Page 366 of Flirting with Darkness

My brother smiles at Stephen, winking back at me. Everyone laughs and my heart rejoices.

32

KHARON

Seeing the lovely smile spread across Rae’s face is all I could ever want.

It seems like only moments ago I had every intention of burning this place and everyone in it to the ground if any harm came to my sister’s stone. But like all things Rae Vereen, she brought light where there was darkness. Every desire I had to turn this place to ash quickly went away with just one look at her face.

That is why what I have to say next is the last thing I want to do.

Even more, I know it’s certainly not what she wants to hear.

“Well, I can imagine Win’s face when I tell her I’m going with you to the Netherworld. Talk about a shocker!” Rae shares a laugh with her brother. Ross buries his head into his palm, shaking it as they continue laughing.

“Oh I’m pretty sure her pretty little curls will go bone straight the minute you mention Mr. Nyx,” Ross snickers, playfully bumping his shoulder into Rae.

Dalcour sighs, shooting me a wary glance from the corner of the room as he and Abigail care for the sunburned vampire. Tightening his mouth, his expression alone tells me he may know where this is going.

“Do you think it wise to tell my sister?” Melchior blurts, pulling my attention from Dalcour’s watchful glare.

Elysian turns to his son, trying to catch his gaze, but Melchior keeps his eyes on me, purposefully ignoring his father. “Ah-hem,” he begins, patting his round belly as he steps forward. “My son has a point. Besides, Win just got Mel back. I sincerely doubt she’ll be too thrilled to hear the news ofthis—” he motions his hands toward me and Rae, “arrangement.” While Elysian’s tone may be dry and loaded with disdain for our relationship, he’s right about one thing.

Telling Winter about me and Rae or the Netherworld is not a good idea.

At her uncle’s words, the glee-filled expression brightening Rae’s face, falls to a frown. “Uncle El, look I know Win may not like the thought of me and Kharon, but she’ll understand.”

Cupping Rae’s elbow, I shake my head in caution. “I don’t know, baby. Your uncle and cousin may have a point.”

Rae’s wide eyes search mine, but she scrunches her mouth in such a cute, yet defiant way, it makes me want to take her in my arms and never let her go.

“Well, it’s not like it would be the first time Win heard how I feel about you. As a matter of fact, I told her as much just before the cotillion. All we have to do is help her understand you weren’t responsible for Melchior’s disappearance. Once she understands—”

Strengthening my hold on her arm, I give it a gentle squeeze. “It’s not about her coming to terms with us, Rae. At least not right now.”

“Then what?” Looking up at me through her still wet lashes, it pains me more than she could ever know to know what I am about to ask of her next. “What is this about, Kharon?”

“Remember when I told you that Fates like my sister Moirai can only give breadcrumbs?”

“Right, I remember. They can say the what, but not the how. Okay, got it. So?”

Swallowing the thick air in my throat, I exhale hard. This won’t be easy. “Well, Moirai said you were an anomaly. It’s important we keep you that way. We need to keep you off the Changeling’s radar. Especially if you are to go with me to my realm. Not only can the Changelings have no inkling of your connection to the Elysian’s, but we’ll have to shield that part of you.”

Rae’s eyes fall but bounce back up to mine. “Shield how?”

“Remove your memories of us,” Melchior chimes in. “They’ll have to make it like we never existed.”

“At least in your mind,” Abigail whispers back. Looking at her, I am surprised to find glassy pools behind her crimson eyes as she leans into Cedric’s shoulder. “Only temporarily,” she adds, hopeful.

Throwing up her palms, Rae steps away from me into the center of the room. “Wait a minute! You’re talking about erasing my mind. You can’t be serious!”

Closing the distance between us, I move closer. I know she needs space, but I don’t care. “No, beautiful it’s not what you think. What we’re talking about is only temporary as Abigail said.”

“But why? How? I have so many questions,” Rae grumbles, plunging her face into her hands. “Kharon, I can’t lose my family. I just can’t!”

Grabbing her wrists, I pull her hands away from her face, until our eyes meet. “I’d never let you lose your family, baby. Do you understand?” My eyes search Rae’s and she grants a small nod, blinking hard to push her tears away.

“In this instance, Ms. Vereen, I’d think this is more about you protecting your family than losing them.” Cedric’s calming tone and generous smile is more welcomed than that of last night. When he stole my obol, I swore I’d do everything in my power to end him and Lux. This morning, I couldn’t be more thankful for his support.

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