Chapter 29
Asharp whirring sound sliced past Rain’s right ear. A flicker of motion skimmed his peripherals as a breath of displaced air brushed his skin; followed by a solid thud as metal embedded itself in the wall behind him. Too close. Far too close.
He dropped into a low side-squat lunge just in time to avoid the next throwing star aimed for his head.
His leg swept around in a spinning arc, forcing his body into constant motion.
His heart leapt into his throat as he nearly moved straight into the path of another star, jumping at the last possible second.
Raymon laughed as it shot cleanly between Rain’s legs, missing his crotch by a miracle.
“Fuck!” Rain panted. “Touch the baby makers and you’ll end my reign before it’s begun.”
Another dodge—left rib—then immediately another—right side. He barely kept ahead of the barrage.
“I swear you’re trying to kill me.”
“If I wanted you dead, I’d have killed you five throws ago,” Raymon retorted. “Though I am concerned at how close you let that one go. It’s almost as if you aren’t that attached to your manhood.”
He launched another star with brutal force. It glided faster than the others, slicing through Rain’s T-shirt as he twisted away.
“Now that one I suspected would draw blood. Your reflexes are on point.”
“I should’ve expected you to play dirty.” Rain tore at the shredded fabric, ripping the ruined shirt off his shoulders. He bounced lightly on his feet, waiting for the next assault.
“One mention of your manhood and you start stripping. For the millionth time, I am not into males, Royale,” Raym taunted, spinning twice before releasing the next star.
Rain dropped smoothly to the floor, letting it whistle overhead.
“That’s just because you haven’t tried it yet,” he shot back, taking the bait.
Raymon responded by sending the last two stars simultaneously at different angles. Rain avoided one, but the second sliced cleanly across his bicep before embedding itself in the wall.
“Fucking ouch.” Blood trickled down his arm in a warm, steady line. “Blades hurt. Who knew.”
Raymon strode toward him, grabbed his arm, inspected the wound, then released him. “It’s just a scratch.”
“A deep scratch,” Rain muttered.
“Get it seen to when we finish. That’s an order.”
“Yes, master.” Rain bowed dramatically, smirking at Raymon’s glare.
“Seriously, I’m impressed. I expected to need to go easy on you.
” Raymon tossed him a water bottle. Rain caught it one-handed.
“We know you’re good at hand-to-hand combat, but out in the real world you rely on your power to protect yourself and others and you should.
But with the way things are escalating, it doesn’t hurt to train your reflexes and sharpen your other senses.
From what you showed today, colour me impressed. ”
He clapped a hand on Rain’s bare shoulder. “I want you capable of protecting yourself from anything that comes your way. My duty isn’t fulfilled until I know you can.”
“Thanks, Raym. I appreciate it. Even if you do have me fighting for my life too bloody early in the morning.” Rain stretched, a yawn dragging itself out of him at the mention of morning.
“Hey,” Raymon whispered, stepping closer and eyeing the guards stationed at the door. The king had ordered the royal guard to shadow Rain since Azday’s dinner; apparently realising his own son was a threat.
“I have something for you. Before Isarion left, he asked me to bring you…” Raymon lowered his voice further. “Pure Red Aetherchrome. The opportunity came up yesterday while I was across the border for my monthly recharge.”
It was an Aetherial’s birthright to access the land their power stemmed from—denying them that was like denying someone clean water.
“I visited a relative who works in the palace, close to Drazier. Let’s just say she isn’t loyal to her king.
You might be surprised to know you’re not as much a threat to Drazier as some of his own subjects are.
After I mentioned Isarion’s request, she insisted on retrieving some from the palace vault for you. ”
He pulled a red velvet pouch from his pocket and pretended to clap Rain’s hand, passing it discreetly into his palm. Rain felt for the energy inside, but it was nullified—shielded by protective magic.
“Wait until you’re alone,” Raymon murmured. “I doubt anything will happen, but I’m sure you don’t want witnesses running back to His Majesty if it does. Isarion made it sound like you’d be able to channel Red Aether, which is impossible. You’re a Blue Aetherial… right?”
Rain said nothing. He simply slid the pouch into his pocket.
“Thank you for the gift, Raymon,” he whispered. “I guess he’s giving me homework even in his absence.”
Raymon eyed him suspiciously, but his energy said he preferred not to know more.
“Alright, that’s it for today. Go get that stitched and wrapped—you’re bleeding everywhere.” Raymon raised his voice, letting it echo through the training hall, giving Rain a look that said far more than he could speak aloud.
Rain nodded. He twisted his arm to inspect the damage and blinked at the amount of blood. His entire arm glistened red, from the gash at his bicep, down his wrist, dripping off his knuckles onto the floor.
The bastard got me good, he thought, smiling fondly.
After exchanging farewells, he headed toward the healing quarters, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
Two hours later, Rain was back on the training ground with the rest of the team.
Jay sat on the sidelines, watching them swing from the hanging rings.
They worked well together; after a few hiccups, they managed to keep everyone from touching the ground, making it cleanly to the other side.
Finally—a course that shouldn’t be too difficult.
The real challenge would be getting Jay across without hurting him further.
Something they’d have to improvise on the day.
Rain swung from the last set of hoops and landed lightly on his feet.
“Perfect! Give yourselves a clap on the back because we smashed that!” he praised, glancing down at his bandaged arm. He worried he’d pulled a stitch, but the white fabric remained clean. A good sign.
He joined Jay on the bench, leaning in for a kiss. The overwhelming butterflies radiating from Jay swarmed over him, warm and dizzying. Rain smiled as he pulled back.
“I will never stop loving the way you feel when I kiss you.”
“How do I feel?” Jay asked, cheeks flushing.
Rain straddled the bench, bracketing Jay with his legs, and kissed him again; this time sliding his tongue softly between Jay’s lips. Jay’s heart leapt, butterflies twirling between them as Rain mirrored the sensation back, amplifying it. Jay moaned into the kiss.
“Ooft, see? Perfection.” Rain hummed, biting his lip as he sat back. Jay’s cheeks burned red, matching his hoodie. “Come spend time with me today.”
“Is that a request or an order?” Jay teased, holding Rain’s hand where it rested on the table.
“I am prepared to get down on my knees and beg.” Rain kissed the back of Jay’s hand, then took a playful bite.
Jay jolted, wincing as pain shot through his ribs. Rain’s brow furrowed as he absorbed the flare of discomfort.
“Stop doing that.”
“It’s the least I can do for you while I’m with you. Let me make you feel better.” Rain practically pouted. “I can get us a room. I want to be alone with you.”
Jay’s heart raced again; nerves and excitement tangling together at the mere suggestion. He looked away, watching the rest of the team train their core under Jasmine’s lead.
Rain scooted closer, gently twisting Jay’s hips with his power, guiding Jay’s leg over the bench so he straddled it too, his back pressed to Rain’s chest. Jay laughed as he was manhandled by an invisible force.
Rain slid in behind him, wrapping his arms around Jay’s waist, resting his chin on his shoulder. His voice dropped to a whisper.
“I know we can’t do anything until you’re healed. I won’t risk hurting you. I just want your company. I want to hold you. I want to be with you.”
“I want that too,” Jay breathed, struggling to think with Rain so close.
Rain smiled at the effect he had on him.
“Then say yes.”
He traced kisses along Jay’s neck. Jay instinctively tilted, granting him more access.
“Please, baby.” Rain nibbled his earlobe, the pet name sent a delicious shiver along his spine.
“Yes,” Jay panted, blushing as his voice betrayed him.
“Mmm. Gods, you are intoxicating. I can’t get enough of your energy.” Rain nuzzled closer; if that was even possible.
Jay’s heart expanded, flooding Rain with such unconditional love he almost forgot where they were. Jay cleared his throat, shifting in his seat, trying to hide his modesty. Rain chuckled and loosened his hold.
“Apologies,” he smirked.
Jay pulled away, swinging his leg back under the table and hiding his face in his hands. After a moment, he resurfaced, peeking at Rain.
“Oi! Stop looking so smug!” He flapped a hand at him.
Rain caught it easily, keeping hold. “Come on, let’s go. You don’t need to watch everyone do a million sit-up variations.”
Without waiting for a response, he walked over to the team, who were struggling through their reps.
“We’re heading out. Wren, I’ll make sure he gets home safely, and I’ll organise the T-shirts for Velday. We all agreed on black, right?”
They groaned a unanimous yes, still moving.
“Sorry, I can’t hear you,” Rain teased with a wide grin.
“Fuck off,” Thomas huffed half-heartedly, making Rain laugh.
“See you all in the morning.” He laced his fingers with Jay’s as they left.
They walked in silence, hand in hand. A few people shot second glances at the prince, but otherwise it was peaceful. Rain basked in the normalcy; just two lovers walking the high street. Mundane to most, but to him, it was something he’d never believed he’d experience.
Jay hesitated as they passed a bookstore, peering through the window.
“Let’s go inside,” Rain insisted.