Page 355 of Flirting with Darkness

“But maybe I should help you find the obol?”

“No Rae!” I lash my words as hard as I can, but I force a smile as not to frighten her. “Please promise you’ll never touch that stone. If you find it, just wait for me. But by all means do not touch it. If the Changelings were to do anything to you I—”

Placing her small pointer finger on my lips, Rae smiles, looking up at me through her thick lashes. “Shush,” she starts, adding a doting smile. “I’m not going to do anything to endanger myself. I promise.”

I sigh. “Thank you.”

“Besides, I think you’d have a harder time getting a kiss from my brother Ross to free me.” She laughs and I want to laugh with her, but the thought is unnerving. Just thinking of those wretched witches issuing a single curse upon her life is too awful to fathom.

Still, looking at her now, I can’t help smiling. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Make me smile when everything inside me says I’m at the end of my rope.”

“Well, Mr. Nyx, I suggest you tie a knot and hold on tight. Because I have it on good authority that I pull good string.” Gliding her tongue along her gleaming white teeth, Rae’s passionate prowess is on full display.

With one wink, Rae blows me a kiss, slipping out from under my hold. As she steps back, her eyes grow wide, shocked by my hiddenness. Although I’m now invisible to her, she smiles and lifts her hands tight at her waist, offering a small wave.

“I’ll meet you back here at sunset,” Rae whispers as her eyes gaze around the stable.

Thrashing the heel of my boot into a muddy puddle, it splashes, catching her attention. She smiles again, biting her lip in the most adorable way before turning quickly toward the manor.

Watching her leave is both painful and pleasurable. Painful because it hurts knowing we’re apart. Pleasurable because there’s a new and confident bounce in her stride this morning. Knowing I’m in part responsible for this new sway of her perfectly round ass, invigorates parts of me I can’t wait to share with her yet again.

And again…

21

RAE

I’m grinning like a giddy fool, I know. But neither the whipping wintry wind as I stand at the back door, nor the eminence of what will ensue once I tell my family about me and Kharon, can wipe this ridiculously girlish grin from my face.

I am in love.

Not only have I spent the night making love to the man of my dreams, but I am totally at a loss for words, knowing all we’ve become to one another in such a short time. Over the years, I could only imagine this day would come. Now that it’s here, my life will never be the same.

As much as I wish bringing my family to terms would not be an uphill battle, I am confident whatever we must face next, Kharon and I can and will do so together.

Yes, together. I love the thought of that.

“Where in blazes have you been?” I’m quickly pulled from my musing when I feel Ross’s tight hold, yank me from outside the manor into the kitchen. “So out with it, missy!” Ross snaps while looking me over.

“Good morning to you too, brother,” I reply, tearing away from his grasp.

“Oh don’t be coy with me, sister!” He bites back.

“And Merry Christmas.” I dance around him, twirling to avoid his eyes as I make my way to the fridge.

Forcing the door closed before I have a chance to grab the pitcher of juice, Ross leans his lanky frame down to meet my eyes. I’ve never been able to keep a secret from Ross. Ever. I know it’ll only take one look for him discover the truth behind my glee.

Narrowing his sharpened stare, my brother searches my face. Dragging his gaze along the entirety of me, his eyes nearly pop from their sockets as his mouth drops open in a gasp.

“You little strumpet!” He jeers, jabbing his long pointy finger into my shoulder. “Who? What? When?Where?” Ross nearly chokes out the last word as he shakes my shoulders.

“Mmm… did someone say crumpets?” The sound of our uncle’s merry tone echoes through the hallway. “I hope there’s still honey and gooseberry jam left. That is, if Ross hasn’t eaten it all!” Uncle El laughs.

“Honestly, I don’t know where he stores it.” Aunt Vivian adds, as she and Uncle El make their way into the kitchen. “I mean if I take one nibble, I’m forced to do thirty planks just to burn it off.” Chuckling like a schoolgirl, my aunt’s smile is bright as the sun as she comes into view. Although she’s normally a tad stoic and brusque, Christmas morning has always been a joyful day for her. I suppose giving birth to her only child is reason enough to celebrate. But having Melchior back home must make today better than most.

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