The kitchen maid’s eyes widened, pointing off to our left. “The Throne Room,” she squeaks. Her voice is delicate, meek, and fearful.

Lastly, we attain the Throne Room which has 4 guards standing sentry outdoors. Some appeared acquainted however I didn’t know their names. I knew they have been part of Apollo’s private guard element. The 4 turned to one another, attempting to determine what to do with us.

Taking too lengthy for Artemis’s impatience, she geese beneath their arms and throws open the doorways.

“Wait!” shouts one guard.

Ignoring them, I observe Artemis via the passageway.

“Lord Apollo instructed us to not let a soul inside,” one other one added.

Artemis reared round to the 2 males, “Then step outdoors in any other case Hades could also be calling your title.”

They yelped and exited the Throne Room. Not shutting the door. As a substitute trying to the throne for orders.

The 2 thrones are empty. However the dais has one particular person pacing forwards and backwards. Apollo scrunches his hair, his eyes rimmed in pink like he was in close to tears.

He appeared drunk. His face is flushed as he takes lengthy drags from his ambrosia goblet.

As we cross the doorway, these eyes fall on us. He approaches us straight away. “Guards, depart us.” Apollo is grim. The guards murmur one thing that I couldn’t fairly hear of the sharp closing of the doorways. Approaching, slowly and cautiously, he watches us like he couldn’t consider his eyes. Coming ahead, he provides every a robust hug. Taking certainly one of us in every arm. Close to sobbing. “I assumed you have been useless.”

The candy scent of ambrosia fills the air round us.

Positively drunk.

“He’s giving Dionysus a run for his cash,” quips Ari.

Not useful.

“Temporary me,” the Goddess of the Moon orders. Apollo continues to stare down at me, too caught as much as reply his sister.

me like he was seeing a ghost. Somebody fading away into the Underworld. Being held on solely by a thread.

Like if he lets go of that tiny thread, then I will be gone ceaselessly.

“Lifeless?” I ask, “What do you imply? I spent the night with Artemis, and we went out for brunch this morning.” Fidgeting with my present for him. “Look, we have been on the market, and I discovered this for you.”

Holding out my hand with the velvet pouch, Apollo seems to be from me to the pouch and again once more earlier than extending his delicate palms. I set the present in them and watched as he unwrapped the small merchandise. “This jogged my memory of the backyard after I was tending to the flowers and also you have been enjoying the lyre,” I smiled up at him.

The god seems to be genuinely elated.

Particularly in comparison with once we walked in. Solely moments in the past, he gave the impression to be drowning his sorrows in liquor.

Relieved, Apollo closes his eyes and pulls me to him. “I find it irresistible,” he whispers as kisses my brow.

“Excuse me, did you need me to depart? Is anybody going to reply me? What’s happening?” Artemis snarkily states.

Heat filling up my soul on the contact of his delicate lips on me. “I’ve by no means been so grateful for you and Artemis breaking my guidelines.”

“Why have been you so fearful?” I ask. Giving him a quizzical look, I watch as he replaces his present pin with mine.

He shakes his head and gestures for us to observe him.

“Oh positive, you reply her however nooooo you’ll be able to’t reply your very personal twin,” she rolls her eyes as she sasses her brother. “I see how it’s.”

“Artemis, I am not ignoring you. It was a busy morning. Now come on.” Apollo leads us out a backdoor approach. One which I had no clue existed. Very similar to the servant’s staircase in my room, a pull of a sconce releases a panel.

The door swung extensive. Holding up a hand, Apollo palms a hand of flame.

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