Chapter Six: Surprises

Point of View: Artemis

The Next Morning

I open my eyes to see Perseus next to me on the bed. I just willingly slept and loved a man. And I enjoyed it. But I know if it wasn't Perseus, I would not have enjoyed it at all. 

I sit up slowly with my mouth covered. He said he was falling for me before it began and I think I'm starting to fall for him. My oath is broken and my hunters are still connected to me. I lay back down next to him and watch him sleep. 

I think back to last night and remember the shock of the many scars on his body. He told me to pay no attention to it and then we continued. I trace the scars now in wonder and can see how he received them whereas my accelerated thought process last night didn't register them. I can see these are both the ones he had pleasure in and the ones where he was broken from. 

I take notice again of his muscles and trace his midsection. The eight chiseled abs there hardened like the rocks outside. I trace lightly over the scars, muscles, veins, and finally the features of his face and contour of his body. 

What I don't take notice of is his watching me. I finally realize it when I touch his lips with my finger again and my hand falls away and onto his chest. 

"I never thought this would happen." I tell him. 

He breathes deeply and then looks into my eyes. "Neither did I." He says. 

"You were more gentle than I'd thought you'd be." I say. 

"Is that supposed to be a compliment? Or a surprise that my appearance doesn't make you think of." He replies. 

"Both." I giggle and he smiles a little. 

"Glad to be of service ma'am." He says. 

"You two have been naughty. I didn't think you'd both be willing so soon." I look over Perseus to see Kronos. I pull the covers closer. 

Perseus sees how uncomfortable I am. He sits up and pulls the covers so I am completely covered except for my head. He stands up and snaps his fingers. His armor reappearing and looking clean. 

"What do you want?" He asks Kronos. 

"Mother wanted me to check up on you." Is all he answers with. 

"We are fine." Perseus says and leans in the doorway so I am out of sight. 

"So I see. Father says you'll be wed tomorrow, before you are to complete the next stage after we assemble the forces." He tells Perseus and hands him something. 

"Very well." Perseus responds. 

"I'll leave you two alone then." Kronos says and flashes out. 

He comes back over and sits, back to me, on the bed. He reaches back and sets something next to me. 

A ring. 

I pick it up gingerly and inspect it. It's black and the name of the rare metal comes to mind, the same metal his armor is made out of. Pit Obsidian. And the ring has a forest green emerald, a deep purple amethyst, and a silver diamond in between them on the top.

"Will you marry me?" He asks quietly. 

I look up to find him watching me. "Yes." I whisper. He slides the ring into my finger and sets another one next to me. "Is this the one I am supposed to give to you?" I ask.  

"At the ceremony, yes." He says. "I'm not a very romantic person. If I was still the old me, I would have kneeled." 

He looks away and turns his head back around. "It's alright." I tell him. 

It's quiet for a little while. "Will you lie back down with me?" I ask shyly. 

He looks at me and unstraps his armor, revealing a long sleeve shirt and pants underneath. He lies down slowly and stares at the ceiling. 

"I think I can live with your blood drinking." I whisper after awhile. 

He looks at me and sighs. "And you're positive?" 

"Yes. I think it's better than what I imagined. At least it's not actual people's." I answer. 

He smiles a little. "No, I don't drink the blood of people or immortals like you. Only monsters." 

"That's reassuring." I say and I mean it. 

"Interesting. And what do you think of last night?" He responds. 

I blush deeply and he looks at me smirking. "It was nice." I say shyly. 

He chuckles. "I thought it was amazing. But that's just my opinion. I suppose nice is a good thing for the woman who hates males." 

I just grin at him and he eyes me warily. 

"What?" He asks cautiously. 

"Amazing, huh?" I ask. 

He just laughs and pulls me closer to him. I like his warmth and feel at home when I'm entrapped in his arms. "You should probably get dressed. My mother will come squealing when my brother tells her what I've just done with you. She really does get excited for me over this matter." He kisses my cheek and sits up. He walks to the door. "I'll leave you to get dressed." He says and leaves the room. 

I get up and look at my pile of clothes on the floor. I frown and go over to the dresser. It surprises me to find clothes my size in everything. I decide to put on a long sleeve silver shirt and a white pair of jean shorts I find in another drawer. 

I walk down to the second floor and find him in some living room sitting on the couch. He is staring at the ceiling. I sit next to him and lean against him. His arm seems to automatically wrap around me and pull me closer. 

"This is nicer than I'd thought it'd be." I comment. 

He's quiet at first but then speaks. "I agree. You're bringing back something I didn't realize I actually have wanted and for a very long time. It feels better. I noticed it when I woke up." 

"Why do you wear armor all the time?" I ask. 

"I'm just used to it." He answers. 

"Do you love me?" I ask again. 

He looks me in the eyes. "I thought I answered you last night, but I'll say it again. I love you, Artemis." He says. "Do you love me?" He inquires. 

"Yes." I squeak and his lips are on mine before I have time to think about what I blurted out. 

Before I know it, I'm on top of him and he seems at ease with me instead of rigid and hesitant like last night. He's growing used to me and I him. 

A throat clears and he groans as he pushes me away from him. "Hello, mother." He says and I hear giggling. 

Gaea comes around the couch and looks at us curiously. He just lays on the couch holding me above him. He pulls me down and I end up sitting on him. He doesn't seem to mind and Gaea smiles warmly. 

"I never thought a goddess would make my son happy." She smiles at me. "Though I agree with Kronos, you two were busy. Am I interrupting anything?" She sits down in an armchair across from the couch we are on. 

"Not at all." Perseus answers. 

"You seem better." She points out to him cheerily. 

"I am. I'm sorry for snapping at you over the matter." He apologizes to her. 

"It's fine. I know you were still mending. I'm jus glad we've managed to find the right person this time." Gaea gazes at me in wonder. 

Five hours later

Gaea is giggling and squealing as she fits the white dress to my form, accenting everything. "So, let me get this straight, I'm not allowed to see her until tomorrow?" Perseus asks from behind a wall next to the doorway. 

"Exactly." Rhea tells him. 

He sighs. "Traditions. I'm not used to them."

"If you were less animalistic in your spare time, you might be." Selene accuses him. 

"It's part of my nature due to my domains. To blend into a traditional life is foreign to me now." He defends himself. 

"Call on your old human self." Mnemosyne tells him gently. 

He scoffs. "That part is buried so deep it'd be impossible to fall upon it."

"Do it for her." Dione says. 

Silence. 

"Young man." Gaea calls to him. 

"I heard her." He says quietly. 

"Do you think she's beautiful?" Tethys asks. 

He snorts. "I can't see her to tell you." 

"We meant in general." Themis corrects him. 

"Yes, she is always stunning." He answers. 

The women all smile at me. Every last Titanness is here, except for Metis, who faded because Zeus ate her. Just like Kronos are her uncles and aunts. The thought makes her believe she can turn against Olympus and now she isn't afraid because Perseus is with her. Gaea smiles like she can hear her thoughts. 

"I can." She says. "All Primordials can." 

I look pointedly at the wall where Perseus leans. 

"I didn't want you to know." He says. "I pretend I don't hear them and let you be free with your thoughts. I won't comment on them. Unless I'm being absentminded and not paying attention." 

"He normally blocks the thoughts out anyways dear." Gaea giggles. 

Themis squeals really loudly. "You're so beautiful!" 

"Ouch." We all hear him and Themis covers her mouth with her hand. 

"Sorry." She says. 

"It's fine." He replies. 

"Don't you have something else to do other than talk to us?" I ask him. 

"Not really." He answers. 

"Why not?" Rhea asks. 

"Because Tartarus has no mission for me and neither does my grandfather." Perseus tells her. 

"Owen Dabastor or Kronos?" I ask. 

"Owen." He says. 

"Have you met his father, our brother?" Tethys asks him as she starts to finish the dress. 

"I understand he will be here tomorrow. I will see him for the first time then." He tells her. 

"Do you have any descended powers from him?" I ask. 

He doesn't answer. "Child?" Tethys asks cautiously. 

"When I was a demigod, my dreams were always so vicid and sort of prophetic in a way. I'd always see something happen when it is supposed to while I slept in the middle of the night or see something that would happen. Other times, I would see my day happen before I woke up and be in a disoriented state all day living in déjà vu. Quite confusing. If I had known who I was descended from, it would have been less so. Not to mention Poseidon sired a child who knew everything before it happened once upon a time. Now I only have Epimetheus's line to keep it there. And it has only grown stronger with time. I tire of watching and reliving almost every day of my immortal life. I have learned to block out the normal things but I normally see the major events that must come to pass. I do not enjoy it all too well." He explains. 

"Oh. I didn't know. None of us did." I tell him. 

"No, because I kept it hidden. Not even Apollo knew nor did Athena." He replies. "What would you say to my assassinating your twin?" He asks all of a sudden. 

They all look at me sadly. "Is that one of your jobs?" I whisper. 

"It is my job to take care of the majority of the Olympian council and many of the minor gods and goddesses who have not turned to our side. Apollo is one of them. Should be change his loyalties, I would spare him. Be it so, at the moment it is my duty to kill him. I am sorry." He says. 

"Who all are you supposed to kill?" I ask in a quiet voice, Tethys working slower with the topic of conversation. 

"I am to assassinate your brother, Dionysus, Ares, and Aphrodite. The rest are to be taken by the other Giants that are their polar opposites. What they want them for is lost on me. Most likely, they will bring them to me to...spend time with them." He says. 

"Can you take none prisoner?" I ask. 

"I have not asked. At that point in time, I had no reason and you were one of my main targets. You are spared." He tells me. 

"He's been thinking about sparing Aphrodite due to his domain over love, but he has not yet decided. Apollo is a little harder exception because of the prophecies and knowledge of all." Gaea tells me. 

"Oh, I don't think you should murder the sun. Without it, all life would die out." Selene says. "I was once the moon and my brother the sun, but once passed on we cannot retake them. There is no one else strong enough to handle the sources of light and life. You must take Apollo alive young one." 

I look at her great fully and she kisses my forehead. 

"Fine. I don't know where I'll put him though." Perseus sounds thoughtful. 

"Will you hurt him?" I ask. 

"I'll subdue him by any means necessary." He informs me. 

"But will you hurt him once you get him here?" I ask. 

"You want me to bring him here?" He asks. 

"Yes." I say confused. 

"You're asking me to bring a light into the source of all dark and great evil. That's wonderful." He says the last sentence sarcastically. 

"You brought me here." I tell him. 

"You have my blessing, Artemis. You are under my protection and Tartarus has come to like you. I despise your twin and Tartarus wants him dead. Saving him is pressing my father's patience, blessing him would mean a lot on my father's bad side. Not even my mother could quell him, should he become enraged. I'd be protecting you, not the sun." He tells me patiently. 

Something lights in me when he says my name and I get a little distracted. "Please." 

"Damn it all!" He yells and storms off. 

Gaea looks at the door and then at me. She pays my cheek and runs after him. 

Percy pov 

"Save one person and now I have to save them all. All I want to do is kill them." I mutter. "Apollo spoke up." I mock my inner human that is now resurfacing. Stupid idea. "Long dead. He should die. But no, we can't have the source of freaking light dying! Asking me of all people to save the light! I'm a dark soul! Dammit!" I punch through a rock spire outside the house. "Purity my ass! I thrive in the dark and murder for the hell of it! This is so aggravating! Why must I fall for such good people?!" I scream. 

I feel arms wrap around my waist. "You're not that dark and you are pure. It's what drew me to you in the first place. It's what helped me rise and awaken when you came here, without the blood. You fall for good people because you are one. It's not the bloodlust that makes you this way. It's your past. The only part of the curse that affects Olympus now is their destruction, not your bloodlust or anything else. You grew into it because of your domains and your influences around you. You're a loving soul. My little boy." My mother soothes me. 

I fall to my knees and she hugs me from behind. "I don't know why I have to fall for the light." I whisper. 

"Because she's your light. Spare the sun and bring him here. Bless him and keep him under watch. Placate him and help him understand. Make him turn to our side. Don't let him be able to betray. Utilize his guilt over you to influence him. I believe he already feels as if Olympus needs to change. Starting with the sky god." She tells me. 

"Alright." I sigh heavily. 

"I do believe you've scared your bride." Gaea whispers. 

"I scare a lot of people." I admit. 

"But not her." Gaea states, not asks. 

"Not anymore, no." I answer anyway. 

"Go apologize." Gaea commands. 

I stand up wordlessly with her and we walk back into the house. We walk upstairs and I lean against the wall again while my mother renters the room. And no, I didn't look at Artemis. 

Artemis pov

I hear him breathe deeply and he speaks, "I am sorry if I frightened you and for acting so terribly. Please forgive me." 

"It's fine." I say quietly. 

"What will you do?" Themis asks cautiously. 

"I will spare the sun god. He will have to deal with the consequences." Perseus answers. 

"And your blessing?" Selene asks as she styles my hair once again. 

"He will have it, just not the full one. It will only let him survive down here against the conditions." He tells her. 

"And the monsters?" Rhea asks patiently. 

He sighs in exasperation. "Very well, they will not harm him. At least not the minuscule powered ones. All the others he'll need to stay away from." 

"How many powerful ones does he need to worry about?" I ask timidly. 

"My brothers, my father, and a few ancient monsters. All others won't touch him." He snaps. "Sorry." He tries to calm down. 

"Are you angry at the sun?" Rhea asks knowingly. 

"I'm irritated and enraged. Don't ask me questions like that when I'm like this." His voice cracks with annoyance. 

"Please answer me child." Rhea says sweetly. 

"Yes, I'm angry at the deity of the sun." He huffs. 

"Why is that?" She asks. 

"Stupid prophecies, the always knowing about me, letting me..." He starts to mutter incoherently. 

"What?" I ask. 

"Nothing." He sighs. "I'm not too fond of your little brother." 

"When do you go to get him?" I ask kindly. 

"After I massacre Camp Jupiter with half of the monster army." He answers. 

"Oh my." I squeak. 

"You asked." He says, sounding deep in thought. 

"What's the matter?" Gaea asks. 

"I'm wondering how the legion is doing since my absence. I finally got that thing off my arm. Thank Tartarus." He says. 

"You mean the tattoo?" I ask. 

"Yes, I tried carving into my skin, burning it off, attempting to cut off my arm several times, and even tattooing something over it. Father just waved his hand over it. If I knew it was that simple, I would have done it myself." He answers. 

"Oh, why violent before powers?" I ask. 

"I'm not used to being a Primordial. I'm used to doing things the long way. Plus, I can wield fire. Burning it off was just some idiotic idea that came to mind." He replies.