III

Smolder

TWENTY-ONE

Blacken

Tomorrow turned out to be a good day. And the next. And the next. In fact, Nox couldn’t name one bad day among the last thirty.

Every day began and ended with Rayne. Her black and white hair, her sweet smile, and her tempting, revealing outfits filled every morning and every night. But in between…

“Prepare to experience pain unlike you’ve ever imagined, and yes, I see you rolling your eyes.”

Nox stared out at his audience of two or three thousand. The Shadow had designed a special facility to house the remnants of Imminent and proprietors of illegal vice during rehabilitation. The size of an intergalactic stadium, it was built in an ocean and surrounded by nacre shielding. No one with a nacre could enter or leave without permission. Apartments—decorated in black, white, and gray, and surrounded by various ecosystems of vegetation and water—provided some tranquility and allowed prisoners some privacy. The program met all their basic needs. Reformists, like Nox, consented to let technicians secure them into stasis pods, fitted with Divine Booth technology.

This was week three, and it was time for a fully immersive experience. Most, like Cinderken—the second pod on row one—were familiar with the advanced port features from Razor’s Emporium. But he’d experienced nothing like this.

Nox’s image was streamed onto the dome above them as he continued his explanation. “We’ve collected one volunteer among your list of victims to provide today’s lesson. It is the first of many. Take it from me: you will never look at yourself the same way again. Not after today.”

No one rolled their eyes this time. They stared back at Nox with apprehension. He was living testimony to the transformation.

Nox looked off to the side, where Kyle leaned in an archway. The young man gave a nod, and Nox ordered, “Begin.”

The pods initiated memory sequences which were transferred from the memory banks of their victims. The reformists would feel everything they’d inflicted on the Shadow’s hand-selected volunteers.

After two seconds, the screaming began.

Begging and tears followed.

Nox prayed to Elden this would work. Some people believed the prayers still reached Elden, and that he answered through the Source. Others sent their prayers to Rayne, saying her white hair was proof of her ascension into a deity. It made her uncomfortable, and Xelan didn’t encourage it among their citizens.

The Twelve Worlds were in the middle of an adjustment period, and some growing pains were expected. For instance, Nox’s trial was televised because of overwhelming demand from the populace. Everything had gone as expected. Nox pleaded his Verse, and Rayne explained their rehabilitation together. What they didn’t expect was for Xelan to testify on Nox’s sacrifice for Elden and Rayne.

“Nox is capable of good, your majesties. I have seen it.” Xelan looked away from the King Elects and met Nox’s eyes. “Good has its place in Iona Pax; I’m sure we can find one for you.”

It was a moment worthy of the tears both Nox and Korac had shed, and it had proven to be the deciding factor. The council voted unanimously to not only let Nox live, but to integrate him into the workings of the empire. He would remain in Rayne’s custody in return for community service. Sagan had suggested this facility, where Nox could lend his reformation experience. But only after Kyle had subjected Nox to hours of testing the machines.

Volunteers—victims of Nox’s crimes from around the Twelve Worlds—had arrived in droves to contribute an experience. They were faces Nox had already revisited with Rayne, but now he felt their pain. Upon his first immersion, Nox had screamed within the first second. Every day, he left Rayne to some task with Xelan, Sagan, and Tameka so Nox could endure a minimum of two hours in one of those pods. And he would continue to do so until he’d faced every victim left alive—They’d estimated his sentence at approximately six hundred years.

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It was worth it.

As for Nox’s integration into the Shadow, some were more receptive than others. As they’d agreed, Jack and Rayne talked everything out during the reconstruction period, but so far, they’d yet to extend dinner or movie night invitations to Nox. Rayne refused to go without him, despite Nox’s protests.

Rayne has insisted, “I’m not asking them to accept you. Not yet, anyway. I’m asking them to accept that we’re together. Sure, I’ll go shopping, eat lunch, or have fun with anyone who asks. But big events like birthdays and Volcano Day, I want you there with me.”

Korac assured Nox the Shadow would warm up to him in time, and the General reminded his King that Korac’s relationship with Sagan was proof of that.

Hopefully, everyone showed up for today’s events. It would be a shame if anyone missed it on account of Nox.

Speaking of…

They were late.

Nox glanced over at Kyle to find him accompanied by an Icarus dressed all in black. Bald and taciturn, Caedes gestured for Nox to come over, souring Kyle further.

As Nox approached, he overheard Kyle say, “I can’t believe they’re actually doing this. I’m not even done with Nox for the day.”

Caedes responded with a “humph,” while his dark green eyes glitter with knowing.

At times such as these, Nox remained silent but observant. Nothing he could contribute would lessen Kyle’s agitation with him. But the memory Progeny was fair and never cruel, despite the power he held in the situation.

On a sigh, Kyle said, “Fine.”

“Oh, good. I thought I would have to kick your ass for ruining this event for me.”

They turned to find Sagan standing in the corridor. She’d dressed for Korac’s fare in a short sun dress, violet enough to match her eyes. All three men averted their eyes the moment their brains would let them. The material was sheer in places Rayne would appreciate.

Sagan opened a conduit, and cheers erupted from the other side as she said, “They’re waiting for you.”

“Nox! Nox! Nox!”

Kyle pinched the bridged of his nose and sighed again. “Let’s get this over with.”

Nox followed Caedes, Kyle, and Sagan through the conduit…

And they went deaf.

Truly.

Nox’s soft tissue repair system kicked into overdrive on his ear drums thus was the volume of the crowd. Korac’s old camp was packed and beyond. People gathered in mass, spilling into the surrounding fields and forests to witness today’s race.

As the event’s sponsor, Iuo announced, “Iona Pax, welcome to the Verse Triathlon.”

Kyle sighed again, even as the people roared their delight at Xelan’s trademarked title.

Rushed at the end, Iuo tacked on, “And don’t forget to tune in for tonight’s premiere of ‘Rayne’s Verse: Nox’s Release.’”

Now it was Nox’s turn to pinch the bridge of his nose.

A groan from behind whirled them around as Korac said, “How could you, Xelan?” The General was wearing a black tunic with accents to match Sagan’s eyes and her dress.

Xelan, dressed in black cargo pants and a black tank, was tying a green bandanna in his hair. The same color as Tameka’s eyes. He said, “Oh, I didn’t name it. Rayne did.”

Caedes barked out a laugh, and Sagan giggled into her hand. Kyle flipped them off as he walked away.

Nox, flabbergasted, shook his head incredulously. As Xelan and Korac fussed with their gear, it made Nox self-conscious enough to check the buckles on the blue belts which fastened his black tunic.

“You look handsome to me, Stabby.”

There it was again.

Whenever Rayne came around, a goofy grin plastered itself on Nox’s face. He looked up to find her dressed in a blue peasant top and a flowy skirt. It made her eyes brighter and gorgeous under Cinder’s clear sky. No sphere in sight.

Beside her, Tameka wore a green pantsuit, cropped to show off her midriff. She wasn’t showing yet, but her tawny skin glowed with pregnancy. The Co-Emperor looked regal and moved with an effortless grace Nox respected in the fighter.

Pax was in the stands with Chris and Karter, waving in his little three-piece with a bowtie.

Sagan joined the girls, and the three of them in a line together made for an awesome sight.

Xelan said, “We’re lucky.”

Nox caught Korac’s glimpse, and they both looked at Xelan for how to set today’s mood. Without jinxing it, Nox admitted to himself things were getting easier between the brothers. And he treasured it.

Rayne glanced out into the crowd and beamed. “They’re here.” She gestured for Nox to look.

Among the Shadow, Silence waved and pointed in the front row with her. Twelve children stood in the stands, waving and cheering. One was a redheaded little girl, Mifa, and the other was a shy little boy, Jet—looking less withdrawn than the day they’d left him with Celindria’s orphanage.

Nox waved to them, prompting Xelan and Korac to glance back.

Sagan asked, “Friends of yours?”

But Xelan seemed to know the answer to the question. “You had them brought here?” There was appreciation in his eyes.

Nox gave a single nod. He didn’t wish to make a spectacle of it, but Rayne beamed bright enough for the both of them.

Korac stared at the interaction, and hope flickered in his eyes.

Iuo said, “Our racers will say mark, and we’ll begin.”

That was their cue.

Tameka walked over to Xelan, kissed him, and for some reason slipped her pants down to her hip—

Oh.

Wingmaster.

Xelan grinned, and his midnight eyes held a promise that was none of Nox’s business.

To that end, Sagan went to Korac and retrieved something from her bag—

Korac barked out a laugh and kissed her abruptly. While they kissed, he held the item up in the air for the crowd to see…

Her purple bra.

The audience cheered.

Xelan and Nox chuckled at the same time. It happened often, and the brothers tried to ignore the awkwardness of the simultaneous occurrence.

Rayne went last and took Nox’s hand. In it, she placed…

The same ribbon from the last race. It looked a little worse for wear, but its significance transcended their relationship. While Nox stared at it, Rayne got on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. She whispered, “Win or lose, you still get the prize.”

Nox grinned.

Rayne had no idea how true that was.