Without a word, Artemis locates and pulls kindling from a pile of wood beside the fireplace and sets about creating flames.
I pull at my clothes, which are clammy against my skin after our not-so-happy walk through the freezing rain. I grimace—I hate getting wet, and we’re all soaked.
“I can’t stay in these clothes,” Dion grumbles too, and peels off his shirt. Thor drags his over his head and dumps it on the floor.
“Good idea.” Mine joins the pile. The house is cool, but at least I’m not shivering now.
Triton folds his arms and watches with an amused curve to his mouth. Trust the water-loving guy not to care.
Artemis steps back from the fire and smiles in satisfaction as the flames lick the wood. She drops on more fuel and then turns. “I brought some—“ She halts and blinks at us. “Oh.”
I don’t miss her appreciative gaze jumping from one to another, and neither does Dion, who of course gives her one of his flirtatious smiles. Thor’s distracted, crouching down to push through the contents of his pack. I know jealousy has no place here, but the way her eyes linger on his muscular back as he moves pisses me off.
“This is a good idea.” She waves a hand at us and I watch with a mixture of horror and appreciation as Artemis turns her back to us and pulls her tunic off. She moves a chair closer to the fire and hangs the shirt over it.
I stare at her back, where two deep scars run from her shoulder downwards. Was she clawed by an animal? A bloody big one? I barely pay attention, instead focusing on where her body curves into slim hips. I’ve pictured my hands on that body, stroking her skin. Kissing.
I drop my eyes further. Her pants are tied firmly with a leather belt, cinching her waist.
Omigod, please don’t take those off too.
Or please do?
I look to the others for their reaction and all eyes are on Artemis as we wait for her to turn around.
Triton doesn’t share my hopeful anticipation. “Artemis!” We barely catch a glimpse of anything else because as she turns he steps in front of her, facing away and toward us. “Have some modesty!”
Reaching to his left, Triton grabs a blanket thrown across the sofa and passes it behind him, not looking. Dion’s chuckle turns into a laugh as she sighs at Triton. “Dude. Let the girl strip if she likes.”
Artemis grabs the blanket from Triton’s hands and when she pushes him aside, she has the gray material tied around herself.
And her pants at her feet.
She looks confused. “Do you really care? You’ve seen many girls naked, I hardly think I’m any different. I have breasts and, well, I doubt there’s much difference in how the four of you look below the belt.”
“Okay!” says Thor, snapping out of his staring. He straightens. “I have water and some food. Just bread and dried meat, but enough to share.”
His words fall on deaf ears as the weird situation with Artemis continues. Does she really not care if four guys see her naked?
“Uh. Are we all in mortal danger now?” I ask.
“Why?”
“Don’t you kill men who see you naked?”
“Sometimes; if I’m in a bad mood.” She tightens the blanket knot. “Kidding! I refuse to sit in wet clothes and get sick. My first trial is in a couple of days, and I need to be at full health. It’s not my problem you can’t handle my nakedness.”
“No, but it’s our problem one or two of us would like to handle your nakedness.” Dion winks at her and she pulls a face, before bending to drape her pants next to her tunic on the chair.
“Are you only taking your shirts off?” she asks us.
“I’m naked underneath these, love.” Dion gestures at his pants.
“And?” she bats back. “We can find more blankets to wear.”
“And sheets. Toga party,” I say with a laugh.
“Oh. No. I like you without shirts on.” She steps forward to Dion and bites her lip. “And I don’t care if you take your other clothes off. Perhaps you can show me what you have that’s so special… ‘Little D.’ The thing you try to keep in your pants and often fail to.”
I snort a laugh as he struggles for a response.
Artemis wanders to the stairs, blanket trailing across the tiled floor behind, her damp hair falling down her back.
“Where are you going? Thor asks.
“In search of a bathroom. I’d like a warm bath.”
I rub my head. “A bath?”
“We can’t leave until tomorrow. I’m going to warm up and sleep. Suit yourselves what you do.”
The stunned silence continues as we watch her walk upstairs. Triton breaks it. “I told you, she’s a madwoman. What goddess would strip in front of four men?”
“She explained why,” I say. “She’s practical, I’ll give her that.”
“Next time don’t stop her, merman.”
Triton thumps Dion on the arm for his comment and he scowls. “Women are not just here for your titillation.”
Dion barks a laugh. “I could react like a ten year old at the word you just used but—“ Triton’s dark look and the fact he’s half a foot taller stops him. “I was joking! I know we should accept Artemis as one of us, but it’s tricky when we’re attracted to her and she decides to get butt-naked.”
“We all know she’s unlikely to fall for your charms, Dion.” Thor runs his tongue along his bottom lip and looks after Artemis. “Gods know you’ve tried already. You’re not exactly subtle.”
“Maybe she doesn’t like men,” says Triton. “She spent all that time with women in the forests. Perhaps—”
Thor interrupts. “She likes men.” His words are firm; no hint of doubt.
I expected a bigger reaction from Thor, and to take part in some banter with Dion. Is my big brother genuinely intimidated by Artemis’s behavior—or avoiding temptation? He took his eyes off her the moment she turned around.
Seriously, that sight and my wild imagination picturing what the rest of Artemis looks like will haunt me for days—and in a good way.
Pipes groan and are followed by water running upstairs, and we again stare at each other as Artemis’s singing voice drifts towards us.
“Madwoman,” mutters Triton. “How can she be so cheerful? This situation is a mess!”
With Artemis out the room, we take stock. Triton pulls out his soggy map and we attempt to discover where we went wrong. The river we crossed is the opposite direction to that we’re supposed to go, and I’m pissed off our squabbling stopped us noticing when we took a wrong turn.
“How’s your leg, Triton?” I ask.
He bends and rolls his trouser to just below his knee. There’s a gash and blood has mingled with rain, turning his calf red. Dion crouches down to look. “Shit man, that must hurt.”
Blood covers Triton’s fingers when he touches the wound. “Still bleeding. Does anybody have any cloth I can use as a bandage?”
“Artemis’s damp tunic?” suggests Dion with a smirk.
“Ha ha. All our clothes are muddy. Does anybody have something spare in their packs?”
“We weren’t planning an overnight trip,” says Dion. “I only have supplies for today.”
“Same. Check the bedrooms. Rip up a sheet or something.” I point upwards.
Triton’s expression turns to horror. “I can’t do that. This is bad enough we’re invading somebody’s house. We shouldn’t destroy their possessions too.”
“Yeah and bleeding all over their house is also rude, so get something and bandage it,” says Thor.
Triton eyes the stairs doubtfully. “Artemis is up there.”
“She doesn’t bite,” says Thor. “Besides, she’s taking a bath.”
I nod. “Yeah, don’t walk in on her naked in the bath and everything will be fine.”
Triton pushes damp hair from his face. “I don’t know...”
“Are you scared of naked chicks, Triton? Have you ever seen one?” Dion teases.
“Fuck you,” he mutters. “Yes, I have.”
“Oh?” Dion leans closer. “Tell me more. Did she have a tail?”
Triton throws the map to one side. “You really are an immature asshole sometimes!”
“Guys...” I say. “C’mon. I think we’re failing the real challenge here.”