In the Veil of Vengeance

by Kasondra Morin

  Artemis wasn't one to sit back and allow herself to be plundered. She pulled his tunic so her body was flush against his and matched his intensity.

  Jace pulled back with a satisfied sigh, his lust momentary slated by the kiss. He lightly pressed their foreheads together, closed his eyes, and simply breathed in the scent of her.

  Impatience won out and Artemis tipped her face to catch his lips once more.

  “I love you,” he murmured against her mouth.

  “I trust you,” she whispered in reply.

  His heart leaped in his chest. Love was something with which Artemis was familiar. She loved her Amazons. She loved her forest. But trust never came easy to her. She'd layered her love for Jace in her words the only way she knew how.

  The two made short work of their clothes, using the damp material as a makeshift bed. Jace laid on his back so Artemis could stay in control of her first experience.

  At the peak of their pleasure, Artemis gasped as her wings exploded from her back in a shower of color. She leaned down to seal the moment with a kiss, covering the entwined pair in a tent of feathers.

  Jace could feel the roar of shared power when her mouth pressed to his. It set his nerves on fire and he cried out from the overwhelming intensity of it all.

  Eyes closed, he felt Artemis collapse on top of him. A breeze blew across their damp, naked bodies and they shivered in unison before giggling at each other.

  Jace placed a palm against the ground and kindly requested a bush act as a temporary doorway to their home for the storm. He hummed with happiness as Artemis curled her body against his, intertwining their legs together.

  “Is it always like that?” she asked.

  His laugh echoed off the stone walls. “I hope so.”

  He trailed his fingers through her hair until he felt her relax in slumber. Only then, did he allow the sound of the rain and her breathing lull him to sleep.

  Chapter 16

  Sunshine pierced between the leaves on the bush at the entrance. Artemis buried her face in Jace's warm side.

  He chuckled and pulled her closer. “I think the weather is decent enough to travel.”

  “I'm tired,” she pouted.

  Jace pulled away enough to prop himself up on an elbow. “I don't know how that is my fault. You are the one who woke me up multiple times so we could—”

  Artemis smacked a hand over his mouth. “You've made your point.”

  Jace licked her hand to make her squeal and pull it back. He brushed the hair back from her face. “Are you okay?”

  “I'm wonderful.” She stretched her arms over her head. “I feel whole again.”

  He wanted to ask what it meant for them. He wanted to beg her to stay with him forever. He wanted to wake up next to her like this for the rest of their immortal lives.

  But instead he said, “We should find your brother.”

  The bushes Jace had grown to guard the entrance parted with a gesture and whispered request from Jace, allowing sunlight to flood the small space.

  Artemis sat up, not bothering to hide her nudity. She pointed at a small stack of dry clothing near the entrance. “Where did those come from?”

  Jace cautiously made his way over and picked up the garments. “These are mine and those look like something I've seen you wear before. But how did they get here? Neither of us left last night.”

  “Styx,” Artemis answered.

  “That's invasive and a little creepy,” Jace said.

  Artemis shook her head with a laugh. “Yeah, that sums up Styx pretty well.”

  “I don't remember seeing or even sensing her last night.” Jace slipped the tunic over his head and handed the flowing dress to Artemis.

  “In all fairness, we were either asleep or, well, busy at the time.”

  Jace frowned. “You don't think she saw us—”

  “I have no doubt she did at least once. But if she hadn't refused to heal me, we wouldn't have had last night so I can forgive her.” Artemis picked up the iridescent dress she'd been given previously. “Should we return this to your dryad friend?”

  Jace took it from her and folded it gently. “It's yours now. You can't return a gift.”

  Artemis leaned up and kissed him. “It was very kind of her. I should give her something in return.”

  “She helped save your life, you know. Aralissa is the one who told me Zeus was accompanying you.”

  Artemis glared at the ground. “I still can't believe I let him fool me like that. Did I tell you he was in deer form? He used my affection toward my sacred animal for his own gain. I feel ridiculous.” She scuffed her sandals against the dirt in frustration.

  “Don't pout,” Jace said, using a finger to lift her chin so he could look into her eyes. “You were mostly human. His attempt to take advantage of you is his fault, not your responsibility. Being human doesn't mean you deserve to be a target for someone else.” He couldn't help but bend down and brush his lips against hers.

  She hummed and tried to deepen the kiss, pouting even harder when he pulled back.

  “We need to start searching for Ares, love.” His heart ached at the suggestion. Once she'd found him, their relationship would be over. Of course Artemis would choose to take care of her now-human brother. But, Jace loved her enough to help her reach her goals, even if it meant losing the closeness they'd cultivated.

  Artemis paused at the entrance to their little love cave. She took a deep breath before reaching out to grab Jace's hand and lace their fingers together. “Together,” she said firmly.

  “Together,” he agreed.

  For now, he thought.

  Chapter 17

  Artemis' didn't waste any time and started out immediately. Her feet carried her a few steps from where they'd started before logic took over and she stopped. “I have no idea where to start.”

  Jace squeezed her hand in support. “We'll find him.”

  “Can you call your friend, Aralissa? Maybe she knows something. I need to thank her anyway.”

  Jace nodded and spoke to the nearest tree. Almost instantly, the bark wavered and danced as Aralissa took form.

  She put her hands on her hips. “It took you long enough. I thought you were dead for sure.” She continued her angry look until Jace had the decency to look chagrined. She brought him in for a hug. “I'm glad you're okay.”

  Jace rolled his eyes playfully. “I was a little busy.” He darted his eyes to where his lover stood watching.

  Artemis covered a giggle with a cough. “That would be my fault. I'm Artemis.”

  Aralissa's smile lit up her face. “I know who you are, goddess.” She dropped into a quick curtsy. “I am honored to make your acquaintance.”

  Jace snorted at her suddenly formal tone.

  Artemis silenced him with a look before reaching to pull Aralissa back to standing. “After all you've done for us, I insist we hug.” She pulled the nervous dryad into a firm embrace.

  “I am forever at your service.” Aralissa stepped away and attempted to bow again.

  “My first request is for you to treat me as an equal,” Artemis said with a laugh. “I'm afraid I have to continue to ask for your help. I am looking for my brother, Ares.”

  “Zeus cursed him as well,” Jace interjected.

  Artemis answered the question in Aralissa's eyes with a nod. “He is fully human. He will not be able to defend himself if word of his current weakness gets around to the wrong people. He's had generations to rack up a list of enemies and they'll all be out for his blood. I'm worried about him.” She didn't mention the cosmic balance of power that was now unstable. The world needed a god of war to maintain equilibrium or nothing would stop humanity from fighting until no one was left.

  Aralissa bit one side of her mouth. “I haven't heard his name. However, there is an interesting tale going around about a stranger at Carn's encampment. A man was picked up near the kingdom's border without his memory who fought like a demon from the moment he picked up a sword to spar
. They thought he was a god in disguise until he became injured during a fight.”

  Artemis' heart stopped. “Injured?” The memory of the torturous pain she'd dealt with hit like a punch to the gut. She turned to Jace. “I have to find him.”

  Jace placed a comforting hand on her arm. “We will.”

  “I can take you to the outskirts of the camp, but it's not safe for me to go too close,” Aralissa offered.

  Jace nodded, still focused on Artemis. “Thank you, that would be helpful.”

  Jace and Artemis stood a mile out from the training encampment. The sounds of raucous laughter and clashing swords reached their ears despite the distance. Aralissa was long gone, having left as soon as she'd been able.

  “Do we have a plan?” Jace asked.

  “I'm going to find my brother.”

  Jace shook his head. “You can't storm in there and snatch Ares back. If his memory loss is the result of magic you need to tread carefully. Forcing memories into his head could permanently damage his mind.”

  Artemis sighed and marched forward, determination in every step. She glanced back at Jace, who followed close behind with an amused smile. “Let me do the talking.”

  A handful of soldiers hit a knee when they saw her coming closer. She gestured for them to rise and brushed past on her way to the loudest group. That's where she believed Ares would be holding court of sorts.

  Fifty men stood in a large circle in various stages of undress. Two fighters, in full armor, sparred in the center. The pair traded blows in a steady rhythm. Artemis watched as one man prevailed and one ended up flat on his back in the dirt. The winner helped the loser to his feet before raising his arms to ask for another challenger. When no one volunteered, he dropped his helmet into the dirt.

  “Ares,” Artemis whispered.

  “Where?” Jace asked in confusion.

  Artemis tilted her head in the right direction. She didn't begrudge Jace for not recognizing Ares on sight. The man before them was a shadow of the mighty God of War. His general appearance, mostly his more muscular than average build, had remained the same but without the air of strength and power he usually carried. In full form, Ares struck fear into the hearts of armies. His mere presence was enough to incite war if he allowed it. But the man standing in the sparring ring was boring in comparison.

  Artemis was happy to see Ares didn't look injured. He looked… good. She'd expected to find him in dire straits, as she had been, but the situation seemed the opposite. Ares appeared to be thriving.

  Artemis raised an eyebrow to the soldier standing closest to her. “Who is this fighter?”

  The soldier shook his head. “My glorious goddess,” he began.

  She put a hand up. “I do not have time for formal addresses. Please just tell me what you know.”

  “Apologies,” he dipped his head in acknowledgment. “We do not know much about this man. Scouts discovered him wandering and, being as he is able-bodied, he was brought here to train. He has no memory of his life before being found.”

  “No memory,” she murmured, glancing over where her brother was shaking hands with the man he'd bested. “I take it he arrived without a name, then?”

  The soldier shook his head. “No name. We have taken to calling him Lethe.”

  The Underworld river of forgetfulness. From which lost souls drank to forget themselves prior to reincarnation, she thought. “Thank you for your help.”

  She marched across the open field. Silence followed in her wake. Ares stopped brushing sand from his tunic and turned slowly as the men around him stopped talking. His expression narrowed in confusion and apprehension.

  Artemis stepped up and met his gaze. For a moment, she didn't speak. She stared into the eyes of the man she'd known her entire life. Deep down, she had hoped her presence would open whatever had been locked inside him. But she saw no recognition on his face. It was as if he looked at her through sleep-deadened eyes. She meant no more to him than a common human woman.

  “Do you know who I am?” she asked.

  The man they called Lethe shook his head. “Nope. Should I?”

  Jace didn't hide his bark of laughter. “Her name is Artemis.”

  Lethe glanced over. “I don't know if they told you, but my memory isn't exactly ironclad these days.”

  Artemis smiled. She could see the hint of the brother she knew shining through. “I am goddess of the hunt. I have trained Amazons and aided warriors in battle.”

  Lethe looked around the camp where all eyes were focused on their conversation. “And what makes you think we need any help?” He opened his arms to include the entire group. “You can see the strength represented here.”

  Something inside Artemis shuddered as she looked around. Yes, with Ares on their side, the battalion would be stronger than ever. Even as a human, her brother would have more ability and blood-thirst than the average man. The combined strength of the army would stir up a lot of hate from their enemies. Even without immortal powers, Ares would be the most skilled fighter amongst the group. She knew his strength and arrogance would make him an obvious target during battle. As a weakened human, Ares was vulnerable. He could be killed. If he died, Artemis had no chance of undoing the damage Zeus had wrought.

  If her brother died because of Zeus’ temper tantrum, she’d never forgive either of them.

  Artemis closed her eyes and unfurled her wings. Lethe shielded his eyes from the blinding light emanating from the multicolored feathers. Every man in camp fell to his knees in supplication as her skin shimmered with power.

  Her voice carried throughout the encampment. “I am here as your warrior goddess. I am the sister of the god of war.” She spread her wings wide in a show of strength. “In this man beats the heart of a mighty warrior. I have chosen him as a champion. I bestow upon this fighter, a token of favor.” She reached and plucked a single, golden feather to hand to Ares. “May this provide you with protection in a time of great need.”

  Ares accepted the feather and placed a fist over his heart. “My greatest thanks, goddess.” He bowed low at the waist.

  The sight of her twin genuflecting before her was unnerving. They had grown up as equals, two sides of the same battle-ready coin. During their existence, they’d been literal worlds apart; but when Ares bowed she felt completely separate from her twin. “Stand, great warrior.”

  She pulled Lethe in to a tight embrace. “Take care of yourself,” she whispered as she kissed him on both cheeks.

  He tilted his head. Artemis could see the hint of recognition fighting with confusion in his eyes. She wanted to push at the wall between the two until memories could fit through the cracks. Jace's warning that forcing memories could damage a mind rang true. Human memory was a fickle thing. The years accumulated by an immortal could drive a human insane; especially if he were flooded all at once.

  Artemis turned and walked out of the camp before she gave into her urge to take Ares with her. He would be safe there for the time being. Safe, at least, from Gods that would mean him harm. The soldiers all hit a knee and tipped their heads as she came close to where they were standing. She didn't bother to tell them to stop bowing as she walked past; if their eyes were down, they couldn't see the tears threatening her vision.

  At the edge of the encampment, she called out for Jace. She'd been so caught up in her conversation with Lethe, she hadn't realized Jace was no longer standing behind her until she'd turned to leave. She told herself he'd gone ahead and would be waiting for her.

  But she knew it was a lie. She was no longer the weakened, almost human who needed protection of another. She was the goddess of the Amazons, a warrior in her own right. Jace had fulfilled his duty and would go back to guarding his forest. It made sense.

  But why did it hurt so much?

  Artemis listened to the sounds of friendship and familiarity coming from the camp. The laughter and camaraderie pressed in, accentuating her own loneliness. She had no one, not lover nor family, in all the worlds.
>
  Defeated, Artemis sat on a fallen tree and closed her eyes against the tears threatening to fall.

  Chapter 18

  Artemis sat for several breaths as she tried to compose her thoughts. The emotions swirling in her chest were raw and confusing. She felt too much. She was happy to see Ares was no worse for the wear.

  The brush rustled behind her in a familiar way and she leaped up from her seat. “Jace,” she called out as she turned.

  Instead, a sheepish Aralissa stepped forward. “It's just me.”

  Artemis fought the urge to slump her shoulders. “Hello, Aralissa. I didn't expect to see you back here.”

  The dark-skinned dryad pursed her lips. “To be honest, I didn't want to return to this place.” She sighed and tilted her head in the direction of the encampment. “Did you find your brother?”

  “I did,” Artemis answered as she gazed into the distance.

  Aralissa studied the goddess for a few seconds. “You still worry for him.”

  Artemis nodded her head. “Of course, he's my sibling.”

  “But you are not staying with him?” Aralissa walked over and sat on the other end of the downed tree. “Wouldn't it be easier to offer protection if you were present?”

  Artemis blew out a hard breath. “That would be the case if I were still damaged and weak. But now that I'm at my full strength, my presence only increases attention on the encampment.” She sat back down next to Aralissa. “He's safer if I'm far away,” she finished in a whisper.

  Aralissa kicked her bare feet in the tall grass. “I'm sorry.”

  Artemis watched the dryad's extremities move. The memory of her own feet, once bloody and aching but now healed, made her toes curl. She felt an odd sense of longing for the days spent in a weaker form, because she'd had Jace beside her.

  “What will you do now?” Aralissa asked.

  Artemis tipped her head back and bathed her face in sunlight. She took a moment to appreciate the warmth before answering, “Things will return to as they were before.”