The Light Of Apollo's Love

Chapter 3

As Apollo and Myrrh walking through the streets of Athens, Apollo had to keep a firm grip on her arm to keep Myrrh from getting caught in the swarm of people. He had wrapped his arm in hers and held her hand, and every few steps a store or stall would catch her eye and he would get dragged along with her. Apollo had changed his appearance slightly to help himself blend in much better, such as turning his eyes from their golden color to viridescent and making his light fully dissipate. Myrrh did not seem to mind too much, as they made their way into a clothing store. Apollo stood around studying the store as Myrrh went through every palla and stola that was available.

 Her eyes lit up as she had a childish grin on her face as she looked through all the colors. A small silver bracelet caught Apollo's eye, and he picked it up and studied it, double-checking that Myrrh was distracted still. It had small blue birds engraved into the lustrous metal, with small feathers and harps. At the clasp, there was a minuscule silver bell, with a very muffled chime to it. Apollo went to the rack nearby and snagged a beige and indigo palla, with fine gold detailing. Myrrh was occupied with one of the flames of the candles keeping to store illuminated, and Apollo went to the merchant sitting at their ligneous stool and table and exchanged a pouch of gold coins for the merchandise, before discretely packing it into a woven canvas bag. Apollo enclosed Myrrh's hand in his and made their way out of the store.

Apollo quickly pulled them into a nearby alley and set the bag down. "Here." Apollo took the palla out of its paper wrapping and wrapped it around Myrrh's narrow shoulders.

"Oh, thank you, Apollo, this is lovely," Myrrh beamed up at him. He drew the silver bracelet from its box and clasped it around Myrrh's wrist. Myrrh studied the bracelet, a surprised yet grateful smile spreading on her face. "You didn't have to buy me all this," she looked at him, and in return, he moved some of the curls from her face.

"I'm trying to help you blend in better Myrrh. there are people here that seem to have taken quite an interest in you." Myrrh's eyes widened with concern at his statement.

"Why would people be looking for me?" she placed her thumb to her lower lip, trying to think. the questions that had been pushed from her mind resurfaced once again, as she furrowed her brows. Apollo settled his warm hand on her shoulder, and she gazed up at him.

"Because your special Myrrh, that's why." He smiled at her, and she soon concluded that he was not going to go into more detail. She sighed before taking Apollo's hand and linking her arm in his. He gave her a reassuring smile before ruffling her messy curls, trying to ease her nerves. The tenacious sound of a bell ringing out, and it seemed as though the number of people in the streets doubled within seconds. People moving in all directions all at once, Apollo soon noticed that Myrrh's grip on his arm was gone, and he peered around the crowd, looking for her dark head of curls. How could he not have noticed she had been swept away from him in the busy crowd. He pushed through the sea of people and made his way to an empty alleyway. He put his face in his hands and drew in a deep breath. "Where are you my little firefly," he closed his eyes and drowned out the sounds of the city, focusing directly on the melody the bell on her bracelet had made.

Then he heard it. The gentle sound of the bracelet, the bell chiming with her movements. It was faint, but it was still a sound. He opened his eyes, keeping the sound in his mind, making his way in the direction of it. The sound slowly grew tenacious, and as he ducked into another ally, he was met by Myrrh running into him. She quickly grabbed his hand, and drug him along swiftly.

"Time to go!" she chimed in a panicked voice. Apollo's confusion was slowly resolved as an arrow went flitting past them. Apollo grasped her hand tightly, running slightly behind her.

"Myrrh, I'm immortal, there's nothing to worry about." he tried to say in a calm voice to her, but he was met with an agitated look.

"Well lucky you but some of us aren't!" she hissed at him. She seemed on edge about something other than the arrows being shot in their direction.