The negation was surprisingly vehement, causing both of Apollo's eyebrows to lift in belated surprise. He nodded, unmoving beneath the boy's touch. "As you wish, belovèd."

Oh, but he'd been alone for so long, it was almost second nature now to hesitate, to move slowly. Gone indeed were the days when he took what he wished and moved on to the next conquest. The last time he'd done such had scarred him more than he'd ever care to admit, and it was a mistake he would not make, not a second time.