Chapter 38
The sun had only just begun to peek over the horizon when they finally reached the border. Fortunately, the remainder of the journey has been uneventful.
It felt wrong; too easy but the vibrant pink banners fluttering in the dawn breeze told him he’d made it.
A cluster of high-pitched roofed tents sprawled across the dunes like a desert mirage, each one draped in shades of rose, fuchsia, and coral.
Even their barracks were extravagant. Rain was quickly learning that everything Pink touched became theatrical.
Two soldiers sat by a dying fire, playing cards. One mortal. One Aetherial. Both startled violently when Rain stepped from the shadows.
“Woah—who goes there?”
The aetherial soldier leapt to his feet, instinctively shielding his companion.
Rain raised both hands, palms open.
“Hello. Please, stand down. I mean no harm.”
He stepped into the firelight; exhaustion etched into every line of his face.
“I am Prince Rain Royale of the Blue Kingdom. I come seeking assistance to transport myself and my party safely back into Grey territory.”
Both soldiers dropped to their knees so fast the sand puffed beneath them.
“Your Highness,” they said in unison, bowing low.
Rain blinked.
Even his own people didn’t bow at his feet like that.
“Thank you,” he said gently. “Could you wake whoever is in charge? And if possible, contact King Taffy.”
They remained bowed, heads lifted just enough to respond.
“Indeed, Your Highness. Right away.”
They didn’t move.
Rain stared at them for a beat before realising.
“Oh—apologies. Forgive my exhaustion. Please stand. No formalities necessary.”
He stifled a yawn. It had been forty-seven hours and counting since he’d slept properly.
“I also ask for discretion. Half of my company is under my protection. The fewer people who know we’re here, the better.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the aetherial soldier said as they rose.
“Moe,” he added, turning to the mortal, “wake Shailon. Relay His Highness’s request. Then wake M’Harrah. Tell her to contact the palace and get His Majesty on the line.”
“Yes, sir.” Moe saluted, bowed to Rain, and sprinted into the camp.
The aetherial turned back to Rain, offering his hand.
“Your Highness, I am Duke Henry Rosenberry.”
Rain shook it, surprised by the strength in the man’s grip.
“A duke serving in the Pink army?” Rain asked. “Is that common practice?”
“Yes,” Henry replied with a nod. “Here in the Pink Kingdom, all Aetherials give fifty years of service to our king. Some of us choose to stay longer. This is my one hundred and tenth year.”
Rain’s brows lifted.
“We believe it gives us perspective,” Henry continued. “To live and serve alongside our civilians. It has helped us maintain peace; unlike other kingdoms.”
Rain exhaled softly.
“Interesting.”
He meant it.
But his mind was too fogged with exhaustion and responsibility to explore the topic further. Everything hinged on what happened next. He was in ally territory, yes but he couldn’t relax. Not until he knew King Taffy would honour his request and keep his secrets from Azrien.
He prayed the Pink King’s fascination with him would work in his favour.
“Your Highness,” Henry said, “would you like to invite your company to rest within the camp? We can accommodate you while we arrange transport.”
Rain’s body screamed yes.
But he couldn’t risk it.
The princesses’ identities had to remain hidden.
Scarlet and Rose were unstable.
Briar was dangerous.
Ember was vulnerable.
And Rain would not risk a single Pink civilian.
“Thank you, Duke,” Rain said. “But we are in a hurry. Half of my company is vulnerable and unstable. I need to get them to our drop-off point as soon as possible.”
Henry nodded, curiosity flickering in his aura but he didn’t pry.
Another energy signature approached: alert, self-important, and mildly irritated. Rain turned toward it as a short, plump man waddled into view, adjusting his uniform with unnecessary flourish.
Henry straightened.
“Ah. Captain Shailon.”
“Welcome, Your Highness!”
Captain Shailon threw himself to his knees with such theatrical enthusiasm that his round belly wobbled beneath him. He balanced there, breathless, beaming up at Rain as though greeting a long-lost deity.
Rain blinked, amused despite himself.
“Rise, please,” he said gently. “Captain, I’m sorry to intrude at such an hour. I require two vehicles to transport myself and my squad into Grey Territory. I also need a way to contact a few friends after speaking with King Taffy.”
“We can assist you with that. We can, can’t we, Rosenberry?”
Shailon looked to the Duke with the desperation of a man terrified of making the wrong call.
“Yes, Captain,” Henry replied smoothly. “The Blue Prince is our ally. We are authorised to help him in any way he needs; provided his requests are reasonable. And I would say they are.”
Shailon nodded vigorously, clinging to Henry’s words like a lifeline.
“Yes, yes, of course.” He turned back to Rain; hands braced on his lower back as though it helped him stay upright. “Your Highness, bring your troops. Take advantage of our hospitality.”
“His Highness has politely declined,” Henry interjected before Rain had to repeat himself. “Moe is waking M’Harrah now. She’ll contact the palace for His Majesty. We should escort the Prince to communications.”
He turned to Rain.
“How many do we need to transport?”
“I will need to borrow two vehicles,” Rain said. “It is imperative that we travel alone.”
Both men stared at him, suspicion flickering in their energy.
“It is in your best interest not to ask too many questions,” Rain added quietly. “I wouldn’t wish to incriminate anyone from Pink.”
Shailon sputtered.
“We can’t allow you to travel without an escort, right, Rosenberry?”
Rain exhaled sharply.
Why was he negotiating with the captain if the captain relied on the Duke to answer for him?
Henry offered Rain an apologetic smile; he understood the frustration.
Rain stepped forward, voice low but razor-sharp.
“Captain, I don’t have time for niceties. We are exhausted. My squad and I have spent two days walking through this climate across equally brutal terrain. I have lost one man. Another is injured. And there are four vulnerable persons among us.”
Shailon’s eyes widened.
“I am telling you what I require,” Rain continued. “I hope you will help freely, as per our alliance. But I will be leaving with what I need regardless. Forgive my bluntness; I do not have the capacity for diplomacy right now.”
The captain’s jaw dropped. He looked helplessly at Henry, silently begging for rescue.
Henry cleared his throat and patted Shailon’s shoulder.
“Come. Let’s take the Prince to communications.”
Shailon nodded, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Rain suspected the man rarely dealt with anyone of importance; likely why he’d been stationed at a quiet border post.
They led Rain through a maze of tents. Soldiers slept inside, their energy signatures stirring as dawn brightened the sky. The Pink Kingdom’s tents were a design of whimsical pale pink and cream stripes, reminiscent of festival pavilions rather than military structures.
They stopped at a smaller, square tent with a flat roof. Henry held the flap aside.
Inside, a tall aetherial woman worked over a tangle of wires on a long white table. She froze when Rain entered, then dropped to her knees.
“Please, don’t bow,” Rain sighed, pulling out the nearest chair and rubbing his face.
“How long until you have the palace on the line, M’Harrah?” Henry asked.
“The King is ready,” she said, plugging in a final wire. “Connecting now.”
A hologram flickered to life; King Taffy appeared, wrapped in a mauve velvet robe, seated at a cherry-wood desk. Rose-gold accents spiralled along maroon walls behind him.
“Rain, dear boy!” Taffy exclaimed, brightening instantly. “You look like you’ve seen better days. I hope it isn’t bad news that dragged me from slumber.”
“Your Majesty,” Rain said, straightening. “Forgive the early intrusion. If it weren’t urgent, I would have waited.”
“Nonsense. And please—no formalities. We are to be kin, after all.”
Rain inhaled.
“About that.”
Taffy’s expression sobered.
Rain leaned forward, palms pressed together on the table.
“I would like to counter your proposal or rather, build upon it. I must stress that I speak only for myself. My father knows nothing of this. Whatever we discuss must remain between us, regardless of the outcome. I am taking a great risk speaking so openly. I hope you can respect that.”
Taffy’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“I am all ears, boy. Despite what people think of us Pink folk, we are nothing if not cleverly discreet.”
He winked.
“Everyone, leave us. Duke Rosenberry, stay.”
The soldiers obeyed immediately; Rain felt their energy signatures retreat. Impressive. His own troops would have tried to eavesdrop.
“Henry is my cousin,” Taffy said. “He can be trusted.”
Henry smiled and took a seat.
Rain exhaled.
“I don’t know where to begin. So, I’ll get to the point. I have rescued four Red princesses from detainment.”
Henry gasped.
Taffy’s brows shot up.
“My father sent me to retrieve ‘something’ from deep within Red territory. A vague instruction at best. I learned I was to collect a female at the request of someone in the Red court—a deal my father made.”
Rain’s jaw tightened.
“My father doesn’t trust me. And rightfully so, because I am about to undermine him completely.”
Taffy leaned forward, intrigued.
“When I arrived, I found Drazier’s daughters. Locked in towers. Rotting in neglect.”
Henry’s hand flew to his mouth.
Rain continued.
“I was meant to retrieve the eldest and bring her back to Blue territory; to whatever fate my father intended. I will not be doing that. I have all four princesses. They are frail in body but incredibly powerful, lacking control. I intend to house them safely, out of reach, and get them the help they need to master their powers. I will give them autonomy.”
Taffy’s expression softened.
“Very noble,” he said warmly.
Rain swallowed.
“Sir… I request your allegiance to my cause. I need all the help I can get. In return, I will agree wholeheartedly to marry your daughter under the conditions you proposed. But know this; it means your army will be under my command, supporting my cause. Not the cause of the current King of the Blue Kingdom.”
Rain lifted his gaze from the table.
He expected shock.
Suspicion.
Outrage.
Instead, King Taffy smiled; warm, delighted, almost proud.
“Excellent!”
Taffy’s joy burst across the hologram like sunrise; bright, unrestrained, almost boyish. He clapped his hands together as though Rain had just gifted him the crown jewels.
“That is exactly what we intended when we suggested the proposal. My wife and I see great potential in you, Rain. And we have sensed… changes coming to the realm. We seek to be on the right side of history.”
Rain’s stomach twisted.
He hated the idea of marrying a stranger—hated the inevitability of it—but he forced the feeling down. This was the opportunity he needed. A powerful army. A loyal ally. A kingdom his father underestimated.
Taffy continued, eyes twinkling.
“We believe in you. And we believe your union with our Candy is fated. You both simply need a nudge toward each other; equally stubborn, equally strong-willed.”
Rain swallowed hard.
Fated.
Right.
“Then we have an agreement?” he asked, needing the words spoken aloud.
“Of course!” Taffy beamed. “Anything you require is yours. As a gesture of good faith, I will give you command of the western region now. I trust you will use them wisely and discreetly.”
Rain’s heart skipped.
That was… enormous.
More than he’d dared hope for.
“Henry,” Taffy said, “bear witness and ensure everything goes smoothly for Rain today. I will address my general and make the relevant changes in command at once.”
Henry nodded, smiling with genuine pride.
“We do not need to involve Azrien,” Taffy added. “Should he come looking my way, I will remain blissfully unaware. You simply crossed my borders and requested a ride home. As your dutiful ally and future in-laws, we were happy to provide transportation.”
Rain smirked despite his exhaustion. His enthusiasm was infectious.
“Once you are officially married to Candy,” Taffy said, “my army is yours. The princesses. Do you have a plan?”
“I do.”
Rain explained everything.
The Order of Aurora.
Isarion’s pledge to assist him, leaving out the parts that labelled him as a king.
The Shadow Guard’s safehouses.
The need for secrecy.
The necessity of abandoning his squad at the border to protect them.
The long-term goal of moving the girls into White territory under the Order’s protection.
He laid it all bare; every risk, every betrayal, every hope. It was a leap of faith; one he felt was the right thing to do.
Taffy listened without interruption.
Henry’s energy radiated shock, then admiration, then fierce loyalty.
Rain felt something he hadn’t expected:
trust.
Real trust.
Not political convenience.
Not manipulation.
Not fear.
These people—these strangers—were willing to stand with him.
“I wish you good luck,” Taffy said warmly as the conversation wound down. “My wife and daughter will attend dinner at your home next Cyrday. I, unfortunately, will not.”
He paused, mischief glinting in his eyes.
“I do hope your first meeting goes well. Candy can be a handful, but it is her armour. It would do well to remember that.”
“Quite a handful,” Henry added with a knowing smile.
Rain kept his internal groan to himself.
The last thing he needed was a pampered princess with a temper.
“She sounds… intriguing,” he managed, though intrigue was the last thing he felt.
“One more thing,” Rain added before Taffy could disconnect. “Sir, I would like to remove Captain Shailon from his position and appoint Duke Rosenberry as captain. I need my next in command to be competent and reliable.”
Taffy waved a hand.
“They are yours to command. Do as you see fit. Goodbye for now.”
The hologram flickered; then vanished.