"You're mating," Killian stated and folded his arms. "I need to know if you're going to grow into a big scaley killing machine in the middle of Paris or not."
Apollo put down the beaker he was holding so he didn't drop it. "I amnotmating. I mean, I would know, wouldn't I? There's got to be some kind of ritual or something to seal the deal?"
"I want to know this too," Valentine said, pushing the toilet lid down and sitting on top. "Lachie has been acting ultra-protective and weird ever since he rescued Apollo. He watches him all the time. Kill, it's creepy."
"It is not creepy," Apollo huffed. "He's just worried, and with good reason."
"He was a moon-eyed git before, but it's even worse now," Valentine added unhelpfully.
Killian's green eyes were shining with amusement. "Ah, young love."
"If you two have nothing helpful to say, go away and stop bothering me," Apollo said.
"You need to tell Lachie," Killian replied. "That's what is going to help the most."
"I doubt that."
Valentine looked thoughtful. "You know what would help? If you could turn into a dragon. Maybe work on that instead of fucking Lachlan whenever he's nearby."
"Doesn't work like that," Killian said with a shake of his head. "It's emotion, not intent. He can wish for wings as much as he wants, and nothing will happen. Something has to force the dragon to want to pull free."
Apollo glared at his brother. "If you want to be a dragon, why don't you work on it too? You have the same blood as me."
"Do you really think someone like me should also be able to turn into a dragon?" Valentine said. His tone was arrogant, but his eyes were worried. Apollo thought he had stopped worrying about going dark or crazy years ago, but clearly, he was back in that place again. Fuck. Just what they needed.
"I will talk to Lachlan after we go home. There is too much heightened emotion going on now to throw in a 'Hey, you're my fated mate, which means you're stuck with me forever whether you like it or not. Isn't that great?'" Apollo said with a thumbs up.
Killian deadpanned. "Wow, the romance in that delivery has made me weak at the knees."
"It would probably work on Lachie. Apollo could literally say anything, and he would think it was the best thing ever," Bron said, her arm going around Killian's waist. He put an arm around her shoulders and looked down on her with so much love and affection that Apollo felt it like a kick in the guts. He wanted that and hated that he did.
"The bond is already there, Apollo, whether you like it or not. You can practically see it when you're in the same room," Killian told him. "He deserves to know what's happening to him, and he's my brother. So you have until after this raid to tell him, or I will do it for you."
Apollo snarled low and threatening. Fangs dropped in his mouth, and claws shot out of his fingertips.
Killian only laughed. "I'm not scared of your claws, little dragon. Get it together before you embarrass yourself."
Apollo could feel the dragon stretching under his skin, wanting to fight. He could taste blood and magic in his mouth, and… The door to the suites opened, and he heard Lachlan's laughter. The claws and fangs and rage sucked back inside of himself like a switch had been flipped.
"What are you all doing in here?" Lachlan said.
Killian gave Apollo a warning look before backing out of the bathroom. "Oh, nothing much. Just seeing what Apollo is making that goes bang."
Apollo quickly turned back to the now bubbling beaker, his cheeks red with anger and embarrassment. Lachlan placed a Coke with ice down beside him, and his heart jerked dangerously.
"Try not to singe your eyebrows off," Lachlan teased.
"I'd still look pretty," Apollo said, trying to smile.
"Oh, I know. I just know how vain you are. Let me know if you need any help. I can hold things or something."
Apollo did laugh then. "I think it's better to stick to what you're good at, Ironwood."
"And what's that?" Lachlan asked, his blue eyes drifting over him with longing and possessiveness that made his blood heat and lips ache.
Apollo swallowed hard. "Heavy lifting and looking pretty. Now, get out and let me get this done. You're distracting me."
"Can't have that." Lachlan kissed him on the cheek and headed back out of the bathroom. It wasn't until he was gone that Apollo released a shaky breath and rested a hand on his chest.
