Page 68 of Heir of the Beast

My knees almost buckle, and I can feel my father grip me a little tighter to steady me.

I have tunnel vision.

Other than Apollo, I can’t tell who is there, my brain giving me only vague descriptions. But what I do know is that everyone is looking at me ~except~ for him, for he stares straight ahead.

I am halfway down the stairs, and I can tell that his jaw is rigid, like he is clenching it and grinding his teeth.

His gaze hits me hard, and I feel immediately self-conscious—~naked~.

I look away for a second to regain my composure, but I can still feel my skin tingling. I glance back, and he is almost frowning, but not quite. Just very intense as his dark gaze travels up my body to my face.

A thrill shoots down my back and explodes in my stomach when I see his mouth drop slightly. The look would send a nun into fits of hot flashes.

A man suddenly gains my attention when he steps forward and bows in front of me. I am breathing hard as I realize this must be his cousin Tarren.

He is handsome, with dark hair and eyes, but irritation rises in me when I start comparing him to Apollo immediately. I don’t feel the same erotic pull I do with Apollo.

And…I ~feel~ Apollo—his energy, his magnetism—even when I’m not looking at him.

My skin tingles because I can feel his dark eyes on me, not because the man before me is looking at me like I am the prettiest thing he’s ever seen.

He kisses my hand, and I smile to be polite, taking a shaky breath. I curtsy, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

If I were to bet, I’d bet Apollo is not happy about this, because I can almost feel the tension intensify. But I can’t care too much.

He is engaged. I repeat that to myself to stop myself from crumbling under his powers.

Tarren is introducing himself and everyone in the line as I smile and nod, feeling a bit overwhelmed by one person.

When he gets to Apollo, our gazes clash again, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking. His gaze glitters. It’s the only indication that I get that he’s a real person and not a statue.

He bows without a word.

I frown slightly, wanting to stomp on his foot for not calling off the engagement and whisking me off into the sunset.~ As if it’s my fault he’s engaged?!~

He tilts his head slightly as if sensing my troubled thoughts. I see something in his gaze now, an emotion. It’s amusement.

I don’t get to look at him for long, for I am ushered away toward the royal lounge area.

We walk through a multitude of guests and ignore their wide stares and whispers.

“You are more stunning than the rumors said,” Tarren says as we sit on plush seating minutes later.

“And to think you were the long-lost daughter of Galleon all along. A slave at that—astounding tale if you ask me. When my aunt, the Queen, told me the tale, I will have to admit I didn’t believe it.”

~You have an idea.~

“Yes, quite the tale,” I murmur, trying to hide my shaking hands as I glance out over to the swarm of guests. I need to get my shit together.

He leans in closer to me. “I came here from the country because of Apollo’s engagement, you see.” He pauses as he follows my gaze.

“They seem like they are a great fit, on the outside anyway. I never thought I’d see the day that he proposed. I was utterly shocked. Princess Laura of Galleon is quite easy on the eyes.

“I am sure this engagement will help our kingdoms stay at peace. The House of Galleon are not people you want on your bad side, for they are very brutal, and ancient in their ways.”

He chuckles to himself and takes a moment to sip his drink. “But strangely, there is this rumor that Apollo has lost his mind over you.” I feel him looking at me in question.

I stiffen just a bit and glance at him. “Rumors are rumors.”

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