Before Apollo could say anything, Cosmo cut in, “I know you aren’t talking aboutmyniece like that.”
Naomi gave him a knowing look. “If you think that adorable little girl needs the island for anything, you aren’t the genius I thought you were.”
“She’s far too young! I won’t stand for any boys—”
Naomi waved at him, then looked at Apollo as Cosmo mumbled into her neck, “And you’ve a lot to learn about Maya if you think she’ll enjoy being outside just for fun. When she’s not planning, she refuses to leave her studio.”
Maya frowned, “I was actually very happy to be outside. This place is absolutely gorgeous. It reminds me of home.”
Noami froze, a look of shock on her face. “You grew up on an estate?”
Cosmo leaned forward, patting Naomi’s knee. “It seems you are the one with a lot to learn, love.” He then looked back at them. “I dare say after spending a night together, he probably knows her far better than either of us. Such a guarded dragon, that one.” His words were teasing, but Maya’s mind had latched onto one part.
Before she could say anything, Noami giggled. “Do you think that’s why she’s been so ‘sick’? Is Apollo a bit too much for her?”
Maya looked up at Apollo, her face a bright red. To her surprise, red was moving up his neck as he said, “I’ve done nothing to her to cause her current ailment.”
Cosmo and Naomi sniggered. Then Cosmo said, “I remember things a little differently. The stories I’ve heard about you from … well, you know who.” His expression fell a little, the reminder of his sister dampening his mood.
“We haven’t—” Maya said.
Naomi gave her a knowing look. “Why are you denying it now? You seemed more than happy owning up to it on Valentine’s Day.”
Maya and Apollo looked at each other, then back at the couple. Cosmo chuckled, “They think we’ve forgotten about them slipping out of the room together on the island. Acting like nothing happened now. It’s a bit too late, you two. Apollo,” Cosmo shook his head, “and here I thought you were smarter than to underestimate my keen powers of observation.”
Maya was ready to say something cutting in response, but Apollo squeezed her hip. “You are quite right, Cosmo. I am a fool to think we could pull one over on you. By the way, how did you two manage to escape?”
Naomi laughed, “It was way too easy. Cosmo flew us off the island.”
Maya looked over at Apollo, who was frowning. “Funny, because that didn’t work when I tried it right after we arrived.”
Cosmo looked confused, but Noami frowned and hypothesized, “Perhaps they wanted to make sure people thought that they couldn’t leave that way. We had no issue just taking off after we went to the cafe. And don’t think we missed the fact that you guys ditched us.”
Apollo smiled, “I would apologize, but it seems to me that was exactly what you wanted. Even if you weren’t aware that you wanted it.”
Cosmo laughed as he pulled Naomi up into his lap and kissed her.
While they were distracted, Apollo lifted Maya and hurried back to the room. After placing her gently on the bed, he pulled the chair up to the bedside. “So,” he said, looking at his hands, “how do you feel?”
“Confused,” Maya said, scooting up a little and pulling her legs up to her chest.
Apollo looked up at her. “I mean do you need me to treat you? Or do you want to finally get to sleep? What were you supposed to be doing before we ended up running off for hours?”
Suddenly aware of everything she had done, Maya felt exhausted. Yawning, she said, “Why did you have to point it out?”
He chuckled, then stood and sat on the edge of the bed. Maya moved over and lay down. “I’m surprised you aren’t more tired. The first few times I bent time, I was ready to pass out when I got back.”
“Why did you have to point it out?” he asked, then yawned.
“Could you rest beside me? That way you can treat me while getting a bit of sleep yourself?” She looked at him, holding her breath, although she wasn’t sure why.
“I’m not sure …” He looked at her, then to her surprise, Apollo got onto the bed. Moving up behind her, he pulled her body against his. She felt him breathing, his front warming her back as she faced away from him to hide the smile. Silence fell over the room for a few seconds, then he said in a low voice, “They saw us coming out of a room together on the island, Maya.”
Maya froze, suddenly more aware of their position. “It could mean almost anything.”
“It means that we return, so at some point, you’ll need to bend time again. Do you think you are well enough to do it again? And how long do you think we have?”
Maya’s smile disappeared. “Since time works differently on the island, I’m actually unsure what kind of timeframe we have.” She bit her tongue before she could ask the question on the tip of her tongue.
