Lieutenant

Chapter 13

Zoë wasn't quite sure what to do, being the first awake. However, it wasn't entirely bad. It was quiet, peaceful in the faint morning light, warm and relaxing. Any pent up anxiety over the last month or two had vanished completely.

With a content sigh, Zoë decided to distract herself by studying Artemis. The auburn-haired girl was nestled quite comfortably into Zoë's side. She seemed more relaxed than she had in what felt like forever. Artemis's breath tickled the skin of Zoë's neck, but she didn't dare move.

Smiling slightly, Zoë brushed stray strands of hair from Artemis's face and tucked them gently behind her ear. She was beautiful, Zoë knew that despite the goddess's outward confidence she was quite shy. Zoë guessed she'd never had anyone look at her body the way she had, probably because Artemis would rip them to pieces if she caught them, but that was beside the point.

Still, there was gnawing anxiety in the pit of her stomach. All actions had consequences, and Zoë wasn't sure how bad they would be. She was also certain the deed hadn't gone unnoticed by those on Olympus. Aphrodite and Hera would both know as it affected their realms of power directly.

From what Artemis had said, Aphrodite wasn't entirely friendly, at least not to Artemis. The goddess of love was deeply offended by Athena and Artemis's decisions to swear off men. To this day, she held a deep despise for the two other goddesses. Hera naturally despised Artemis as she was the result of an affair from her not so loyal husband. This might have only made it worse.

Hera represented marriage, healthy relationships, breaking the deemed 'appropriate and sacred' progression of sexual relations being saved until after marriage would not pass lightly with her. Especially considering her own husband broke such a sacred principle.

Zoë did draw some comfort in that fact that Artemis was close with Athena but more surprisingly Hades. The two were both rather quiet and reserved, not enjoying the spotlight, and Artemis was one of the few who paid him an occasional visit.

Perhaps the goddess of the moon had some protection. There was also her brother, he would intervene if needed, at least Zoë assumed he would.

"You're already thinking this early in the morning?" Zoë snapped out of her thoughts and turned to see Artemis blinking sleep from her eyes. "What worried you?"

"Nothing." Zoë shook her head, immediately dismissing her troubled thoughts. She recognized that Artemis didn't believe her but decided not to press the issue. To recover from the strained silence, Zoë pulled Artemis closer so they were flush against one another. The action brought a small smile from the goddess's lips.

Artemis still couldn't wrap her head around how attractive Zoë was. It couldn't be possible. It made no sense to her. She had studied Zoë intently the previous night, but it still felt like she was seeing her for the first time. Only this time Artemis was allowed to do as she pleased, at least she thought.

Reaching out, Artemis trailed her thumb over the sharp slant of Zoë's cheekbone and then the bridge of her nose. Zoë laughed so quietly it didn't even sound like a whisper. She caught Artemis's hand and held it gently. She pressed her lips to each individual knuckle before rubbing her thumb over the ridges.

"I intrigue you, don't I?" Zoë asked, her face wearing a mask of amusement that caused her eyes to glitter.

"Always have," Artemis admitted, her eyes leaving Zoë's face to glance at her...friend's?-no, not friend, more than that. Artemis pushed the thought aside and was surprised to see small marks along the path of Zoë's collar bone and neck. "Did I-do that?"

Zoë only half processed what Artemis had said before following the goddess's gaze. "Oh."

Zoë could feel her cheeks flush. It only worsened when Artemis jolted into a sitting position to stare with a mixed expression at the small bruises. Zoë realized with even worse embarrassment that, while she had more, Artemis's seemed to be more noticeable. More prominent. "Well, yes, you did."