Page 122 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

Temi slipped her knives away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know who you were.”

He stepped into a splash of firelight and offered her a smile. “And how would you have? Don’t worry.”

She nodded, and then he turned towards me.

His face bore dark circles, his color faded even in the fire's marigold light. He wore a plain khaki robe like a shepherd might don. His eyes met mine, and a shimmer of tears washed across the warm hazel of his. “Apollo, I must speak with you.”

Temi’s gaze darted between the two of us. “There’s a lake nearby. I’m going to wash up.”

“Temi,” I gasped, willing her to stay with a look.

She raised her eyebrows and then turned, walking into the embrace of the shadows.

And then Cyn and I stood alone, the stars swirling above us.

“Where’s your guard?” I said.

His voice came gruff. “My guard?”

I kept my words dry, harsh, even. “Yes. Do you intend to get yourself killed?”

“I—” He lifted his hands, and they trembled. He shook his head. “Nevermind that. I’m here to ask you to come back with me. Don’t leave. Don’t do this.”

I curled my fingers into fists, stealing my muscles for what I must say. “As I already told you, I’m half deity. This was nothing more than a dalliance on my part. Forgive me if it seemed like more to you, but—”

“That’s bullshit!” he yelled through his teeth. He stepped in closer to me. “I’ve had time to think about that, and I don’t believe it.”

I dropped my head. “Hyacinth, I’m sorry if—”

“No.” His nose flared. “Don’t call me that.”

“It’s your name.”

“That subjects and dignitaries and enemies address me as. It’s not what my friends call me.” He pulled in even tighter, the back of his hand grazing my knuckles, his voice dropping to a shaky whisper. “It’s not what you call me.”

His flesh against mine lit me up, like lightning struck the ground and swept through my body, every nerve burnt and ragged. “Cyn”—I swallowed again—“I must go.”

He shook his head, tears breaking over his cheeks, one trailing along the gentle curve of his lip. “Then you will dignify me with the truth.”

“What truth?” I stepped back. I couldn’t deal with this, with being so close to him. I’d break. I ran my fingers through my hair. “You knew I was visiting for a short time. That period has ended. I must leave now.”

He growled, rolling his shoulders up, and he moved in closer. “Leave me then. Fucking shatter my heart. Do it. But you’ll give me an honest answer why you’re going.” He snatched my palm, and I tensed. Tears flowed down his cheeks, dripping along his neck. “Because I’m in love with you. So, I feel you owe me a godsdamn explanation.”

I flung his hand from mine and hissed through my teeth. “Don’t you understand. This”—I gestured towards him—“is why I must leave.”

His features froze, his mouth parted.

I ripped at my hair, frustration tangling through me like vines. “Do you know who I am?”

He gave a small toss of his head. “Is that a serious question?”

“Yes.”

He frowned. “You’re Apollo.”

“Exactly.” I thrust a finger at his chest. “Apollo, son of Zeus. Do you understand what that means when he realizes”—I waved my hands towards him again—“this.”

“Realizes what?” Cyn breathed.