Were they really already mating? He didn't feel any different, except he couldn't discount the fact his dragon had just been getting out of control, and it only took Lachlan's presence to calm him and to have his fangs and claws slide straight back inside of him.
"Oh, no. He's trained my dragon like he's Hiccup." Apollo stared at his reflection in the mirror as his curious expression turned to horror. "Oh my god, I'm fucking Toothless."
That night,they pulled up the plans of the Château that Layla had spent the day collecting. She looked even more wired than she had the day before.
"Have you slept at all?" Bron asked, frowning at her sister.
"Yeah, a bit, but you know what it's like when I'm on a roll," Layla said, rocking from side to side in her chair. "I sent Arne to Alruna's to get him out of my hair. He's complaining I'm working too much."
"You have to be careful that he doesn't tear up the internet connection," Tor said with a wide smile. "If you ignore your health too much, he'll do it to make you rest."
"He wouldn't!" Layla replied, and then she stopped rocking. "Shit, he actually would."
Apollo had been dragged out of the bathroom for food and a planning session, and he wasn't particularly happy about it. He was too in his head about maybe mating with Lachlan, and he was worried his mouth would run off and start blabbing it to the world.
Lachlan had enough to deal with. It wouldn't be fair to tell him that they were also possibly mating. It would just confuse him, and that would be dangerous when going into a fight.
Apollo watched him from the corner of his eye. He had an arm slung over the back of the couch, totally relaxed, as he discussed the best ways to attack the Château. Apollo realized that this was Lachlan's version of a lab. It was his area of expertise, and there was no one better for Apollo to have at his side for it.
Some of his anxiety loosened, and he leaned into Lachlan's side. The arm on the back of the couch shifted, and his fingersthreaded through Apollo's hair and rested on the base of his neck. The touch was all he needed to be able to think clearly and feel more grounded in his body.
"I think the best way will be for Killian to come in from the road leading to the main house. It looks to be the heaviest guarded section, and if he makes a big enough show of it with some of Apollo's explosives, it will draw the bulk of the security away from that section there. It looks like the best place to be keeping prisoners," Lachlan said and pointed out to the southeast of the property. "Thoughts, Valentine? You know the history of this place the best."
"It was a private retreat, but Catherine was still a queen. There would have been cells for holding prisoners. That area you're pointing to is where the wine cellars would have been, and maybe any underground cells too. Everything depends on how much the Sanguis Vitae have created from old plans," Valentine replied, scratching his dark stubble. "I don't know about any escape tunnels either, but I wouldn't rule it out."
"We will have to go carefully and check. We don't need someone coming up behind us," Ciara said, her eyes studying the plans on the TV screen. "Any thoughts on magical defenses?"
"Kovacs seemed like a scary enough fucker to have something," Apollo replied. "He was the one who created that fucked up suicide spell. If he is there, he is the one we will have to be careful of."
"Any thoughts on personal wards? We all have something supernatural about us, except for Lachie," Bron asked, looking at Valentine. "Can you make him something?"
"I'm making you all something. They are only talismans and will only work so far. If you get cut and they get any of your blood, you'll be fucked. That is if they are as proficient as they seem."
"I've hunted magical creatures before. I'm not an idiot, but I appreciate the help, Val," Lachlan replied.
Tor made a grumbling sound. "What about the building in the city? We need to hit them both at once."
"Don't worry about it. I'm going to take care of it. And before you get all judgy, it's going to be controlled. The buildings on either side aren't going to be affected. All regular employees working on the public cosmetics side leave at 5 p.m. every day. Anyone left there afterward will be Sanguis Vitae," Valentine replied, a dark little smile dancing on his lips. "I'm going hit it as Killian attacks the front of the Château. I just got feedback on my portal spell, so I'll be able to step straight through it to Apollo, who will be on the lookout a safe distance away. Then, I can help with the Château attack. I'll be gone before they realize I was there."
Apollo didn't like being the one to sit back and watch the action, but he was shouted down. Either he would keep watch and coordinate things with Layla remotely, or he would be shipped back to England. He wasn't a front-line sort of fighter, and he knew it. It would be stupid of him to push the matter, even if his dragon was frustrated as hell by it.
"Caelan got back to you fast. How is that possible from Faerie?" Apollo asked.
"They taught me a type of fire messaging. It's practically instant. Very cool spell," Valentine replied.
"Caelan is a master at all kinds of things," Killian added, something like mischief dancing in his eyes. "I'm glad you two are talking. You have a lot in common."
"It's weird seeing Valentine like anyone," Apollo said. He wasn't being a smartass, either.
Of all the Greatdrakes boys, Valentine had the hardest time making any friends, even when they were children. He was too high functioning even for magicians.
Cosimo had always worried that it would be the isolation and loneliness that would do Valentine in, which was why being folded into such a large family of ancient fae had been good for him. Valentine finally had access to people who could speak his language. Apollo didn't know who this Caelan person was, but if Killian and Taranis trusted them, it was enough for him.
Valentine shifted awkwardly in his seat. "Well, they aren't an idiot. I like it." This was about the highest praise Valentine gave to anyone.
"If we pull this off, I'll send them presents to say thanks," Apollo replied.
Valentine nodded. "If we pull this off, I'll consider delivering them myself."
