Page 26 of Charmed By Apollo

This was just a hug, she reminded herself. Only they happened to be lying down.

Yeah, that’s it. Just a hug. Like the kind you give friends.

As he pulled her closer, she found solace in the warmth of his embrace. For the first time since she learned of her grandmother’s condition and then subsequent death, the weight of the world seemed to lift from her shoulders. She allowed herself to lean against him, her breaths coming slow and steady.

“It’s about two hours before dawn,” he whispered softly, his voice a comforting murmur in the darkness.

She sighed contentedly, a sense of calm washing over her as she closed her eyes, allowing herself to be in the moment. In the safety of Apollo’s arms, surrounded by the stillness of the night, a sense of peace settled over her like a warm blanket, wrapping her in its comforting embrace.

The alarm blared through the air, and Geri reluctantly opened her eyes, the harsh light of her phone screen illuminating the darkness around her. She was lying on her side of the bed, free from Apollo’s embrace. But then her gaze settled on the undeniable evidence of his arousal.

She felt her cheeks heat up and stole a look at him on his back. He was asleep, his body betraying him in the most human of ways. Suppressing a snicker, she couldn’t help but marvel that even gods were not immune to the quirks of mortal physiology.

Well, I guess gods get morning wood, too.

Before she could dwell further on the amusing turn of events, Apollo stirred beside her, reached out with one hand, and pulled her closer toward him. She looked up at him as his eyes fluttered open, meeting hers with amusement and affection.

She felt her cheeks heat up even more, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips. But to her relief, he simply chuckled, his laughter warm and infectious in the dim light of dawn.

He moved her into a sitting position, then draped the bedsheet over himself. “You should get ready,” he said, his voice rough and sleep-hewn.

“Morning wood is normal, you know,” she quipped. She couldn’t help but tease him.“I don’t think it’s because of me.”

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “It’s always all about you, Geri.”

Flustered by his words, she moved to gather her clothes and disappeared into the bathroom to change. When she emerged, she found herself alone in the room, the absence of Apollo’s comforting presence leaving an ache in her chest. With a sigh, she busied herself, putting her things away, trying to ignore the persistent thoughts that threatened to consume her. It’s a good thing I bought some clothes in town yesterday.

But before she could gather her bearings, she felt his presence behind her, his warmth enveloping her in an embrace. Determined to maintain her composure, she resolved to ignore him, knowing that her body would betray her in an instant if she let herself succumb to his charms.

However, Apollo had other plans. With a gentle touch, he turned her around to face him, his eyes searching hers with a tenderness that stole her breath away. And before she could protest, he leaned down and brushed his lips to hers.

It was quick and barely lasted a second, yet her breath caught in her throat, her mind reeling as she tried to process the flood of emotions coursing through her. With a shaky exhale, she met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to find her voice.

“Good morning,” he murmured. “Are you ready to see Lola Conching?”

She swallowed hard, her pulse racing as she nodded in response, her voice barely a whisper as she managed to choke out a shaky, “Um, yes.”

And then, in the blink of an eye, they were no longer in her room but standing outside Lola Conching’s house, the humongous balete tree casting its shadow in the soft light of dawn.

As they drew closer, a flicker of movement caught Geri’s eye. She watched in surprise as a small, human-like figure emerged from the shadows. No taller than a squirrel, its eyes wide with curiosity as it stared at them.

“Eep,” the creature uttered softly before scampering into a hidden crevice within the tree, disappearing from view in the blink of an eye.

She turned to Apollo, her brow furrowed in confusion. “What the fuck was that?” she asked.

“That was a duende,” he explained. “They’re magical beings that live all around the country, but most of them call Siquijor their home.”

“Like elves?”

“Something like that. There’s no direct translation into English.”

In the next moment, an older woman duende emerged from the shadows. Her wrinkled face contorted sternly as she scolded them in the local dialect. Geri exchanged a bewildered glance with Apollo, unable to comprehend the woman’s words.

“I can’t understand her,” Geri admitted to Apollo, her voice tinged with frustration.

Apollo nodded before waving his hand in a subtle gesture. Suddenly, Geri found herself bombarded with an angry barrage of words that she could miraculously comprehend.

“What are you giants doing here?” the duende demanded, her voice filled with indignation. “My little Juan is shaking on his bed because of you! Can’t you walk around quietly, without stomping around with your big stupid feet?”

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