Page 24 of Dreaming of Darkness

Lucia’s smile was bright, “And you must be Bailey. I know this all must be a huge shock, but I’m glad you’re here.”

Bailey reached out a hand, then quickly retracted it. “Nice to meet you–I mean–.”

Lucia giggled, then snatched the hand back, shaking it lightly. “It appears my human manners are lacking. Excuse me, Bailey. It’s very nice to meet you.”

Their hands separated and Bailey’s pink cheeks had me biting the inside of my mouth. She was so fucking sweet, I just wanted to press kisses all over that smooth pink skin.

“Arafel says that there is an issue crossing the boundaries, right? That your bond keeps pulling one or both of you to the other?”

I nodded.

Lucia hummed, “I had an idea, and I think it’s exactly why Arafel is pacing like that.” Together, we both looked at Arafel, whose eyes narrowed at his mate. “Lucia…”

“I believe that since you are the first known bond who continuesto be able to do this, then we are going to try a few things out with you. Arafel wants you to be officially bonded. That way you are tied together and would not do anything to hurt the Underworld. I have another idea to bring to the table,” Lucia’s hands patted the wooden table between us, “I propose that we utilize the coins to grant you access to travel back and forth. Allowing Traum the chance to court you properly. And for you to have a chance to understand what life with the Other might look like.”

My jaw dropped. “The obol?”

Lucia grinned wide, “They aren’t all obols anymore. They are more than often gold now, instead of the silver you used to see so often.”

Stunned, I looked at Arafel whose face was softening. “You will trust us with the coins but not to simply move to each other.”

“The coins are traceable but let me make it clear. I do trust you. But there are forces at work that we do not always understand. It is important that you keep them safe, no matter what.”

“These coins,” Bailey spoke up, her voice soft, “They allow us to pass through the boundaries, so we can visit.”

“Like a date,” Lucia said happily, head falling back to look at her much-larger mate.

“How many?” I asked.

Arafel’s jaw tightened, “Three.”

“Three?” Bailey and I spoke together and grew silent as we watched the rulers of the dream realm.

Arafel spoke again, “I was told that at the end of three dates, most women know if a relationship will escalate.”

Lucia’s jaw dropped as she turned to stare up at Arafel. “Where did you hear that?”

To my shock, the demon lord seemed embarrassed, his charcoal cheeks darkening, “That does not matter. What matters is I’m prepared to give you three instances. Three visits to decide.”

I didn’t need three. I didn’t even need one. I knew what I wanted, and it was her. But there were different logistics that I knew we had to consider. Slowly, I looked to Bailey, who was pale but straight-backed in the chair next to me.

“Whatever you want, Bailey, I will do.”

“Three,” she said after a moment. “Three is good.”

I smiled, my hand finding hers across the armrest and squeezing. “What happens now?”

“Kharon will deliver the coins today. You will use them any time that you feel the bond growing strained. That will stop the boundary jumping that the bond is forcing. And when the three coins are up, you will be summoned here. If there is a bond in place, we will consider it settled.”

“And if there is not?” I hated myself the moment I asked. Bailey’s soft intake of breath made my blood run like ice in my veins.

Arafel looked at me carefully, “Then there are many avenues we can take. I can remove the memories of this place, of you from her mind. But unless she is bonded to an Other, she cannot know about this place. That is too much danger for her.”

People have killed, done worse than killed for information about the Underworld. He was right. Unless she accepted this bond, she would be safer knowing nothing.

She would forget about me.

I met Arafel’s glowing blue eyes. He could also take my memories but hadn’t offered. Because he knew.

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