Pertemis A Moon's Tale

Chapter XI: Tale of Freedom

By the time I got back to Perseus's territory, the sun has given up its stage to the stars, as they edged into that black canvas of the night, bright and dazzling.

Perseus was already waiting at the entrance, hands behind his back with no sentries around him. It was dark, save for the green fires at either sides of the doors that illuminated his black-scaled amour which gave me a consternation. He already approached me before I could make another step.

"Why have you come back at this hour Goddess?" He grumbled, his hands squeezed my shoulders. "Do you know how long I have been waiting here?"

"relax" I sighed in annoyance. I knew he was protective of me, but this was just too much. Never in my life had anyone asked me where I go and why I come back late. I have become a child ever since my capture. "It's your fault for making yourself waiting. I didn't ask for you to be overprotective. Just put that amour away please, some people will make further rebut about you."

"Let them" he jerked his eyes towards the direction that led away from his territory, to the rest of his Clans. "As long as they are careful to not let me hear it."

"But I will be in further trouble" I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes at him. He could be a great general during battle. But with the court affairs, he was a complete idiot. "What do you think they would say? About a Prince protecting an Olympian. Perseus you got to understand that I am not your kind. Sooner or later, someone is going to notice our closeness. Your reputation will be tarnished if the gossips start multiplying."

He kept his silence, but the focus was still on me. The way his brows tried to touch each other made me uncomfortable. He was not the usual hard-thinking kind of guys. He was impulsive and sometimes even reckless. Plus, with his Werewolf's short temper...

"Look I have had a long day. Can we talk about it tomorrow?

I sighed and decided to leave. I didn't like where the conversation was gonging. The more we poked on the matter, the more dangerous it would be for me as I knew Perseus at the edge of exploding. I didn't know what I would do with an angry, transformed Wolf right now.

He allowed me to pass. But before I could make another step to the door, his words already came at my ear. Small and low, but full of intimidation.

"What did the High Prince tell you?"

My blood was cold. I could feel the muscles were getting frozen under my skin. It took me a moment of silence to regain my composure, which felt like a heck of a long time. I hoped Perseus wouldn't notice it as something unusual. I causally turned back to him, trying to keep my face straight and normal as possible.

"First of, we were talking about things that wouldn't endanger me. You happy now? And second of" I stepped closer to him, my finger pointed at his chest and hissed. "don't you ever threaten me like that again."

I left him and walked straight through the entrance. I hated talking like that to him. But that was the only way to stop him from pressing on. Now I understand why Therion wanted to keep our conversation a secret. If no one in the territory bowed to Perseus and called him Chieftain, that meant his status has not been revealed yet. If the news of Perseus being the Heir in Apparent got out, who know how many people would contemplate a plan to assassinate him. Especially my father, who has a deep resentment towards him, particularly after the stunt he pulled with Lucien which caused havoc upon Olympus. Besides, Therion was a reasonable person. He spoke what was best for Perseus and his kinds. If I told Perseus the High Prince's suggestion, that would cause a rift between the two brothers. All because of a goddess is not worth it. I loved Perseus, and I would consider going to the extent as being separated from him forever. For as long as he is safe and happy. I have been doing this, concerning over his well-being ever since the moment I made that promise to Leto, to protect him at all cause. I guess it had become a norm for me, because I knew for certain that the old Artemis would call me stupid for sacrificing that much for a male. Now I understand why the old-self avoided love. It makes people reckless and stupid.