Page 156 of Crown of Olympus
I sighed. “I broke her protection pendant. The same magic that tore the secrets from our flesh stole hers too. She sobbed the admission as she lay bleeding on the ground. Honestly, the sight was worthy of a painting. But yes, that explains Caelus’ catatonic state.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Charon breathed. He shook his head, suddenly aware of the syrup sliding off the plate and pooling onto the floor. “I’ll clean that up after. But breakfast is served, Majesty.” He grinned that wicked grin, untied his apron, picked up both plates, and led us to the dining room.
“So. Caelus, huh?” He smirked. “And what exactly are you going to do about that?”
I dropped my head into my hands, narrowly avoiding the pile of syrupy-something.
“I have absolutely no idea.”
“If you want my advice?—”
“I don’t.”
“—I say go for it.”
“Nobody asked you.”
“Caelus did.” Charon winked down the table.
“What? He did? When?”
“Last night,” he paused, shooting me the most salacious smile I’d ever seen upon his face. “After certain, ah,noisescame from your bathroom.”
I choked on what I thought was blueberry pancake.
“And then bedroom,” he added, preening. “I must say, Nyss — I’m impressed. Didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Technically, I didn’t,” I mumbled.
“What was that?” Charon leaned across the table, mischief glinting in his eyes, that damned dimple cutting into his cheek. He leaned in further, dangerously close to dipping his chest in the pile of sticky goo on my plate. A dusting of flour clung to the end of his aquiline nose.
“Nothing. I said nothing.” The heat in my cheeks belied the lie, and Charon knew it.
“So, you’re telling me the golden prince himself made you scream without even sticking his lightning rod—” a wink, “—somewhere I’d prefer not to think about in relation to my adopted sister?”
I remained silent. Damned if I did, damned if I didn’t.
“Okay,nowI’m impressed,” he laughed loudly, his eyes closed as he howled — which was precisely why he didn’t see the forkful of pancake I flicked into his open mouth.
Charon’s eyes snapped open as he choked on the glob of goo sliding down his throat.
“Hint received,” he spluttered between coughs. “No more girl talk.” His eyes slid down to the mess on his plate contemplatively. He scooped up a large glob of potential-pancake and twisted the fork menacingly in his grip.
“Don’t. You. Dare.”
His lips turned up at the corners.
“It’s Selection Day, Char. I can’t afford to turn up with pancake in my hair,” I quipped, quirking a solitary black brow.
“No, you’re right. Itwouldclash with your crowns.”
He winked, dropping the fork with a clatter, and rounded the long dining table to offer his elbow.
“Shall we? After all, realms are waiting on you to save them,” he grinned good-naturedly.
I rose, taking a deep, steadying breath.
“Let’s go save them, then.”
