Page 65 of Charmed By Apollo

The library was a vast expanse of knowledge, with towering bookshelves lining the walls from floor to ceiling. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the polished marble floor. The air was filled with the scent of old books and parchment, lending an atmosphere of wisdom and history to the room.

Persephone settled gracefully onto the plush couch, gesturing for Geri to join her. “Do you want some tea or perhaps something stronger?” she inquired, motioning to the liquor cabinet against the wall in front of them.

Geri chuckled with amusement. “Tea should be good for now.”

With a flick of her wrist, Persephone conjured an elegant afternoon tea set, complete with delicate porcelain cups and saucers, a steaming teapot, and an assortment of pastries and sandwiches. The table was adorned with fresh flowers, their lovely colors adding a touch of beauty to the scene.

“Wow, that’s impressive,” Geri remarked, reaching for a scone. “Thank you.”

Persephone smiled graciously, pouring tea into Geri’s cup before filling her own. “It’s my pleasure,” she replied, taking a sip of her tea. “I find that a good cup of tea can make even the most challenging of days feel a bit more manageable.”

Geri took a moment to gather her thoughts, the weight of her emotions settling heavily upon her. “Thank you for bringing me to the Underworld,” she said softly.

Persephone regarded her with a sympathetic expression. “It seemed like you needed to talk to her,” she replied gently. “I had no idea you were taking it so badly.”

Geri nodded, a wistful smile touching her lips. “I guess I kind of kept it all in,” she admitted, her gaze drifting to the floor. But inwardly, she couldn’t shake the feeling of loneliness that gnawed at her heart. The only person who had known everything was no longer part of her life.

Persephone reached out, placing a comforting hand on Geri’s shoulder. “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed,” she said softly. “And it’s okay to lean on others for support when you need it. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your own.”

Geri met Persephone’s gaze. “Thank you,” she whispered, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that she didn’t have to face her struggles alone and that there were those who would stand by her side through thick and thin.

Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, the weight of her unspoken emotions heavy upon her. “I wasn’t able to say goodbye before Grannie passed,” she confessed, her words tinged with regret. “I spiraled…I didn’t know how to cope.”

Persephone listened attentively and squeezed her shoulder.

“I’m glad you had the idea to have me see her,” Geri said, clasping her friend’s hand.

“Sometimes, we need closure to find peace,” Persephone replied softly. “But it wasn’t my idea, it was Apollo’s.”

Before Geri could respond, the library door creaked open, and Hades’s voice filled the room. “Yeah, it’s small batch bourbon from Kentucky,” he remarked casually, his deep voice echoing through the space.

Geri turned to see Hades and Apollo enter, their presence unexpected yet somehow fitting in the tranquil atmosphere. Apollo was about to say something when he caught sight of Geri, his voice trailing off as he froze in his tracks.

“We have some matters to attend to in the palace gardens,” Persephone announced.

“Yes, some important Underworld business requires our attention,” Hades added quickly.

In a flash of light, they disappeared, leaving Geri and Apollo alone in the library, the echo of their departure lingering in the air.

Geri glanced at Apollo, her mind flooded with memories of all they went through. He stood before her, his presence comforting yet tinged with an air of uncertainty. Despite everything, he looked as handsome as ever, and Geri couldn’t shake the nagging guilt that persisted. As she gazed at him, a pang of remorse washed over her. How could she have let things unravel between them? How could she have hurt someone who had stood by her side through thick and thin?

Lost in her thoughts, Geri realized she needed to make amends. She couldn’t let their bond crumble under the weight of her mistakes. Taking a deep breath, she summoned the courage to speak. She finally stood up awkwardly, unsure of how to address him. “Hi,” she greeted, her voice wavering slightly.

“How did the talk with your grandmother go?” Apollo’s brow furrowed with curiosity.

“It went well.” Oh Gods, my wolf wants him to be my mate, she screamed inwardly. “It was good to see her again.”

His expression softened as he took in her words. “I see,” he murmured. “I hope it brought you some peace.”

She nodded, managing a small smile. “Yeah, it did,” she admitted. “Thank you. Persephone said that it was your idea.” Her chest tightened as she looked at him. “It’s just…” she began, struggling to find the right words. “I know things haven’t been easy between us, and I’ve made my fair share of mistakes.”

“Geri, we’ve both been through a lot,” he replied gently. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t find a way to move forward.”

Grannie’s words rang in his head.

Tell him how you feel and claim him.

“I want to make things right,” she admitted. “So, can we talk?”

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