The Kingdoms Arrangement [H.S]

VIII

***** Artemis' POV*****

The past week has been mentally and physically draining. I have barely slept due to midnight training with Leah, which turns into hours long talks afterwards. I never realized how much I did not know about her. When I am not busy with kingdom duties, I am with Percy usually. I have not talked to Kit, Harry, or Hyacinthus outside of meal times. Harry is back to being a man of few words around me and as much as he tries to hide it, I can tell it bothers Kit, although he is still the entertainment at meal times. Percy whisks me away as much as he can, we have gone swimming in the lake right behind the castle which caused us to be really close considering I'm not the best swimmer, he wanted to paint another portrait of me so I regrettably agreed, and we snuck in a few kissing sessions here and there. I can really see myself falling in love with him, if I am being honest I might be already.

       I am about to head to my nightly meeting with Leah and cannot help but feel like someone is watching me on my way to the clearing. I shake it off and continue on, going in a zig zag in case I am being followed. Leah explained she had information that could get her killed, so I want to make sure no one will use me to get to her.

       I head to the clearing and Leah is not here yet, I sit down on a boulder to wait for her. I wonder what is taking her so long, she's usually here right at midnight. A few minutes pass and I begin walking down the path Leah usually enters from, I hear rustling but don't let it mind me. Soon after I begin down the trail, I cross my arms over my chest sighing. 'Where could she be?' I think to myself, sitting on the dirt ground, I hear the rustling again causing anxiety to hit my spine. I sit up straighter and put my hand on the hilt of my sword, a giant wolf comes out of the bushes snarling right in front of me, its drool dripping down its chin with pitch black eyes staring into my own. Right as I was about to attack the wolf myself, Leah came running out of the bushes right behind it, sword drawn, the wolf slashes me with its claws before Leah attacks. She slashes her sword immediately beheading the wolf, I look at her my anxiety causing me to shake ferociously.

"Art! Are you okay?!" She runs towards me and smothers me into a hug, I wince holding the cut on my arm. I return the hug and squeeze tight, burying my face in her neck, we stay like that until I stop shaking.

"I'm okay, just a small cut. How did you do that so quickly?" I pull away a little to look at her face, still in her arms. The cut is bleeding some so Leah tears a piece of the bottom of my dress and wraps it around my arm.

"A sharp blade and years of training Art." She says with a cocky smile. The smile fades as we stare into each other's eyes, Leah puts her hand on my cheek and I feel my cheeks turn red. I don't know if it's in the heat of the moment or the fact that Leah just saved my life, but in the last six years that I have known her I have never felt like this. She leans in and kisses me, warmer than any of the kisses Percy ever gave me. After a moment we pull away and smile at each other. Leah shining brighter than normal, my cheeks turn rosy once again.

"I apologize Princess, that wasn't professional of me." Leah pulls away and I put my hand on her cheek this time.

"It is okay Leah, we all listen to our intrusive thoughts sometimes." I wink at her, she chuckles at my words.

"You need to go back and get that cut checked out, I don't want it to get infected." Leah looks at me like I have no choice in the matter.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow?" I ask, picking up my things and put my bag over my shoulder.

"Tomorrow, maybe find someone you trust and have them walk you here this time." Leah says as she begins to walk me to the opposite side of the forest.