(Apollo)
Smoke trailed behind him as his feet barely touched the ground. The torches flared violently as he passed, reacting to the magic rolling off him in waves. Shadows chased at his heels like hunting hounds, drawn to their master’s rising fury.
He burst into the hallway leading to his chambers, slowing only when he reached the massive iron door.
He stopped with his hand inches from the handle.
He felt her on the other side—felt her shaking, felt her breath catching, felt her heartbeat stuttering. But it wasn’t lust now. Not entirely.
Something had frightened her. And he hated that more than he’d ever admit.
He pressed his palm to the cold iron. It hummed beneath his touch, sensing the mark, recognizing him.
He didn’t open it. Not yet. He breathed in, steadying himself, forcing
