Page 157 of Heir of the Beast

~Please.~

I am not sure how much time passes, but when he opens his eyes, I see the sheer shock. He is breathing hard, yanking his hand away from me.

“I can see why…” He pauses like he is regaining his breath. “Why you had trouble explaining it.”

I feel tears in my eyes. “Are you angry with me?”

He laughs and looks up into the sky as if seeking divine help. “Am I angry with you? I am not sure how to answer that.”

“What is going through your head?”

“That Pierce guy is very strange, we both can agree on that,” Apollo says, more to himself. “I can’t believe they sent three fleets to try and snag me.”

“Please don’t be angry.”

Apollo glances at me and I can’t tell how this is going to go. “You’re leaving tomorrow morning? With the other girls?”

Fear creeps into every pore. “If you do not want me, then yes,” I whisper.

Apollo drags a hand down his face. “Now the dresses make perfect sense.” He gives me a crude stare. “He did this one perfectly.” He nods to my gown.

I feel a tear stream down my cheek.

“Is anything about you real?”

I sniff, feeling like I am losing him. “Yes, everything else.”

Apollo nods and is quiet.

“I love you, Apollo,” I whisper.

I can see him tense at that. “Are you paid to say that, Angel?” He looks at me, pain in his gaze.

“Absolutely not, Apollo. We are not forced to fall in love. It is our choice. You are not forced either.

“Without Fairy Godmother Inc., I would have never met you. I would never have known what I was missing out on.

“When I say I love you, it comes from my heart, my soul. Fate brought me here, and I am grateful,” I say, and wipe a tear.

“I was born here, Apollo. This is my home. All my life I have felt out of place and never knew why, and finally I am back where it all began.”

Apollo gazes up into the sky and exhales.

“Say something,” I whisper.

“How long do I have?”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “Until dawn. On the South Shore.”

“And Laura?”

“She will be leaving as well.” I continue, “Without our commitment, no one will benefit.”

Apollo looks at me, arms crossed over his large chest. “But she has to tell him too?”

“It’s not required. Only me, apparently.”

“Tarren must know.”

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