Her heart racing, she brushed her hands over his neck before she sank her teeth deep.
Acheron hissed as pain spread through his body. But it was quickly replaced by a pleasure so profound that it made his cock harden. Weakened by it, he staggered back. Artemis followed, gripping him even tighter.
His head swam as everything around him became sharp and clear. He felt her breath on his skin, heard her blood pumping through her veins. Every part of him seemed alive. So strong and yet so weak. He staggered again, falling against the wall behind him.
"Acheron?"
He heard her voice, but he couldn't respond to it.
Artemis licked the blood from her lips as she saw the bluish tint to his skin. His breathing was so shallow that she half expected him to die. "Acheron?"
His eyes were half open. There was no recognition in his gaze that he saw or heard her.
Afraid she might have hurt him, she transported him to her bed and laid him down gently. She took his hand into hers and rubbed it. "Acheron, please say something."
He whispered something in Atlantean, but she couldn't understand it. With one last expulsion of breath, he passed out. Artemis jerked back as his entire body flashed to a vibrant blue while his lips, nails and hair turned black. An instant later, he appeared normal.
What on Olympus? Never had she seen such. Had her feeding caused it?
Swallowing, she crawled closer to him and poked him with one finger. He was completely unconscious.
Manifesting a warm fur, she covered him and watched as he drew shallow breaths. While he slept, she traced the shape of his lips, the length of his nose. His features were sharp and flawless. Like his body. She didn't understand why he compelled her so. Afraid of being dominated, she'd asked her father when she was a child to make her immune to love and to give her eternal virginity. Zeus had granted that request. Yet as she looked at Acheron resting, she wondered at the emotions she felt for him. They were unlike anything she'd ever felt before.
She liked the way he talked to her. The way he held her and made her scream in pleasure with his touches and licks. Most of all, she loved the way he tasted when she fed from him.
He's just a pet.
Yes, that was it. She didn't have any real feelings for him. He was merely like the deer that lived in her forest. Beautiful to watch and to touch. They licked and brushed up against her, too. And like them she was sure he'd come to bore her in time. Everything did.
But for now she intended to enjoy her pet for as long as possible.
Acheron woke up starving. The hunger pain was so fierce that at first he thought he was again in the dark hole underneath his father's palace. But as he opened his eyes and saw the gold ceiling above him, he remembered being with Artemis.
He sat up slowly to find himself alone in her bed. There were voices outside. He started to get up and head toward them, then thought better of it. Artemis had left him here for a reason. No good could come of his opening those doors.
So he sat in bed, his stomach aching while he listened to words that had no real form. They were muffled through the gold and stone. He had no idea what time it was or how long he'd slept.
It seemed like forever before Artemis appeared. She drew up short and smiled. "You're awake."
He nodded. "I didn't want to disturb you. You sounded busy."
She closed the distance between them to cup his cheek. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving."
She spread her arm out and a table covered with food appeared beside the bed.
Acheron gaped at the feast.
"If you'd like something else, tell me."
"No, this is wonderful." He left the bed to tear into a loaf of bread. His eyes widened at the taste of it. Coated in honey and warm, it was the best he'd ever had.
Artemis poured him a cup of wine. "Goodness, you were hungry."
He took the cup gratefully then drank deep of the rich flavor. "Thank you, Artie."
She arched a brow at his unintended nickname. "Artie?"
Acheron cringed as he realized his slip of the tongue. "Artemis. I meant to say Artemis."
She nuzzled him. "I think I like Artie. No one's ever called me that before."
Acheron leaned his head down to kiss her hand.
Artemis couldn't breathe as that simple touch electrified her. What was it about this man that set fire to her entire being? She wanted to hold and protect him. More than that, she wanted to devour every inch of his lush body.
Closing her eyes, she leaned into him and inhaled that intoxicating scent that was all male and all him. "Eat, Acheron," she whispered. "I don't want you to be hungry."
He stepped away from her and she felt the sudden cold left in the wake of his heat like a punch against her stomach. She watched as he dipped the bread in a small dish of honey before he took a bite and smiled a smile so handsome it made her heart lift.