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; becoming one 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.
Rain turned away and descended the steps toward the army vehicle waiting in the driveway. The soldier by the passenger door straightened, saluted, and opened it as Rain approached.
Once Rain was seated, the soldier hurried around to the driver’s side.
The royal guard ordered to shadow him, climbed stiffly into the back.
The drive to the barracks was eerily silent.
Rain’s energy filled the cab like a storm cloud, thick and electric, and the soldier kept both hands locked on the wheel, spine rigid.
He was terrified of being alone with the prince; after all, Rain was the weapon he was delivering.
When they arrived, Rain stepped out without a word and headed straight for the strategy room, leaving the royal guard behind; his duty fulfilled.
Soldiers rushed through the corridors in organised chaos, several stopping mid-stride to salute him before continuing.
The strategy room was overflowing, hundreds of soldiers packed shoulder to shoulder, spilling into the hallway. Only the backs of heads were visible.
As Rain approached, those heads slowly turned. They felt him before they saw him; his powerful energy rolling off him in waves. He didn’t bother masking it. The crowd parted instinctively, carving a path for him without a single word or gesture.
“Your Highness, good, you are here,” the General said, visibly strained as Rain reached him.
“What are the orders?” Rain asked, cutting straight to the point.
“You are being sent into Burgundy.” The General handed him the directive. A large portion of the crowd quietly dispersed, their survival instincts kicking in. Rain wasn’t an immediate threat, but they knew better than to linger near him when he was summoned like this.
“Plans have changed, I see.” Rain scanned the document. Surprised to see he wasn’t expected to assassinate the red king just yet. “It states that only five soldiers will accompany me.” His eyes flicked to the table, studying the battle formation laid out. “What are your orders, Toyne?”
The General grimaced at the use of his name without title but forced himself to remain composed.
“His Majesty has called for an offensive attack on the southern region. We are to create a distraction, Your Highness.” Toyne paused, the permanent crease in his brow deepening.
Rain felt the king’s influence tightening around the man’s mind like a leash.
“With all eyes on us… you should be able to successfully achieve your objective.”
“And what is it I am expected to retrieve, General? This objective is vague. I have no room to prepare for what is within that tower. Surely, he is not sending me in blind.” Rain balled the paper in his fist, frustration rising. “I need more information.”
“With all due respect, Your Highness, I am not at liberty to share anything further,” Toyne replied, voice flat, almost mechanical.
Rain growled, the sound low and dangerous. Several soldiers shifted uneasily.
“I will not go into enemy territory without a full briefing,” he insisted. “I am not simply one of the men under your chain of command, General. I am your crown prince.”
“Respectfully, sir,” Toyne muttered through clenched teeth, “I am not at liberty to divulge any top-secret information regarding your directive.”
Rain’s frustration snapped. He realised he would get nothing from Toyne’s mouth; his father’s influence was too strong. If he wanted answers, he would have to take them.
He hated this. Hated using his power on a man he respected like a father. But he also knew the king would not hesitate to weaponize ignorance against him.
Without hesitation, Rain thrust his hand forward, sending a channel of energy slamming into the General, pinning him against the wall.
Gasps erupted around the room. Toyne shouted in shock.
Several soldiers stepped forward on instinct, but Rain flicked his power outward, nudging them back with a warning pulse.
He erected an energetic barrier around them, sealing out interference.
Then he prowled toward the General with the slow deliberation of a predator toying with its prey.
“I do not seem to have much patience today, General,” Rain said mockingly.
His eyes drifted to the wall where two Blue flags hung from ornate brass poles in a crossed formation. With a flick of his power, he snapped one pole free and summoned it into his palm. He tested its weight, then pressed it firmly against Toyne’s chest, just below the collarbone.
“So, it seems we’re doing this the hard way.”
He pressed harder. Sweat beaded down Toyne’s temple, his eyes darting around the room searching for help. There was no help. Nobody in this room could save him.
“What am I being sent to retrieve?” Rain demanded, focusing on the man’s energy, witnessing emotions flicker like sparks.
“I… can’t…” Toyne stuttered, fighting himself. “I am not at liberty to divulge that information.” His pulse spiked. His energy screamed that he wanted to tell Rain everything he knew but the king’s influence held fast.
“Am I being sent to my death?” Rain asked, shifting tactics.
“No! The king no longer wishes you dead, Your Highness,” Toyne croaked.
Rain tilted his head. That alone was telling. His father was counting on the Pink Kingdom’s allegiance.
“He insisted we send you with our best officers. Your safety is to be their top priority.”
“Is he expecting me to run into any problems?”
Toyne shook his head rigorously.
“Not at all. His Majesty believes this is something you could accomplish alone. However…” He hesitated. “He wanted to prevent incidents that may occur if you were to be discovered.”
Rain’s jaw tightened.
“And what is within that tower?”
“I am not at lib—”
“Liberty to discuss. Blah blah blah,” Rain snapped. “yes, I heard you.”
He slid the pole upward, pressing it against Toyne’s throat, cutting off his air. The General’s eyes bulged.
“I command you, General Toyne. Tell me what I am to retrieve from that tower.”
He didn’t loosen his grip. Instead, he dove into the man’s energy, searching for the truth buried beneath the king’s influence. As the man panicked, gasping tiny amounts air, he felt it—faint, flickering, desperate to surface.
“TELL ME!” Rain roared, spit flying, fully cutting off Toyne’s air.
As the General’s energy shifted into survival mode, the king’s influence weakened.
“What is in the tower?” Rain probed again.
A single word flitted into his mind.
Female.
Rain stepped back, dropping the pole. Success. His power held Toyne upright as he gasped for air.
“Thank you, General. I apologise for having to do that to you.” Rain’s voice softened, genuine remorse in his eyes. “Now that I have the answer… can you tell me what my father wants with a female locked away in a tower? Who is she?”
Toyne’s eyes widened. Rain released him. The General collapsed to his knees, clutching his chest as he fought to breathe.
After a painful minute, he rasped:
“All I know is that the king has an unlikely Red ally. They specifically requested that you rescue the female. I… I don’t know who it is, I swear. In return, they will attempt to assassinate King Drazier from within.”
The king’s influence had finally broken.
Interesting.
Rain recalled Raymon’s warning; Drazier had bigger threats within his own court. This could still be a trap, but it was unlike Azrien to trust an enemy’s word. Cruel and reckless as he was, he was also calculating.
Rain’s earlier apprehension began to ease. He wasn’t being sent into the heart of battle after all. Despite the Gods granting him better control, he wasn’t eager to test the limits of that control in open warfare.
“Your Highness!” a voice called from the crowd. “Your Highness!”
Rain turned as a stocky redhead pushed forward. His tag read Corporal.
He saluted. “Permission to speak, sir.”
“At ease, Corporal. Permission granted.”
“Corporal Hamish, sir. I have been ordered to escort you. I am one of the five selected to accompany you on this mission.”
He nodded, then turned back to Toyne.
“General Toyne, I apologise for the methods I used to retrieve the information the king hid from me. As always, you have my discretion and my respect. I hope you can forgive me.”
He held the General’s gaze a moment longer, ensuring he was stable.
“Best of luck on the field.”
Rain turned and followed Corporal Hamish out of the building. The crowd parted for him again; this time not out of fear, but awe.