Can’t he see the funny side?
We sit now, in the fields toward the back of the Academy beneath the willow trees. The sun shines, another reminder of the frozen world we’re heading to tomorrow. The mood is somber as we avoid another topic of conversation: Apollo died in the last Trial.
Of course, Dion copes in his usual way: wine. The moment he suggested we head for a ‘picnic,’ I knew what that meant.
Good plan, though.
Artemis sits with her head in Dion’s lap, and he absentmindedly twirls his fingers through her hair as we talk. I’m not surprised but am a little put out. It’s normal for girls to be comfortable around him. I half-smile to myself. He admitted to kissing her when we were at the cabin, but I hope he doesn’t think he’ll have Artemis to himself.
Artemis is a law to herself, and I don’t doubt she’ll be the one to hold all our hearts. The goddess who’ll hold us together as we fight and win.
What will happen at the Trial tomorrow? I’d lay bets she’ll be the victor.
Thor greedily eats the meal before us, avoiding the fruit which Triton chews, also silent.
“You guys need more wine,” Dion says, reaching over for another canteen. “Come on, relax.”
“Relax? We have the Trial tomorrow. We need to keep our focus and strength,” retorts Triton.
“Thor will be fueled and ready to go.” Dion chuckles. “Greedy bastard. Leave some for the rest of us.”
Thor takes a hunk of bread and throws it at Dion’s head. He ducks and laughs, and the bread lands on Artemis’s face.
“Shit, sorry.”
Artemis sits and deftly throws the bread back to him; it smacks Thor in the chest. “You need better aim.”
Dion holds a hand out. “Hey, don’t start fighting again, you two.”
Artemis rubs her lips together. “I should give him a chance to win.”
“Don’t make me ask for a rematch.”
I sigh and place a hand over my mouth with a mock yawn. “Change the record, you two.”
Dion sits and wraps an arm around Artemis’s waist before looking to Triton. “Have you researched what we should expect tomorrow?”
Triton stretches his legs out and sits back, propping himself on his arms. “A little. I’ve checked the weather conditions and the local population, but until we know exactly what the Trial involves, I can’t do much more.”
“Loki can help with information about the local population.” I snap my head around at Thor’s snide comment.
“Well, the weather conditions will be pretty obvious.” Dion glances between me and Thor. “I hope you have your warmest clothes all ready and packed to go.”
“Yes, mother,” says Triton with a smile and I relax, silently thanking Dion for his subject change.
“I’ve only seen the snow once,” says Artemis. “One year the winter froze the village, and it was a shock. I don’t think I left the camp for two days. I hated it and couldn’t cope with being cold.”
“Don’t worry, love, I’ll keep you warm.” Dion plants a kiss on the side of her head.
Thor snorts. “She needs someone with a bit more meat on him to warm her up.”
Dion ignores him and sips his wine. Sure, Thor eclipses us with his bulk and muscle, but Dion is strong and lean. His biceps might not bulge as large as Thor’s or Triton’s, but he’s not lacking in the muscle department. Neither of us are.
“I have a warm cloak,” says Artemis. “I’ll be fine.”
Triton’s laugh rumbles around us. “You will. I’m sure of it.”
I scratch my head. I don’t want to bring the subject up, but know I need to. “Skoll said he heard the judges mention a physical Trial. Perhaps a journey through Jotunheim.”
Four pairs of eyes regard me in surprise, and of course Thor says what they’re all thinking. “Skoll? When did you speak to him about the Trial? And why?”
“Come on, he’s Norse and has visited the area too. I thought he might have some information I could pry from him. I don’t trust the judges not to favor someone. We need to consider that, especially after what happened to Apollo.”
Thor mutters ’trust’ under his breath and I stiffen. “What?”
“Nothing. What did he say, this ‘friend’ of yours?”
“He’s not my friend,” I growl. “He was cagey, so I hung around nearby when I saw him talk to Hati. That’s how I know.”
“Eavesdropping?” asks Triton.
“Yes. Forget it, I’m only trying to help.” I grab a piece of chicken from the blanket lain out in front of us and bite savagely.
“Thank you, Loki,” says Artemis.
I look up to one of the smiles I crave every day—the one for me. Sunlight strokes her face and highlights the red in her hair. She’d soften any man’s heart. “You’re welcome.”
When Thor mutters again, I stand. “Dude, just spit it out. What do you want to say?”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit.”
Thor pulls himself to his feet and steps closer. “Okay, guys.” Triton stands and places a hand on Thor’s chest, ever the peacemaker. “Calm down. Enjoy the meal. The sun. The good company.” He nods at Artemis, who’s watching, lips pursed.
“Sit down,” she says. “I want to enjoy this. I spend so little time in the sun, amongst the world I’m familiar with.” Artemis runs fingers across the long grass. “And now I have a chance to spend time with the four special guys in my life too.”
Triton blinks at her. Artemis has never acknowledged our bond beyond working together in challenges and training. Sure, we spend time together socially, but she often watches and listens to our banter. For the first time, she admits we’re more.
“I’m happy you feel you’re part of us.” I pluck a daisy from the grass beside me, and another.
“Of course.” She shakes her head when Dion offers her wine. “You taught me to behave properly too.”
“Apart from Dion,” I say with a chuckle. “He’s all for misbehaving.”
Dion raises his glass in a toast. “You got it.”
Artemis chooses Dion for her smile this time, and something passes between them. Does she want him to teach her to ‘misbehave’? “I meant social graces.”
“Yes. Perhaps learn to leave your weapons in your quarters when you attend social occasions.” Artemis splutters with laughter at Triton’s serious tone and he scowls. “I’m just saying, as a goddess, you need to work on your modesty.”
“But the stripping is fine. You can do that more.” Dion smirks up at her.
“Oh no, it’s your turn to strip next.”
“Just say the word.”
I groan inwardly at his obvious reply and begin to thread my gathered daisies together. The lightened mood cuts through some of the tension between me and my brother, but I feel it keenly in his demeanor.
As the afternoon passes, only Dion and Thor drink—no surprise there. I prefer to keep my wits about me, and don’t tend to drink myself stupid often. Artemis declines too, and there’s no need to ask Triton.
Artemis lies on her back watching the clouds drift above us, and her peace infects us all. She’s right. Together, everything feels better. She’ll never replace Apollo, but it’s as if she was always missing from our lives. What hurts my heart is Apollo never had the chance to experience her love and warmth.
“So, the Trial,” announces Triton. I focus back on the chain I’m making, which has grown long. The Trial. Great. “If Loki is correct, and the Trial involves some kind of journey, perhaps he can help with directions.”
I clench my jaw. If anybody makes a comment about my history in Jotunheim, they’d better watch their back.
“Yeah, sure, Loki is great with directions.” Thor knocks back his wine. Four glasses in, and his tongue loosens. “Look what happened last time we trusted him with map reading.”
“We went through this,” says Dion. “That wasn’t Loki’s fault.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. “Artemis, would you like this?”
She sits and shields her eyes from the sun and looks at the daisy necklace in my outstretched hand. “Did you make that?”
I nod.
“That’s so sweet! Thank you.”