Page 87 of Heir of the Beast

“Yes, stunning,” I say with a sweetness I’m sure will make Apollo vomit later.

Laura beams and grabs Apollo’s muscled forearm through his fitted black coat. “Looks do not matter to me. It’s what’s on the inside that matters.”

Tarren’s mouth drops open. “Never have truer words been spoken, my dear.”

I hold back a grin. And here I thought Laura would be competition. Does she not know how to ensnare a man? Though she is right in her thinking, voicing it out loud like this is a little much.

I think too much lovey-dovey emotional stuff seems to scare men off.

Just from observing couples throughout my life, the man always strays to the one that is hard to catch. Laura would benefit from not acting so submitted with him. Just my opinion, though.

But I will not be the one to point that out. Let her dig her own grave.

The large carriage lurches forward and a real smile spreads over my face. “Can we go fast?” I ask Tarren with a sheepish grin. I bet these horses can haul ass.

“Danger seeker?” comes Apollo’s voice. I keep forgetting he has abnormal hearing.

I glance at him. “I like to go fast.”

Apollo tilts his head and licks his lips, almost making me blush. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he says softly.

Laura frowns at him. “I would also like to go fast, for I am quite the horseman.”

So Laura also has a talent for horseback riding. I mentally tally what I know—she has voice, boobs, and horseback riding. Well done, Laura.

Apollo glances at her. “I do not trust the driver. I will take over and show you some speed when we pull over.”

“Apollo does not trust anyone,” Tarren says matter-of-factly.

Apollo’s gaze flickers to mine. “I have no choice.”

Tarren nods.

Laura leans into him. “You can trust me.”

My eyes widen.

Apparently, her agent did not tell her that she will have to tell Apollo the truth at the end of all of this. She will regret those words later. Well, if she wins, that is.

Apollo’s jaw clenches, but he doesn’t say anything.

After about an hour of riding around the city, I realize this place is out of a dream or a fantasy. It’s like old-world beauty paired with some sort of supernatural power.

I will admit there is a certain darkness that surrounds this place. But I am surprised when we stop at a massive graveyard/garden maze.

I stand up to see it better—massive above-ground gravesites are spectacular and remind me of the famous graves in New Orleans.

“The royal graveyard of Garthorn,” says Tarren.

“Is that a maze?” I ask in awe, my mouth hanging open. It looks like it’s a few miles long! Towering green vines and walls of overgrown garden growth make a remarkable display.

Apollo stands up to help Laura down. “Yes, it’s centuries old.”

Laura’s eyes are wide. “Are we going to go into the maze?”

Apollo grins. “Of course.”

I let Apollo help me down after Laura, and my eyes fix on the massive maze in all its glory. “Are we going in pairs?”

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