Chapter 25 #3
A mischievous grin tugged at his lips.
Rain let out a disbelieving laugh. “Isarion Vaelwyn, I never knew you could be such a rebel. How do you plan to get past the guards? Should I be leaving with you?” The elder had mentioned Rain would one day need to retrieve whatever the Key was.
“It is not time for you. You must not follow me, Your Majesty. Forgive my boldness—I was hoping you might help me. If you can load the trailer undetected, the first challenge is attaching it to my vehicle without drawing attention. Then I will need assistance getting the gate open and the guards out of my path. I understand if you do not wish to help. Please do not feel—”
“Say no more. I’ll handle everything, including moving your car.
” Rain cut him off. He didn’t need the elder to justify the request. He was already committed.
“You’ve been a great tutor and a friend.
I’ll miss you and your infuriatingly vague answers.
” A pang of sadness tightened his chest. “Helping you is the least I can do. Without you, I’d still be locked in my room, unable to tolerate anyone. I owe you a great debt.”
“You underestimate yourself,” Isarion said warmly. “It has been an honour to witness your growth. I look forward to seeing your reign unfold. There is no debt to repay.” Pride radiated from him before he glanced around the room. “Now—let us move quickly.”
Rain lifted the boxes one by one through the large window, guiding them down a floor and onto the trailer bed.
It had been a while since he’d used his power like this, but it came back easily, like muscle memory.
The real challenge was ensuring no one saw the boxes floating through the air.
He kept his senses spread wide, monitoring every energy signature nearby.
He paused only once when a guard passed below; he wasn’t sure if the man had a view of the windows.
Soon all of Isarion’s belongings were loaded, including the elder’s suitcase.
Then they slipped into the halls, Rain leading the way, ensuring they remained unseen.
The palace slept, save for the guards—though some of them might as well have been asleep too, their energy dull and inattentive.
Normally Rain understood it; the palace had never been breached.
But with three courts housed here during a war, this would be the perfect time for an infiltration.
In the garage, they exchanged their goodbyes.
Rain instructed Isarion to sit in the car while he moved it into position.
He rolled the garage doors up painfully slowly, keeping it quiet.
Isarion released the clutch and steered while Rain pushed the vehicle into place.
Rain attached the trailer by hand, then signalled for Isarion to start the engine and go.
Rain sprinted toward the palace boundary, avoiding guards drawn by the sound.
He watched Isarion speed down the courtyard, then he shoved the guards blocking the road aside, sending them sprawling across the lawn.
Ducking beneath a hawthorn bush, he focused on the heavy metal gates.
They groaned loudly as he forced them open.
Several guards rushed to close them, and Rain had to brace himself, countering the combined strength of eight men. His muscles trembled with the effort.
Isarion shot through the opening, beeping triumphantly as he fled.
Rain held the guards pinned until the car vanished into the night, then released them.
They stumbled, bewildered, searching for the culprit.
Rain stayed hidden, pressed low beneath the bush, the darkness shielding him.
Lights flickered on throughout the palace as people woke to the commotion.
After a minute, he slipped away, taking his usual route—scaling the palace walls and climbing back through his window. He had just enough time to throw himself onto his bed before two guards burst into his room.
“What in the fuck…?” Rain snarled, sitting up sharply, delivering an award-worthy performance of groggy outrage. “What are you doing in my room?”
“Your Highness, we came to ensure you were in your chambers,” one guard said, lowering his weapon under Rain’s glare. “We apologise for disturbing you.”
“Why wouldn’t I be in my room?” Rain demanded, letting a wave of anger roll off him. Both guards shuddered.
“I—I’m sorry, Highness. There was an incident. We thought you were…” He stopped himself.
“Are you accusing me of something?” Rain asked coldly. “It feels like you are.”
“N-no, Sir,” the guard stammered, realising the trap.
“I didn’t think so. What incident?”
“Someone has left the palace. We don’t yet know who. But they had help, Sir. Magic was used to bypass the gates.”
“And you thought I—your prince—helped someone leave my home, when I could simply order you to let them go?” Rain’s stare was lethal.
The guards froze, gormless and cornered.
“Leave.”
They fled without hesitation. Rain slammed the door behind them, a smile tugging at his lips.