“What the heck are you saying? Have you gone mad?” Apollo exclaimed. “You can’t leave now.”
“And you can’t tell me what to do! My pack needs me.”
“I need you. To stay here. Remember the one-year requirement? It’s only been a few days.”
“Surely the council can make an exemption—”
“No, they were very clear. One year.”
“You said it yourself, it’s only been a few days. Maybe we can reset–”
“No, Geri. Once the council decides, it’s set in stone. No take backsies, no resets.”
“This is ridiculous.” She turned to Hephaestus. “You’re a member of the council. Can’t you speak to them on my behalf? Tell them about Arcane?”
A grim expression—moreso than usual—settled on the other god’s face. “I could, but your mate is correct. We’ve already given you an extremely generous offer, and if you decide to leave now, it won’t be on the table ever again.”
“I don’t care—”
“What the hell, Geri?” Apollo’s voice rose.
“Apollo, you—”
Hephaestus cleared his throat. “I need to go back to Alaska and tell Cade and Artemis what I’ve found.”
“Could you give us a minute?” Apollo said.
“I’ll be outside.”
“You can’t stop me!” Geri yelled as soon as Hephaestus disappeared.
“Oh yes, I can,” Apollo said. “And you’re being utterly ridiculous! You heard what Hephaestus said—Cade is fine. No one else was hurt badly.”
“We still need to get justice.” Rage burned through the bond. “My pack will take care of those bastards.”
“And what could you do? Go after their CEO? The shareholders?”
“I don’t care, but someone has to!” She put her hands up. “Why are you trying to stop me? Don’t you care about me? You mated me—they’re your pack, too.”
“I know, baby,” he soothed. “And you know I love you.” Gently, he took her hand and placed it over his heart. “You can feel it, right?”
She remained silent, but gave a nod.
“Then you know I’m only worried about you. I want you to be safe and…” He took a deep breath. “I don’t want to make this about me, but…maybe you’ve changed your mind about us? About being immortal and leaving your life on the Upperworld behind.”
“What?” Geri’s expression softened. “No, oh no.” Wrapping her fingers around his, she pulled his hand toward her cheek and rubbed against it. “Never. I’m just…you know my temper.”
“I do.”
“I just feel so…helpless. And frankly…bored.” Letting go of his hand, she blew out a breath. “Going around Olympus and hanging out with other gods and goddesses was fun and all, like being on vacation. But now…”
“Now it’s sinking in that you’re stuck here.”
She let out a small laugh. “I’m not ‘stuck’. I’m here for you—for us. So that we can be together forever. But yeah…the reality of not being able to leave, especially when I need to, is hitting me hard right now.”
Apollo placed an arm around her. “I know, baby. I should be more sympathetic and understanding. Maybe even planned it better so as to make the time here easier on you. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about, Apollo. I’m sorry, too, for shouting at you and overreacting, especially when Cade is fine.” She pressed her lips together. “And…you’re right. I can’t throw it all away now, not after the hard work we’ve done to get this far.”
