“They were best friends and drinking buddies. Just because you have tits doesn’t mean you’re a lady.” Eros wrinkles his nose. “Quite the opposite actually, guess the rumors about you are true.”
Triton grunts his disapproval and Artemis’s shoulders tense. I know she has at least three weapons hidden on her body. As much as I’d love for her to castrate Eros on the spot, that won’t help our greater goal of winning the Trials.
“Didn’t see you joining in,” I say to both men. “Sat on the sidelines like bratty children. Don’t worry, Artemis will have other opportunities to kick your asses.”
She smiles at that assessment. “I hope so.”
Adonis chimes in, “So it’s true that you’ve come to take his place. Got quite a target on your head on your first day.” The handsome, athletic guy is physically opposite to Eros and stares down at Artemis.
Artemis narrows her eyes. I don’t miss how she moves her free hand to her waist. I rest a hand on her elbow, a warning not to reveal the weapon tucked under the leather belt. “What does that mean?”
“Apollo’s points,” Adonis says. “Some competitors are jealous. Not me.”
“She didn’t earn them,” Eros says with a dismissive shrug. “Not sure why she gets to keep them.”
“It’s in the rules.” Loki steps up to her other side. “Take it up with the judges.”
“Or I could go your route, eh, Artemis?” Eros looks at the spot where my hand clenches her waist. “Find myself a team of fuckboys to protect me?”
Loki laughs. “Well, if that’s what you want, I’m sure there are a few around here.”
Adonis scowls, marring his pretty face. “Shut up. It just seems a little too convenient that Apollo dies and she gets to take his place. A female, who doesn’t even have to earn her own points. At least maybe she’ll be worth it in bed, amirite, Dion?”
I react on instinct, lunging for him, but a knife splits through the air, grazing Eros’s ear. He yelps and touches his head. Blood coats his fingertips. The knife itself lands square in a column on the opposite wall.
“Crazy bitch! Did you just try to kill me?”
“No,” Artemis says, pulling a second blade from under her skirt. She cleans her nails with the tip. Sweet, merciful Zeus. I can’t wait to get a peek under there myself. “If I’d wanted to kill you, you’d be dead.”
Loki barks out a laugh. “Damn, Eros, you may want to tuck your tail and go back to your quarters.”
“Fuck you,” he says, running a hand through his short, buzzed hair. “Take your ten points, sweetheart, they’re all you’re going to get.”
He storms off cradling his ear, while Adonis lazily strolls after him. Prick probably thought it was funny too.
Artemis sways and Loki catches her in his arms. “You did that drunk as a skunk, right?” he asks her.
She laughs and touches his nose. “Wait ‘til you see what I can do sober.”
Loki and I escort Artemis back to her dormitory. I’d like time with her alone, but not at the expense of her reputation. Not yet, at least.
We maneuver her past the guard working the door of the lounge and with an arm over each of our shoulders, we help her up to her room. At her door, she leans her back against the wooden surface and narrows her eyes in thought.
“What?” I ask, curious as to what is on her mind.
“I never knew much about these gender roles while I was sent away. Where I’m from, we’re all equal. I realize now maybe that was my father’s intention—to protect me from the degradement of society. But it’s strange here. It’s obvious you all like women very much, but there are so many rules.”
“We’re hoping to change that,” I say. “Your father and Apollo set the path. We’ll finish it.”
“Tell me something,” her eyes are a little clearer. I’m not sure exactly how drunk she really is. “Will one of the results of the gender equality be for the goddesses to take on more than one lover?”
“Excuse me?” I ask, certain I’ve heard her wrong.
Loki isn’t so slow. “Is that something you’re interested in?”
She grips the door knob. “I admit the idea intrigues me. Gods, like my father and I’m quite sure yours, have always taken multiple wives or kept a harem for pleasure. I know my brother enjoyed the females at the school—more than one at a time. If we’re truly going to change tradition and bring equality between gods and goddesses, shouldn’t we explore every avenue?”
I nod. Loki watches. Both speechless.
More than one of us? Whoa. I’d love to see how Thor reacts to that news, because he has his sights set on her too.
“Unlike the other goddesses in the academy, I’m not bound to convention.” Artemis wrinkles her nose. “And this is my first time in a male-populated society. I don’t plan on limiting myself.”
Loki and I exchange looks and he speaks, “Limiting yourself? Taking multiple lovers is a punishable offense, Artemis. Just being in the Trials is a huge target on your head. You saw how Eros behaved earlier.”
Artemis shrugs, her flaming red hair spilling over her shoulders. Gods knows, she may have a machete hidden in there. “I like to keep my options open. Is there anything wrong with that?” She smiles and it’s more alluring than the sun. “Plus, I don’t really like to be told what I can and can’t do.”
Frankly, I just don’t know. I truly don’t, but she’s given me something to consider, although not fast enough because before I can reply she gives us both a sly smile and vanishes into her room.
How drunk is she? Or is this really what Artemis is planning to do?
13
ARTEMIS
Despite being in a stone building with a bed and comforts, I still wake at the first light of day. As much as I’d like to explore the grounds, especially the forest to the south side of the Academy, I stay put, dressing and waiting for Fulla to arrive for breakfast. After that, I’m to present my case to the Trial judges, defending my right to take Apollo’s place.
My eyes roam the room, taking in the curtains and soft blanket on my mattress. I remember to put it back on the bed before Fulla arrives. I know it’s odd to sleep on the floor—I’m not that much of a social misfit. Gripping the padding with both hands, I heft it off the floor and back into the wooden frame.
My hand skims the hard book buried in the padding. There’s time to read further. If I’m brave enough. No, I have to be. For him, myself, and this new alliance I’ve agreed to.
Sitting in the cushiony chair by the fire, I open to the third entry and read. I start at the beginning, trying to get a handle on my brother—the idea of a vacation and the description of my strong mother. I’m jealous he had this time with them. Jealous of their closeness. I’m also startled by the inclusion of my name. They held me close to their hearts even while I was away, and if Apollo’s writings are true, he planned a revolution to bring me home.
APOLLO’S JOURNAL
AUGUST
Success!
I’ve gained entry into the Trials. The competition was fierce. Every male student was required to enter. Some failed immediately out of lack of skill or desire. Others, including my close mate Loki, failed to qualify. Of course, with him I never know if he lost on purpose or not. His motivations are always unclear. He seemed pissed, but that could be more about Thor’s success. His brother can’t help but brag about victory. If he wasn’t such a good friend, I’d probably punch him from time to time.