind tore across the table, a small avalanche of snow exploding over the dishes. Navy squealed as Olivis scooped her up, shielding her with her arms. Navy burrowed into her mother’s chest as Olivis ducked her head.
Rain grabbed Snow, twisting her away from the table, placing himself between her and the rest of the family. Her heart hammered, breath ragged with fury.
“Breathe.”
He cupped her face, forcing her to meet his eyes, inhaling deeply to guide her. He sent calming energy through her, steadying her pulse. Slowly, her features softened, rage melting into sorrow.
“How dare you!” Azrien bellowed, rising to his feet, brushing snow from his robes. “You attacked me. You worthless, idiotic girl.”
Oh no he fucking didn’t.
“Shut the fuck up and sit down,” Rain commanded, venom dripping from every word as he used his power to force the king into his chair.
“And now you! Again. My own children think it’s acceptable to use their powers against me. OUTRAGEOUS! You will be sorry for this,” Azrien spat.
“I said shut… the fuck… up.”
Rain punctuated each word as he turned from Snow. Without hesitation, he stalked toward his father, seized him by the collar, and yanked him from his chair. Azrien struggled, clawing at Rain’s wrists in a pathetic attempt to break free.
Rain dragged him forward and slammed his head into the frosted table, holding him there as he leaned in close. Breath hot against his father's ear.
“I don’t need my power to beat you. I am superior to you in every way imaginable. It will do you good to remember that. Keep your pathetic threats to yourself. If I do your bidding, I do it of my own free will. So, if you want my cooperation, you will respect my sisters. Understood?”
Azrien’s aura flared red; rage and fear tangled together, choking him silent.
“Do you understand?” Rain repeated, louder, pressing him harder into the table. Olivis gasped. Navy whimpered.
“Yes. Fine,” Azrien muttered.
Rain released him and stepped back, turning his back on the king in a deliberate display of dominance.
“Very well. Thank you, family, for a lovely dinner as always. I will agree to this proposal—for now. Goodnight.” He didn’t spare Azrien a glance as he took Snow by the arm and guided her toward the exit.
“Snow, stop!”
Azrien’s voice boomed, power laced through it.
Snow froze mid-step, confusion clouding her features. Rain tugged her, desperate to get her out before anything else happened, but her feet remained rooted.
“Your brother caused drama over dinner again. He attacked me unprovoked. You saw that, didn’t you?”
“I did,” Snow whispered, her voice hollow; his influence taking hold.
“No!” Rain’s heart clenched. He couldn’t bear to watch his father twist her mind.
“See how he defies me,” Azrien continued, “even when we offer him a way to fix his embarrassing behaviour.”
Rain let fury consume him, letting it radiate through the room. He stormed toward his father, refusing to let him speak another word. Azrien paled, trying to move away, but Rain held him in place with sheer force of will.
Rain didn’t speak. He simply cocked his fist and drove it into his father’s jaw. The crack echoed. Azrien’s body flew backward, blood splattering the wall as he collapsed.
Olivis, Snow and Navy screamed. A guard burst into the room, sword drawn, scanning for danger.
Rain flexed his hand, shaking off the pain as he turned and strode toward the exit.
“Put that away before you hurt yourself,” he ordered the guard, brushing past him, dragging Snow out of the room. Behind them, the guard called for servants to tend to the king. Azrien would heal; physically, at least. His ego was another matter.
Snow yanked her arm free, glaring at Rain. “Why did you do that? He’s going to kill you. You laid your hands on him. Rain! And… Dad is right. You have a chance to redeem yourself. This could be the support you need.”
“What are you talking about? Dad? Since when has Father been Dad?” Rain stopped in the corridor, staring at her like she’d grown a second head.
“I— I don’t know.” She bit her lip, confusion twisting her expression.
“Father used his power on you. That’s why I knocked him out.
Before he could cause more damage. I have a feeling he’s done this often without your awareness.
” Rain held her arms, channelling his power through her, trying to separate her energy from Azrien’s influence.
He couldn’t. It infuriated him. “Without my awareness.”
“Rain, I can’t recall what happened.” Snow’s voice trembled, panic rising; a common reaction when someone realised their mind had been tampered with.
“I remember Mother and Father telling us you’re engaged to Candy and then…
that I… Am I a consolation if you reject the proposal?
” Her eyes widened as fragments resurfaced.
“Then it gets foggy. You attacked Father because he said you overreacted… Wait—he’s surrounded by snow.
” Her eyes nearly bulged. “I attacked him? No. I wouldn’t dare. Would I?”
“I’m as shocked as you are,” Rain said, scanning her energy again and again, ensuring she was stable.
Snow’s eyes filled with tears, panic fluttering in her chest. “Did I just put you in more danger?”
“I think we’re beyond that.” Rain pulled her into a hug. “Hey. We’re the Rainbow Twins, and the Pink Kingdom just offered me an entire army. Whether I choose to go along with this proposal or not, it’s a good sign they may be willing to support us when the time comes.”