The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 19

Char and Iris were on the sofa talking, with a respectable distance between them, when Elera and Rath returned close to midday. Rath dropped his armful of packages in the gap and smirked.

"Ready for a fashion show, Char?"

Char ignored his tease and stood up. "We need to get back to the barracks."

"What?" Rath asked, his face falling. "Why?"

"We've been gone too long already. I don't want Kelnor looking for us. Come on."

Elera cleared her throat. "I think you're forgetting something, Char."

"I didn't forget, Mother." He stepped toward her and put his hands on her shoulders, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. "Goodbye."

"And Iris?" she asked, her blue eyes dancing.

Iris was already unwrapping a package. She looked up quickly, her wide brown eyes flicking from Elera to Char.

"Goodbye, Iris," Char said simply, turning away and heading for the door.

"Goodbye, Char," she called back.

Rath caught up to Char on the street. "That's it? No kiss?"

Char snorted. "Not in front of you and Mother."

"So you did kiss her!" Rath said triumphantly.

"Of course I kissed her," Char replied, smirking.

"And?"

"And what?"

"Anything else?"

Char shot his brother a glare. "You do realize what she's been through this past week, right?"

Rath shrugged. "A simple 'no' would suffice."

"Rath!"

They looked toward the excited female voice, and Misa was running toward them. She threw her arms around Rath's neck and planted a kiss on his lips before he could react. The passersby on the street smiled knowingly and looked away.

"That's quite a hello," Rath said breathlessly, resting his hands on her hips.

"You're coming to my party, right?" she asked, her arms still around his neck.

"Tonight?" Rath asked, glancing over at Char uncertainly.

"Yes, tonight," she said teasingly, her golden eyes dancing. "Although there won't be as many people as last night. Kara said everybody from the magic school is in trouble over something."

The idea hit Char like a slap in the face. Crazy? Yes. Could it work? Yes.

"We'll be there," he said. Rath shot him a startled look, but Char just smirked at him. "Didn't you want to see Misa in that new dress you bought her?"

"You didn't!" she squealed, kissing him again.

"Well, I just saw it and thought of you," Rath said smoothly. "Eight o'clock again?"

"Yes." She gave him another kiss and pulled away. "I still have a lot to get ready, so I'll have to go. See you later!" She waved and dashed away, leaving Rath slightly dazed.

"What are you thinking?" he asked Char.

"Come on. You have a dress to buy," Char said, grabbing Rath's arm and pulling him along.

"Char."

"Anything for a party in those packages?" Char asked, sending Rath a sideways glance.

Rath gaped at him. "Seriously? That's your plan? I thought we were hiding her."