Page 46 of Charmed By Apollo

They materialized at what Geri assumed to be Cenote Santa Cruz in Mexico, where the sky was bathed in the late afternoon’s soft hues. The gentle rustle of leaves filled the air, and the water cast mesmerizing reflections on the surrounding rocks. The fading light of the evening cast a melancholic hue over the tranquil scene.

Her gaze scanned the area before settling on Apollo. Her keen eyes immediately caught sight of the blood seeping from a wound on his shoulder. Her breath hitched as she hurried to his side, her heart racing with concern.

“You’re bleeding,” she exclaimed as she reached out to inspect the wound.

He winced as her fingers brushed against the torn flesh, his expression tight with discomfort. “It’s nothing,” he assured her. “It was worse when that decrepit old vamp had his fangs in my neck.”

Her brows furrowed with worry as she examined the wound more closely. “It looks deep,” she remarked. “We need to tend to it before it gets worse.”

“I fixed it just enough to stop myself from bleeding out and then you.”

“Oh.” She ran her hands down herself where she was sure Uriel had managed to sink his claws and fangs into her—her neck, her shoulder—and realized the skin there was red and raw, but not bleeding. He must have given her enough strength to close the wounds, and now her shifter abilities were kicking in.

“I just…didn’t have enough time or strength left to fully heal either of us because I needed to get us out of there.”

She could see the fatigue in his eyes and wondered if he had enough strength to fully heal himself. “Where else were you bitten?” she asked, worried.

“A-a couple of spots. I-I just need a minute.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Wait.”

She took a step back, giving him the time he needed. She watched him as he closed his eyes in concentration, his hands hovering over the wounds. A faint glow emanated from his palms, and then the injuries gradually faded away under his touch.

With each passing moment, the weight on her shoulders lifted as the wounds gradually faded away. The intensity of the moment left her breathless, her heart swelling with gratitude for his unwavering strength.

Once fully healed, he opened his eyes, his gaze locking with hers. “There,” he whispered. “All better.”

“Good,” she replied, relief washing over her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she embraced him tightly, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “I’m so sorry. I never imagined you would be in danger because of my stupid quest.”

“Hey, it’s not your fault,” he said softly, his arms wrapping around her. “I chose to stand by your side, no matter what.”

She looked up at him, and her throat tightened with emotion at his unwavering support, her heart aching with gratitude for his steadfast presence. She’d treated him so badly last night when he wouldn’t sleep with her without knowing how things stood between them. She’d treated him terribly, and he almost died. “You shouldn’t have to suffer because of my choices.”

“We all have our paths to walk.” He offered her a small, understanding smile. “And sometimes, that means facing dangers we never anticipated. But, like I said, I’m going to see this through and protect you.”

With a choked sob, she buried her face into his chest, not able to hold back the overwhelming flood of emotion any longer.

He pulled her close against his steady heartbeat as he held her with a gentle tenderness. “It’s okay, Geri,” he murmured softly, his voice a soothing balm against her pain. “Let it out. I’m here for you.”

She clung to him, her tears dampening the fabric of his shirt, as she released the pent-up anguish and sorrow that had been weighing heavily on her heart.

“I feel like a broken record,” she admitted, her gaze fixed on the shimmering waters before them. “Every time I set out on this quest, I’m determined, I’m driven…but then something happens, and it all falls apart.”

“It’s not easy,” he replied softly. “But sometimes, the hardest journeys are the ones that shape us the most.”

She nodded, her shoulders sagging with the weight of her burden. “I just…I don’t want to let anyone down,” she confessed. “Especially not you.”

Apollo reached out, gently lifting her chin to meet his gaze. “You could never disappoint me, Geri,” he assured her. “You’re strong, you’re resilient…and you’re not alone in this. We’ll face whatever comes together.”

Geri felt a glimmer of hope stir within her, the warmth of Apollo’s words seeping into her weary soul. With a grateful smile, she leaned into his touch, finding comfort in the quiet strength of his presence.

He chuckled softly, his eyes dancing with amusement as he teased, “Well, now that you’re calm, I suppose you should probably get dressed.”

She grinned. “Right, wouldn’t want to shock any unsuspecting bystanders,” she quipped, the laughter a welcome respite from the heaviness of their emotions. “Guess I’ll need some help with that,” she admitted, shooting Apollo a sheepish grin.

In the blink of an eye, she was dressed in shorts and a tank top. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. After all, it’s the least I could do since you saved me from being that senile old vampire’s breakfast. If you hadn’t shifted, I would have suffered greatly. And I’m feeling much better now.”

Geri smirked, shaking her head in mock exasperation. “Good to hear,” she said. “Now, let’s get back to business.”

---