Chapter 47
Afrightful scream tore through the air the moment Rain and Snow stepped out of the car at Greyswater.
The sound was sharp enough to slice straight through Rain’s spine.
Snow froze mid-step. Rain’s heart lurched. The scream wasn’t loud but it was raw, panicked, the kind that came from someone small and terrified.
They both snapped their heads toward the house.
Several unfamiliar vehicles crowded the driveway; sleek, white, unmarked. Wrong and out of place. Rain’s instincts flared instantly. No one should have been able to approach this property without his knowledge. That was the rule. His rule. And if anything had happened to the princesses…
He didn’t finish the thought.
Rain and Snow exchanged a single, tense glance, a silent agreement of shared dread, before Snow bolted toward the front door. Rain followed, sending out his empathic feelers as he ran, scanning the energies inside the house.
Relief hit him first; Elder Isarion’s familiar signature glowed like a steady flame.
Then annoyance.
Friendlies or not, they had no right to enter without his knowledge. If the girls had been harmed, heads would roll.
They stormed into the house.
The living room was overrun by figures in stark white robes; members of the Order of Aurora, their presence dominating the space with an unsettling stillness. One of them held Briar limp in his arms.
Rain’s fury ignited instantly.
It radiated off him in waves so intense that every robed figure turned toward him at once, eyes widening, shoulders tensing. The air thickened, charged with the weight of his anger. Upon seeing him they shifted into bows of submission.
Rose sat curled in her rocking chair in the corner, rocking frantically, her amber eyes darting around the room like a frightened doe. When she spotted Rain, her shoulders loosened, her breath easing.
Ember pressed herself against the wall, trembling like a kitten cornered by wolves.
Snow rushed to them without hesitation. Ember practically leapt into her arms, clinging to her like a lifeline. Snow gathered Rose’s hand in her own, glaring daggers at the intruders.
“What is wrong with you?” she snapped, voice sharp with protective fury.
Rain stepped deeper into the room; his gaze locked on the male holding Briar. He took her from his arms with a controlled, lethal calm, pulling her close to his chest. He scanned her energy thoroughly; searching for signs of injury.
She was unharmed.
Just unconscious.
Forced into slumber.
His jaw tightened.
Only then did he turn back to the room.
“Where is Rosenberry and Scarlet?” he demanded.
No one answered quickly enough.
Rain’s head snapped toward Isarion.
The Elder clutched his forearm, grimacing; Briar’s hit had clearly landed before she was subdued. Rain’s fury eased only slightly.
“Isarion,” Rain said, voice low and dangerous. “Explain yourself. Quickly. And don’t miss the part where I was not informed of your arrival—meaning I was not here to prevent you from further traumatising the princesses under my care and protection.”
Isarion lowered his hood, adjusting his long white braid over his shoulder before bowing deeply. The others followed suit.
“Your Majesty,” Isarion began, voice steady but tinged with regret, “the lack of communication with you directly was unwise. I spoke with David and expected he would inform you of our arrival. It will not happen again.”
He remained bowed but risked a glance upward. His sky-blue eyes, framed by thick white brows, searched Rain’s expression.
Rain exhaled sharply through his nose.
“It is unacceptable, Elder. I expected better from you.”
He nodded toward Isarion’s arm.
“At least Briar got a hit in before you incapacitated her. It hurts, doesn’t it.”
Isarion rubbed his arm with a wince. “Oh yes. A powerful little gem she is.”
“It will linger,” Rain said coolly. “Let it serve as a reminder not to encroach on my residence without permission.”
His patience was thin, still frayed from the confrontation with his father and he would not tolerate disrespect from those who claimed fealty to him.
“The Duke,” Rain continued. “Where is he? And for gods’ sake, rise.”
The robed visitors lifted their heads. Isarion smiled faintly, pride flickering in his aura — he saw a king forming before him.
“He is outside, Sire,” Isarion said. “The other princess panicked at the sight of us. He allowed us entry and hurried her outside. That triggered the young fire-forged to attack me. Our sister Lesker”—he motioned to the woman beside him—“used her ability to render someone unconscious. It was a necessary act, though it is painful if resisted. The youngling screamed, but she is unharmed, as you can see. We arrived only moments before you.”
Rain huffed, irritation softening into reluctant acceptance.
“Our versions of ‘necessary’ differ, Isarion,” he muttered. “But it is good to see you.”
He placed Briar gently on the antique cushioned couch, brushing a stray curl from her deceptively angelic face. A pang of worry tugged at him, but he pushed it aside. She was safe.
He turned to Snow, who was soothing Ember in her arms.
“Are you okay to watch over them while I speak with the Order?”
Snow nodded, her gaze sharp; a silent demand that he make the right choices for the girls. Rain gave a subtle nod in return.
He faced Isarion again.
“Right. Follow me into the garden. I’ll have Rosenberry prepare tea. Scarlet feels calm but allow me to exit first so she doesn’t accidentally scorch one of you into an early grave.”
A small squeak sounded behind him.
Rose.
She leapt from her rocking chair and grabbed Rain’s hand, her delicate fingers trembling. Her energy was scattered; a tangled knot of fear, dread and confusion threatened to drag her behind the mental walls she used to escape trauma.
Rain shifted, pulling her into his arms. He wrapped her tightly, sending calming energy into her until her trembling eased and the walls receded.
“It’s okay,” he murmured. “You’re safe. Just as I promised. These are our friends. Remember I told you about Elder Isarion? They’re here to help teach you, just like he taught me.”
She squeezed him as tightly as her frail arms allowed, her voice muffled against his shirt.
“I am sorry I wasn’t here.”
He held her a moment longer before she pulled away, her energy brightening, her warm smile returning as she glanced at the visitors.
Once he was certain the girls were settled, Rain guided the Order toward the gardens.
As he stepped through the French doors onto the patio, Scarlet bounded up to him, her flame-bright aura buzzing with excitement.
“Rainbow King!”
Scarlet’s voice rang out like a burst of sunlight breaking through storm clouds. She beamed up at him, amber eyes warm and bright, her smile stretching gloriously wide as she threw her arms around him in a quick, exuberant hug.
Rain’s chest loosened at the sight of her, she was alive, unharmed and glowing with confidence instead of fear.
“I’m glad to see you’re doing okay. No fire?” he asked, scanning her quickly for scorch marks or signs of a flare. “I’m sorry our guests arrived without warning. I’ll make sure that never happens again.”
Behind her, Duke Henry stiffened, guilt flickering across his features. He had been given a direct order to protect the princesses from anyone who approached, and he had let the Order inside without hesitation. The realisation hit him belatedly, his posture tightening with apprehension.
Scarlet, oblivious to his discomfort, spoke animatedly.
“I was just shocked to see them in hoods. It made me feel scared. I didn’t want to be taken away again, and my heart was beating fast, and I thought it would light my fire.” She tapped her chest where her flames usually appeared. “But I controlled it! Henry helped keep me calm.”
Rain flicked a side glance at the Duke; a silent acknowledgement of gratitude, before returning his full attention to Scarlet. He squeezed her hands gently, pride warming his voice.
“That’s amazing. You’re doing great. I’m proud of how far you’ve come.”
He nodded toward the house. “Your sisters are with Snow in the living room. Would you like to join them while I speak with our guests?”
Scarlet nodded eagerly.
Rain looked around at the gathered Order members, all watching the interaction with varying degrees of curiosity and caution. He sighed.
“Please, take a seat. Henry, would you bring out refreshments? We’ll discuss what happened later.”
Henry bowed and guided Scarlet inside. The Order settled into the garden chairs, though their postures remained stiff, uncertain.
Isarion rubbed at his arm again, the pain still lingering deep in the tendons. Rain reached forward and placed a hand on the Elder’s forearm.
A soft pulse of energy flowed from Rain’s palm.
Isarion gasped — the pain vanished instantly.
“H–H–How?” he sputtered, white brows knitting together in astonishment.
Rain smirked, leaning back in his seat.
“I’m not sure what triggered this power. It’s new. It only works through touch, and it transfers the pain into me, which isn’t ideal.” He shrugged. “I haven’t begun to understand its full extent.”
Isarion’s delight was palpable. He shot a triumphant look at one of his companions, as if to say, I told you so.
“How many powers do you have now, Sire?” he asked.
Rain’s unease flickered. He wasn’t ready to reveal everything, not to strangers who had already overstepped.
“Perhaps we can discuss that another time,” he said smoothly. “For now, this isn’t about me. You’re here to discuss the Red Princesses, yes?”
His gaze drifted over the five members of the Order. With their hoods down, their faces were fully visible.
Sister Lesker stood out immediately.
She was striking; impossibly so. Her beauty was sharp, symmetrical, almost ethereal. Her hair, a flowing wave of white-blonde, fell to her waist, characteristic of the White Aetherial. Her icy blue eyes were framed by a deep navy ring, making them even more arresting.
She radiated maturity and authority, though her skin showed no sign of age.