Lieutenant

Chapter 14

"Father." Artemis glanced around quickly before giving him a deep bow. He remained silent his expression unreadable. Artemis straightened and glanced wearily at Athena who remained at her side, hands tucked behind her back at attention. Always poised, Artemis thought.

"I don't quite know how to begin with this," Zeus spoke at last, his voice steely and gruff.

"I beg your pardon?" Artemis asked with a slight frown. A sigh came from a throne harboring Aphrodite. Artemis turned slightly to look at the other goddess.

"Pretending to be naive at this moment will get you nowhere dear." Aphrodite rested her chin in her hand looking at Zeus expectantly.

"Do not call me dear." Artemis frowned bristling at the love goddess' tone.

"Perhaps that term of endearment is saved for someone else." Zeus interrupted the conversation. "Is it true you've found a lover?"

"If you are questioning about Orion he's been deceased for some time," Artemis replied straightening her shoulders.

"No, not him." Zeus shook his head. He shared a look with Hera who had remained silent as if he wanted her to take charge of the situation.

"The girl." Hera sighed glaring at Zeus.

"My lieutenant," Artemis stated carefully. "What about her? I have already informed you she has no foul intentions towards this establishment."

"Perhaps not this establishment but yours." Artemis frowned at her father's words.

"You think she would hurt the other girls?"

"Not them. You, I believe she is damaging your reputation. It's been brought to my attention that the two of you have..." Artemis wasn't sure if she should laugh at his inability to say something as simple as 'made love,' or mock him. Either way, it was just a further show of his true cowardice hidden behind bravado. Just like all of the other men. "Well, you know what I mean. The point is part of your title is being a virgin goddess. You've now damaged that."

"Have I?" Artemis mused. Her smugness seemed to surprise him. "Father when you agreed to my terms you promised to not involve yourself in my affairs. You promised to refrain from intervening at all. Yet here you are."

"I did not promise to avoid interference with romantic affairs." Zeus countered cooly.

"Then let me ask, Lady Hera, how does one really lose such a thing?" Artemis questioned. Athena's eyes glittered in amusement. She knew the angle Artemis was getting at and was quite impressed by her little sister's intelligent maneuvering.

Hers seemed to contemplate her answer for a moment. "Well, it is broken when a sexual act between a man and woman takes place."

"Then I have done nothing wrong." Artemis nodded before giving a small bow. "Thank you for your concern."

She turned to leave when Zeus called out. "Do not turn your back on me, child."

Artemis froze and setting her jaw she turned to face her father, confidence rolling off of her shoulders.

"You may have avoided that trouble but that does not change my anger nor my despise for the girl." Zeus glowered down at his daughter.

"She has a name," Artemis replied, an edge to her voice.

"Yes, Nightshade." Zeus settled back in his chair. "Aphrodite, would you mind informing me what you think of this Titan girl?"

Athena looked like she wanted to interrupt but the love goddess seized the hesitation. "I do not find her as Artemis described her. She is strong-willed and independent at heart. She does not seem to be the person to accept submission easily. Those attitudes only lead to defiance, therefore if you were to ever impose restrictions upon her she would not merely defy them but threaten to retaliate."