“I suppose it’s possible,” Apollo agreed.
Except there hadn’t been any strobes going on. Not unless he counted the ones in his head at the time. But Oliver wasn’t going to offer that up. Let them assume what they would.
“I’d like to keep you here for observation. At least for another hour.”
Oliver glanced at Bijou. When she nodded in encouragement, he relented.
“Will you stay with me?” he asked.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He could tell she was upset, as though she was still trying to wrap her head around what had happened. He knew the feeling.
“I’ll be back shortly,” the doctor said before slipping out.
Feeling the need to reassure Bijou that he was fine, Oliver motioned her over, then shifted so there was room for her on the mattress.
“Come here.”
Her beautiful green eyes locked on his face, and he thought for a moment she would decline his request, but then she was crawling up with him.
Oliver shifted once more when she reclined, ensuring her head was resting in the crook of his shoulder. He curled her closer, pressed his lips to her forehead.
“I’m sorry about that.”
Her soft laughter was like a balm to his soul. “You shouldn’t be apologizing.”
Inhaling deeply, he let her scent wash over him. He loved the way she smelled, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. Perhaps perfume. Maybe soap or shampoo. Whatever it was, he longed to breathe it in.
When her hand rested lightly on his stomach, his muscles tightened from the touch. Placing his free hand over hers, he held her close to him, content in a way he’d never been before.
There was still a strange sensation within him, as though something wasn’t quite right, like two magnetic poles warring with one another, trying to fight to overrule the other.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and prayed whatever it was would pass quickly, because this … being with Bijou … was the only thing he’d wanted since the day he saw her in the dining room.
The absolute only thing he wanted.
Obsidian remained in the hallway to theinfirmary when Penelope had opted to head back up to the mansion. Apollo had given her the information as he knew it—Oliver having a seizure, being brought down by Reidar at Bijou’s request, looking over the male and finding nothing to indicate what had caused it. The healer’s explanation had eased her mind, and she’d been eager to get back to Ari’el since Oliver was with Bijou.
That was all good and fine. Obsidian didn’t mind the fact that Apollo had sugarcoated his observations in an effort to keep Penelope calm.
However…
Get your ass down here now, Obsidian projected to Michael.
A second later, there was a flutter of sound, then the male appeared, looking both curious and wary.
Michael glanced at him, peered around, eyes swinging back. “Based on your tone, I suppose this isn’t an invitation to the morning meal.”
Obsidian turned to face the archangel. “What’s going on with Oliver?”
Michael turned, as though looking into the room. “Well, right now he’s holding the female vamp—”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it.”
The male turned back around and sighed. “Honestly, I don’t really know. I suspect Khari and Oliver are warring at the moment. The vampire’s been repressed and the female is his mate. I suspect he knows this and he’s asserting his dominance.”
“Is Oliver in danger?”
