Lieutenant

Chapter 12

Artemis knew she earned many surprised looks as she began to spend more and more time on Olympus. Every chance she could, she found an excuse to disappear for a good chunk of time. She knew Apollo sensed something was wrong, but he never approached the subject and she was thankful.

However, Artemis knew it was unfair, horribly unfair to Zoë. She caught hurt expressions from the other girl when she refrained from close and personal interactions. She saw the quiet anger and disappointment when Artemis fled back to Olympus with some half baked excuse. Artemis also knew, however, that Zoë still cared for her. Still tidied her things, kept everything in order and her bed warm when she was away. It was what made all of this so hard to swallow.

Artemis did not expect to feel such intense emotions upon admitting her feelings. But her self control was threatening to slip and she could not afford such a mishap. Artemis had nearly kissed Zoë one evening and instead panicked, pushing past the girl and fleeing into her tent.

But then when she was alone the thoughts came. They invaded her head like demons. She would think about what it would be like to kiss Zoë, to hold her hand, run her fingers shamelessly through the other girl's hair. Feel the rush of breath in between exchanging kisses, or the pounding of her own pulse rushing through her ears.

Artemis didn't just want to show Zoë how she felt, she wanted Zoë to do the same to her. To whisper small things in her ear that would make her smile, stay up at night whispering about nonsense, all of the senseless romantic things a smitten person could think of. Only it couldn't happen.

Artemis knew Zeus suspected something, she also knew part of it was Aphrodite's doing. He watched her with intense scrutiny over the next month. She was frightened. The slightest sound made her jump and she felt like a cornered rabbit. Artemis cried more in that time frame than she had ever before.

It was the only thing she could do. Only as her despair grew, so did Zoë's. Her heart ached, she felt guilty for something she couldn't possibly know, felt responsible for driving Artemis away. She wanted to apologize, but the goddess would give her a look like a wounded deer and excuse herself from Zoë's presence.

It worsened over the next month as well. A sense of despair seemed to settle over the camp. The others could sense the discord between their patron and their lieutenant. It needed to be solved, but none of them understood how to fix such a thing. That was until Zoë politely excused them. 

"You all may do as you please for the next day or two. I...need a moment or two alone. I hope you all understand. I believe we all need a small break from one another. Be wary and be safe." Zoë smiled thinly at her family and, by the grace of their hearts, they bid her gentle farewells for the time being.

Artemis returned later that night when Zoë sat alone next to the crackling fire. The goddess glanced about expectantly and when she noticed the camp's vacancy she frowned.

"Where are the others?" Zoë glanced up at Artemis, her eyes reflecting the flames.

"I sent them away for a day or two," Zoë explained before turning back to the fire.

"You should have told me. It is not safe." Artemis sighed, worry gripping her.

"You should have been here," Zoë countered.

"I was taking care of business." Artemis frowned, setting aside her bow and quiver which followed her everywhere.

"So you seem to say every time." Zoë swallowed hard and turned to stare at the tree line so that Artemis could not see her sadness.

"I do not lie. Good night Zoë. Rest." Artemis could only say the first words harshly, she did not have it in her to stay mad at the person who held her heart. "Please."