Ares and I regained our composure and turned back to Hera and Athena. I whispered, “You do not get to decide who we mate with. You do not get to decide if we breed or not. If you try to separate us, we’ll consider it an act of war against the werewolves. If we have children and you try to hurt them, we will consider it an assassination attempt and thus an act of war. Do I make myself clear?”
Hera glared at me a moment before saying, “You’ve learned a lot in a short time. I understand your views. I’ve heard your statements.”
Athena stood up and smoothed her dress down. “We’ll leave you alone now.” She turned and left with Hera without a second glance back at me.
Ares rubbed my back and asked, “Want to stir up some gossip?”
I looked up at his smiling face. The change of subject so quick it made my head spin. “What?”
He tugged on my hand. “Come on. It’s been a century since I’ve been here. Let’s go walk around so you can see everything and people can have something new to gossip about.”
I shook my head. “You always surprise me.”
Ares laughed. “Oh, this is only the beginning, Sunshine.”
Ares took my hand and lead me back through the castle hallways and then out a pair of large wooden doors. I’d expected a similar scene as the Dark Court, but the Light Court was different. Waterfalls, at least a hundred feet tall made a wall to the left. The waterfalls fell into a beautiful river that flowed through the center of the realm. Vines with beautiful flowers covered every building. The buildings seemed to be carved trees or trees grown into the shape of buildings.
Ares whispered, “A few of the Sidhe are gifted with nature abilities. They were able to charm the growing trees into the shapes of their buildings. The buildings, now being centuries old, are as sturdy as any rock fortress.”
I sat down on a wooden bench and looked at Ares. “Who is your father?”
Ares turned and looked at me in shock. “What?”
I turned away from him and looked at the waterfall, suddenly nervous. “I know what you are.”
“Oh.” Ares sat down beside me and sighed loudly. “Who told you?”
“I figured it out by your name.”
“I had planned on telling you later.”
“Who is your father?” I asked again.
“Zeus.”
I blinked at him and then laughed. “Of course! That’s why you and Achilles look so much alike! Wow, I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together sooner.”
Ares picked my hand up gently and rubbed his thumb across my knuckles. “Are you mad at me?”
I closed my eyes as I enjoyed his simple touch. “Yes.”
He bent and kissed my neck, nibbling lightly. “How about now?”
I growled softly. “Yes.”
Ares laughed and stood up and started walking again. I caught up to him and linked hands. “Do you have any abilities?” I asked him as we continued through the town.
Ares sighed and looked up at the waterfall. “It was scandalous enough that Zeus bred with a werewolf female, but when his son showed no signs of power besides that of his wolf side, the Sidhe couldn’t take it. I spent fifty years in the Dark and Light Courts only to be cast out after finding a mate who loved me even though I had no powers. I can’t blame her for following the Queen’s order. She would be terribly lonely in the human world and she would be especially sad to know that you were my true mate.”
“How can I be your true mate if you already had a mate?”
“We broke our mate bond a long time ago. Many years before your parents even met, so technically I had no mate.”
“Was she beautiful?” I asked as I looked around at the gorgeous Sidhe women walking around.
Ares stopped me and turned me to face him. “There are many beautiful women in the world, Artemis, but none as beautiful and as wonderful as you.”
“I have something I want to do, but I think you’re not going to like it.” I’d been thinking about it privately the past couple of days.
“What is that?” he asked as he pushed my hair behind my ear.
“Maurice wants to wipe out the humans. He wants them extinct. I can’t let that happen. There has to be some way for us to save them, or as many of them as we can.”
“He’s not killing all of them. The humans are given a choice, be turned into a vampire or werewolf, be slaves, or be killed. The humans decide.”
I frowned at him. “You do realize that most humans will simply choose death?”
Ares shrugged. “It’s their choice.”
“I can help them. If they see me and see that there are other races who aren’t bloodthirsty vampires, more will choose to live.”
Ares stared at me for a few moments before sighing. “Why do I get the feeling that you’ll do this with or without me?”
I kissed his lips softly and whispered, “Because we’re getting to know each other better. I have to try to save as many as I can. Humans should be allowed to be free, not just slaves.”
Ares shrugged. “Alright. We’ll go to the places left in Europe and try to save as many as we can.”
I hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”
He laughed and hugged me back. “I love you, too. Now come on let’s get back before Achilles has a brain hemorrhage from being separated from you.”
I stopped him before he could take a step and whispered, “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Ares nodded. “Go on.”
I let go of his hand and turned away from him, looking at the magnificent waterfalls. “I released Achilles’ powers with just a touch. He said it means I’m his destined mate.”
Ares was eerily silent. I turned around and found him glaring down at the ground. His hands were clenched into fists and I could hear his teeth grinding against each other. “When did this happen?”
“At your meadow, before you found us. I know you told me not to touch him, but I was just so mesmerized by his vines that I ran my fingertip along one and…”
“Have you kissed him? Or mated with him?” he asked as he continued to stare at the ground.
I rushed forward and picked Ares’ fists up in my hands and looked up into his face where I saw not anger, but fear. “No. Of course not, Ares. You’re my mate and I’d never cheat on you.”
Ares teeth clenched again and he said, “He’s also your mate. You’re going to have the same impulses for him as you did for me. Will you fight it like you did me?”
I collapsed against Ares and sobbed once. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to do.” I looked up at him and saw compassion now in his eyes. “What do you want me to do?”
Ares smiled and then shook his head laughing. “No, I’m not going to be evil. If you need to touch him, then go ahead, but until Achilles and I talk, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t do anything with him beyond that.”
I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight. “Okay. Ares, for what it’s worth, I am sorry.”
Ares wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. “It’s worth a lot to me. Thank you.”
We walked back in silence, enjoying the peace for once and being able to be in each other’s presence. We walked into Achilles’ room to find Hera, Achilles, and Koda inside arguing vehemently.
“What’s this about?” Ares asked.
Achilles glared at Ares. “You agreed to help her? How could you agree to a suicide mission? The humans are as likely to kill her as they are to listen to her!”
“I’ll be beside her to protect her. No human will harm her with me there,” Ares said through gritted teeth.
Achilles threw his hands up into the air.
“Achilles, you have to understand why I want to…”
The wall beside Ares and I exploded. Ares spun around and dropped to the ground, his body covering mine from the debris. Ares jumped back up and I gaped at the wolves growling at us. Ares growled. “Stupid vampires.”
Hera yelled, “Guards!” bu
t there was no need because a battle was already under way in the hallways. Ares ran forward and grabbed one of the wolves by its neck, quickly snapping the spine and killing it. The body reverted to the vampires’ true form, with their scary face and six inch dagger fingers.
Ares turned to Hera. “These are not werewolves. They’re vampires taking wolf form.”
Hera nodded. “I witnessed your truth.”
Ares smiled. “I’ll assist in your defense.”
Hera sighed dramatically. “Very well.”
Ares kissed my cheek and pushed me into Koda’s arms. “Take care of her.”
Achilles and Ares ran side by side out the hole in the wall and began fighting with vampires and vampires in wolf form.
Chapter Eight
Watching Achilles and Ares fight side by side was an incredible turn on. I fought to control my hormones, but it was difficult, especially since both were my destined mate.
Koda tossed me on to the bed and shook his body. “I really wish you wouldn’t think about things like that when I’m touching you. I’d rather not get in trouble with Ares. Again.”
I blushed and adjusted myself on the bed. “I’m sorry.”
The fight was over relatively quickly, with the vampires stopping the wolf charade and fleeing. Ares came back into the room, and I ran forward to hug him. He kissed my cheek and set me back down on the ground. “You shouldn’t worry so much, Artemis.”
I sighed. “I know, but I can’t help it.”
Achilles stopped near me, and I reached out to lay my hand on his arm. Ares’ jaw clenched, but he stayed still. Achilles smiled at me in thanks then moved across the room to give Ares and I space.
Hera asked, “Why would the vampires attack here?”
“To start a war between the Sidhe and werewolves of course.” Ares frowned.
Achilles folded his arms across his chest. “Surely they knew that there are connections within our races. They have to know that I would contact you to discuss this.”
Ares rolled his eyes. “Because we are so fond of each other.”
Achilles smiled. “Well, neither of us would have lied about something as serious as this. I could always tell when you were lying.”
“Ares!” yelled a familiar voice.
Ares pushed me to the side of him and we both stared in shock at a group of Sidhe guards holding Matt between them.
Ares started to growl and then caught himself. “Release my brother.”
Erebus, one of the guards holding Matt, shook his head. “I’m sorry, Ares, but we can’t do that. We found him holding the portal open. He’s the one who let the vampires in and out.”
Ares blinked a few times and then looked at Matt. “Is this true?”
Matt growled. “All they wanted was her! All you had to do was just give her to them!”
Ares took a step forward and asked, “Why would you betray me? What have I done worthy of your treachery?”
“Did you really think I would stand by and watch you in mated bliss while I was forced to be your guard?” Matt asked. “She’s nothing more than a mistake. She should have been put down. You should have put her down when you found her. You know what she will be capable of! Her being your match has blinded you. Love has blinded you!”
Ares took another step forward, his fury building. “Each time those vampires and dhampirs found us. You told them where we were, didn’t you?”
Matt bowed his head in defeat. “Yes.” I could see he was holding something back. Even during his hate filled tirade he hadn’t seemed sincerely angry. What could he be holding back from us? Why would he want me killed?
Tears sprang to my eyes and I walked closer to Matt. “Why would you do this? I’ve never been anything other than loving to you. I trusted you with my life. I loved you as a brother.”
Matt looked at me, and I could see the regret in his eyes. “I had to. They have something of mine that I cannot live without. Surely you would do the same if Ares’ life were in danger.”
He had been holding out. I shook my head. “I would not substitute the life of a friend for the life of Ares and Ares would not want me to. Would you have done the same if it were Koda you had to hand over?”
Matt’s eyes flared gold and he snarled. “No.”
“Then why me, Matt? Why were you willing to let me die for whoever they have?” I asked as sorrow filled my body. I had never felt so hurt, so betrayed by someone before.
“There was no other way. I had to give you to them. He promised he wouldn’t hurt you. He just needed you in his possession.” Tears spilled down his cheeks as he looked at me. “You must know that there is no way to defeat him. He will get you one way or another. The only hope is to join him.”
Ares took a step towards him and asked, “Who are you working for?”
Matt tried to pull out of the guards holds, but they held him in place. “The one who will rule the world whether he uses Artemis or kills her,” Matt answered when he realized he wasn’t getting away.
Why was he switching between moods so quickly? “Ares, I think he’s tied to someone.”
Koda walked up to Matt and inhaled his brother’s head. He snarled and then turned, sadness and anger twisting his face. “He’s been bitten.”
Ares rushed forward and grabbed Matt by the throat, choking him. “Who do you work for? Tell me his name!”
Matt whispered, “Maurice.”
Ares released Matt and walked towards me. “You were right. He wants to rule the world and knows of the prophecy.”
“What prophecy?” I asked.
Ares shook his head and started back towards Matt. “Another time. First, I have to deal with this…”
The guards shoved Matt down on to his knees and held him as he struggled against them. Ares started to reach out towards him, but Achilles walked forward and held out his sword to Ares. “Here, this is more efficient and not nearly as messy as ripping off his head.”
Matt began to whine. “Please Ares. Don’t kill me. I love you. I wouldn’t have done this if there had been another way. Surely you see that there was no other way!”
Ares snarled. “There is always another way. You could have come to me. We could have figured this out together. Instead you betrayed us all.”
“No, Ares. Please.” Matt begged.
I knew what Matt had done was awful, but part of me wanted to forgive him. There had to be some other punishment.
I started to move forward, but Koda grabbed me and held me back. “Matt, I loved you. I would have died for you,” I whispered as tears fell down my cheeks.
Matt met my eyes and whispered, “Now is your first lesson. Trust few and guard your heart. I’m sorry Artemis. I truly am.”
Ares took Achilles’ offered sword and stood next to Matt. “I loved you as my pack mate. I loved you as my brother. You betrayed your alpha. You betrayed your pack sister. You betrayed all werewolves by assisting the vampire who wants to rule the world. Your punishment is death.” Ares raised the sword over Matt’s neck, pain and anger twisting his handsome features.
Koda hugged me tightly against him. Our bodies shook against each other as we prepared for our friend, our loved one to die.
Ares whispered, “I am sorry, Matthew. I should have seen the signs. I failed as your alpha and as your brother. I am sorry it had to end like this. May you run forever in the forests of the afterlife.”
Ares started to lower the sword, and I turned my head into Koda’s chest, clenching my eyes closed and knowing that would not block the pain I felt.
The instant Matt’s life ended, I felt it like a blow to the chest. Koda and I collapsed to the floor, still clinging to each other. I wailed my sorrow and Koda shifted to his wolf form and howled his.
I buried my face in his fur as I cried and felt the dagger of loss and also the heat of anger at his betrayal of us. It hurt so much and I could do nothing to ease the pain.
Ares dropped to his knees beside us. I looked up and saw unshed tears in his
eyes and knew he was hurt from Matt’s death as well, but it was a necessary evil he had to have endured many times. Matt being his brother though must have hurt the most.
I wrapped one arm around him and the other I draped over Koda’s back. Koda howled again and Ares’ human throat enlarged to form a wolf’s in order to howl. My throat changed suddenly and then I was howling, too. My pack howled our sorrow at the loss of their brother, our hearts bleeding from his death.
I woke the next morning, my throat, eyes, and head sore from the howling, sobbing, and sniveling. I’d never experienced someone’s death as I had with Matt’s. There was a small space within me that felt as if it would never heal. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how Ares and Koda were feeling, especially since both were acting as though nothing had happened. Achilles and Ares were talking quietly together while Koda sat next to me in the bed, reading a magazine. I sat up and stretched and Koda whispered, “Morning. Would you like some water?”
I nodded, and he handed me a glass of water from the side table. Ares stopped talking with Achilles to come over and give me a quick kiss on the lips. “If you want, go take a shower and freshen up. We’re discussing our next move.”
After grabbing another dress and corset from the dresser, I walked to the bathroom and stared at my haggard reflection. Dark bags hung under my eyes, which were bloodshot and nasty looking. I quickly stripped out of my clothes and started the shower.
The warm water felt amazing against my skin and helped clear my head. I wasn’t sure what Achilles and Ares were discussing, but there was only one clear course of action in my mind. We had to get in touch with Victor and then face Maurice together. I knew it would involve a battle, and we would probably die, but it was the only way to stop all of this. I couldn’t live the rest of my life with him sending hordes of minions after me. He wanted me, dead or alive, but I only wanted him dead. So, either he was dead, or I was.
I finished my shower and bathroom necessities and after dressing, walked out to the sitting area where Achilles and Ares were. “Can you get a hold of Victor?”
Artemis Lupine- The Complete Series Page 40