I am Artemis

This Will Not End Well

Kaori

I stepped through the door and gripped the sword in my hands.

I am sorry Kissare. I know you wanted to wait, but I fear my partner didn't want to. Please let this go well.

The sword pulsed in my hands. Inu looked at me and then started forward. I followed behind him knowing this wouldn't end well. Before I knew it we were in front of Apollymi. Inu looked back at me and I clenched the weapon tighter.

"Tell her Kaori." I looked at Apollymi.

Her eyes were looking into mine and she looked shocked. Then her eyes lowered to the sword in my hands. She looked back up at me and I could see the fury in her eyes.

"Apollymi. Please just listen-" I had a weapon at my throat.

"I expected this from others. From anyone else in the world but not you," I looked at Inu and he looked alarmed, "what was this? Fixing everything Artemis did? Was it just a ploy to gain my trust so you could come here and plan this?! I trusted you! My son trusts you! Speak before I kill you."

I felt tears fill my eyes and I shook my head.

"I would never, ever plot something like this," I felt her press the sword against my throat harder, "I would never. Not to you. I care for you as though you were my own mother."

She lowered the blade to my stomach and I grit my teeth. I glanced at Inu and then back to Apollymi.

"Matera," my voice cracked, "I would never lie about this. You know that. Please."

The sword in my hand pulsed.

Show her the brand, little one.

I shifted Takara to my left hand and showed her my right hand. Her eyes looked at my hand and the sword fell from her hand. She held my hand in hers and looked up at me. I smiled at her.
"I've never seen the tree, at least not in person, but it's very beautiful, Apollymi. I can see why you keep it in your realm. I know the doubt, and thinking this is a cruel trick, but do you think I would do that? I swear to you I wouldn't." She glanced at the sword in my hand then looked at me.

"Your eyes, they resemble his." I nod.

"They will for the duration of my pregnancy. Matera, I promise you. Kissare will come back to you. I know you doubt. I would doubt myself if I was in your place, but I promise you. This is real and not some trick. I swear to you Matera." Looking into her swirling silver eyes I saw a flicker of white.

"He will come back to you, Braith. Sooner than you think." Tears slipped down her face and I pulled her into my arms.

"I've got you." Sobs filled the room and Takara was floating next to me.

I glanced at Inu and he looked guilty. I kissed the side of Apollymi's head. My armor vanished and I was in normal clothes. I held her tight in my arms and rested my head against hers again.

"I'm so sorry, Kaori." I looked at Inu and shook my head.

"We will talk when we go home," I smiled at him, "it is fine that you doubt. It hurts but it is fine."

Apollymi pulled away and I looked down at her. She looked up at me and I gasped. Her hair was black and her eyes white. Her hands held my face.

"I could never forget those eyes." I smiled at her.

"You will not have to wait long. Just until I give birth. Then you two will be reunited, even if that means you stay as Apollymi. He will love you in any form."

Takara pulsed next to us. Braith turned to the sword and reached her hand out to touch the black rose on the hilt. It pulsed under her touch and she smiled. She looked at me.

"Thank you so much, Kaori." I nodded and her eyes changed and her hair turned back to blonde. Apollymi looked at the sword. I looked at it as well.

"Keep it." She looked at me surprised.

I smiled at her.

"Why?" I looked down at the sword.

"He would want you to have it as his promise to come to you as soon as he can. I know he will be okay with this." She took the sword in her hands and it pulsed in her hands.

"Thank you, Kaori." I smiled at her.

Watching her have a genuine moment of true happiness was something I never thought I would get to see. Not with everything she had been through alone all these years. I felt tears gather but I didn't let them fall. Today didn't end in disaster, but I still had eight months left of this pregnancy to protect my daughter and Kissare. I would do everything to ensure they were both safe. Even if it meant hiding.