“When you have a job?” Apollo repeated her words in a question because he was not sure of every word she’d said, but he thought he was sure of her meaning.
He just couldn’t believe it.
“Yes,” she confirmed.
“A job in Fleuridia or the Vale,” he stated.
“Yes. It’s pretty here but it’s also pretty cold and, uh…well, kind of close to you,” she replied.
Apollo said nothing.
But he felt a number of things and none of them were good.
“I’d actually like to be on my way tonight,” she informed him. “Is that too much of a rush for you? To get me a loan, I mean. That is, if you agree to the loan. If you don’t, I understand. I’ll ask Achilles. Or Derrik.”
He had something to say to that.
“You’ll not be seeing Derrik for some time,” Apollo declared and watched her head give a small jerk.
“Sorry?” she asked.
“You and Derrik will not be in each other’s company for some time,” he stated.
“Um…I…well, I know. As I said, I’m going, like, tonight. And I’m not good at good-byes so if I could ask one more thing of you and that is for you to tell all the guys I said adieu and thank them”—she put her hand to her chest— “from the bottom of my heart for being so cool, I’d appreciate it.” Her head twitched again and she clarified. “I mean, I won’t see Derrik again unless I have to ask him for money. After that, I probably won’t see him at all.”
She said this and she didn’t like saying it. There were many ways she was surprising him but that message was clear.
She would miss the men, and specifically Derrik.
Apollo felt his skin start to prickle again.
“You won’t see him again not because you’re leaving to go somewhere to get set up.” he said, attempting to keep the annoyance out of his tone. “You won’t see him again because I’m not allowing it.”
Her back shot straight and she whispered, “You won’t allow it?”
“No,” he replied.
“But—”
“You’ll also not be going anywhere but Karsvall.”
“I—”
“And you’ll not be working at all. An Ulfr woman does not work.”
She blinked.
Then she stared.
“And you may not be of this world, but you’re an Ulfr,” he finished.
“How can I make money if I don’t work?” she asked.
“If you need anything, you ask for it. It will be provided for you,” he answered.
“But—”
“Now,” he interrupted again. “As for the children—”