At that, Frey smiled and responded, “They never are the same, but they are always better. And for you, my friend, she would need to be considering the other her was as she was and you felt for her as you did.”
Apollo felt his lips curving and concluded, “Yes. So, in other words, indeed. She pleases me. She vexes me often. But she pleases me more.”
Frey’s brows rose. “Ilsa did not vex you?”
“What we had was very steady.”
Frey grinned. “You may have discovered that the vexing leads to many things and most of them are interesting. And most of those interesting things are very interesting.”
Apollo turned and started walking again, Frey falling in step beside him, and Apollo did this murmuring, “I may be mad, but I simply find the vexing part interesting.”
Frey chuckled and clapped Apollo on the back. “Do not share this with my wee Finnie, but I would agree.”
They ascended the stairs and stopped again to go their separate ways.
“We leave on the morrow for Karsvall,” Apollo told him. “Lavinia is there and it’s safe. My children and Maddie are here where I feel it is not. You and Finnie are welcome.”
“I’ll report to you immediately about the dragons. And if they are not successful, we will discuss Franka and Kristian and how to use them,” Frey replied. “I’ll leave a man to deal with that and Finnie, my son and I will follow you to Karsvall.”
Apollo lifted his chin.
Frey murmured, “I go to my dragons,” as he turned to move away.
“Frey,” Apollo called and Frey stopped. “I have a man who makes his way to Specter Isle. A self-appointed mission to scout. I have another man who follows him. I would think they should be there by now, though I’ve heard no word.”
“This is a foolhardy mission,” Frey remarked.
“He was warned,” Apollo shared.
“The dragons’ missiles cannot be precise if we don’t know where they are,” Frey said quietly. “Upon approach to Brunskar, we saw the black magic in the forest and the blue of Minerva’s sparks, as well as the sea of wolves, so we knew one of ours was under attack and I could instruct the beasts.” He shook his head, watching Apollo closely. “Specter Isle is not vast, but it’s far from small. Not knowing where they are, I cannot do the same for your men or Franka’s lover.”
Apollo drew in breath and looked away, wishing like all soldiers—futilely he knew—that there was a world with no war.
If Derrik reached Scepter Isle, and the dragons succeeded, he would be lost.
Apollo felt that score through his soul before he let out his breath slowly and looked back to Frey. “I will hope they have not yet made their destination.”
“I will hope that as well,” Frey replied.
Apollo drew in another breath and on the exhale, whispered, “Thank you. For tonight what you did with your dragons in the forest, I owe you a debt.”
“You owe me nothing,” Frey replied quietly. “My wife was in a war zone, a princess surrounded by snakes. You were her one true ally who held power. You saw she took no venom. Tonight, I repaid my debt.”
That he would allow so again Apollo lifted his chin.
Frey dipped his.
Then Apollo moved to find his Madeleine as Frey moved toward the front doors to command his dragons.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hold Tight to Happiness
Apollo’s boots made no sound on the blood red runner that ran the hall to the room in which the maid had told him he would find Maddie.
He was not surprised when, seven feet from the door, Madeleine’s Maroovian maid stepped out, her eyes aimed to him.
He stopped three feet away and held her gaze as she closed the door with a soft click behind her.