Victor turned to me and I saw flames flickering in the back of his black eyes. I smiled at him and asked, “Are you glad you came with me now?”
Victor laughed and reined in the power he’d been given. “That is a definite rush. I’m looking forward to using it against my father.”
Rhea kissed each of us on the forehead and whispered to me, “Run home. She is close to breaking.”
I stared at her in shock for a moment until the words made sense. I turned and ran without another thought. Artemis.
Victor caught up to me and asked, “What is it?”
“Artemis,” I whispered knowing he wouldn’t need any more of an explanation.
~~~
CHANDRA
Chapter Eleven
I’d been training for an hour straight and had only managed to teleport two feet. The Council assured me that with more practice I’d be able to move farther. I closed my eyes and pictured the place I wanted to move to, the top of Blu’s head ten feet away from me. Power built inside me, followed by pain, then nausea and then I was falling. My eyes snapped open and I straightened as I stood on top of Blu’s head. “Yes!” I yelled victoriously. Blu huffed in mock irritation as I stood upon his head, but I could tell he was pleased.
I dropped to the ground, but just as I was landing pain erupted in my head. It felt like a crack had opened in something that encased my power and allowed it to leak out. The pain was more intense than anything I’d felt before and I couldn’t even scream. I landed on my side, smacking my head against the ground, but didn’t feel the additional pain.
Blu pressed his nose to my head and tried to help me, but the pain was beyond even his repair.
“Step back, Draco-Blu. She cannot be helped except by the two tied to her,” said the Council.
On cue, the Sidhe prince dropped to the ground beside me with a grimace of pain on his face. “It’s going to be alright. He’s on his way and will be here soon.”
Another man dropped to my side and placed his hands on me. I inhaled his scent and screamed in pain as a memory of him holding me while we both wept played across my open eyelids. Black dots began to cover my vision and I screamed again as my head throbbed in pain.
“Help us, please,” the Sidhe prince begged the Council.
“Please, darlin’, just relax. He’s almost here. Just hold on for a few more minutes,” said the man with a slightly southern accent.
My body began to twitch as the wolf side of me tried to find a way to save us. I growled and held my body together. “I…will…not…change.”
Wind stirred above me and then the wolf prince dropped to the ground beside me. He tilted my face so I could look into his eyes. “Stay with me. I’m here now. Hold on.” He turned away from me and said, “I have gained permission from Rhea. Please, help us now.”
The Council said, “In order to restore her memories and give her full access to her power, you must divulge her full true name to her as well as both of the names of the princes she is tied to. Once you do that, her power will release, her memories will return and we will help you control her mind and body so that she does not become too overwhelmed.”
“I understand,” whispered the wolf prince.
“Me too,” whispered the Sidhe prince.
“Begin,” said the Council.
“You are Artemis Lupine, daughter of Darren of the Werewolves and Athena of the Sidhe, passt genau of Ares and bound to Achilles. You are princess of both the Sidhe and werewolf realms,” said the princes together.
My head throbbed excruciatingly and black spots danced across my vision.
“I am Ares Lupine, prince of the werewolves and descendant of Beatrice of the Werewolves and Zeus of the Sidhe and your passt genau,” said the wolf prince. My vision blackened completely and my body arched up off the ground as my power released.
“I am Achilles, prince of the Sidhe and rightful heir to the throne, descendant of Hera and Zeus of the Sidhe and your bound match,” said the Sidhe prince.
Everything disappeared in a world of white and black. I knew I was screaming, but I couldn’t hear anything besides the frantic pounding of my heart. Visions of Ares meeting me, fighting for me, making love to me replayed. Visions of Achilles fighting beside me, flying with me, teaching me to open my wings and telling me he loved me replayed. I saw my father. My mother. Koda. Matt. Maurice and his vampires fighting us. Hera taking me and stealing my memories.
The Council, Blu and every dragon in the Lair began singing as they tried to help me. There was so much magic in one place that it made me afraid of the possible repercussions.
I had no voice left for screaming and the power within me felt like it was going to rip me apart. Suddenly every memory I’d ever had fell into place.
“Ares. Achilles. Koda.” I whispered their names.
The dragons sang louder than I’d ever heard before. Ares, Achilles, Koda and Theseus all touched me as they used their powers to help.
“I am Artemis Lupine!” I screamed. The pressure and power within me exploded outwards and left me feeling weightless. Every being screamed around me as my power was unleashed upon them.
~~~
ARTEMIS
Chapter Twelve
The magic and dust settled and I could breathe again. It seemed like a millennia since I had last opened my eyes, but when I did the joy was better than anything I’d ever felt before. Kneeling one foot away from me was the man who had loved me since discovering me in a small human town. The man who had been so patient with me while I learned about who I really was. The man who would protect me at any cost. His black hair was shaggier than the last time I’d seen him, but his blue eyes sparkled brighter than ever as he looked at me. I could see the hope and worry in his eyes.
How could he have survived the past one hundred years without me by his side? I doubted that I could have held myself together if I hadn’t been able to locate him in one hundred years.
I felt my connection to Achilles, but nothing compared with the fierce pull, staggering desire, and love I felt for Ares. We both stood up off of the ground and I walked slowly towards him. He stood perfectly still as he watched me walk towards him, but I could see the slight tremor in his arms.
He was such a magnificent man and he was all mine, had always been mine, and would always be mine. I wanted to jump into his arms and roll on him to cover myself in his scent, but this was not the place for that.
I stopped in front of him as my body quivered and said, “Verus amor vincit omnia. True love conquers all, even one hundred years of separation and a woman’s plot to erase you from my memories.”
He shuddered and I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him fiercely. His arms were instantly around me in an almost painful embrace, but I didn’t care. I was in his arms and we were together again. The kiss was intense yet tender. I felt like I could conquer worlds when he kissed me like that.
He pulled back first and stared into my eyes with tears in his. “Artemis, I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
I buried my nose into his neck and inhaled his delicious scent. “Ares,” I sighed. It felt so good to say his name.
Someone cleared their throat and I pulled back to find Achilles and Koda looking at me expectantly. It was almost painful as I tried to decide who to hug first, but Achilles won. I hugged him tightly to me and kissed his lips as his thoughts flooded my mind. I’ve missed you so much. It’s been so hard not knowing where you were. Or what condition you were in.
I pulled back from him and smiled. “Thank you. I am truly sorry that I can’t say the same. If I had had my memories, I would.”
Koda pulled me from Achilles and wrapped me in one of his famous bear hugs. “I’ve been worried sick about you.”
I laughed and relaxed in his hold. “I’m sorry.”
Theseus stood back from our group and I remembered his worried words to me before we’d arrived. I walked to him and hugged him. “Thank you for keeping me safe and sane between the times
I was able to see Ares. I have not forgotten you, my friend.”
Theseus exhaled in relief and hugged me tightly. “Thank you.”
Koda groaned behind me. “Great, now my son is taking her attention away from me. I’ll never win.”
I pulled back from Theseus and looked from Koda to him and back. “He’s your father?” Theseus nodded his head. I laughed. “No wonder you looked familiar to me!”
I pulled away from Theseus and walked into Ares’ arms. Ares turned my face up to his and whispered, “I love you, Artemis.”
My lips pulled up into a smile and I wrapped my arms around him. “I love you too, Ares.”
He sighed loudly. “It has been too long since I last heard those words.” His lips were pressed to mine before I could say anything else.
I pulled back from him and stood between him and Achilles so that each could hold my hand. Their powers began to flow between me and I could feel the wound Ares neglected to inform us about. I placed my hand on his side and he grunted in pleasure and pain as the wound knitted itself together.
I looked up at the Council standing near us and said, “Thank you, dragons. I am in your debt.” I pulled away from Ares and Achilles and walked to the center to turn and look at each dragon. “I will always remember the great honor that you have given me.”
The Council bowed their heads to me. “We will always remember you, Hatchling. It has been an honor to keep you safe over the years.”
I turned to Blu and bowed until my forehead touched the ground. “Draco-Blu, you have been my greatest friend and guardian. I am forever in your debt.”
Blu dropped his head into a bow. “There is no debt to be paid, Artemis. Just remember who your allies are and never forget the kindness of a dragon.”
I held up the dragon scale which was secured on a string around my neck. “I will always remember you, my friend.”
Blu wrapped his head around me and hummed against my body. “I will miss you.”
Tears sprang to my eyes and I latched on to his neck. “I will miss you as well. Tell Fira goodbye for me.”
Blu hummed louder and then pulled away. Ares and Achilles each grabbed one of my hands and I exhaled in relief as their touch eased the ache in my body.
I turned from them to find Victor, who was standing off to the side smiling at us. I walked to him and hugged him tightly. “Thank you for everything you have done, Victor.”
Victor hugged me back and kissed my cheek lightly. “I am glad to see you whole and safe Mon papillon.”
I pulled back and wiped at the tears under his eyes. “I thought vampires weren’t supposed to cry?”
He smiled and whispered, “It had been so long that I dreaded we would not find you. I am just…often in my experience these types of things end badly and I feared the worst might be true when we finally did find you.”
I laughed. “Victor, you know me. I never get into trouble.”
That received a round of laughter from all of the men gathered. I looked at Victor curiously a moment and then asked, “When did you gain so much power?”
Victor’s tears forgotten, he smiled arrogantly, “Rhea gifted me for assisting Ares.”
I looked at the lighter tint to his aura and asked, “Did she make you more human? Your aura is less black.”
Victor shrugged. “I feel more like a vampire than I ever have before. I don’t question what was done, just enjoy the powers that I’ve been granted.”
Ares pulled me into his arms again and nuzzled my hair with his nose as he inhaled long draughts of my scent.
“Where are we going now?” I asked.
“We are going to prepare for the war,” answered Victor.
I groaned. “You know, I’d hoped you would have taken care of that, not let the world fall into darkness as it has.” I pulled out of Ares’ arms and asked, “And what is going on with all of the halfbreed kidnappings? I was scared out of my mind these past sixty or so years that I’ve been with Selene.”
Ares sighed. “We have much to catch you up on. I’d prefer if we could make it at least to our base camp before we discussed it though.”
Base camp? Since when had they started talking like military men?
Victor changed into a bat and screeched at us as he took off into the sky towards the Lair’s exit. I turned and bowed to the Council one more time and then let my wings out from my back. Achilles and Theseus let out their wings and then Achilles picked up Ares and Theseus picked up Koda.
I giggled as I joined them in the air and said, “Koda that is so cute that your son can carry you!”
Koda stuck his tongue out at me. “I may be happy that you’re back, but I will still kick your butt.”
I rolled my eyes. “You couldn’t take me even before I gained more power.”
Every eye, including Victor’s bat ones, turned to me. Achilles asked, “Gained more power? What do you mean?”
I waved at them dismissively. “I’ll show you when we get to your ‘base camp’.”
The men grumbled their agreements and we flew out of the Lair and out into the night. I reveled in my ability to fly again and somersaulted and spun in the air in a crazy dance of freedom.
“Been a while since you’ve last flown, Artemis?” asked Achilles.
I giggled happily and nodded my head. “Much too long. I was pretending to be human so I couldn’t risk outing myself just to enjoy some flight time. I’d forgotten how wonderful the wind feels under my wings.” I flipped onto my back and dove down and then back up again.
Theseus and Koda were discussing something with serious looks on their faces so I flew over to be nosy. “What’s up?”
Koda asked, “Did you recognize the Sidhe who brought the vampires to attack you?”
I frowned. “He seemed familiar, like we were connected somehow, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen his face before.” I scoured my regained memories and shook my head. “No, I’ve never met him before. Why? Do you know him?”
Koda exhaled. “I might. We’ll discuss it further at camp.”
I flew over to Achilles and Ares and stayed by their sides the rest of the way.
“Where are we?” I asked as we dropped onto a beach where a large stone house sat alone.
“Ireland,” answered Ares.
I grabbed Ares’ hand and then Achilles’. Ares called, “Come out.”
I watched in shock as over a hundred men and women walked out of the house to stand before us on the beach. All eyes trained on me and my instant reaction was to cower, but then I remembered who I was and straightened my spine, meeting all of their eyes. I expected some people to avert their gazes or meet mine defiantly. I did not expect them to all drop to one knee and bow their heads.
~~~
Chapter Thirteen
I looked at Ares and Achilles in shock. “What’s going on?”
Ares and Achilles stepped away from me and walked towards the group. Achilles said, “We all knew this day was going to come. You’ve all been training hard and so, tonight we celebrate.”
Ares took over. “We will celebrate the return of my mate. We will celebrate the return of the prophesized one. We will celebrate our impending victory.”
The group cheered, but continued to keep their heads bowed in submission. What the hell is going on?
Ares turned to me. “We found a way to create an army to combat the vampires. An army which is stronger, more powerful and has fewer weaknesses.”
Achilles said, “We have been training them hard in preparation for your return. I hope they are to your liking.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked in shock. “What are they? Who are they? What do you mean you created them?” I looked from Ares to Achilles and then at the group.
Theseus stood up from amongst the group and said, “We are mixed breeds, like you, though not nearly as powerful as you, Princess.”
“Mixed breeds?” I walked to the group and inhaled their scents. “Oh, wow. Whoa.” They were a
ll half wolf and half Sidhe. “How did you create them?”
Ares smirked. “You see, Artemis. When a man and woman lie together…”
I stared at him in shock and horror. “They’re your…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. I knew that I was gone a long time, but this was too much for me. I turned away from Ares and started walking down the beach, but Victor stepped into my path and shook his head with a smile on his lips. “You misunderstand, mon papillon. These are not Ares and Achilles’ children.”
I looked at him in shock. “But he just said…”
Victor silenced me with a glare. “Would I lie to you?”
A smile teased the corner of my lips. “You want me to answer that honestly?”
Victor laughed. “I am being truthful, Artemis. Neither of your mates has broken his vow to you.”
I frowned at him as I looked back at Ares and Achilles talking quietly to each other. “I’ve never mated with Achilles, Victor. You know that.”
He shrugged. “You are still bound to him as you are to Ares. It is not so different.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not the point. So, if he didn’t create them, then who did?”
Victor said, “Koda, among others from the pack who are on Ares’ side.”
“I’m sure that was a difficult task for them,” I muttered. I felt like an idiot for storming away from Ares and Achilles.
Ares walked up to me and asked, “What’s wrong?”
I buried my face in his neck and whispered, “I thought they were your children.”
Ares pushed me back and held me at arms length. “Artemis, you should know me better than that.”
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