It might have been the dumbest decision I ever made, but it paid off. I felt the portal open in Jundis. A sickly part of town lost to the mage dimension in the early days of Hera’s madness. I doubted it was her at first. What would she be doing there. Knowing Artemis there was a good chance she ended up there by accident.“Dude, emergency meeting.” Marcus poked his head into my office and said.“Now?”“Yeah. Solaris is pissed.”It was a bad part of town, I needed to get to her.“I can’t—”“You do know Solaris right?!” Marcus’ brows shot to the ceiling.She would never let me live this down. I’ll give her two minutes then I’m out of there. I’ve been searching for days. I had to follow this up.Marcus and I got to the throne room. My mother paced the length of the room. Avon and his son Jason sat on the thrown as she raged. Her emotions were out of control I could tell by the black clouds outside. She rolled her blonde river hair into a braid and bound it onto of her head.“Close the do
Blood promise? Mates? Not to mention there are brothers in the room. That was why I thought Alfie… Alpheus looked familiar he had resemblances to Daylen. It was the nose.“I don’t understand. Explain to me I can’t… belong to you, who the hell are you?” I yelled.He ran a hand down his face and sighed, “In due time, darling. I explain later when we get to my castle.” He smiled, but it was less than pleasant.“You’re not taking her anywhere Alpheus.” Daylen barked. For once I agreed with Daylen.Alpheus chuckled, “There’s nothing you can do about a blood promise. She’s bound to me and sooner or later she’s going to start feeling the effects of the bond it’s nastier if she fights it so it’s better you just hand her over now.”“Not without a fight.”“So violent brother.” He smirked.I couldn’t believe it, he even sounded different.“So all this time you were just watching me? Asking me out and helping me and Stella. What… you’re not even a witch.”“Smart girl.” He said.My hand itched to
“Now I’m serious wait in the bedroom and don’t come out. I mean it Artemis.”If she was discovered there was no knowing how Storm would take it.“What if you get your ass kicked again?”“That won’t happen. If you come out so help me—”“Fine, I’ll stay put.”I exhaled. I didn’t believe here. I opened the door and Storm stumbled in.“It’s about time.” He spat.I groaned, “What do you want Storm?”I was surprised his didn’t have company. He strolled into my living room, his purple cape swaying behind him as if there was a draft to carry it.“Solaris is pulling out the troops from Olympiad as we speak.”“Good.” I folded my arms across his chest. There was more. I didn’t trust this bastard.“She expects you and the soldiers of light to leave for the gods world in two days.”Fuck. I couldn’t leave Artemis.“I don’t need to tell how much of a bad idea I think that is. With special permission from the king I will be going with you.”“Special permission? You mean you went behind the queen’s ba
I woke up and Daylen was gone. I couldn’t tell if the darkness was day because I’d become custom to grey clouds. He could have just gotten up to get a glass of water, but I got up to check on him. I found him in the living room in stripped shorts and a white vest. He had his communication pod on the table.His glasses were on the table near it. He rubbed his eyes and I smiled. He looked like any ordinary boyfriend. In the midst of everything that was going on was it foolish to want something normal with him?“You’re not planning on sleeping here are you?” I asked, startling him.“Artemis, no I got a call and I didn’t want to wake you. It was Marcus, but it’s nothing important.”“Anything else on your mind?” I found the courage and sat on his laps.He grinned and cupped my thigh. I was wearing one of his many white shirts.“Mostly you.”I rested my head on his shoulder. “What about me?”“I don’t want to lose you.”“Neither do I.” I whispered.Blood bonds, castles and gods so many obsta
Trying on clothes had never been more fun. I got to watch Artemis try on almost a hundred different pairs of clothes and lingerie which was my favorite part. She was a bit shy about me buying her clothes, but I wouldn’t take her objections.“Shouldn’t we go leave everything at your place first?” Artemis asked.“Mandy will send everything.”She nodded and glanced back at the smiling angel. I wrapped her in my arms again and walked her out. Now she blended in with her long fitted dress with sleeves. I still needed to keep the barrier up. Just in case a sneaky angel tried to discern what she was.“So how many times have you been in there Daylen?”Her question nearly made me trip.“What?”She arched her brow. “You heard me.”“Well… I—”“Mandy seems pretty used to you.”I scratched the back of my head.“I may have come in a few times.”“Did you sleep with her?” She bluntly asked.I gripped her hip. She knew I wasn’t a saint. I knew I wasn’t a saint. Why was she pushing.“It doesn’t matter.
“Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t use your powers, don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself Artemis. You’ll get into the castle with Marcus.” Daylen said.Solaris’ castle had to be the most magnificent piece of infrastructure I’ve ever seen. A castle with twelve towers and blocks made of glass and marble gargoyles. Crystal clear material but no one could see what was laying beyond whose walls.“Why can’t I go in with you?” I asked him.“Because people will assume you’re my lover.” He grunted.“She kind of is dude.” Marcus sighed.He looked at me and I looked away. He grabbed my chin and made me look at him. He smirked. I groaned. I didn’t want to see that. Walking across the street into that enormous castle had me shivering.“I just don’t want people associating us because it’ll put you in danger.”“How romantic.” I rolled my eyes.“Hey. I’m serious Artemis. I need to make sure you’re safe.”“Yes, yes I got.” I wrapped my arms around myself.“Marcus will take you to my office. Wai
General Storm dragged me to the queen’s court room. Behind him followed the king and the guards holding Daylen. They ambushed us. Now who knows what’s going to happen to us? Queen Solaris frowned at Storm and I, but her eyes widened with alarm when the guards marched in with Daylen.“You have five seconds to explain this or you all die by my fire.” I swear I felt the heat radiating off her.“Hear us out darling—” The king approached her, but her hair blazed a brighter shade of blonde like lightning.Her eyes turned to dark blue of the evening sky. I believed her when she said we would all die by her fire.“Don’t darling me!”“Your highness, this boy has been conspiring against you! He’s been working with this powerful creature.”Solaris rolled her eyes and pinned them on Daylen.“We’re not conspiring against you.” I blurted out.General Storm shook my arm, “Quiet you. You’re in the presence of her royal highness. You could be facing death!”Daylen lifted his head to face his mother.
“Your majesty your brother is here to see you.” The giant grey ogre roared into the throne room.I flinched. Honestly those things could not speak at a normal tone.“Send him in.” I said.“Yes your highness.” He shook the earth beneath my feet as he walked out. I was hunched over my tactic table overlooking every city I’d conquered and yet to conquer. I waved my hand over it so Jason wouldn’t see it. I didn’t fully trust him. I knew he was going against our mother by trying to kill Daylen, but didn’t mean I trusted him not to do me in so he could claim all the glory.He was an attention seeker like that. Didn’t care for Daylen, but something about Jason was he always wanted to seem something he was not. Thanks to my father. I’m nothing like Avon sometimes when I look in the mirror I see more of my mother than I do anyone else. It burns like acid on my skin if I’m being honest.“Jason, what brings you here?” I ask as if I don’t know.He marches in, scrawl on his face like the boy that