Page 23 of Charmed By Apollo

Apollo cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence that had settled over them. “We’re here to talk to Kanlaon.”

“Oh, my dear cousin isn’t around,” she remarked casually, as if it were of little consequence.

Geri’s brows furrowed as she put two and two together, a dawning realization settling over her. Apollo had known about Kanlaon through Castalia. It was all starting to make sense now. The revelation sent a jolt of discomfort through Geri, her stomach twisting with unease. She glanced at Apollo, searching his expression for any sign of acknowledgment or guilt.

Apollo shifted uncomfortably under Geri’s scrutiny, his eyes flickering briefly to Castalia before returning to hers. There was a guardedness in his eyes, a silent admission of the truth that hung between them.

Geri swallowed hard, trying to push down the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

So, Apollo and Castalia have history.

Not that she cared. Because Apollo was nothing to her at all. They had sex, twice, nothing more. She had made it clear she didn’t want anything beyond that.

But the realization that the god and water nymph had been lovers at some point hit her with a pang of hurt nonetheless. She wondered why the thought of Apollo and Castalia’s past made her feel so uneasy.

Was she…jealous?

No, nuh-uh. No way.

Still, the thought of them together stirred something in her. It unsettled her, churning a whirlwind of emotions that she wasn’t quite prepared to confront.

Focus, Geri, she told herself. She was here for one purpose, which was in no way related to Apollo.

“I can’t imagine you’re here for travel recommendations,” Castalia chuckled, her gaze flickering mischievously between Apollo and Geri.

Before Geri could respond, Castalia called out into the stillness of the park. “Kanlaon!”

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, stepping gracefully into the clearing. Kanlaon was the antithesis of Castalia—sweet and ethereal, with an aura of purity that seemed to emanate from her very being.

“Apollo,” she said softly, her eyes alight with warmth and affection. “It’s been too long.”

“Indeed, it has,” he replied warmly, stepping forward to embrace her.

Geri watched them, her earlier feelings of jealousy momentarily forgotten in Kanlaon’s serene presence.

Kanlaon stood gracefully next to her cousin, her calming demeanor a stark contrast to Castalia’s playful antics.

“This is Geri,” Apollo introduced. “Geri, this is Kanlaon.”

“Lovely to meet you.” The nymph’s gaze pierced through her. “You’re a shifter. A wolf shifter?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

Castalia turned towards Geri, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Tell us, Geri,” she urged gently. “Why have you and Apollo journeyed to Siquijor?”

“We’re here…because we need your help,” Geri admitted.

Apollo added, “We seek the Siquijor Stone.”

Castalia’s playful demeanor faltered for a moment as she exchanged a glance with Kanlaon. “Oh, that thing,” she remarked nonchalantly.

But before Castalia could say more, Kanlaon motioned for her cousin to be quiet, her expression growing solemn. “The Siquijor Stone is very powerful,” she explained. “It has the ability to bend the very fabric of reality.”

“I need it for my grandmother,” Geri blurted out. “The Siquijor Stone may be our only hope.”

Kanlaon’s eyes softened with empathy as she regarded Geri. “You can talk to Lola Conching,” she offered gently.

“Oh great, can you introduce us to Lola?”

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