Blue hair ✸ Apollo ²

IV. Don't wake me until the year is over

Lydia's emotions crumbled when she saw Apollo again. His face said that he was losing his godly abilities, and he was more easy to get wounded now. The thought scared Lydia more than anything. Her bond with Apollo has only grown in the past weeks since they started this journey, and she cared too much about him.

A small broken noise came from her lips. Her legs gave out before crashing into his arms. Apollo gently pulled Lydia's hands away from her face. He wiped her tears with his fingers. "Lydia, I'm fine. It's okay."

He slightly smiled, but she couldn't help but cry "I know, but I was worried. That they'd done something to you..or-"

But their conversation was interrupted, Dawn coughed "I'd feel better if you continued this in my estate. Where nobody can see you. It's quite embarrassing."

Lydia rolled her eyes, but she and Apollo followed Dawn to the manor again. The estate sprawled across a rolling green land. Lydia'd never seen anything like it. It was veiled in roses and ivy, with patios and balconies and staircases sprouting from its alabaster sides. The grounds were encased by woods, but stretched so far that she could barely see the distant line of the forest.

Above the array of amethyst irises and pale snowdrops and butter-yellow daffodils swaying in the balmy breeze, the faint stench of dangerous magic ticked Lydia's nose. It definitely felt like a place where a whole lost coven of witches would stay.

Dawn meandered on ahead, leaping nimbly up the grand marble staircase that led to the giant oak doors in one mighty, fluid movement. The doors swung open for her on silent hinges. Lydia sighed "What kind of great grandmother shows off like that?"

"I wouldn't know." Apollo tried not to grin "I've never met mine. Not that I'd want to."

Lydia shuffled her fingers, remembering everything out of the history books she's read. "Gaia? What is so bad about Mother Earth?"

"I'm sorry to say she's not the global hippie with flowers in her hair like everyone says." Apollo's eyes pierced into Lydia's soul. It was kinda terrifying to be honest.

Lydia and Apollo passed through the open doors and into the shadows of the house. Inside, it was even more opulent. Black-and-white checkered marble shone at their feet, flowing to countless doors and a sweeping staircase. A long hall stretched ahead to the giant glass doors at the other end of the house, and through them glimpsed a second garden, grander than the one out front.

Dawn led them through one large hallway, decorated like everything else around here. Before stopping in front of a white oak door. She pushed it open to reveal a room of the same color as the dining room. It was the perfect size, but there was only one bed.

"Uhm, where's the other bed?" Lydia asked.

"What do you mean?" Dawn just laughed "With the way you looked at each other I just assumed. But I suppose you are a bit old for my great granddaughter, Apollo."

Lydia instantly turned her head. She hated talking about her and Apollo's friendship. Only because of the prophecy that was set for the both of them, and obviously Lydia wasn't all about that at the moment. And she was happy that Apollo respected that.

But it was honestly common sense to show respect for that. Because Lydia wasn't even sixteen yet, and she was more focused on her life than taking the words of the fates. She's grown to hate them a lot.

"It's no issue, Dawn. Is there another guest bedroom perchance?" Apollo asked.

"Of course there is, these seven years of certain wealth have actually done my life greatly." Dawn nodded "But anyway, I appreciate you have boundaries. Most who are gifted with immortality do not."

"I respect Lydia, I genuinely do." Apollo looked down at the ground "But I feel having this conversation is something she doesn't want right now. So..where would this guest bedroom be?"

"Right down the hall."

Apollo took one last look at Lydia before walking away. Staying quiet during that whole conversation was a nightmare. But it was really awkward to hear it, and she felt really nervous about talking to Apollo soon after.

Dawn looked at her great granddaughter, noticing the face of denial "Chin up, Lydia. You'll be perfectly fine."

"Chin up?" Lydia didn't even know what to say "Seriously?"

"Ugh, you know what. Just stay in here, then. Dinner is at eight." Dawn walked away, her thin brown hair waving dramatically. Lydia knew her great grandmother definitely planned walking away like that. But she decided not to mention it again.

Lydia didn't even care to close the bedroom door, just wanting to sit in here for a moment. Her thoughts were running through her head like they usually did. They threatened to burst out and destroy everything in her line of sight. But like always, Lydia pushed them down.

There was absolutely no time to deal with this right now. Even if she was alone, Lydia always considered the best time was when nothing dangerous would be expected to happen for a couple days. And she'd spend those couple days doing whatever she wanted.

But now, Lydia felt like she wanted to sleep. She'd barely gotten any sleep in at least a week. No matter how many times Apollo convinced her she'd be safe taking a small nap out in the woods. She never did sleep. Somehow she was decent right now.

But when Lydia stared at those comforting sheets on the bed beside her, she definitely knew she wasn't decent. She needed to crash onto the bed. She wanted to sleep for a couple days at least. Her eyes burned with dryness.

Her legs gave out in one second, and she fell asleep into the comfort of dreamless sleep. Her stress and worries started fading away. Lydia would never have to think about all this stuff again until she woke up. So why not make it last?