“I cannot even guess how long it will take until I learn more about your condition. However, I can promise that we will have minimal interaction when I am not treating you.”
Feeling tired, Maya finally agreed. “If that is the only way to get you to leave me alone, I agree.” Slowly, he rose, then he clutched his hip as he tried to straighten up. Maya gave a weak smile, “Seems like you have more pressing problems than me.”
Apollo moved his muscular frame, putting his hands on his hips and bending to one side, then bending and stretching his other side. “Believe it or not, I’ve had much worse pain than this. Soon enough, this will all just be a sad memory of another failure.”
“You aren’t exactly boosting my confidence in your abilities here, Mr. Blond.”
Apollo stopped and looked at her, then shook his head. “I quite understand the sentiment. I haven’t been so disappointed in myself in years.”
Maya tried to stand, but he closed the distance as he said, “No. Please, I will take care of you for now. The more you move, the more you will tear the wounds.”
“I’ve always dealt with it,” Maya said, still trying to get up on her own.
“Which explains why your condition is so poor. You may not trust my character, but I implore you to trust my skills as a healer.”
Finally giving up, Maya let gravity bring her back to the ground. “You are stubborn,” she said as Apollo crouched down beside her.
“I prefer to be called persistent. But you have earned the right to judge me harshly.” He reached out, hesitantly at first. When she didn’t react, Apollo placed his hands gingerly on her shoulders, as if testing to make sure it wasn’t a trap.
“I’m not going to blast you again,” Maya said, staring at the ground. “My magic is too unstable after everything. And since we are surrounded by it, I would have to be hugely irresponsible to try anything again.”
“Good,” he said softly, “I’m glad you can see some sense in refraining. Because using magic in your current state will only make your condition worse.”
“I know,” she muttered.
“Excuse me,” he said near her ear. The next thing she knew, Apollo picked her up, his body pressing against her side as one arm held her at the knees and the other supported her back.
“I donotwant to return to the house.”
“Why?” He had only taken a couple of steps, but he immediately stopped when she spoke.
“Because a couple is trying to force me and Cosmo together there. I will not be subjected to anyone else trying to force me into a relationship for any reason ever again. And certainly not a bunch of random strangers with some ulterior motives.”
“What if their motives are purely romantic?”
Maya looked up at him. “I would rather marry for money or power.”
“So you approve of the way the court works?” Apollo was clearly not expecting that.
“The way the court works is repugnant. But at least there is some benefit to it, even if the benefit is completely pointless. There is no benefit to romance or love.”
He stared down at her. “And you are a wedding planner?”
“Only when I know that the couple will make it. For people who deserve happiness, I want to help give them a perfect start.”
“And a perfect wedding helps with that?”
“It’s the magic that I infuse into it that helps with that. The perfect wedding just ensures that everyone has fun so theyassociate positivity with the couple. In-laws, family, and friends never become a problem for the couples who hire me.”
He smiled softly. “That almost sounds like you do have a romantic bone in your body. Making sure couples who are in love have a better life.”
“It’s not romantic. It’s a way to make sure that life is a bit better for those who deserve it.”
Shaking his head, Apollo said, “You are a very complicated person, Maya.” He lifted her up a little, resettling her in his arms. “If you don’t want to return to the bed and breakfast, I will take you somewhere else. For now, I think you should sleep.”
Maya was about to say something else, but her eyelids felt incredibly heavy. Before she could protest his use of his abilities to make her sleep, Maya closed her eyes. Her cheeks rested against his chest, and for the first time in a long time, she fell asleep without having to rely on memories.
Chapter 6
