3. Geri
In the next instant, the cold, bleakness of Alaska disappeared around them, replaced with the heavy, humid air of the tropics. The thick, dense trees of the cold forest, too, were gone, and they were now surrounded by coconut trees and ferns. Geri didn’t need her enhanced senses to tell her that they were someplace completely removed from Alaska.
She looked around, and the scene before her was pleasant enough, but it hardly matched the mystique she had imagined with the island. Capilay Spring appeared as little more than a tranquil park with swimming holes dotted here and there.
She turned to Apollo. “Is this it?” she asked.
He looked around sheepishly. “Yes.”
She sighed, her gaze lingering on the tranquil surroundings. “Well, I suppose we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover,” she remarked, trying to muster some optimism. “Let’s explore a bit and see what we find.”
The park was filled with tall trees and lush greenery, providing plenty of shade from the sun—smooth stone pathways wound through the foliage, leading them deeper into the park. As a shifter, she enjoyed all kinds of natural surroundings. Her enhanced senses picked up all the unfamiliar but pleasant scents and sounds, from the damp moss clinging to the trees to the buzz of tropical insects around them. A desire to shift into her wolf form and run through the jungle and rub her scent everywhere hit her. It had been too long since she’d been in her wolf form. She hadn’t done it while in Alaska, and there was supposed to be a pack run tomorrow in honor of her grandmother, which she was sad to miss.
But, if she was successful in bringing Grannie back, then it didn’t matter if she missed it.
“Man, it’s hot here,” she said, pulling her ponytail into a messy bun. She shifted uncomfortably in her workout clothes, grateful that they were lightweight and breathable, sparing her from the suffocating heat. “So, who exactly is this water nymph you mentioned?”
He glanced around, his eyes scanning the tranquil surroundings. “Her name is Kanlaon. She resides in these springs.”
“Do you think she’ll be able to help us?”
He nodded thoughtfully. “I believe she might. She knows this island and, at the very least, can tell us who to talk to.”
“Kalos to manari mou,” a sultry voice said behind them.
Geri noticed Apollo tense, and her gaze darted toward the voice. She spotted a figure emerging from the water, graceful and alluring. Her long, dark hair cascaded in lustrous waves down her slender shoulders, framing a face of timeless beauty. Her eyes, the color of deep ocean waters, sparkled with a mischievous glint as she regarded Geri and Apollo with curiosity.
Was this Kanlaon?
Geri glanced back and forth between Apollo and the woman, sensing the tension that hung in the air like a palpable force. She turned to Apollo, silently urging him to break the silence.
He met Geri’s gaze, his eyes reflecting a mixture of reluctance and resignation. Taking a deep breath, he cleared his throat. “Uh, hello, Castalia,” he said, his jaw clenched momentarily, unease flickering across his features before he quickly masked it with a neutral expression.
Castalia smiled, a beguiling curve of her lips that seemed to hold a hint of mischief. But as quickly as it appeared, it transformed into a playful pout, accentuating her allure even further. She cast a sidelong glance at Apollo, her gaze teasing as she chided him gently. “And here I thought you were going to introduce me to your lovely friend,” she remarked, her tone playful yet laced with an undercurrent of intrigue.
With a graceful movement, Castalia glided toward them, her presence exuding an irresistible charm. She extended a slender hand toward Geri, a warm smile gracing her lips. “I’m Castalia,” she introduced herself, her voice a melodic cadence that seemed to dance on the air.
Geri accepted Castalia’s hand, feeling a surge of curiosity mingled with caution. “Geri,” she replied, returning the water nymph’s smile with a polite nod.
Castalia’s gaze flowed over Geri. “She’s quite yummy, Apollo—any room for a third?”
As Castalia’s playful words hung in the air, Geri’s mouth dropped open in shock. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Beside her, Apollo appeared visibly flustered, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Before Geri could even gather her thoughts to respond, Castalia continued with a teasing smile, “Of course, I’m just joking. I know how you don’t like to share, Apollo.” With a playful wink, she hooked her arm through his.
The gesture made Geri’s heart clench. A surge of emotions flooded her—surprise, anger, and a twinge of insecurity. She was successful at masking her emotions at least, but they threatened to boil over at any moment.
Apollo shifted uncomfortably under Castalia’s playful gaze, trying to diffuse the tension. “Castalia, please,” he murmured.
“Oh, lighten up, Apollo,” she teased, giving his arm a playful squeeze. “I’m just having a little fun.”
Geri forced a tight smile, trying to play along with the charade, but inside, her emotions churned. She couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her, wondering what other surprises Castalia had up her sleeve.
Apollo cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence that had settled over them. “We’re here to talk to Kanlaon.”
“Oh, my dear cousin isn’t around,” she remarked casually, as if it were of little consequence.
Geri’s brows furrowed as she put two and two together, a dawning realization settling over her. Apollo had known about Kanlaon through Castalia. It was all starting to make sense now. The revelation sent a jolt of discomfort through Geri, her stomach twisting with unease. She glanced at Apollo, searching his expression for any sign of acknowledgment or guilt.
Apollo shifted uncomfortably under Geri’s scrutiny, his eyes flickering briefly to Castalia before returning to hers. There was a guardedness in his eyes, a silent admission of the truth that hung between them.
Geri swallowed hard, trying to push down the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
So, Apollo and Castalia have history.
Not that she cared. Because Apollo was nothing to her at all. They had sex, twice, nothing more. She had made it clear she didn’t want anything beyond that.
But the realization that the god and water nymph had been lovers at some point hit her with a pang of hurt nonetheless. She wondered why the thought of Apollo and Castalia’s past made her feel so uneasy.
Was she…jealous?
No, nuh-uh. No way.
Still, the thought of them together stirred something in her. It unsettled her, churning a whirlwind of emotions that she wasn’t quite prepared to confront.
Focus, Geri, she told herself. She was here for one purpose, which was in no way related to Apollo.
“I can’t imagine you’re here for travel recommendations,” Castalia chuckled, her gaze flickering mischievously between Apollo and Geri.
Before Geri could respond, Castalia called out into the stillness of the park. “Kanlaon!”
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, stepping gracefully into the clearing. Kanlaon was the antithesis of Castalia—sweet and ethereal, with an aura of purity that seemed to emanate from her very being.
“Apollo,” she said softly, her eyes alight with warmth and affection. “It’s been too long.”
“Indeed, it has,” he replied warmly, stepping forward to embrace her.
Geri watched them, her earlier feelings of jealousy momentarily forgotten in Kanlaon’s serene presence.
Kanlaon stood gracefully next to her cousin, her calming demeanor a stark contrast to Castalia’s playful antics.
“This is Geri,” Apollo introduced. “Geri, this is Kanlaon.”
“Lovely to meet you.” The nymph’s gaze pierced through her. “You’re a shifter. A wolf shifter?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
Castalia turned towards Geri, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Tell us, Geri,” she urged gently. “Why have you and Apollo journeyed to Siquijor?”
“We’re here…because we need your help,” Geri admitted.
Apollo added, “We seek the Siquijor Stone.”
Castalia’s playful demeanor faltered for a moment as she exchanged a glance with Kanlaon. “Oh, that thing,” she remarked nonchalantly.
But before Castalia could say more, Kanlaon motioned for her cousin to be quiet, her expression growing solemn. “The Siquijor Stone is very powerful,” she explained. “It has the ability to bend the very fabric of reality.”
“I need it for my grandmother,” Geri blurted out. “The Siquijor Stone may be our only hope.”
Kanlaon’s eyes softened with empathy as she regarded Geri. “You can talk to Lola Conching,” she offered gently.
“Oh great, can you introduce us to Lola?”
“Of course. But her name isn’t Lola, it’s Conching. We call her Lola Conching, meaning Grandma Conching,” Kanlaon explained.
“I know where she lives,” Castalia declared, grabbing hold of Apollo and Geri with surprising strength. “Let’s not waste any time. Apollo, bring us to the town. There’s a street there with one lone hut at the end, the one with the giant balete tree in the yard.”
“Alright.”
When they materialized on the street outside a small bamboo hut, Geri found herself tightly pressed against Apollo, with Castalia’s slender form pressed against them. Geri shifted uncomfortably, feeling more annoyed than ever by Castalia’s impulsive actions.
“Could you give me some space, Castalia?” Geri snapped, her gaze narrowed on the water nymph.
Castalia chuckled, her breath warm against Geri’s ear. “Oh, come now, darling,” she teased, her playful tone grating on Geri’s nerves. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
Apollo gently extricated himself from the tangled embrace.
Geri sighed, her annoyance simmering even more when she heard Castalia’s laugh as she followed Apollo toward Lola Conching’s house.
“Well, my work here is done,” Castalia announced and gracefully walked away. The locals along the street gawked and cast puzzled glances at her.
Geri sighed in relief as she watched Castalia disappear into the crowd, grateful for the temporary reprieve from her presence. However, as she turned to Apollo, her annoyance resurfaced like a sudden storm cloud. “Interesting friends you have,” she muttered under her breath. She didn’t even try to hide her frustration.
Apollo reached a hand toward her, but Geri shrugged it off, her irritation propelling her toward the hut. With determined strides, she marched past him, her footsteps heavy with pent-up anger.
Beside the hut stood a magnificent balete tree, its ancient branches reaching toward the sky like outstretched arms. Beneath its sprawling canopy sat Lola Conching, a figure of quiet strength and wisdom, her presence commanding respect. She fanned herself gently in the warm afternoon sun, her expression calm and composed.
As Geri approached, her anger began to ebb away, replaced by a sense of solemn determination. She knew confronting her was the next step in their journey, and she steeled herself for the conversation ahead. With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders, and addressed the powerful witch.
“Lola Conching,” she began, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her. “We’ve come seeking your guidance. We need your help. We’ve traveled a long way seeking your guidance and assistance. My grandmother…we believe only you can help us.”
Lola Conching regarded Geri with a knowing gaze, her expression inscrutable as she responded in a language Geri didn’t understand.
Frustration bubbled up within her, anxiety mounting at the prospect of not being understood.
Before Geri could voice her confusion, Apollo stepped forward, his demeanor calm and composed. “Apologies, Lola Conching,” he interjected, “allow me to assist.” With a graceful wave of his hand, he cast a subtle enchantment, bridging the language barrier between them.
Geri was surprised as the words spoken by the witch suddenly became clear to her, their meaning unfolding in her mind with startling clarity. She still brimmed with annoyance toward Apollo, but beneath that turbulent emotion lay a kernel of gratitude for his timely intervention. She turned toward him, her gaze meeting his for a fleeting moment before she offered a silent nod of acknowledgment.
He smiled back at her, and it sent a jolt through Geri. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, forcing herself to refocus on the matter at hand. With renewed determination, she turned back to Lola Conching, repeating her plea for assistance.
The witch regarded Geri solemnly, her eyes reflecting the weight of her age and wisdom. “Child,” she began in a voice weathered by years of experience, “I am weary, and my powers wane with the setting sun. Return at dawn, when the world is fresh and my magic is strongest. Then, and only then, will I be able to aid you in your quest.”
Geri felt a pang of disappointment at the delay, but she knew better than to question the request. With a respectful nod, she accepted the witch’s directive, understanding that patience would be key in their pursuit of a solution.
As they bid her farewell and made their way back to the road, her thoughts lingered on their encounter when Apollo’s voice broke through the silence, interrupting her thoughts. His words, however, struck a nerve, eliciting a surge of anger within her. She turned to face him, her brows furrowed in frustration.
“What did you just say?” she demanded.
He blinked in surprise, taken aback by her sudden intensity. “I…I was just suggesting that we find a place to rest for the night.”
“Rest?” she exclaimed, her voice rising with each word. “How can you talk about rest when my grandmother’s life hangs in the balance? We can’t afford to waste any time!”
“I understand your frustration, but we need to be practical. You were already falling over when you summoned me to Alaska. You need food and sleep.”
“I’m fine. I’m a shifter and?—”
“You’ll be of no use to your grandmother if we exhaust ourselves before dawn.”
Her anger simmered beneath the surface as she considered his words. Though she begrudgingly acknowledged the wisdom of his advice, her impatience gnawed at her, urging her to press forward relentlessly.
“Why did you bring me here?” she demanded, her voice edged with accusation. “Was it just to make me jealous about Castalia?”
“Oh, are you jealous?”
Geri wanted to slap herself. “No. I mean, if that was your plan, I’m sad to say it didn’t work.
He sent her a sly smile. “First of all, you were the one who wanted my help.”
“I wanted your contacts,” she pointed out. “It was you who insisted on coming and you who wouldn’t let me go on my own.”
“I only want to help,” he countered. “Which is why we’re here. Why the hell would I want to make you jealous in the first place?”
Her anger wavered at the sincerity in his words, her frustration mingling with a pang of guilt. She knew she had lashed out unfairly, but she still felt so angry. She sighed and started to walk away from him.
He quickly caught up to her and then blocked her way. “I’ve lived for thousands of years and had just about as many lovers.”
The anger simmering underneath threatened to burst. “I told you, I’m not?—”
“Jealous, right.” He flashed her another irritatingly bright grin. “If you were—and I’m not saying you are—but if you were, being jealous won’t make you feel any better. Despite what you may think of me or what my reputation may be, I haven’t been with anyone else since Hades and Persephone’s wedding. I’ve been thinking of you all this time. Wondering when you’d call me.”
Why was he telling her this?
And why did his confession send a pang in her chest?
“I meant what I said then, and I still mean it. I want to explore what’s going on between us.”
“Oh, so that’s it? That’s why you inserted yourself into my search? If you think I’m going to sleep with you so I can?—”
“Stop.” He held up a hand. “Do you really think I’m that kind of person, Geri?”
She recoiled at his outburst, stung by the disgust in his words. The weight of his existence bore down upon her, a stark reminder of the vast gulf that separated them. “I’m sorry,” she retorted, her voice trembling with indignation. “I’m scared…scared of losing my grandmother, scared of what’s to come. Can’t you see that?”
“Geri, please,” he implored, his voice soft yet earnest.
With a sigh of resignation, she relented, knowing they would need their strength for the challenges ahead. “Fine, I’m exhausted,” she conceded grudgingly. “But at first light, we’re going to talk to Lola Conching.”
After dinner in the town’s lone eatery, Apollo had somehow secured lodgings for the evening—a simple hut not far from Lola Conching’s street. There was only one room with a mattress on the floor, but before Geri could protest, Apollo said he had some business to take care of and disappeared. Exhausted, Geri lay down on the mattress and closed her eyes, allowing her fatigue to take over.
Still, being in a strange place, she drifted into the hazy realm between sleep and wakefulness. As a wolf shifter, her heightened senses also brought with them an enhanced sense of danger, so she was always aware of her surroundings as if her instinct was telling her: stay alert, this is not our den.
At some point in the night, however, she was nestled in a sense of warmth and comfort, unlike anything she had felt in a long time. She snuggled deeper into the sensation, relishing in the feeling of security and contentment that washed over her. But as she shifted slightly, her hand rested on something warm and solid, and her eyes fluttered open in confusion. Despite the lack of illumination, she could see clearly, her vision sharp and keen in the dimness of her room.
She snuggled into her pillow and then realized with a start that the warmth she felt emanated from a figure beside her. His masculine scent tickled her nose, and before she could stop herself, she took in a big whiff. Big mistake—that damned, delicious masculine scent of his had somehow imprinted in her brain and sent all kinds of pleasurable signals to the rest of her. That primal tug—the same one she felt the last time they had been this close—returned.
With a quickening pulse, she turned her head and her eyes were met with the amused gaze of Apollo.
In the dim light, his features were illuminated by a soft glow, his eyes twinkling as he regarded her. Her heart skipped a beat as she took him in, the warmth of his body a stark contrast to the coolness of the night air. They simply looked at each other for a moment, the air between them heavy with unspoken questions and desires.
She felt confusion and intrigue swirling within her. Summoning her courage, she asked him outright, “What the fuck? Why are you wrapped around me in my bed?”
His lips twitched into a playful grin as he replied, “Actually, it’s the other way around. You’re wrapped around me.”
Standing her ground, she squared her shoulders and demanded, “Explain.”
With a chuckle, he shifted slightly on the bed. “I came to check on you and sat on this side of the mattress,” he began, his voice calm and unruffled. “And then you turned and snuggled against me.”
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. But as she met his gaze once more, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort wash over her. She hated to admit it, but having his warmth near her was nice.
Oh, fuck it.
She tore her eyes from his and lay against him. She felt his fingers comb through her hair and relaxed into his embrace even further. His chuckle was like music to her ears, a soothing melody that washed away the remnants of her confusion and uncertainty.
This was just a hug, she reminded herself. Only they happened to be lying down.
Yeah, that’s it. Just a hug. Like the kind you give friends.
As he pulled her closer, she found solace in the warmth of his embrace. For the first time since she learned of her grandmother’s condition and then subsequent death, the weight of the world seemed to lift from her shoulders. She allowed herself to lean against him, her breaths coming slow and steady.
“It’s about two hours before dawn,” he whispered softly, his voice a comforting murmur in the darkness.
She sighed contentedly, a sense of calm washing over her as she closed her eyes, allowing herself to be in the moment. In the safety of Apollo’s arms, surrounded by the stillness of the night, a sense of peace settled over her like a warm blanket, wrapping her in its comforting embrace.
The alarm blared through the air, and Geri reluctantly opened her eyes, the harsh light of her phone screen illuminating the darkness around her. She was lying on her side of the bed, free from Apollo’s embrace. But then her gaze settled on the undeniable evidence of his arousal.
She felt her cheeks heat up and stole a look at him on his back. He was asleep, his body betraying him in the most human of ways. Suppressing a snicker, she couldn’t help but marvel that even gods were not immune to the quirks of mortal physiology.
Well, I guess gods get morning wood, too.
Before she could dwell further on the amusing turn of events, Apollo stirred beside her, reached out with one hand, and pulled her closer toward him. She looked up at him as his eyes fluttered open, meeting hers with amusement and affection.
She felt her cheeks heat up even more, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips. But to her relief, he simply chuckled, his laughter warm and infectious in the dim light of dawn.
He moved her into a sitting position, then draped the bedsheet over himself. “You should get ready,” he said, his voice rough and sleep-hewn.
“Morning wood is normal, you know,” she quipped. She couldn’t help but tease him.“I don’t think it’s because of me.”
He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “It’s always all about you, Geri.”
Flustered by his words, she moved to gather her clothes and disappeared into the bathroom to change. When she emerged, she found herself alone in the room, the absence of Apollo’s comforting presence leaving an ache in her chest. With a sigh, she busied herself, putting her things away, trying to ignore the persistent thoughts that threatened to consume her. It’s a good thing I bought some clothes in town yesterday.
But before she could gather her bearings, she felt his presence behind her, his warmth enveloping her in an embrace. Determined to maintain her composure, she resolved to ignore him, knowing that her body would betray her in an instant if she let herself succumb to his charms.
However, Apollo had other plans. With a gentle touch, he turned her around to face him, his eyes searching hers with a tenderness that stole her breath away. And before she could protest, he leaned down and brushed his lips to hers.
It was quick and barely lasted a second, yet her breath caught in her throat, her mind reeling as she tried to process the flood of emotions coursing through her. With a shaky exhale, she met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to find her voice.
“Good morning,” he murmured. “Are you ready to see Lola Conching?”
She swallowed hard, her pulse racing as she nodded in response, her voice barely a whisper as she managed to choke out a shaky, “Um, yes.”
And then, in the blink of an eye, they were no longer in her room but standing outside Lola Conching’s house, the humongous balete tree casting its shadow in the soft light of dawn.
As they drew closer, a flicker of movement caught Geri’s eye. She watched in surprise as a small, human-like figure emerged from the shadows. No taller than a squirrel, its eyes wide with curiosity as it stared at them.
“Eep,” the creature uttered softly before scampering into a hidden crevice within the tree, disappearing from view in the blink of an eye.
She turned to Apollo, her brow furrowed in confusion. “What the fuck was that?” she asked.
“That was a duende,” he explained. “They’re magical beings that live all around the country, but most of them call Siquijor their home.”
“Like elves?”
“Something like that. There’s no direct translation into English.”
In the next moment, an older woman duende emerged from the shadows. Her wrinkled face contorted sternly as she scolded them in the local dialect. Geri exchanged a bewildered glance with Apollo, unable to comprehend the woman’s words.
“I can’t understand her,” Geri admitted to Apollo, her voice tinged with frustration.
Apollo nodded before waving his hand in a subtle gesture. Suddenly, Geri found herself bombarded with an angry barrage of words that she could miraculously comprehend.
“What are you giants doing here?” the duende demanded, her voice filled with indignation. “My little Juan is shaking on his bed because of you! Can’t you walk around quietly, without stomping around with your big stupid feet?”
Geri’s heart sank at the woman’s words, realizing the unintended consequences of their presence near the balete tree. She exchanged a concerned look with Apollo, her mind racing with thoughts of how to remedy the situation.
“We’re sorry,” Geri replied earnestly, her tone apologetic. “We are here to meet with Lola Conching.”
The duende grumbled, her frustration evident in her tone. “That old witch,” she muttered under her breath. “Always making us her messengers.
“She had to help someone and said you should come back at lunchtime.”
Geri’s heart sank.