He slid his nose along hers until their eyes were so close, if either of them blinked, their lashes would sweep the others’.

“I will not lose you,” he growled.

“I’m right here, sweetheart,” she soothed.

Apollo drew in a deep breath, released it then slanted his head so he could brush his mouth lightly against hers.

Only when he pulled back an inch did he reply, “You are, indeed.”

She gave him a shaky smile.

“Thank you, my dove, for fighting so hard this night to save a life I cherish.”

Her shaky smile wobbled as her face began to crumble but he saw no more when she lifted her head and shoved it in his neck.

“You-you-you’re welcome,” she stammered into his skin.

He gave her his weight for a brief moment in order to wrap his arms around her before he rolled them to their sides.

Putting his lips to her hair, he whispered, “Now you can sleep.”

She took a shuddering breath that was half sniveling, half chortling and nodded, her face now pressed to his throat.

He held her close and stroked her back as she gained control of her emotions. When she did, she slid a hand from where it was pressed to his chest, rounding him with her arm, and she pressed closer.

Many minutes later, when her body had loosened, her breath had evened and he thought her close to sleep, she called a drowsy, “Lo?”

And, gods, but he treasured it when she called him “Lo.”

“Yes, poppy,” he replied, giving her a squeeze.

He felt her frame tense slightly when she began, “You know that I, uh…well, I um…pretty much cherish you too, right?”

Again that night, a night he would not think he would find anything amusing, he couldn’t stop his body from shaking with laughter.

“Yes, Madeleine, I pretty much know you cherish me too.”

She relaxed and murmured, “Cool.”

He grinned at her hair and gave her another squeeze.

“Sleep, Maddie.”

“Right away, boss,” she muttered and again he grinned.

She settled in.

Apollo closed his eyes and saw the black mist shrouding her so he opened them again and gathered her even closer.

He took a deep breath as she snuggled into his embrace.

He took another one when, moments later, he felt sleep claim her.

Love like you build with Miss Madeleine is as she is. It is not of this world. Not of her world. It is beyond the worlds. It is beyond anything.

Meeta’s words filled his head and he was forced to take another deep breath.

Tonight, he almost lost her.

Tomorrow, he would set about making certain that did not happen.

He had no earthly clue how he would do it.

He just knew he bloody would.

Nothing could save Ilsa.

But nothing would ever again harm Maddie.

Not ever again.

Not ever.

* * * * *

His thoughts in turmoil, Apollo had no sleep. So he was awake when the soft knock came at the door.

He carefully disengaged from Maddie, strode swiftly to his trousers and yanked them on.

He then headed to the door.

He unlocked and opened it an inch.

Frey’s man Ruben stood outside.

His deep voice was low and concerned when he stated, “The dragons failed.”

Apollo felt his mouth get tight.

Very bad news.

But at least this meant his men lived.

And that their foe’s magic had to be weakened.

“Frey will meet you here in an hour’s time to discuss what we do next,” Ruben went on.

Apollo nodded.

Ruben moved away from the door.

Apollo closed it, leaned against it and aimed his eyes at Maddie’s sleeping form in the bed, his mind slotting the priorities in his head.

First, he would send men to find the false informant and put him in prison, awaiting trial.

Second, they would interrogate Franka, find the witch who created the Keer parcel and put her in prison to await trial.

Next, use Franka and Kristian to draw out the enemy.

Strike that.

Kristian could barely hold his water during the tame interrogation he’d endured.

Kristian and his family would “disappear.”

Franka would be their tool.

And last, find bloody Valentine and put the woman to work.

She’d been paid a handsome fee.

It was her time to earn it.

On that thought, he moved to the bed and commenced in waking Maddie with his mouth.

Then he made her cl**ax with it.

After, he made her cl**ax on his cock.

And after he joined her, content he’d started her day with happiness, he kissed her so hard he bruised her lips and made her gasp with pleasured pain when he finally released her mouth.

Then he left her in order to continue down his path of vengeance.

The path that would end with her safety.

Chapter Twenty-Three

It Was All I Had

“We cannot trust her.”

Apollo tore his gaze away from the window where he was studying Maddie outside with his daughter.

He was also studying his son.

Maddie and Élan were smiling and he often heard their laughter as they did whatever-they-were-doing in the snow outside the inn, waiting for Apollo and Frey to finish speaking so they could leave Brunskar and be away to Karsvall.

Seeing the vision outside the window, he was relieved that it seemed he had led Maddie beyond her concerns of last night, for she was no different than she normally was around his Élan.

Therefore, his thoughts were with Chris, who was not often far from his sister, and thus, of late, Maddie. But now, for some reason, he was well away from them both and not in a manner where he was simply interested in his own pursuits.

No, he appeared to be avoiding the two females.

This did not sit right with Apollo.

However, he had no time to dwell on it. He would keep his eye on the situation and approach his son later, if need be.

Now, he was discussing their next steps with Frey.

“Indeed Franka is not trustworthy,” he told his friend as he turned his eyes to Frey. “And matters will be worse than before, for even if there is now hope she will get her lover back alive, she will not forget your willingness to sacrifice him.”

Frey nodded. “This is true. And it seems Franka is unaware that if this Antoine has been tortured every hour for some time, if she gets him back, she may not find the man she knows returned.”

“Undoubtedly,” Apollo agreed.

Frey’s expression turned pensive. “Or she is aware and doesn’t care. She will simply take him as he comes.”

“This may be the case as it would appear she’s in love,” Apollo pointed out.