He snorted at the very idea. 'I hate the gods, remember?'
'You don't hate me, do you?'
'No.'
Artemis smiled. His words relieved her and she wasn't sure why. Intrigued by him, she reached over to touch his back. The moment she did, he sucked his breath in sharply between his teeth and pulled away. 'What's the matter?'
'My back's still tender.'
'Tender from what?'
Somehow he managed to give her an insolently droll stare without looking directly at her. 'I told you I was forbidden to leave my room. My trip to your temple cost me.'
'Cost you what?'
He sighed as the play started. 'Let's watch the play, please.'
Turning her attention to the actors, she listened as they told some insipid story that held no real interest for her. The human beside her… that was another matter. He intrigued her greatly.
Anytime she'd ever approached a human of any stature, he or she would grovel and beg for her approval. Even royalty. Or they'd stare at her as if she were sublime, which, of course, she was. But this one didn't do any of that. He seemed oblivious of the fact that she could kill him with a glance. Even now he was ignoring her completely.
How very strange.
'Why does that group keep singing?'
'It's the chorus,' he whispered, his attention firmly on the actors below them.
'They're key-off.'
He frowned at her. 'Key-off?'
'Their tune… it's not right.'
'Off-key,' he corrected as he turned away from her again. 'No, they're not. They sound fine.'
She arched a brow at his peeved tone. 'Are you arguing with me?'
'I'm not trying to argue with you, Goddess. I'm trying to hear what the actors are saying. Shh.'
No… no, he hadn't really shushed her! Anger whipped through her. 'Excuse me? Acheron? Shh?'
For once he met her gaze and there was no mistaking the agitation in those swirling silver eyes. 'I'm not the one talking, Artemis.' He turned back toward the stage.
Aggravated at him, she snatched the cowl from his head to get his full attention. The instant she did, she realized she'd made a mistake. Every person near them was suddenly fascinated by Acheron whose face had lost all color.
Without a word to her, he covered himself and rushed for the exit. Several of the people around her headed after him.
Curious, she followed up the stairs and out of the stadium to find Acheron as he was becoming surrounded by people. He appeared panicked as he tried to push his way through the crowd that continued to try and talk to him.
One of the men grabbed him roughly by the arm.
'Let me go,' Acheron snarled, shoving at the stranger.
The man tightened his grip so much that Acheron flinched from it.
Enraged over the abuse of her friend, Artemis sank her nails into the hand of the man who then grimaced in pain. He let go of Acheron and the moment he did, she took Acheron's hand and teleported him back to his room.
She expected his gratitude.
He gave her none of that. Instead, he turned on her with fury pouring out of his entire being. 'How dare you do that to me!'
'I saved you.'
His intolerant gaze was as accusatory as his tone even though he kept it at her feet. 'You exposed me!'
She didn't understand why he was blaming her for something that wasn't her fault. 'You were ignoring me.'
'I was trying to watch the play. That was why we were there, wasn't it?'
'No. We were there to keep me from being bored. Remember? I was getting bored again.'
That didn't placate him in the least. If anything, it seemed to anger him more. 'Then you can go be bored somewhere else.'
Artemis was aghast. 'Are you throwing me out of your room?'
'Yes.'
Rage clouded her vision. No one had ever taken such a tone with her. 'Who do you think you are?'
'The one who almost got attacked because you're thoughtless.'
'I am not thoughtless.'
He gestured to the door behind her. 'Just go. I don't like being around people. I'd rather be alone.'
She frowned at him. 'You are really, truly angry at me, aren't you?'
He actually rolled his eyes as if he were exasperated with her.
Shocked, Artemis gaped at him. 'Human beings don't get angry at me.'
'This one does. Now please leave.'
She should and yet she couldn't make herself go. She was too compelled by this man who should be infuriating her and yet she wasn't really angry. A part of her was even tempted to apologize to him. But goddesses didn't do that to humans.
'Why did those people surround you like that?' she asked, wanting to understand him and his unwarranted hostility toward her.
'You're the goddess. You tell me.'
'People don't normally do that to others of their kind without a reason. Were you perchance cursed?'
He laughed bitterly. 'Obviously so.'
'What did you do?'
'I was born. Apparently that's all the gods need to ruin someone.' He snatched the shoes off his feet and held them out to her. 'Take your shoes and go.'
'I gave those to you.'
'I don't want your gift.'
'Why not?'
His gaze was on the floor, but there was no missing the fury and contempt. 'Because you'll make me pay for it eventually and I'm tired of paying for things.' He dropped the shoes and turned to walk out onto his balcony.
Ignoring the shoes, Artemis followed him. 'We were having fun. I liked it until you angered me.'
He dropped his gaze to the floor as all the anger evaporated from his face. 'Forgive me, my lady. I didn't mean to offend you.' He sank to his knees in front of her.
'What are you doing?'
'My will is yours, akra.'
Artemis yanked his cloak off. He didn't flinch or move. He merely stayed there like a mindless supplicant. 'Why are you behaving like this?'
He kept his gaze on the ground. 'It's what you want, isn't it? A servant to entertain you?'
Yes, but she didn't want that from him. 'I have servants. I thought we were friends.'
'I don't know how to be a friend. I only know how to be a slave or a lover.'
Artemis opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, the door behind her swung open. She made herself instantly invisible as she stepped back into the shadows.
Two guards came in.
The moment Acheron saw them, he rose to his feet and backed up on the balcony as they made their way toward him. His face went cold and stoic.
Without a word, they grabbed him roughly and pulled him to the hallway. Wondering about their intent, she followed them, making sure to keep herself hidden.
Acheron was taken to the throne room where she'd popped in on him three days ago. The guards forced him
