She jerked back and dressed herself as she heard Apollo's shout. Leaving Acheron to sleep in her bed, she materialized in the center of her greeting room where her brother stood with an angry sneer on his face.
"Is something wrong?"
"I. Need. Food."
She folded her arms over her chest. "Why are you so angry about it?"
"I wanted my human, but she's pregnant and can't suffer it."
"You have others."
"I don't want them." He grabbed her. The moment he did, he paused then smelled her hair. "You've been with a man?"
Her heart faltered. Unwilling to betray Acheron, she slapped Apollo's hand. "Why would you say such a thing?"
"There's a foreign scent on you. And it's masculine."
She rolled her eyes to cover the fear inside her. "I've been with humans all day, accepting their offerings. I must reek of their stench."
He fisted his hand in her hair. Artemis grimaced, finally understanding why Acheron found the gesture so offensive. Apollo wiped his finger behind her ear, then studied the digit. "Blood? Have you fed on another?"
She steeled herself and met his gaze levelly. "I didn't know when you'd be back and I was hungry."
His eyes sharpened. "Have you found yourself a male pet?"
She clawed at the hand he held in her hair. "You're my little brother, not my lover. Now release me or feel the full measure of my wrath."
He shoved her back. "You'd best remember who I am and who you are, sister." He curled his lip as if she suddenly disgusted him. "I'd rather feed from a servant."
Artemis didn't take another breath until he was gone. Her entire body was quaking from fear of his wrath.
The door to her room opened. She turned to see Acheron staring at her. He leaned against the door with one arm braced. The mixture of power and weakness was compelling. "I would fight him for you but for the dishonor you'd suffer."
Her heart was warmed by the thought. "You can never fight him, Acheron. You have no power to fight a god. He'd kill you and not blink." She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arm about his lean waist. "Come, my sweet. You need to rest."
But as she returned him to bed, the fear inside her built. Should Apollo ever learn about Acheron, no power on Olympus would be able to save his life.
August 25, 9528 BC
Acheron lay in his bed, missing Artemis. Holding her ring over his heart, he smiled at the memory of her last night. Over the past weeks she'd been so kind and giving to him. No one, not even his sister, had ever been more thoughtful.
Closing his eyes, he could see her running toward him in her garden, laughing. They spent hours hunting, in shooting practice or just lying together in her garden while he played for her and she read to him.
How he wished they could stay like that.
Unfortunately, she couldn't have the stain on her reputation and he understood it even though he hated it.
A knock sounded on his door.
Rolling over, he saw Ryssa push the door open. She closed the door carefully before rushing to him. She was amazingly agile given her distended stomach. "Are you coming?"
Now there was a question he wasn't used to hearing from his sister. "Where?"
"To Artemis's temple?"
Again, not a question he was used to hearing. "What are you talking about?"
"This is her feast day. There will be games and offerings in her temple all day long. Father's already sent his offering and is overseeing the others, but I thought you might be going too."
Not with his father. Was she insane? He'd been making it a point to avoid any contact whatsoever with him or Styxx.
Acheron shook his head. "I don't think I should."
She gaped at him. "Are you mad? Don't you think Artemis would be offended if someone close to her didn't show her his respect?"
Acheron frowned. Would she? Artemis could be temperamental that way.
I'll be in the temple all day, but I shall see you afterward. I wish I didn't have to wait so long to see you.
Could that have been a veiled invitation?
No, Artie was anything but subtle.
"I don't have an offering."
Ryssa shoved at his shoulder. "Make one of the heart. It won't matter to her what it is. But you have to show your appreciation of the gods, Acheron. It's unwise not to honor them, especially when one has been shown a degree of favoritism." She smiled at him. "Now get yourself dressed. I have to go and can't wait for you. But I'll watch for you at the temple-don't be long."
Acheron didn't move from bed until Ryssa had left him. He still wasn't sure this was the best idea. But so long as he kept his presence veiled, there shouldn't be any harm. He could just go, make an offering and leave.
No one, other than Artemis, would even know he'd been there. And if that would please her . . .
How could he not honor her on her feast day after all she'd given him? He wanted her to know how much he loved her. Wanted her to see that he was willing to risk his life for her.
The very thought of making her happy brought a smile to his face. Getting out of bed, he tried to think of what Artemis might enjoy. She liked to hear him play and she loved his body and blood. But those would make her angry should he make a public offering of them . . .
White rose petals-for her purity and grace. And pearls. The goddess loved pearls. She'd even taken him pearl diving.
That was it, it would make a perfect gift to show her how pure his love and admiration for her was.
He dressed quickly, then headed to the market to buy what he needed.
By noon, he was at her temple which was crowded with people. Nobles and officials had a separate entrance where their offerings were blessed by the priests. Even though he technically qualified, Acheron stayed in the common line. He didn't want to do anything to draw attention to himself or risk angering his father who sat on a throne just right of Artemis's statue, watching the people. Apollo, Styxx and Ryssa were with him.
Warily, Acheron kept glancing up, hoping to the gods that his father wouldn't see him. He would make his offering quickly and be gone.
No one would know.
Keeping his face covered, he handed his gifts to the priest so that he could place them on the altar.
"What is it you ask of the goddess, paidi?"
Acheron shook his head. "Nothing, papas. I only offer her my respect and love."
The priest nodded in approval before he took the small bowl of rose petals and pearls. As Acheron stepped away, someone in the crowd shoved him and he staggered into a woman holding a baby. She cried out as she lost her balance and her grip.
Acheron froze as he realized the baby would hit the floor unless he let go of his cloak to catch it. If he did that, he'd be exposed and as close as he was to his father, there was no way he'd escape notice.