Still invisible, she nuzzled his shoulder. 'I'm afraid and I let my fear direct me.'
'You're a goddess.'
'I'm one of many and not as powerful as others. Do you know what they do to a goddess when they strip her of her powers? They cast her to earth to exist among the humans who abuse and mock her. Is that what you'd have for me?'
Why not? It was what she would have for him.
Unfortunately, he wasn't that cruel. 'No. I only want what's best for you, Artie. But I'm tired of your taking everything out on me. I'm not a mindless doll you can beat when you're frustrated.'
She materialized so that he could see the sincerity in those beautiful green eyes. 'I know and I'm trying. I really am. Just be impatient with me.'
'Impatient?'
She frowned. 'That's the wrong word, isn't it? I don't know why I mix them up sometimes.'
These moments when she allowed herself to be vulnerable were the ones that endeared her to him. They were the ones that had allowed him to love her.
Cupping her face in his hands, he gave her a tender kiss.
Artemis sighed as a wave of relief went through her. She loved him so much and yet she was so terrified of what loving him meant. She truly didn't want to hurt him ever. He was the only person she could be herself around. With other gods she had to be fierce and defensive and with mortals she had to be divine and intolerant.
Acheron was the one person who allowed her to laugh. He was the only one who held her and made her feel warm inside. But the problem was, whenever she opened herself up she felt the coldness inside him and knew that even though he was loyal to her, she didn't make him happy. That hurt the most. The pain inside him that she couldn't alleviate made her want to lash out in anger and hurt him for not being as open with her as she was with him.
Why couldn't he feel what she did?
Even now there was a reservation in his touch. A hesitation and she didn't understand why.
How could she make him love her the way he had when they first met?
She wanted to punish him for not loving her like she loved him. To make him beg her for her love. But how?
Pulling back, her gaze went to his neck and she cringed at what she'd done to him while she'd fed-it was something Apollo would have done to her. 'I didn't mean to hurt you.'
Acheron held his breath at words that had been said to him so many times. Just once couldn't someone think of that
'I'm fine.' But the truth was, he wasn't. He'd never been all right with the pain. He'd merely grown used to it.
She brushed the hair back from his face. 'You look so tired. I shouldn't have taken so much blood from you.' She tugged him toward the bed. 'You should rest.'
True. There was no telling what horrors would be there for him on the morrow. Another gelding or beating, or just the emotional punching that Artemis excelled at.
He couldn't wait.
'Will you come to me tomorrow?' he asked again, desperate to not be alone while the whole world lavished well wishes on his twin brother.
Artemis hesitated. She wanted to come, but Apollo would be here for Styxx's celebration. She had to be careful. Because they were twins and gods, he could sense whenever she was near. If he felt her, he'd come seeking her and that could very well cost Acheron his life. 'You know I have a festival. How can I miss it?'
He looked away and the hurt she felt from him sliced through her own heart.
'I'll visit the next day.'
Acheron held his emotions in check. 'I'll look forward to it then.'
'Are you being sullen with me?'
'No.' He was hurt. 'I hope you have a good festival.'
Artemis raked her hand through his hair. Will you think of me while I'm gone?'
'I always do.'
She leaned down to kiss his cheek. 'You always make me feel so special.'
And she always made him feel like shit. She tucked her arm under his so that she could take his hand. He held it to his heart and let out a long sigh.
As he did so, a bad feeling went through him. Something was going to happen tomorrow. He could feel it with every part of him. Whatever it was, he was certain would change him and Artemis forever.
June 23, 9527 BC
Acheron sat on the railing of his balcony completely drunk in the darkness as he watched the elaborately dressed guests arriving for the birthday party in the palace below. His back was pressed against the building while his legs were stretched out before him in a precarious balance. He wasn't sure how much he'd imbibed at this point.
Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to kill him. But if he were lucky, he might yet tumble from his perch to the rocks a hundred feet below and die horribly there.
That would definitely fuck up his brother's birthday celebration. For the first time in weeks, he laughed at the thought of Styxx dropping dead in front of the gathered nobles and dignitaries.
It would serve them right.
'It's my birthday too,' he shouted, knowing no one could hear him. Even if they could, they wouldn't care.
Acheron turned his head and flinched as pain cut through him. He hated the fact that Artemis alone could give him so much anguish. He'd been so careful to shield himself from the callousness of others. But Artemis cut him on a level no one else could touch.
And like everyone else, she didn't care how much she hurt him.
Then again, he should be grateful. At least this year he wasn't celebrating the anniversary of his birth in prison…
Or a stew.
Ever alone. Even when he was in a crowd, surrounded by people, he was alone.
Truthfully, he was tired of it. No one wanted him. The only reason his so-called family cared whether he lived or died was because if he died, their beloved Styxx died too.
'I've had enough.'
Even though he was only one and twenty, he was as tired as an old man. He'd lived beyond his years and wanted no more pain. No more loneliness.
It was time to end it.
The voices he heard in his head were louder now. They were calling him home…
Acheron stood up on the railing. The winds from below rushed up over him, fanning his hair out as he stared down at the black sea that beckoned him like a lover. He dropped his goblet and watched as it tumbled down below, vanishing from his sight.
One step.
No pain.
Everything would end.
'It's time,' he breathed. There was no one here to stop him now. No Ryssa to pull him back. No father to tie him down and prevent it. No Estes to call for a physician.
Closing his eyes, he let go and stepped off.
Fear and relief whipped through him as he plummeted through the weightless air. In a moment, he'd have his
