"Why am I suddenly worried about who you are making friends with?" Apollo said, his lips lifting in a smile. "I guess I should be happy your grumpy hermit ass can make any friends at all."
"I can make friends when they aren't idiots." Valentine grinned. "Shall we get to sabotaging, or are we going to stand here all night?"
"You are way too excited about this," Lachlan said with a soft laugh.
He held out his arm to Apollo and waited, the wild hope beating against his ribcage. After a few seconds, Apollo took it, and all Lachlan could do was smile as they walked right into the lion's den.
19
Apollo felt like he was in control right up until they joined the line of guests outside the building. His feet seemed to stick to the concrete, and he didn't want to move. Valentine went on ahead, the subtle hum of magic sizzling in the air around him as he worked on charming their invitations. Lachlan hadn't let go of Apollo's arm.
"Deep breaths, golden boy. We only need to get in and get out. We don't need to linger," Lachlan said soothingly. Apollo looked up at the beautiful man beside him, his face half-hidden with his bear mask. It made his impressive jawline sharper, and his mouth seem even more kissable.
"I can't seem to get my feet to move. My brain knows what to do, but the memories of that place, Lachlan… I don't know if I can do this," Apollo replied, unable to lie.
Cold sweat was beginning to bead on his hairline. He couldn't remember everything that had happened after he had been knocked out, but it was like his body still remembered. He really hadn't liked the way Kovacs had smiled and petted him.
His fingers tightened around Lachlan's forearm, the feel of his strength grounding him.
"Breathing exercises don't seem to be working, so let's try bribery," Lachlan said. He tilted his head down to Apollo's ear and whispered, "If we get through this in one piece tonight, I promise to suck your dick so hard that you see the face of god."
Apollo's brain shut down, but his mouth came to the rescue. "What god? Because I don't want to see Arawan when I'm in that state. I'm too afraid Imogen would find out."
Lachlan laughed softly. "You'll have to let me suck you off to find out."
"Blowjobs are good bribery, I have to admit," Apollo said and let out a long breath. "Okay, let's do this."
"That's my good boy," Lachlan purred.
Apollo side-eyed him. "Don't push your luck, Ironwood."
"Don't pretend you don't like it."
Apollo reached up and pinched Lachlan's chin. "We'll see who's the good boy at the end of this."
That only made Lachlan smile. Apollo's dragon wanted to make Lachlan beg. He had never felt particularly dominant, but his dragon definitely was. Of course he had to be to be the most confusing switch of all time.
"I'll do whatever you want me to, Apollonius. You should know that by now," Lachlan replied.
Valentine was waiting for them with an impatient look on his face. "Get it together yet? Because this is our best chance of getting into this place undetected."
"I'm fine, Val. I just needed the right motivation," Apollo said and tried to reach for his party boy mask. It was usually the easiest one for him to go for. He could be a little brother, adorable pet cousin, cheeky brat, all as easy as breathing.
It was why Lachlan frustrated him so much. It was like his big blue eyes could see through every mask Apollo had, making him feel raw and vulnerable. He didn't know how to be just Apollo anymore. Now, he had a dragon to contend with as well.He really needed to talk to Taranis or Bas about how to get his dragon integrated so that it would stop taking over his body.
"Focus, Apollo. Now is not the time to get lost in your head," Valentine said under his breath.
Lachlan placed his free hand over the one Apollo had resting on his forearm. The heat of Lachlan's rough palm settled him and drew him out of his head. They were next in line to get through security. Apollo had made sure to use a travel perfume bottle for his sabotaging elixir, and the big security guard didn't bat an eyelid at it. Valentine's magic settled over them, and they were waved into the foyer without being asked for invitations.
"Am I the only one who finds it strange that no one senses Valentine using magic? I thought these guys were meant to be hot shit," Lachlan said, looking about at the partygoers. They were all clustered together in groups, drinking pretty cocktails and walking up a grand staircase to where the auction items were displayed and music played in a ballroom.
"Most of these people are just rich, not magical. Besides, Iamactually hot shit, and very few people would be sensitive to know when I'm using my power," Valentine said. He took a glass of red wine from a waiter and held it without drinking.
"Let's go look upstairs. It will be easier to blend in," Apollo suggested. Lachlan still hadn't let go of him, which was the only thing keeping him from finding an exit.
The ballroom was gilded and modeled to look like something out of a palace. Apollo could tell that the same decorator who had designed his cell had also worked hard there.
"Do you see what I see?" Valentine asked, staring all around him.
