It was nearly one in the morning when Darius finally returned home with the others after Emma’s victory celebration.
He carried Lyra, fast asleep in his arms, her little hands curled around his neck. The butler, startled by the late hour, stepped forward with concern. “Sir, is everything alright? It’s late.”
Darius only grunted, brushing past him without a word.
After settling Lyra into bed, he made his way to the master bedroom. The moment he flicked on the lights, he paused.
The room was empty.
Turning to the butler, he asked, “Rae didn’t come home tonight?”
The man shook his head. “No, sir. She hasn’t been home.”
Darius stilled, his expression unreadable. Rae had been disappearing more often lately. Quietly. Without explanation.
He hadn’t realized how frequent it had bec
