Arcadian Huntress ⚢

Chapter VI Initiation

It was two days before I warm up to the idea of hunting animals for food. Parthenos comforted me all throughout. Lady Artemis had been gone for two nights because Selene asked her to drive the moon across the sky. The fiery chariot of her twin was descending into the stables of his nightly palace and soon she must ride her own chariot to provide a soft light through the night.

I woke up with the distinct sense that someone was hovering over me. Days of training told me to keep my eyes shut, and assess the situation using my other senses. A lock of hair tickling my cheek told me that my assailant was most likely female. No hold on my arms. Possibly this person was non-hostile. A gentle puff of warm air on my face, they were coming closer. Soft lips touched mine for a split second, and my eyes sprang open.

Parthenos' amused face hovered over my own, her hair was unbraided so her blonde hair flowed gracefully on her face, a smirk adorning her features. "I thought that would get your eyes open. Come on sleepy head, my father's driving his chariot already on the horizon and we're moving on in but a few candle marks."

If it were an unknown attacker, a man, for example, I would elbow them in the gut, turn around, and possibly knee them in the groin.

Parthenos pushed off of the floor and into a standing position. I had just now realized Parthenos' hands had been on either side of me. We both began combing and start braiding each other's hair.

When we were done, she offered me a hand, but I pushed myself up on my own, a bit shaken from the peck on the lips. Nevertheless, I followed her out of the tent, and over to the fire, where some of the leftover fish was cooking. Hyale smirked over at me as I sat down, in a way that obviously meant she'd been up long before the sun rose. I scowled back at her and turned to my food.

"Oh, do not be sour," Hyale, said lightly, sitting down next to me.

I rolled my eyes, and shrugged my friend's smirk, good-naturedly. I finished off my meal, and hopped to my feet, disappearing into my tent to fetch my bow that I had crafted myself when I was taught by Hyale and her sisters. I spent at least ten minutes trying to find my quiver of arrows—that I also made—before it occurred to me to look in the chest by my bedroll. As I leaned down to grab the quiver, slender arms wrapped around my waist, and my body stiffened. I knew exactly who it was, and that made the situation even more dangerous.

"All the other girls have gone out to greet Lady Artemis for her return," Parthenos whispered into my ear, sending shivers down my spine. Slowly, I turned in her arms.

"Parthenos? What are you—?" the rest of the sentence was drowned as the demigod pressed her lips to mine.

I froze for a moment, eyes widening, and back stiffening. Just as I began to relax, Parthenos pulled away and smiled brightly, her eyes landed on my lips and next on her my necklace, the only jewelry I have left, which I hid inside my tunic. I lost my trance when she walked out of the tent. I stood there, stunned, before following.

When I finally caught up to the group, some of the hunters stared at me questioningly. They did not know what happened between Parthenos and I. I shrugged them off and welcomed Lady Artemis back.