Part 72 (1/2)

Nothing could save Ilsa.

But nothing would ever again harm Maddie.

Not ever again.

Not ever.

His thoughts in turmoil, Apollo had no sleep. So he was awake when the soft knock came at the door.

He carefully disengaged from Maddie, strode swiftly to his trousers and yanked them on.

He then headed to the door.

He unlocked and opened it an inch.

Frey's man Ruben stood outside.

His deep voice was low and concerned when he stated, ”The dragons failed.”

Apollo felt his mouth get tight.

Very bad news.

But at least this meant his men lived.

And that their foe's magic had to be weakened.

”Frey will meet you here in an hour's time to discuss what we do next,” Ruben went on.

Apollo nodded.

Ruben moved away from the door.

Apollo closed it, leaned against it and aimed his eyes at Maddie's sleeping form in the bed, his mind slotting the priorities in his head.

First, he would send men to find the false informant and put him in prison, awaiting trial.

Second, they would interrogate Franka, find the witch who created the Keer parcel and put her in prison to await trial.

Next, use Franka and Kristian to draw out the enemy.

Strike that.

Kristian could barely hold his water during the tame interrogation he'd endured.

Kristian and his family would ”disappear.”

Franka would be their tool.

And last, find b.l.o.o.d.y Valentine and put the woman to work.

She'd been paid a handsome fee.

It was her time to earn it.

On that thought, he moved to the bed and commenced in waking Maddie with his mouth.

Then he made her climax with it.

After, he made her climax on his c.o.c.k.

And after he joined her, content he'd started her day with happiness, he kissed her so hard he bruised her lips and made her gasp with pleasured pain when he finally released her mouth.

Then he left her in order to continue down his path of vengeance.

The path that would end with her safety.

Chapter Twenty-Three.

It Was All I Had ”We cannot trust her.”

Apollo tore his gaze away from the window where he was studying Maddie outside with his daughter.

He was also studying his son.

Maddie and elan were smiling and he often heard their laughter as they did whatever-they-were-doing in the snow outside the inn, waiting for Apollo and Frey to finish speaking so they could leave Brunskar and be away to Karsvall.

Seeing the vision outside the window, he was relieved that it seemed he had led Maddie beyond her concerns of last night, for she was no different than she normally was around his elan.

Therefore, his thoughts were with Chris, who was not often far from his sister, and thus, of late, Maddie. But now, for some reason, he was well away from them both and not in a manner where he was simply interested in his own pursuits.

No, he appeared to be avoiding the two females.

This did not sit right with Apollo.

However, he had no time to dwell on it. He would keep his eye on the situation and approach his son later, if need be.

Now, he was discussing their next steps with Frey.

”Indeed Franka is not trustworthy,” he told his friend as he turned his eyes to Frey. ”And matters will be worse than before, for even if there is now hope she will get her lover back alive, she will not forget your willingness to sacrifice him.”

Frey nodded. ”This is true. And it seems Franka is unaware that if this Antoine has been tortured every hour for some time, if she gets him back, she may not find the man she knows returned.”

”Undoubtedly,” Apollo agreed.