Part 78 (1/2)

They did this just as they perplexed him.

”And what have I done for you, witch?” he asked as the green mist grew around her.

”Not one thing, mon loup,” she replied, her body fading, her lips curving up. ”I do not express my grat.i.tude for me, but for my sister.”

This perplexed him more.

”I do not know your sister,” he told her something she knew.

”We women are all sisters,” she told him something he did not.

Then she faded away.

However, he understood and he wanted to feel satisfaction in knowing that she felt he gave something to one of her ”sisters” that deserved grat.i.tude.

He just didn't feel that way considering, with her manner of late, there was more work to do to mend his broken dove.

He needed to talk to Madeleine. It was just that he was forced to do it later and he was becoming more and more impatient with all the ”laters” that were forced upon him. Laters that meant he didn't see to his dove. Laters that meant he didn't see to his son.

But now, he had to find Frey and report what just occurred. Then it would seem he'd need to give the order to prepare to have more people in his house and likely more soldiers on his grounds. Further, there was the matter of Franka and their next move, which needed to be intricately planned, which would mean they would need to be away to the Winter Palace for the Bitter Gales soon.

But presently, after talking with Frey, he needed to have lunch with his children.

He would send for Maddie to join them and speak with her after.

And after that, perhaps both of them would sit down with Christophe, whose distance Apollo felt had gone on long enough.

It was unfortunate he had to press this issue with his son.

But he wanted Madeleine bound tight to him and his children. He wanted them all to build their relations.h.i.+p as a family together. And he wanted his children settled with that, working toward that same goal, and not battling demons alone.

On this thought, he got up from his desk and was making his way around it when a knock came at the door. Before he could call out his command to enter, the door opened and Achilles moved through.

He closed the door behind him and stopped, as did Apollo.

But before Achilles could speak, Apollo did.

”The green witch was just here, cousin. I apologize, but I must find Frey.”

”I was just with him and Lavinia. Lavinia sensed her and I came to see if she was visiting with you.”

”She goes to Lavinia now,” Apollo told him.

”Frey went to his wife on the same errand as mine.”

”Then I must go to him and explain what we discussed. You should accompany me as you'll need to know as well.”

”If it isn't urgent, while I have you alone, I'd like a moment before we go.”

Apollo studied his cousin and asked, ”Is what you need to speak with me about pressing?”

”It's about Maddie.”

Anything about Maddie was pressing.

Therefore Apollo crossed his arms on his chest, indication his cousin should proceed.

He did.

”I will preface this by saying that I understand it's not my place to pry, but Draven told me you, Maddie and the children were getting on well in getting to know each other while you were away. He's noted now that's changed and since your return, I've seen Maddie often with elan, never with Chris. He's your son, Lo, and you have your way with him but I'm surprised you have not yet intervened.” He tipped is head to the side and suddenly asked, ”May I ask why Maddie's still at the dower house?”

Maddie continuing to dwell in the dower house was something Apollo had hoped would change when they returned. Weeks spent in the presence of the children, she had to feel that it was fitting that she move to the main house.

Further, Apollo felt that the more his son saw him with Madeleine, the more accustomed he would become to her, the more he would settle into the knowledge that Maddie was Maddie, not his mother. And also he would see she was important to Apollo and Christophe's sister and in the end come to the conclusion he should s.h.i.+rk his current behavior and settle into his place in the family Apollo was trying to build.

However, upon their arrival, Madeleine had balked at this, saying it was clear from Christophe's behavior that he was not ready for it, and Apollo could not disagree with her.

He didn't like it.

But he didn't disagree.

Thus it was most definitely time to talk with his son.

And there was more than one reason he wished her in his home and his bed, a reason he had not yet shared with Madeleine.

She had shared greatly about her past life. She had only prodded gently about his.

They would have time for him to share his life, which was nowhere near as complex and heartbreaking as hers. And that time would come after he had all of her.

”It's precisely that Chris has distanced himself from Maddie that is the reason she's still at the dower house,” he explained. ”She feels the children should be comfortable with her presence and know her well before the manner of our relations.h.i.+p is further defined for them.”

Achilles took a step toward him and stopped, saying, ”I think this is wise. However, I also believe the manner of your relations.h.i.+p at this point is relatively clear, or as clear as their ages will allow it to be. elan thinks the world of her and would benefit greatly with having a lady in the house that is not a servant. But allowing Christophe to act out, even silently, against the relations.h.i.+p you're building with the woman you intend to wed might not be sensible.”

”Agreed. Thus, Madeleine and I will be speaking to him this afternoon.”

Achilles nodded but his gaze grew intense. ”I bring this up, Lo, not only due to what Draven shared about Chris, but also because Alek brought gossip from the village.”

”b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l,” Apollo muttered, knowing exactly what the villagers were saying without having that information imparted.

”It is now known wide that you intend to wed her. But your installing her in the dower house has brought up speculation that I'm sure won't surprise you. It would not serve you well if Maddie were to hear it without it being in context.”

Apollo grew impatient with their discussion and repeated, ”As I said, I'll be dealing with these issues shortly, Lees.”

Achilles gaze did not lighten. It did the opposite as he asked, ”Is Maddie all right?”

Apollo threw him a look before he sighed, leaned into a hand on the back of a chair in front of his desk and noted, ”You're far too observant.”

Achilles smiled a small smile. ”You usually find this a boon.”