Lieutenant

Chapter 10

Artemis was the first to wake. In truth, looking back on it, she wished she hadn't. Zoë was asleep, a peaceful expression settled over her features. Dark lashes hiding darker eyes. Zoë's brow was slightly furrowed as if she were worrying and thinking even in sleep, but it was a peaceful kind of worry, her natural state. Her lips were drawn into a slight upturn at the edges.

Artemis studied Zoë's nose, it was softer than she'd realized, a gentle slope that resulted in a slight upturn at the end. Zoë's jawline was also different from this close. It was harsher than one would expect, along with her cheekbones, it was what kept Zoë from looking like a child and more like a youthful queen.

Regal in every sense but alive with a passion that only came from a young heart. Her dark hair fell loosely about her face, not exactly straight like normal but a bit wavy, crumpled from sleep. She was...well, beautiful. It amazed Artemis how different Zoë could look like she was constantly changing.

The night they had looked at the stars, Artemis was almost certain that Zoë was not a child of Atlas but a descendant of Aphrodite. She had to be, beauty like this was hard to find, there were even ugly gods. Artemis had seen plenty of them.

There were things she didn't quite understand. The intense desire to trail her thumb down Zoë's cheek, or trace the outline of her lips. Artemis couldn't even help wondering what it would be like to press her lips against Zoe's. She'd never kissed anyone, but she supposed that if she had a choice she'd pick Zoë. Her's seemed soft, elegant, gentle.

A new question popped into Artemis's head. Zoë was still sleeping soundly, leaving Artemis to nuzzle her face into the crook of Zoë's neck. Zoë stirred slightly at the tickle of breath against her skin but refrained from moving any more after that. Eyes closed, Artemis could almost make a picture out of the pleasant scent that clung to her companion.

It was the smell of the fresh wind, crisp pine from tall trees, damp earth that could be found at the side of a crystal clear lake, mint as well. Artemis stilled almost nervously as Zoë made a disgruntled noise, eyes peeling open due to growing light outside.

Zoë hardly move,d noticing the goddess curled against her side seemingly asleep. Artemis's auburn hair was down from its braid and shielded part of her face. Zoë found that a bit of a disappointment, but she accepted it. She didn't move for some time until her arm began to fall asleep and she very carefully peeled Artemis off of her.

Zoë sighed and slowly got to her feet, stretching her arms above her head.

"Seems like my brother is doing his job." Artemis sighed, not enjoying the brightening sunlight.

Zoë laughed softly. "Seems you're feeling better."

"Yes. Thanks to the both of you." Artemis glanced down at her bandaged torso, as far as she knew the cut on her head had healed, perhaps her other wound had as well.

"Well, I will relieve you of my presence. I must get ready for our next move." Zoë smiled at Artemis for a moment before leaving the tent behind and jogging across the way to her own quarters.

As it turned out, Artemis's wound had scarred over. It looked sort of like a knot in a tree trunk. The scar would disappear eventually, but for now, it was there. Artemis took a small amount of time to clean up her appearance, she was never one who liked to look or dress flashy. It wasn't beneficial to do so.

With newly braided hair and a dirt-free face, she went to wake the others. In little less than an hour, the other girls were awake and dressed, preparing things for the day, from breakfast, to packing.

"Myra." Artemis smiled, watching as one of the newest nymphs sat with a pile of flowers in her lap. "What is it that you're doing?"

The girl seemed startled at first, concentrated on her work. She glanced up with bright green eyes. "Oh, well I'm weaving."