As Styxx with his father.
It was why he loved his nephew so. Apollodorus asked for nothing more than attention and when he hugged and gave a sloppy kiss to the cheek it was pure, joyful love. There was no subterfuge. No giving in order to get something back.
Why couldn't the world be like that?
Then again, who was he to ask those questions? His own mother had been incapable of showing even the most basic compassion toward him.
Love, unfortunately, was a weakness squandered on those who didn't deserve it.
Acheron grabbed the wine bottle from his table and uncorked it. There wasn't much solace here, but some was infinitely better than none. The gods knew he couldn't find solace anywhere else. Maybe he should have taken Satara up on her offer.
But what price would she have exacted? There was always a price for everything in life. For that wisdom, he could almost thank Estes.
Nothing in this world ever came freely.
Nothing.
"Acheron?"
He tensed at the sound of Artemis's voice. She was nowhere to be seen. But, he could feel her like a whisper on his soul.
She manifested behind him. "I'm sorry, Acheron. I shouldn't have treated you that way."
"Then why did you?"
Still invisible, she nuzzled his shoulder. "I'm afraid and I let my fear direct me."
"You're a goddess."
"I'm one of many and not as powerful as others. Do you know what they do to a goddess when they strip her of her powers? They cast her to earth to exist among the humans who abuse and mock her. Is that what you'd have for me?"
Why not? It was what she would have for him.
Unfortunately, he wasn't that cruel. "No. I only want what's best for you, Artie. But I'm tired of your taking everything out on me. I'm not a mindless doll you can beat when you're frustrated."
She materialized so that he could see the sincerity in those beautiful green eyes. "I know and I'm trying. I really am. Just be impatient with me."
"Impatient?"
She frowned. "That's the wrong word, isn't it? I don't know why I mix them up sometimes."
These moments when she allowed herself to be vulnerable were the ones that endeared her to him. They were the ones that had allowed him to love her.
Cupping her face in his hands, he gave her a tender kiss.
Artemis sighed as a wave of relief went through her. She loved him so much and yet she was so terrified of what loving him meant. She truly didn't want to hurt him ever. He was the only person she could be herself around. With other gods she had to be fierce and defensive and with mortals she had to be divine and intolerant.
Acheron was the one person who allowed her to laugh. He was the only one who held her and made her feel warm inside. But the problem was, whenever she opened herself up she felt the coldness inside him and knew that even though he was loyal to her, she didn't make him happy. That hurt the most. The pain inside him that she couldn't alleviate made her want to lash out in anger and hurt him for not being as open with her as she was with him.
Why couldn't he feel what she did?
Even now there was a reservation in his touch. A hesitation and she didn't understand why.
How could she make him love her the way he had when they first met?
She wanted to punish him for not loving her like she loved him. To make him beg her for her love. But how?
Pulling back, her gaze went to his neck and she cringed at what she'd done to him while she'd fed—it was something Apollo would have done to her. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Acheron held his breath at words that had been said to him so many times. Just once couldn't someone think of that before they damaged him?
"I'm fine." But the truth was, he wasn't. He'd never been all right with the pain. He'd merely grown used to it.
She brushed the hair back from his face. "You look so tired. I shouldn't have taken so much blood from you." She tugged him toward the bed. "You should rest."
True. There was no telling what horrors would be there for him on the morrow. Another gelding or beating, or just the emotional punching that Artemis excelled at.
He couldn't wait.
"Will you come to me tomorrow?" he asked again, desperate to not be alone while the whole world lavished well wishes on his twin brother.
Artemis hesitated. She wanted to come, but Apollo would be here for Styxx's celebration. She had to be careful. Because they were twins and gods, he could sense whenever she was near. If he felt her, he'd come seeking her and that could very well cost Acheron his life. "You know I have a festival. How can I miss it?"
He looked away and the hurt she felt from him sliced through her own heart.
"I'll visit the next day."
Acheron held his emotions in check. "I'll look forward to it then."
"Are you being sullen with me?"
"No." He was hurt. "I hope you have a good festival."
Artemis raked her hand through his hair. Will you think of me while I'm gone?"
"I always do."