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"Well, that wasn’t as aard…or as violent as I thought it would be," Seth announced, obviously accusto in and out

"What…what did he say?" My gaze shifted from the spot Apollo had stood to where Seth was "In the other language? Do you know?"

He nodded as his face softened "He said, ‘ht he had it in hih his hair and then dropped his hand "I never thought Apollo really cared about anyone other than himself Not like I think--like I know he cares about you He has compassion I’ve just never seen him that way before"

I don’t knohat it was about that, but the tenuous hold I had on my emotions shattered I broke wide open My face cruto stop the tears They wet my palms, streaked down , war that Seth had stayed here, that he hadn’t left, ether, to stitch the rawness closed

Seth made a deep sound in the back of his throat as he pulledone arm around me His hand curved around the back of uidedno experience with these kinds of tears, I burrowed in as close as I could, wrapping my arms around him, and I held on

And he held onto me

Chapter 25

OPENING MY eyes, I stared up at the bluish glow flashing across the ceiling fro but hushed whispers I must’ve fallen asleep

You‘re so very lucky

I dippedover the still form of Josie Emotionally spent, she had fallen asleep in my arms Hadn’t even woken up when I’d repositioned us at the head of the bed She stayed in my arms, her body curled on her side, hips between mine, head on my chest

I tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear She stirred, but whatever she ible The arhtened of its own accord

Had I ever held a girl like this? Maybe once or tith Alex, but with her it had never been a case of her really wanting to be there, withto be close todifference Honestly, Alex and I…we had needed each other

We’d never wanted each other Not in the way she’d wanted Aiden St Delphi and not in the way I wanted--I cut h it was pointless But sometiht, it wasn’t true Duht there