Page 63 of The Queen’s Bodyguard

“He’s quieter than your usual,” said Apollo in a low voice, just between the two of them, as they walked ahead.

Theora scoffed. “Not when you get to know him.” She looked up at him. “And do I have a ‘usual’?”

Apollo smirked. “Depends on which age we’re counting as official.”

“Oh, Sovereign, no. The suitors before I turned eighteen certainly don’t count.” Theora grinned as Apollo took the hand that held his arm perhaps a bit too tight. “Anyway, they were just boys to dance with, with a lot of charm and pedigree and not much else. We both know…I was never very good at romance.”

He looked at her, his expression tender. “You were never allowed to be. Chaperones wherever you went…expectations laid on you. Who could ever fall in love under those circumstances?”

They were both quiet for a moment, understanding exactly what he meant.

“My angel,” he said. “We both know that it was a bit of an…unspoken understanding that the two of us would marry.”

Guilt plagued Theora’s gut. “Yes. I know.”

“And, well, when Venita arranged for me to join you here, I was under the impression that…” He trailed off with the smallest of shrugs. “But I suppose you weren’t married then.”

Theora chewed on her lip. “When did she arrange it?”

“As soon as the peace talks were scheduled.” He watched her, as if to see her reaction, then shrugged again. “It’s more than obvious now that she didn’t tell you. But you know Venita. Meddling, whether we like it or not.”

“I’m sure she meant it as a nice surprise,” Theora said quickly. “And it is. I just…I never expected the roses.”

Apollo let out an awkward chuckle. “Do we have to talk about it? I thought perhaps you were going to let me die from embarrassment in peace.”

“Please don’t be embarrassed, it’s not your fault.”

“It’s no one’s fault really. Just…an unfortunate result of our circumstances.” He lowered his brows at the darkness ahead of them. “I feel as if I’m about to come across as a villain.”

“A villain? Apollo. Never.”

He took a breath. “Even if you weren’t dear to me, even if we didn’t know each other well, I think we can both agree that there was a…point in pairing us together.”

Theora’s gut twisted. “Did Venita send you to say this?”

“I’ve been in politics a long time, Theora,” Apollo said with a sigh. “I don’t need my big sister to tell me that you marrying Argos was a risky step, for you and the validity of your reign. If he can provide the same security I could, then I’m all for what makes you happy. But most of parliament has similar views to Venita—they won’t accept a Warrior as a part of Docile society, as a suitable match for a queen.”

“Then they can burn in hell.”

“This is serious, angel. I’m worried for you. If the novelty of a Warrior isn’t enough to distract from…” He didn’t say it. Didn’t have to. They both knew he was speaking of her lack of magic.

An issue Theora had hoped to shove aside until the peace talks were dealt with.

“I need you to trust,” said Theora, “that I know what I’m doing.”

“Tell me what you’re doing. Let me help you.”

“I-I—” She took his hands firmly in hers, as if that would transfer the message to him. “I can’t.”

He frowned at her. Studied her. “We’ve never kept secrets before.”

They stopped at the edge of the next cavern, and Apollo looked toward the rest of their party approaching to see how close they were. Theora looked, too, to make sure she had time…Time to make him understand that Argos would be gone in a week and life had to go on as before.

Apollo squeezed her hand. “It was…so hard.” He took a breath, as if holding back tears. “Losing my sister. And then I wasn’t even allowed to attend her funeral before I lost proximity to you.”

Theora’s gut twisted again. “Venita knew you would be safer abroad, and she was right.”

“Yes, but I don’t want to be where it’s safest. I want to be where my talents can be of use. Where I can be of service to my queen…” He gave her a slow look that was as poignant as it was determined. “Where I can protect you.”