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Apollo has a way of looking at you. An intense look that makes you unravel inside. My insides melt like gold burning in a fire.
Taking his hand softly, he doesn’t flinch at my touch. I'm certain it must be frigid compared to his. Giving him a tentative smile, I say, “You're welcome… But I have some requests. Things that will make our time together easier.”
“Anything.” His eyes were as large as the sun. Full of light.
“I don’t do well staying in any one place for too long. I know you want to protect me, but I need to be able to explore. Even if it’s the palace.” Watching him, I look at how he’s taking my request.
“Was that why you were trying to leave?” Hurt leaked into his voice as his hands surround mine. Like he was preventing me from disappearing before his eyes. “If you need the freedom to move around the palace in order to be happy, it will be done.”
“It is something that I need.” I nod. “Growing up, I moved around a lot. Sitting still, planting roots… It’s all foreign to me.”
Plus, there’s dad.
“But I didn’t leave because of you… During the solstice before we met, my dad was taken by another god.” Tears spill down onto my cheeks. “I- I- I- wanted to find him.”
My shoulders begin to shake, but even now a weight feels like it has been lifted from them.
“Pandy,” his voice dropped to a soft and comforting tone. “Had I known that I would’ve had my informants looking into this. I'll have my liaisons in the other courts be on the lookout for him.”
This was a pain that I won’t need to bear alone.
“Thank you,” I whisper as my voice cracks softly.
“Don’t mention it.” With his thumb, he dries my tears.
His gold eyes pour into me.
Drawing my hand to his lips, he kisses each of my fingers, he adds, “I have a gift for you, but it will be best received when you're in full health, only if you choose to accompany me.” Raising an eyebrow, he begs for me to answer.
A wishful look that I couldn’t explain.
This Apollo felt different.
Kinder than before.
Nodding, I reply, “Yes, I would like that.”
Apollo grin gleamed. Brighter than anything that I have ever seen.
Hope. The look was full of hope.
Strumming his lyre, Apollo had taken up the guest stool once more. A rather plain wooden chair beside my bed. After only a couple of moments sitting on it, he became frustrated, “Ugh, I hate this chair.”
“Oh?” For the past several minutes, I have watched him shifting around in his seat. Trying to get comfortable in the rock-hard chair.”
“Don’t give me those innocent eyes,” he snarks. “You know precisely what I'm talking about. This chair is terrible to sit on.”
I suggest, “Probably because it’s easier to clean.”
“Regardless, I don’t like it.” Standing, he turns to face the chair. Placing the golden lyre on my lap, Apollo states, “Hold this, thank you.”
The door to the infirmary flies opens as Apollo transforms the stool into a plush chair fit for any sitting area. The smell of bonfire smoke spreads through the room.
“Apollo!” Snaps Artemis from the doorway. “Stop with the magic. You know that it only speeds along the plague.”
The lord shoots his twin a pointed look, expressing how annoyed he was for being told what to do.
I snicker at the face he makes before asking, “Where’s the flower clipping? Did you bring the flower?”
