Ares stepped into the bedroom, wearing a pair of pants. “You flatter me.”
Koda rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t saying it for your sake.”
Ares leaned against the bed post with his arms crossed. “We’re still at a stalemate. I’m not sure what we’re going to decide.”
I crawled across the bed to sit beside where he was standing. “It’s alright.”
He smiled and kissed my cheek. “I’ve got to go speak with the king. Promise to stay away from Achilles?”
I nodded. “I’ll stay here in the room with Koda.”
Ares looked at Koda. “Don’t let him near her and don’t let anything happen to her while I’m gone.”
Koda bowed at the waist. “Of course.”
Ares rolled his eyes at Koda then kissed my lips. “Before I go, I want to show you something.” He took my hand and I hopped down from the bed to follow.
He led me into the walk-in closet and I gaped at the size of it. I’d thought it would be a normal closet, but the room was as big as the living room at Darren’s house. He led me past rows of pants, shirts and suits for men and to a back section that was recently added on. I knew it had been added on because there was still sawdust on the floor from the cabinets being put in.
Ares opened the doors to the cabinets, revealing rows of dresses, shirts, pants, undergarments and shoes. “Whose are these?” I asked in shock as I touched a soft white dress that stood out among the others.
“It’s all yours,” he said softly.
I turned to face him. “Mine? What do you mean mine?”
“When I started dreaming about you, I called here and had this area built for you. Then, when we were in Paris, I called again with your size and had these clothes and other items placed here.” He looked at the dress I was still touching. “I bought that for you in Paris.”
I smiled. “You’re full of wonderful surprises, Ares. Thank you.”
He took my hand. “There’s more.” He led me out of the closet, past Koda and to the bathroom. The bathroom was painted and decorated in a warm blue tone. The his-and-her sinks each had a toothbrush and holder next to them. Ares opened the cabinet doors under the sinks and pointed in. I looked inside and gasped. It was stocked full of feminine products, hair care products, hair brushes, curling irons, and devices I couldn’t name or even imagine how to use. “I wanted you to have everything you needed. I want this to be your home as much as it is mine.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
I kissed him and he rubbed his thumb down my cheek. “Why are you crying?”
I laughed and wiped at my eyes. “Sorry, it’s not you. I just…with Darren I never felt loved. Sure, he provided all of the necessary items for me and he kept me safe, but it was never a loving home. It wasn’t really even a home to me. But with you…I feel loved and this feels like home to me already.”
Ares kissed both of my eyes softly, stopping the tears. “I’m sorry your childhood was hard. I promise that I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe and happy. I love you, Sunshine.”
I smirked. “Sunshine?” He’d been trying to come up with a nickname for me, but I’d rejected “baby” and a few others I simply refused to let him call me.
Ares frowned. “You don’t like it?”
“Why Sunshine?” I asked as I played with his hair.
“Because you gave me sunlight in my darkest day. I thought I was going crazy before I met you. Now, even with all that is happening, every time I look at you, I feel happy and warm. So, yes, ‘Sunshine’ is your name.”
I kissed his lips quickly. “I like it.”
Matt cleared his throat. “Darius isn’t going to like you being late.”
Ares sighed. “Duty calls.”
I kissed his cheek before walking out of the bathroom and towards the closet. “I promise Koda and I will stay in the room, away from Achilles, until you get back.”
Ares stopped at the bedroom door and turned back to me. “After I return, we’ll be going to dinner. The whole town will be there. Will you wear the white dress?”
I saw the hopeful look on his face and curtsied, bowing my head. “Of course, my Prince.”
All three men laughed. Ares rushed over and kissed my lips hard, making my heart race. “Don’t forget your necklace.”
I touched the diamond heart necklace which was on my upper chest. It had been a present from Ares, a sign so that everyone would know that I had his heart alone. “I’ve still got it on.”
Ares smiled happily. “Good. I should be back in an hour or two.”
I hurried into the closet and to my cabinets. I’d never had so many clothes before. I took down the white dress and stroked the soft fabric. It had spaghetti straps, a v-cut neckline and an hour glass shape like I had. I hung it on a hook on the wall and stared at the assortment of shoes. “Koda,” I called softly.
He walked silently into the closet. If I hadn’t been watching for him, I never would have known he was coming. “Yes?”
I pointed to the cabinet. “I need you to help me figure out what to wear with this dress.”
He smiled. “No problem.” He stopped in front of the cabinet and whistled. “Wow, he went all out for you. Not that I suspected he wouldn’t, but this is amazing.”
“I know. I’m in awe,” I said dreamily.
He looked at the white dress and then at me. “Hm…alright, here’s what we’re going to do.” He took out a pair of white two inch heels and set them on the ground, underneath the dress. “Those.” He started riffling through the underwear and I stared in shock at the thongs and lingerie in the pile. I’d never worn lingerie before. He picked up a white silk thong and set it on a chair that I hadn’t noticed was next to the dress. “This.” He turned to me now and frowned. “You’re too big busted to go braless.”
I frowned. “Thanks.”
He shrugged. “Just being honest.” He turned back to the cabinet and pulled out a white strapless bra. “Perfect.”
I stared at the completed outfit and smiled. “You’re good.”
He smiled wide. “I know. Now go take a shower before you put all of that white stuff on. You’ve got dirt all over your legs.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, father.”
He smacked my arm playfully. “You want to look great for Ares, right?”
“Right.” I gingerly took off the diamond necklace and handed it to him. “Keep it safe while I’m in the shower.”
He took the necklace slowly and held it in one palm. “I promise. Now hurry. I want to tell you some things before we go to dinner.”
I jogged to the bathroom and took off the robe. I started to reach for the door to shut it, but knew if Koda was supposed to be protecting me that he’d want it open. Plus, I felt safer having it open. The tub to the left of me was giant, big enough to fit all four of us in comfortably. “Koda, is this a spa or tub?” I asked curiously.
He laughed. “It’s a spa.”
“Why is there a spa in the bathroom?”
“Don’t ask me. Ares designed this house,” Koda said loudly.
The shower had no door, consisting of one long tiled wall with a shower head, which came out of the middle with a large drain in the middle of the floor. If I had been morea modest I would be running to shut the bathroom door now. I turned the shower head on and quickly scrubbed my hair and body. The shampoo and soap didn’t have a smell, which was surprisingly refreshing to my nose. I hadn’t realized how much the scented soaps bothered me until then. After drying off, brushing my teeth and blow drying my hair I finally felt clean. Clean for the first time in weeks. I strolled across the bedroom. “It’s great to be clean.”
Koda grunted. “Sure, rub it in.”
My foot hit the floor awkwardly as I tried to stop in mid-step before turning to him. “What?”
He sniffed his arm. “I stink, but until Ares comes back I can’t shower.”
> “Sure, you can. I’ll just do my hair and makeup in the bathroom so that you’ll be protecting me while you get clean,” I said with a smile.
His eyes widened. “You’d be willing to do that?”
“It’s not that big of a deal. Let me put on my underwear and dress.” A patch of sun was shining on the dress as I walked in. It looked too perfect for me to wear, but Ares wanted it on. The underwear felt somewhat uncomfortable as I put them on, but after a minute I barely noticed them. Of course, there wasn’t much fabric to notice. The bra fit well, but without straps I felt awkward. Finally, I slipped the dress on over my head and shimmied it down my body. It was snug, but not uncomfortable. After smoothing the dress down again, I walked out of the closet and twirled in a slow circle. “What do you think?”
Koda was sitting perfectly still. I couldn’t even see his chest rising or falling with breath. “Wow,” he said softly. He walked slowly towards me, making me stop twirling and blush. He smiled, but his eyes looked sad. “You’re beautiful, Artemis. Ares is a lucky man.”
“Does Ares know that you have feelings for Artemis?” Achilles asked from the doorway, making me jump since I hadn’t realized he was there.
Koda frowned. “Of course, I have feelings for her and Ares knows. She’s part of my pack.”
Achilles smiled and it took my breath away. He looked like a Greek god. Wait? Achilles was a hero in Greek myths, right? Was he… “Achilles?”
Achilles looked at me and his smile faltered. “Yes?”
“Are you the Achilles?” I asked nervously. Being around him was uncomfortable, but not in a fearful way. He made me want to relax and be near him, which wasn’t normal. Even Ares didn’t feel like this to me.
Achilles smiled. “That is a long discussion that you and I will be having at a later time.”
Koda grumbled. “Speaking of that, I need you to go back downstairs.”
Achilles frowned at him. “Ares gave you orders to keep me away from her?”
Koda nodded. “I’m sorry, but he is my alpha and his orders were clear.” Achilles looked like he wanted to argue, but Koda whispered, “Please.”
Achilles sighed and rubbed his temples. “You were always my favorite, Koda. What do you want me to do, Artemis?”
“I promised Ares I would stay away from you. Please leave,” I said quietly.
Achilles bowed at the waist in a graceful motion that made me stare in awe at him. “As you wish,” he said before turning on his heel and heading down the hallway. The tone in which he said the words made me think of Wesley from Princess Bride and made me shiver involuntarily.
Koda handed me the diamond heart necklace and whispered, “It’s a good thing Achilles is a reasonable male.”
I clipped the necklace in place and walked towards the bathroom. “Come on. I want to be ready by the time Ares gets here.”
Koda followed me in and started undressing. I pulled out the hair straightener and the box of makeup I’d seen earlier. Koda started the shower behind me and began singing. If he hadn’t been such a talented singer, I would have laughed at him, but his voice was amazing and after a moment I hummed along as he sang. My hair didn’t take long to straighten, but I was having trouble deciding what makeup to use. If I used too much makeup, I would smell funny, but I needed something to spice myself up.
Koda reached around me, making me jump and squeal. He laughed. “Sorry. I figured you had heard the water turn off.”
“I was focusing on the makeup and what I should use,” I said as my heart calmed down.
He held up the black eyeliner that he’d grabbed. “This around the bottom of your eyes and…” He grabbed white eyeshadow and black mascara. “These. Go light, but with just these things you’ll look great.”
He moved away from me and started brushing his teeth in the sink next to me.
“You have a great voice,” I said to him as I applied the eyeshadow.
Koda smiled with toothpaste filling his mouth. “Thank you.”
I giggled at him and finished with the makeup. My purple eyes stood out drastically with the makeup on and with the white dress below, I looked amazing. Was I conceited? “Koda? Do you think it’s conceited for me to think I look amazing now?”
Koda shook his head. “No, just truthful. Sidhe women are generally beautiful anyways.”
I heard the front door open and ran towards the closet. “Shoes!”
Koda followed me in and quickly got dressed in a pair of black slacks and a deep blue button up shirt. “Don’t wear the shoes,” he said quickly and quietly. “I forgot that we were going to dinner with the town. We don’t wear shoes to events that the King and Queen are attending.”
“Why not?” I asked curiously.
“Werewolves need to be able to change at any time and shoes are often destroyed in a change because it takes too long to take them off.”
Ares and Matt were walking up the stairs, so I tossed the shoes back in the cabinet and adjusted my dress.
Koda whispered, “You look great. Stop worrying.”
Ares spoke from the bedroom doorway. “I’m going to change before we go, Achilles. We’ll be down after I’m ready.”
I hid in the cubby area where my cabinets were.
Ares walked into the closet and started rummaging around in the front area. “Why are you hiding, Artemis?”
“I’m waiting until you’re ready before I let you see me,” I said.
Ares began speaking to Koda, “Darius wants to speed the process up. He wants it to be finished in six months.”
Koda groaned. “That’s crazy. I mean it’s not like it can’t be done, but why? Why not just let the chaos linger for a while?”
“I need to do my hair,” Ares said before walking away.
Matt peeked his head around the corner making me jump since he hadn’t made a noise. “Wow, you look great.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
Koda cleared his throat. “Matt, shouldn’t you be getting changed?”
Matt sighed and turned around. “Alright.” Matt was acting different. I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly it was, but something wasn’t right.
Ares spoke from nearby, “Artemis? Are you ready?”
I smoothed my dress down, checked the placement of my necklace and took a deep cleansing breath. “Yes.” My heart was beating faster than it should have, but I tried to keep the smile on my face to show I wasn’t that worried.
Ares stood outside of the closet in a pair of black slacks and a black button up shirt. His eyes sparkled like diamonds, catching my attention. “It looks better on you than I would have imagined,” he said softly.
“You look amazing, Ares.” I managed to say between the backflips the butterflies were doing in my stomach.
Ares slipped his hand in mine and kissed me on the lips. “You’re breathtaking.”
I inhaled his scent and the butterflies disappeared. “Thank you.”
Koda stepped out of the closet with his arms spread. “What about me?” Ares shook his head and I rolled my eyes at him. Koda twirled in a circle. “So?”
“You look great, Koda,” I said as I tried not to laugh.
Koda frowned. “Ares is amazing and I’m only great? Now you’ve hurt my feelings.”
Matt stepped out of the closet in a pair of dark blue slacks and a white button up shirt. “We better hurry or they’ll eat without us.”
Ares squeezed my hand. “Let’s go. I can’t wait for you to meet my mother.”
I groaned. “Great, the mother-in-law.”
Ares kissed my cheek. “She’ll love you.”
Koda and Matt were discussing females as we walked down the stairs, so I chose to ignore them.
Achilles stood by the front door, leaning against it. He was wearing a black suit that hugged the curves of his body.
The sight of him made me gasp, which made Ares growl, which made me blush.
Achilles frowned at Ares, but simply asked, “Are you all ready to go?�
�
Matt growled. “He’s coming?”
Ares growled at Matt and turned to face him. “Be kind to our guest, Matthew. You forget your place and the fact that Achilles is Prince of the Sidhe.”
Matt stopped growling, but his face still showed his anger. “The Sidhe’s ranks have nothing to do with me.”
Achilles folded his arms across his chest. “You were always the most volatile of the three, especially towards my kind.”
Matt smiled. “Thank you.”
“Enough,” Ares barked. “Let’s go.”
Achilles opened the door and walked out first. Ares followed with me by his side and Matt and Koda brought up the rear. Ares stayed silent as we walked through the town.
I looked around and noticed how deserted it was. “Where is everyone?”
“They’re all gathered at the dining hall,” Ares said without looking at me.
“Does everyone always go to the dining hall together?” I asked.
Achilles answered before Ares could. “No, they’re all gathered to see the return of the prince and to see his mate. Ares had quite a reputation with the females so I’m sure they’re all dying to see who he finally chose.”
“Oh. So, I’m going to have to deal with irate women? Again?” I asked quietly.
Ares pulled my hand up and kissed the back of it. “Just remember that you’re the one that has my heart.”
I looked down at the diamond necklace and smiled. “Right.”
Achilles stopped in front of a large concrete building, the only concrete building in the entire town.
I could see the outer wall of a castle a mile or so away. “They have a castle?”
Ares nodded. “The king and queen live in the castle.”
“Wow,” I said just before the doors were pushed open.
Achilles stepped to the side, allowing Ares and I to walk in first. The room was filled with wooden tables and reminded me of a medieval movie I’d watched where everyone had gathered in the hall to eat, just before being slaughtered by a grotesque creature.
Artemis Lupine- The Complete Series Page 31
