Page 155 of Heir of the Beast

“I don’t think you can look prettier than that,” she agrees.

“Thanks, Mort.”

“No problem, human.”

I suddenly hug her, making Mort gasp. Her stiff body slowly relaxes, then she hugs me back with a fierce hold. We embrace it for a little while before I pull back.

I can feel my eyes cramp with tears, but I will them back into my eyes. I can’t say anything to her or I will cry, and I think she knows this.

She nods at me, then I turn to leave right as the knock on my door comes.

They’re here to escort me to the ballroom, where I will meet up with Apollo. The announcement has already been made this morning.

I can see the guards’ eyes widen when they see me which gives me a little more confidence.

The long walk to the ballroom seems like it takes an eternity. My skirts swish and glitter as I walk, trying to calm my breathing.

I round the last corner and see Apollo talking to a group of men, faced away from me.

His hair is back to normal, its platinum ringlets escaping the confines of his tie. He is dressed in sleek Garthorn finery, metals and sashes of cobalt blue on top of stark black.

My heart flutters every time—the man’s beauty will always hold me hostage.

His wide shoulders turn, a laugh playing on his lips.

Apollo sees me and my breathing hitches.

The smile on his lips slowly disappears as his dark gaze takes me in. Then our gazes clash and I am lost, swimming in the dark abyss that is his eyes.

His mouth drops open and the tilt of his head makes my stomach twist.

He walks over to me, never taking his dark gaze from me. Grabbing my hand, Apollo kisses it like it’s the first time we are making contact. My heart constricts. The feel of his gentle touch has me undone.

“You, my dear, look like a goddess. Is that your secret, then?” he asks in a low voice.

I close my eyes and nod. “It is.”

“The way you look tonight, I’m actually not sure if you’re being serious or not.” He pulls me close where I can feel the heat of his body.

“You mesmerize me. I find that it is hard to breathe when I’m near you. I feel like you are not real.”

~Not real.~

I cringe.

“Can I tell you my secret now?” I whisper, needing to get this off my chest.

“After a dance and champagne. There’s no rush, Angel,” Apollo insists, as he pulls my arm without waiting for an answer.

We enter the ballroom, and everyone cheers for us. I smile, on the verge of a panic attack. I just let Apollo lead me, praying I do not fall and die from heart failure.

Tunnel vision.

We dance as everyone watches us in awe.

He spins me around the Gothic ballroom. The feel of his hands on me makes everything else fall away for a split second. My gown glitters and sparkles like diamonds in the low lighting.

Finally, the dance is over. I feel like everything just happened in a blink of an eye. Maybe I’m not ready. Doesn’t matter if I’m not ready, it must happen.

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