"Gloria . . . They might have been able to hurt you," he complained; I couldn't help but touched his cheeks and let out a long sigh.
"I will not allow it to happen. Are you able to send me on my way with them? Please take the actions that are appropriate for the Alpha King. I don't want you to waste your time on cretins who want my life because I don't want you to."
"Not at all, because . . . Are you sure? I cannot allow you to be alone with those two men you have reason to distrust. That has nothing to do with you. I don't want you to blame yourself for their wrath, which could be directed at me—I should be the—"
"It's okay, Apollo," I muttered as I descended the flight of stairs leading to the secret prison and forced a broad smile across my face, and I took a deep breath.?
