Lachlan took a cold shower to try to wake himself up a bit and dressed as quickly as possible. Valentine wasn't in the room when he came out of the bathroom, but Apollo was.
"Val's checking the streets before we go down," Apollo said, getting to his feet. His color was looking better, but he still had a hollow look in his eyes that Lachlan hated. Before he figured out what to say, Apollo walked over and hugged him around the waist.
Lachlan didn't hesitate for a second. He crushed Apollo to him and held him tight. "You scared the hell out of me, golden boy."
"I'm sorry for being a dick and not listening to you," Apollo said, his shoulders shaking.
"Oh, baby, don't cry. We are going to make them regret ever looking at you twice. I promise," Lachlan said, cupping the back of Apollo's head and tangling his fingers in his curls. "No one is ever going to hurt you again."
"Come on. We can't keep Val waiting. He's already grumpy."Apollo rubbed his face against Lachlan's shoulder, smearing wet tears all over his shirt. "And don't call me baby."
Lachlan laughed. "You must be feeling better if you have the energy to sass me."
"Bite me."
"Just say where," Lachlan shot back, making Apollo huff out a laugh.
Apollo's lips were red from crying, and Lachlan fought the urge to kiss them. Then, he did the hard thing and stepped away to avoid trying.
"I'll get my bag, and we will go find Val," Lachlan said, clearing his throat. They needed to get somewhere safe against other magicians, but more than that, they needed a plan on how they would make the Sanguis Vitae regret ever touching Apollo.
13
The Greatdrakes apartment was in a triangle-shaped building on the Rue Ronsard, with views of the park and the occasional glimpse of Sacré-Cœur Cathedral. It had been bought by Apollo's grandfather after the Second World War and had been used as a base for whenever the family needed a holiday or had work within the city.
It had only two rooms, one upstairs and one down, and Apollo had fun memories of when they were kids all piled in one room together during holidays. These days, the single beds and trundles had been replaced with a queen bed like the upstairs room, and the adjoining ensuite was remodeled. It needed to be after having four boys using it for years.
Apollo looked sideways at Lachlan. Seeing him in a space that only family had been in was weird. He looked so tired. Had he slept at all since Apollo had been taken?
Apollo had been running his mouth at Bellerose when he said Lachlan Ironwood would come for him. But then he had. His mate had come for him. Unclaimed or not.
The dragon inside Apollo keened softly. It liked the feeling of being wrapped in Lachlan's arms when they had hugged. Itwas safe and comfortable. For the first time in a long time, everything felt...right.
We can't keep him, Apollo tried to tell it. The yearning was seeping through every part of him now, and he didn't know how long he could put it off.
Keep him for now, the dragon insisted. Apollo considered and then dismissed the idea. He was sure it would hurt him more if he gave into it. Gods, he was so confused and exhausted. He needed to sleep first before he considered what to do about his feelings for Lachlan Ironwood.
"The wards look good still, but I'm going to add some layers in," Valentine said once they were inside. "I have the upstairs room, and you two can fight over the bed down here."
"Apollo can have it. He needs it more," Lachlan said before Apollo could open his mouth. "I'll fit on the couch."
"Apollo, can you check the pantry, see what supplies we have, and text me what we need? I want to set some magical alarms around the building outside, and I'll get some groceries while I'm out," Valentine replied. With a meaningful look, he slipped out the front door again.
If Apollo didn't know better, he would think Val was purposely giving him and Lachlan some alone time.
Lachlan put his duffle bag in the lounge room and sat on the couch. His blue eyes followed Apollo as he hurried into the kitchen and made a mental list of things they would need.
"I don't have my phone to text him," Apollo grumbled. "I don't suppose you recovered it?"
"It might still be in the car at home," Lachlan said, offering him his phone. "Here, text Val from mine."
Apollo took the phone and typed in the list. He fought the urge to look at who else had been texting Lachlan. It was none of his business, and he was too emotionally vulnerable at the moment to see who was sexting his mate.
Lachlan took the phone back and caught his hand. "What can I do to make you feel better, Apollo?"
"Go home so you don't get killed," Apollo answered automatically.
Lachlan frowned. "You do understand what I do for a job, right? Getting you out of there was easier than most of my hunts."
