The Moon's Lover

2

Artemis PoV

The painting. It was beautiful. I knew he made it, so I didn't want to admit to myself the skill he must have to make such an artwork. But the way he made my hunters all so detailed, going about their daily lives was magnificent. It made me feel as though I was actually there with them again, enjoying myself. Had Perseus made it as an act of peace? Or was he just trying to make me hurt more?

I snapped back into reality, and tears began to trickle out my eyes, down my face. Father had disbanded my huntresses, and banned me from ever seeing or communicating with them.

I felt a sob escape my throat, and I fell to the floor, shaking and curling up into a ball. I heard pounding on the door, but it faded to background noise as I sobbed.

I felt strong arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me into a warmth. I realized it was the male whom I'd been assigned to as a mate. Perseus.

I wanted to pull away; my conscience told me to move, to hurt him. But, I reasoned with myself, he saved me from the sky, and he respected my huntresses.

He carried me to the bed, laying me down and tucking me in. As my eyelids drooped, Perseus planted a kiss on my forehead and began to walk away.

Without thinking, I reached out, grabbing the hand of my husband. Perseus kneeled down next to me, taking my hand.

"Do you need me to stay with you tonight?" He asked softly. Not want, but need. I squeezed his hand, and my husband slipped into the bed next to me, kissing the spot behind my ear as he pulled me to his chest.

When I woke the next morning, I was sprawled out atop Perseus. I blushed as memories from the night before returned to me.

Perseus shifted underneath me, pulling me closer. Perseus opened his eyes, smiling charmingly as blood rushed back to my cheeks.

He sat up, and I fell into Perseus's lap. My husband gently touched my cheek as he spoke. "Would you like to talk of whatever was bothering you last night? I can take the painting away if it makes you feel better."

I bit my lip. "Perseus," I began. "It isn't a bad artwork, but, it hurts to see them, knowing I can't help them."

Percy brushed his thumb along my cheek, letting out a deep sigh. I felt my face, impossibly, heat even further. "Well, just because you can't sponsor them doesn't mean they can't keep on with the practice of taking in young girls and bringing them up into strong women."

"Thank you, Perseus," I mumbled as I got up.

He smiled. "I'm going to work on a surprise for you, have a nice day."

I nodded and Perseus squeezed my hand before leaving.

I sat there on the bed for a moment, wondering how things had changed between us so quickly before getting on with my day.

Percy PoV

I flashed to Zeus's palace and pounded on the door a few times. A drunken king of the gods answered the door, almost falling on his face in the process.

"Perseus, boy. Wha're yaou doong heere boy?" Zeus asked.

"Well, I was going to ask if Artemis could go back to sponsoring the hunters, except their vows are based off loyalty to their partner," I explained.

The stoned god agreed almost immediately, wanting to rid of me.

I grinned and flashed over to where the hunters were camping, explaining everything to Thalia quickly before any of them shot me.

One did get me in the shoulder though. I'll give you twenty guesses, and the first nineteen don't count.

Did you guess Phoebe? Correct!

I grumbled as I walked into the kitchen of the palace I shared with Artemis, grabbing one of the nectar bottles. I yanked out the arrow and poured the godly drink on my wound.

No matter how many times I see it, I'm always going to be fascinated by how quickly the wound will close.

After cleaning up the nectar I spilt, I went over to the art room and began working on a clay sculpture.

I started with the lake. While I was making a sculpture, I was making it life-sized, because it's always more interesting that way. I enjoy capturing moments like this.

when I was working on a sturgeon's nose, I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I turned around to see my visitor was Artemis.

In the most store-attendant voice I could manage, I began to speak, holding my hand out. "God of loyalty and artwork, at your service. How may I help you?"

Artemis cracked up. Finally gathering herself, she asked what I was doing.

"Well, you see, I'm perfecting the nasal facilities of this clay sturgeon," I answered.

Artemis blinked. "So, you're doing more of that art stuff," she stated plainly.

I nodded. "I was going to ask if you'd like to help later," I offered.

Artemis smiled her beautiful smile and nodded, her wavy auburn hair jumping up and down. "Sure, Perseus. But how about lunch first?"

I nodded and went to the bathroom to clean myself up.

When I got to the kitchen, Artemis was already hacking away at a poor raw chicken. I grabbed a pan and turned on the stove so it would be ready by the time we'd prepared the food.

I took over cutting up the chicken, and Artemis made the sauce. It smelled amazing.

When I finished slicing up the meat, I started selecting different cheeses and spices.

When we were finally finished, and the food was complete, we dug into warm, cheesy goodness.

Finishing my plate, I set it in the sink and wrapped up the leftovers, setting them in the fridge.

Artemis finished her plate and set her dish in the sink as well, putting away the extra spices.

I clapped my hands together. "Oh, I almost forgot! The surprise!"

Artemis looked at me kinda funny. I convinced her to close her eyes, and for good measure, I placed my hands over them.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked.

"Somewhere you're going to love," I answered.

Artemis sighed and wrapped her hand around my wrist as I flashed us to the camp.

I released her, and the hunters tackled her in a hug.