It’s not difficult to locate my allies. They’re in the same spot as the last party, minus Loki.
Thor, of course, is surrounded by a bigger crowd, male and female. Even from across the room I can hear him recounting his victory from earlier in the day. Although swamped by people, Thor’s massive body and accompanying ego can’t be hidden. His arrogance rubs me up the wrong way, and he looks down on me through more than his height.
Now he’s snatched a victory from me. My pulse ticks up and I lie to myself this is only my irritation with him and not a memory of his hands on me when we fought. I dismiss them; no, this man doesn’t deserve my attention until he stops attempting to show his superiority. I am here to make gods and goddesses equal, and that applies to my allies too.
My stomach clenches when I spot a goddess with raven-black hair leaning against his side. He ignores the way her fingers twirl in his hair. She balances this move while drinking wine from a glass. He’s not interested but something in me shifts; a stab to my chest. Something I’ve never felt before that pushes me into action. I take my time walking across the parlor, snagging a bottle of champagne off a table on the way. The music is loud and the bottle sways as I carry it by the neck. There’s no hesitation as I enter the inner sanctum—the coveted couches of the most popular, handsome, and powerful gods at the academy.
Dion lies his head against the back of a red velvet couch and watches me with a burning gaze. His white shirt is partially unbuttoned, giving anybody interested a glimpse of his smooth, tanned chest—and there are plenty interested. He’s unshaven, hair disheveled as if also showing everybody the result of his day fighting at the Trials.
There’s an odd aura to the guy I’ve never come across before. Where Thor and Triton take up space with their masculine bulk, Dion creates something that fills the room with his presence, even if you haven’t looked or spoken to him. A presence that liquifies my insides and draws me to wanting more than the one kiss we shared. I’d hoped to sit alone with him and talk, to thank him for his help today. He wasn’t as selfish as Thor, even before we started he held concerns for me. I want to spend time alone with Dion and discover the man beneath the facade.
My chest blooms with warmth as he turns his smile to me. “Artemis,” Dion says, pushing the woman aside. He’s not rude. It’s an easy nudge and she slides onto the velvet cushion. Her bottom lip bumps out in a pout. “We were wondering where you were.”
“Really?” I ask, taking a swig from the bottle. The champagne is dry and bubbles pinch my nose. “You didn’t wait for me to arrive before you started the party.”
“Ah, you know how it is, when you’re the life of the party, like I am, it’s hard to slow things down. But,” he scoots over, making room on the end of the couch, “there’s plenty of room.”
I eye him and the raven-haired girl, quirking my eyebrow. “I wouldn’t want to interfere with your...activities.”
“No. Please. Sit.” He pats the seat.
Unaccustomed to being rejected, Dion’s still staring at me hopefully when I walk past him and slip between the crowd and join Thor.
“Artemis,” he says with a roar. He drapes an arm over my shoulder. “I was just telling everyone how many giants you took down in the challenge today. Impressive move. I couldn’t have done it better myself. Well, apart from the last ones, of course.”
Although he pisses me off, it’s impossible to get angry with him about his proud boasting. It’s his nature. Just as being a hunter is mine.
“Have you told everybody Artemis nearly beat you?” Loki steps from behind one of Thor’s audience and winks at me.
Thor’s eyes narrow in suspicion at his brother’s sudden arrival. Is he still convinced Loki caused us to get lost?
Loki’s returned to his old self, calm and pretending to be relaxed, even though he’s deliberately on the edge of the crowd. He keeps his eyes partially hidden beneath his hair as usual, ensuring people need to be close to read him properly.
Like me.
“No,” says a nearby girl and eyes me with curiosity. “Did she?”
Thor shoots Loki a pissed look and Loki smirks. “Yes. She was in the lead, but I needed to help her. In the end, Artemis wasn’t strong enough so rather than let Adonis win, I stood up to the challenge.” He looks at a girl beside him. “Everybody was exhausted, I needed to stop too, but somebody had to keep going. I knew I was the one who had to come through for us.”
Her eyes shine up at him. “That was noble of you.”
“I was just doing what I do best.”
“You mean showing off,” I mutter. Okay, I am pissed off with him now, suggesting I’m weaker. I was ahead of him throughout the last part of the Trial.
Loki hears even though Thor doesn’t, and chuckles. “I can’t wait to see you bring him down another peg or two.”
“It will happen.” I brush hair away from Loki’s face and he shakes his head to move it back. “Looking good tonight, Loki.”
He grins and smooths his shirt and his sandalwood scent drifts toward me now I’m close. “Black is my color.”
“Black sheep? Or black luck?” says a voice.
Loki snaps his head around to where Skoll stands with Hati and Eros, all giving me looks as frozen as the land I fought through today.
“I can see how you two fit together. Nobody really wants either of you as part of this Academy. Not the people who matter, anyway.” Eros drains his mug and beckons to a nearby girl to fill it.
Loki senses my body stiffen and grabs my arm before whispering, “Ignore the jerks. Don’t give them what they want.”
“What was that?” asks Skoll. “Are you asking Artemis to give you what you want? I would’ve expected she’d done that already. You must be desperate for a man, Artemis.”
“Not one like you,” I retort.
“Is that so, sweetheart?” His lips twitch. “Believe me, I’ve more stamina than your boy Loki there.”
Skoll laughs, but Hati drinks, glancing around uncomfortably.
“Yes, but I hear Loki has more skill than you do.” I run my tongue along my teeth. “Besides, I like a man who is my equal. Not a manwhore.”
Hati chokes on his drink and wipes his mouth.
“Manwhore? Take your pick from us all if you want to use that name.” Eros swipes a hand around the room. “Nothing will make you any more special than the other girls. You might think your place in the Trials makes you different, but at the end of the day, goddesses need to know their place.”
“Yeah, on their backs or on their knees,” snorts Eros.
Disgusting piece of… “Oh, I know my place all right, and I’ll show everybody else exactly what that is.” As the conversation continues, my heart races adrenaline through my body and I fight against lashing out.
No, that’s what Eros wants.
I meet his blue eyes, a hardened stand-off, and only blink when Loki’s warm hand takes mine. “Artemis. Forget these losers.”
As the three chuckle at a comment Eros makes in a low voice, I turn my back and tip my chin.
“Are you okay?” Loki asks.
“Yes. I’m glad. They’re the reminder I need that winning these Trials and changing their world must happen.” I swig from the bottle again and offer it to Loki. He wrinkles his nose and then shrugs before drinking too.
“Nice to hear you think I have skills.” Loki gives me a lopsided smile.
I nudge him. “I’m sure you have plenty. Maybe one day you can show me.”
For a moment we stand in silence. I’m half-serious; I intend to find out how skilful all these men’s hands are, and not just in battle. Thor continues his rowdy story, becoming louder the more he drinks.
“My brother has been in an odd mood toward me since the Trial,” says Loki. “I thought he’d be pleased he won.”
I chew the edge of my lip. “We followed your map and got lost. Thor…” I trail off.
“Blamed me?” I’m surprised Loki’s not angry as he usually is when accused. “Of course.”
“I told them you wouldn’t play a trick on us today.” Loki switches to staring at a spot behind me. Oh no. “Would you?”