This was not something that the couple had mentioned, and the mention of making love to Apollo caught Maya off guard. She felt the blush in her cheeks as she tried to shrink from under their gaze. “I, um …”
Apollo pulled her to him, then whispered in her ear, “She’s right, you are positively glowing. And I look forward to ensuring you keep that glow. Happy Valentine’s Day, Maya.”
Maya looked into his eyes, and they shone like the sun on a spring day. Leaning forward, she kissed him, then whispered, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Apollo.”
They were broken from their happy little world when Cosmo cried out, “Oh, good grief, man! Get a room for that stuff.”
Apollo looked toward his friend, then rolled his eyes. “You apple.” It was the first time Maya could remember hearing him curse, but it had come out as anything but a bad word. She hid her smile while Apollo and Cosmo bantered.
“That’s why you adore me,” Cosmo said with a smugness that indicated he knew he was right.
Apollo quickly retorted, “Keep telling yourself that, Cosmo. Maybe it’ll come true one day.”
With a dramatic sigh, Cosmo gave Naomi a hurt look. “Did you hear what he said to me? He says he doesn’t love me.”
Maya couldn’t quite make out what Naomi said, but Cosmo made sure that everyone in hearing distance knew when he turned and looked at Apollo.
Apollo finally broke and laughed while shaking his head. “You are absolutely out of control.”
“Diamond straight. If you want, we can take you to a cute little cafe nearby before we head home.”
The other couple seemed to get caught up in their own little world, although they did extend the invitation to Apollo and Maya. Apollo leaned down and said softly, “You know, we could actually stay here a bit longer. There’s no reason to leave right away, knowing that we’ll get back around a week later. What do you say we do what we never thought we would want to do?”
She smiled up at him. “Are you saying that we should give in to fate and allow ourselves to be manipulated? On Valentine’s Day?”
He nuzzled his nose against the shell of her ear, a low rumbling coming from his chest and moving through her body. A shiver rippled through Maya as she realized how he planned to spend their time together. Taking his hand and putting it over her heart, she said, “I guess we can be hypocrites for a little while.”
“I wouldn’t say we are hypocrites, just two people who didn’t think we could find love, learning that we don’t know everything.”
Maya placed her head on his shoulder, enjoying his vanilla scent mixed with a muskiness that made her think of the night before. “Oh, I know I’m a hypocrite. My original name was Robin Mortensen, and my family were killers, among other things. And I very nearly went down that path myself.”
He tilted her chin up so that she looked right into his eyes. “But you didn’t, Maya. That name died with your family, and you have a new life. And if you would like, I would be honored if you would take my last name.”
Her eyes widened. “You mean … you want to marry me?”
He nodded.
“Even though I can’t give you children?” She held her breath, wondering if she had perhaps brought that up too soon. Someone like Apollo, who had money, respect, and a large original family, would surely want more than just a daughter. Perhaps she had just destroyed her own chance at happiness by bringing it up.
His hand moved over her stomach. “I would be honored to have such an intelligent,” he kissed her ear, “talented,” he kissed her temple, “stubborn shifter to be my wife.” He gently kissed her lips. Then he stroked her hair, his eyes drinking her in. “But if you want, I think I can undo enough of the damage, helping to make it possible for you to bear children.” He kissed her but kept his eyes closed as he pulled back and whispered, “But only if you want me to.” Then he opened his eyes, trying to gauge her reaction.
Maya’s heart raced as something she had long resigned herself to accepting was suddenly removed. “How?”
“He used old magic to do it, magic that most healers don’t learn about because they follow different paths that are moreinteresting and exciting. However, my focus has always been on traditional magic. It has deep roots that offer solutions if you know where to look.” He placed his forehead against hers. “It would take me a few months, but I am willing to work every night to restore your ability to bear children.”
Maya couldn’t help but smile as her mind immediately went to making love. “If you mean taking me every night—”
He chuckled, “Oh, I would love to do that every night. And several times a day if you are willing. However, that would be for pleasure, not healing. I’m afraid healing is much more boring. Although, it will mean you won’t have any more nightmares as it helps restore your mind, as well as your body.”
“Ye gods, but I love you, Apollo.” She kissed him. Cosmo and Naomi headed toward the stairs, reminding Maya that they were still present.
“Shall we slip off on our own?” Apollo held out his arm.
Maya slid her arm through his, then gripped his hand with both of hers. “What about shifting? Can you really teach me to shift?”
He moved his other hand to her back and slid it down to rest on the side of her hip. “When we return. While we are here, I want to be able to do things with you that will tire your body in a way that could make shifting more challenging. And if you are willing to wait, I will even teach you to fly.”
“Really?” Maya’s eyes shone.
