Page 86 of Heir of the Beast

Tarren laughs as we all make our way outside to see a magnificent open carriage fit for a king. Silver and sapphire adorn the carriage with glowing lights.

My adrenaline starts pumping when I see the six black horses pounding their hooves in anticipation.

“I take it last night went well?” Tarren whispers in my ear.

I slightly glance at him while Apollo helps Laura into the ride. I try not to blush under his stare. “I’m not sure, actually.”

“Well,” he nods at the driver as he passes by, “I only ask because I found Apollo drunk at four in the morning, pounding on my door.”

My eyes widen. “You’re kidding,” I hiss.

“No. He was out of his mind, to put it mildly. And threatened that if I ever touched you. he would cut out my tongue. It was all very charming.

“So it makes me wonder if you’re really that ~good~, and if I should risk getting my tongue cut out for you.”

I stare at him.

“I’ll take your silence that it went very well.” He continues with a whisper, “Apollo has never done that, by the way. Atta girl.”

Apollo jumps down from the carriage, his black attire giving him a sinister appeal, like the villain rather than the hero. His black-gloved hand urges Tarren to hurry.

“Are you waiting for me to help you up, Tarren?”

He laughs. “I thought you would never ask.”

Apollo rolls his eyes and glances at me.

~His eyes.~

The wind blows his hair, and the sunlight kisses the side of his face perfectly. He is Adonis in the flesh. It is almost hard to pinpoint where he is looking due to his dark eyes making me shiver.

His lids lower , then raise with a slight tilt of his head. “Ready, Angel?” he barely says, I almost didn’t hear him. I think I read his lips more than I heard him.

I walk up to him, and I feel the air around us crackle and spark. I look away and pretend to be indifferent. “Please, Your Grace, I do not need your assistance.”

He smells delicious. A wild man musk that drives women to madness.

“Please, allow me. It would be my honor,” he says, his voice like melted honey.

I glance up at Laura’s pinched face.

“Do hurry up, dear sister. I think you have stolen enough time from my fiancé.” She laughs, but her eyes are as sharp as a knife.

I raise a brow at Apollo, and he meets me with an expression I find hard to read. “Of course, I would not want to take up too much time.”

Apollo grabs my hand, and it’s rough. He lifts me up, and I feel his other hand much too low on my lower back. Well, on my butt, technically speaking.

I shoot him a murderous glance, and I catch a glimpse of humor before he sits next to Laura. He takes her hand in his and pats it, saying something to her, making her laugh.

Won’t this be fun?

I keep my eyes away from Apollo and focus on Tarren, who looks like he is having the time of his life. Tarren grabs my hand and kisses it also in a mocking way.

“Don’t they make such the splendid couple? I’m so happy to see the famed Apollo settle down finally.”

I almost cringe.

I laugh and glance at the two, smiling my best feline smile. This smile is something I have worked on for a long time. Apollo sits up a little straighter, looking like he would love to strangle me.

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