“Shut up. I need to sit and rest.” She couldn’t go on. She was still too weak, and this long hike was pushing her almost human body to its limits.
With a curse at Zeus’ expense, she slumped to the ground on the softest patch of grass she could find. Her eyelids had trouble staying open as exhaustion took hold. The stag waited for her, but she spoke to him as if he understood. “Just… a little… rest.”
Artemis sighed and relaxed bit by bit into her makeshift bed as her limbs grew heavy and her eyes closed in sleep. She’d never had a demand for rest, and the odds were not in her favor.
Between the world of dreams and this one, she recognized a familiar scent before she felt his touch. Each inhale became filled with the smell of fresh grass and damp soil, of broken leaves and sweet sap. Still resting, she smiled.
“Jace,” she breathed. “You came for me.” She fluttered her lashes in a feeble attempt to open her tired eyes.
His work-roughened palm came down over her eyes, preventing her from waking much more. “Rest, goddess.”
Artemis supposed she was dreaming. “Don't leave me,” She purred. Her hands reached of their own accord and gripped the rough material of his tunic, tugging him back down. “Lie with me.”
But the tough palms that grazed her bare arms, caused a very real shiver as her nerve endings came alive. She bit into her bottom lip. Artemis stifled a guttural groan deep in her chest.
His breath warmed her neck as his lips brushed her skin. Eyes still closed, she arched into his body, unable to quell the lust building in her core.
She felt fingertips start at the slit in her dress and slowly drag upward, moving the material as they went. Her free hand slammed down to grip his wandering hands. “Slow down,” she whispered, her heart speeding up.
The grip on her thigh increased to just short of pain. Artemis cried out and shoved against the body covering hers.
She awoke fully with a gasp. Her gaze darted around the meadow searching for Jace, but it had been a dream because she was alone. And the shadows had shifted, showing she'd been asleep for at least an hour, if not more.
Her gaze fell to where Dare stood watching. Artemis startled when the stag's eyes seemed to shimmer. She blinked hard and looked again. Everything seemed normal but unease skittered up her spine.
“Dare?” She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry.
Artemis watched as the stag tossed his majestic head. His antlers shimmered as they merged into flowing, golden hair. In a flash, his body twisted and shifted faster than her nearly-human eyes could track. She covered her face against the blinding light now emanating from where Dare once stood.
But now, in full regale, stood the one immortal and king she’d been running from.
“Zeus,” she hissed, scrambling to stand.
“My dear,” Zeus crooned. “It's so good to see you. I've been so worried.”
She took a large step back and placed a large tree between them. “Liar. You did this to me.”
Zeus shook his head, sympathy seeming to shine in his eyes. “I didn't mean to hurt you so badly. I was merely protecting myself against your wrath.”
Artemis glared. “And my brother? I suppose you were protecting yourself from him as well?”
“Ah, Ares,” Zeus hummed. “No, I'm afraid he deserved precisely what he received.”
Artemis reached up to rustle the leaves on the tree. “Get Jace,” she whispered with desperation.
The forest stirred and sighed as the message was passed on. Her only hope was that he would come for her. She feared she'd razed the land of their friendship when she’d stormed out alone. She realized that Jace had been right and Artemis regretted her prideful decision.
“Why are you here?” she demanded. “What do you want from me? You’ve taken my wings and powers. My hatred for you has only grown stronger after what you did to me and mine.”
Zeus smiled a humorless smile. “Even from Olympus, I’ve felt your human lust. It's intoxicating. Did you think you only dreamed the touch of my hands moments ago?” He inhaled deeply, as if smelling her on the breeze. “I knew turning you into this… weak thing was a good decision.”
Artemis kept moving, staying just out of reach. She decided to pretend she didn’t know his goals. It was best to keep him talking. “What do you mean? What game are you playing? What do you think you will gain here? If I’m basically human, there’s nothing left to take!”
“Power,” Zeus answered with a simple shrug. “You have it still. My recent indiscretion has caused me to become the center of attention for those who wish me harm. Scrutiny is something I cannot have if I am going to take a seat of ultimate power. I have decided not to settle for being King of Above. If I'm going to become King of All, I need more power than those who oppose me.”
“Like who?” Artemis scrambled to keep distance between them. She had to keep him distracted while she looked for a way out. If he attacked her in her weakened state, she'd never stand a chance. She spotted her sword, still lying where she had slept. She’d have to circle him back around, without making her goal too obvious.
“Women,” Zeus snarled while pushing the bushes back to get to her. “You always find a way to screw up my plans. First, Persephone refused to rule by my side and, instead, chose to breed with Hades. Gaea challenged my authority and managed to soften the heart of Death himself. And you,” he shook his head in disbelief. “You would crawl into the arms of the first man who showed you kindness. You're just like the rest of them. You're not as innocent as you pretend to be. Practically a harlot with only a day as a human under your belt. So, I'll have you and the power hidden in your precious virginity.” He spat the word as if it tasted foul in his mouth. “You think I didn’t know about that, did you?”
“You've gone mad,” Artemis whispered. She knew what he wanted but now hearing it spoken out loud, she shook with dread. He could do it. Zeus could force her right here, and there was nothing she could do. Fear made her stomach flip within her gut. The muscles in her legs screamed at her to run without looking back. She took an unsteady step backward, her back tingling as leaves reached out to caress and comfort her. Jace was on his way, she could feel it. “I will never give you anything willingly.” Her upper lip curled back in distaste. “You disgust me.”
His eyes glittered with malice thoughts. “I wish this didn't have to be so difficult for you, but I will have you, my queen, one way or another.”
“Your vileness has tainted this place enough,” boomed from the forest. “Artemis is now under my protection.”
Jace strode forward to place himself between her and Zeus. Artemis wanted to rush to his side where she felt safe but stayed back in case he gave her an opportunity to get away.
Zeus quirked an eyebrow and scoffed. “This is your champion? A dryad? You're putting your life in the hands of a mere tree spirit?”
“Jace,” Artemis shouted. “Go get help. Find Hades.”
“I'm not leaving you,” Jace replied over his shoulder.
Artemis’ breath stuttered out. Jace couldn't take Zeus alone. Zeus would slaughter anyone who stood in his way, especially since Jace now stood between Zeus and his goal. The remaining pieces of her heart splintered and shattered. This was it. This was the end. She'd lost her brother and her wings; now she would be witness to the brutal murder of the only other man she'd ever cared for and she was too weak to stop it.
Jace planted his feet firmly and glared. “I thought you were the mightiest of gods? But you have to force women the same as an evil, unthinking, brute. Like the basest of mortals.”
Lightning cracked, despite the cloudless appearance of the sky.
Jace rolled his eyes. “Showmanship and trickery. When it comes down to it, you are nothing more than a fraudulent magician. I heard about how you resorted to cheating to win against Alastor the great. All of the nymphs are talking about it—about you—how you can’t win in a fair fight. Even mere tree spirits wouldn’t have to cheat against human.�
�
Artemis had not seen Jace angry before, not like this, and he was glorious. But also an idiot! Zeus could pull him apart before her very eyes. She’d lost everything already, and now a guardian.
Zeus' eyes flashed with fury. Clouds rolled in and blotted out the sun. The hair on Artemis' arms stood up in warning. She could feel the electricity building in the air.
“Jace, watch out!” she shouted.
He dove to one side seconds before lightning created a crater where he'd been standing. Even Artemis could feel the heat radiating from the spot. Zeus had become even more frivolous with his use of lightning. Jace leaped to his feet and prepared to move again, but Artemis could see he had no plan and was only biding time until she could escape, even if it meant that he didn't.
He would sacrifice himself for her, and it broke her heart already to know he’d cause such a good person to die all because she’d drawn the eye of the wrong king.
Zeus lashed out with a flurry of bolts all around Jace in an attempt to cut off any avenues of escape.
The largest bolt slammed into the ground a few feet from where Artemis stood. The force of the explosion knocked her back. She felt the cool metal of her sword’s hilt brush her arm as she rolled. She scrambled to her feet and unsheathed her weapon, knowing what she had to do. “Your fight is not with him, Zeus.” She stepped forward into the line of fire, blade held high in challenge.
“That's where you're wrong, love. He made it his fight when he had the audacity to challenge a king!” The final word was punctuated by a clap of thunder.
Chapter 14
Artemis yelped as a thick wall of various flora sprang up between her and Zeus. Each species had multiple, large, sharp thorns. She looked over to where Jace had his fingers pressed into the dirt. “Let’s go, Zeus!” Her sword danced as she sliced through the air to signal her readiness to fight.
Zeus smirked as he forced his way through the brush to get to her, but his breath came out in an angry hiss when bloody slashes appeared on his skin. He narrowed his eyes as the row of cuts stitched back together. He flexed his healed hand, energy sparking. “I'm done playing games, woman.”
“As are we,” echoed through the glen.
Heads turned as a new figure appeared. Artemis cried out with relief as Persephone shimmered into being. She moved across the ground like liquid smoke, her dread powers draining away the light of the day.
Zeus snorted. “Run along, princess. The men are talking.”
“Oh Zeus, you of all people know I am a queen.” Persephone shook back her white hair and narrowed her bright blue eyes before calmly raising an arm. Her hellhound trotted up and took a seat by his mistress's leg. The dog’s black fur blended seamlessly with Persephone’s floor length, obsidian gown.
“Is your mutt supposed to strike fear into my heart?” He laughed, a humorless and hateful sound. “You're out of your depth. You might be queen in your domain, but my brother is King of the Underworld, and I am the King of Above. I do not deal with mere consorts.”
Persephone smirked. Her expression reading as though she were privy to a joke the others hadn't heard.
“This is your final chance to step down, Zeus,” she said in a voice dripping with sweet poison.
“You know me better than that,” Zeus scoffed.
“Hence my participation.” Death stepped from where he'd been waiting, invisible. Thanatos wore his formal black robes and carried his ice chains.
“You do not honestly think I'm going to allow you to put me in bondage, brother.” Zeus opened his palms and gathered power. “You must have lost your wits to that mad-woman you call a wife.” Lightning flashed, painting the sky with lines of electricity.
Thunderous hoof beats reverberated throughout the trees. A large, shiny black mare galloped into view. Gaea sat tall astride her mount, Sangoria.
“And here is my mad-wife now. She who is the gods' weapon of death.” Thanatos gestured grandly. “Your choices are simple, Zeus. Death or bondage. Choose wisely, brother.”
Persephone smiled, saccharine sweet and full of venom. Her vote in the matter was obvious. “And if you choose death, know that I will judge your cursed soul and not Hades.”
Artemis slipped into place beside Jace. He put an arm around her and she tucked herself into his protective embrace. The move did not go unnoticed by the rest of the crowd.
Pressure built as Zeus' rage rolled in like a sudden summer storm. “I demand to speak to Hades. He's too rational to be part of any of this.”
“Oh Zeus.” Persephone laughed, a chilling, humorless sound. “Do you really think I'd be here without Hades knowing? I'm here in his stead, but he does send you his regards.”
Zeus' eyes burned. Thunder boomed overhead, and his golden head shimmered as he gathered power.
“Enough,” said a sultry voice.
Styx blinked into the physical plane. She had taken on the coloring of the nearby trees: bark colored skin and hair the color of new leaves. Her eyes sparkled a sunlit gold and pierced into the group with knife-like precision.
Zeus laughed. “Come to play, dear? My, my. This is a conundrum.”
“That is a good word for it.” Styx narrowed her eyes at Zeus. “I've let this obsession of yours go on long enough. Now, your selfishness has upset the balance of the Lands and I have grown bored of your childish antics, Zeus. You know that the old gods were banished for their unbridled lust for power and the damage they did to our world. I will not allow history to repeat.”
Zeus crossed his arms over his chest. “Is that so, River Witch? Why don't you tell them who started this mess in the first place? You and your games brought us to this point.”
Styx grinned, flashing sharp teeth. “I'm not responsible for this. You arrived at this point on your own with your coveted lust for a goddess who doesn't and will never belong to you.”
Zeus shook his head. “You are really siding with these fools over me? After all our history together?”
“I really am.” Styx raised her hand and snapped her fingers. Ribbons of power snaked around Zeus, holding him firm. She nodded with satisfaction. “Thanatos, if you will do the honors.”
“With pleasure,” he answered. His arm extended toward where Zeus stood with a shocked expression. Chains whipped out to encircle the golden god, rendering him powerless.
Styx snapped again. Her bonds disappeared, leaving only Thanatos' ice chains behind. “I think you'll do well with a timeout, lover. It might give you some time to think about who you want to be.”
Zeus glared, fire flashing in his eyes. He opened his mouth to spew hatred but immediately closed it when the vulnerability of his position sank in fully.
Persephone took the chain end from Thanatos and placed it in her hellhound's mouth. “Brutus,” she cooed at the dog, “I think Uncle Zeus could do with a little walk to think about his behavior. Don't you think so?”
Thanatos mounted to sit behind Gaea. “I agree.” He paused and turned to Artemis. “You deserve some vengeance too. What say you?”
Artemis walked over to Zeus, her relaxed gait in direct opposition with the havoc her emotions were creating inside. Her initial urge was to kill him. If she'd had her sword, she would have at least attempted. Damn the consequences, the bastard deserved a little pain and suffering.
Brutus gave the chain a jerk to put the trapped god on his knees before the warrior goddess. Without a single word, she reeled back and punched Zeus squarely in the face. His head jerked back and blood poured from his, obviously broken, nose. Gaea didn't hide her guffaw of laughter as she kicked the horse into movement and Thanatos gave a nod of approval.
Persephone gave a small whistle and pointed for Brutus to follow the pair riding Sangoria, with Zeus forced to follow. She smiled a sheepish smile at Jace and Artemis. “I have to go back. I left Hades with the children. He's outnumbered and has problems denying them anything.” She faded back into the Underworld.
Artemis turned to where Styx still stood, watchin
g the affectionate pair. “Thank you.”
Styx waved away her apology. “I didn't mean to bring harm to another god during our quarrel, especially a fellow strong woman. It's not your fault he can't control himself.”
Artemis dipped her head in acknowledgment. “Can you restore my wings?”
“I could…” Styx tilted her head to one side, studying Artemis intently. “But I won't. You can make magic on your own, little warrior.” She winked. “Have fun.”
“Wait, no!” Artemis shouted, but Styx was gone in a blink. “No,” Artemis whispered under her breath. Crushing despair wrapped around her chest and stole her air. The one being who could restore her wings to their former glory was just gone. Artemis couldn't chase the River Witch to the Underworld without more power.
Jace looked down at Artemis, who was still nestled under his arm like a baby bird. “Are you okay?”
She sighed. “Yes. I think so. It's hard to tell with all of the emotions fighting for attention in this too-human body.” She met his eyes and bit her lip. “I think I want—” Without finishing her thought, she reached out and cupped his face in her hands. He didn't fight her as she pulled his mouth down to meet hers.
Chapter 15
Jace held himself back and let her explore the kiss. He drank in every soft sigh and gasp she provided as her lips played over his for several moments. It took every ounce of strength for him to resist the urge to yank her against him and take over. He didn't want to scare her by doing too much too fast.
Without warning, the sky opened up, pouring buckets of rain down on the couple. Artemis squealed as she was pelted with chilly water, and Jace could only laugh at the indignant look on her face. He grabbed her hand and started running. He'd noticed a small cave on his trek to save the day.
Once they were through the rock opening and into a drier setting, Artemis reached for Jace once more. The two panted with exertion and excitement. When her curious sounds transformed into hungry moans, the dam on his self-control shattered. He laced his fingers through her hair and tilted her head so he could kiss her even more deeply.
In the Veil of Vengeance Page 7
