Pertemis: A Wolf’s Tale

Chapter 37 Tale of the City of Love

Percy’s Point of View

The ray of light penetrated the room, scanning on Artemis's cheek as they sparkled with her silver radiant. Her long eyelashes shuttered and the curtains opened for her silver eyes to shine. She stared directly at his chest, her eyes widened when Artemis realised the position they were in. Half of her was on his body, her leg swung around one of his and her arm around his torso as if he was a giant bolster that Artemis struggled to have a whole wrap around it. Then his eyes, that sea green eyes blinked and opened to descent on her face. Artemis fluttered as she looked away. His arm automatically unwrapped around her waist and she broke free of that embarrassment.

Artemis jolted up, clapped her hands at her chest as Percy still laid there confusingly. Even though they had been sleeping on the same bed for a time, but no matter how many times they've slept together like this, it still sent her heart pacing and her mind running places every morning she opened her eyes to see him. Normally it was just Percy clinging at her back and her hugging the bolster, but this morning with his arms around her and she hugged him like her life depended on it, it was off the roof that now Artemis just wanted to dig a hole into Hades and throw her head in it. The silver pyjamas dress she wore now felt exposed more than everything. At the beginning, Percy always complained how she always wore her uniform to go to sleep. It wasn't like she wanted to, she couldn't just wear comfortable clothes to sleep with a male next to her, but over time that feeling of security wear off and she was now felt more confident to return to her pyjamas around him. But the problem was she could never be in her 12 version since Percy kept making fun of her in the pyjamas and told her adorable and stuff, so she decided to changed into a teenager age, that somehow shut him up completely. It was like the older she looked, the more authority she had. But now that teenager look back fired her since the pyjamas was a bit smaller, her breasts looked more exposed and plus the bras that didn't help the situation. She wonder why Percy had never noticed it, perhaps he had no interest on her? The thought made Artemis looked down a bit, but she quickly shook that ridiculous thought off and dropped off the bed.

"Stop being a snail riding a sloth and get up Perseus" she said, her back facing him. "The hunters will be angry if you serve them late breakfast"

"They're probably still waking anyway" Percy yawned, stretched a little.

"I won't let Paecus think that I favour you because you're carrying my blood and not applying my discipline!" Artemis turned back, her eyes glowed fire as the sleep immediately left his face. "Get up before I force you to"

Percy jumped off the bed, rushed towards the bathroom and Artemis heard the sound of teeth brushing hastily and water splashing and smirked to herself, at least he knew who was the boss in camp. It wasn't that she wanted to be harsh on him, ever since the incidence which Artemis never wanted to remain, she wouldn't want to terrify him to the point he has to leave again. Two times were enough.

He ran out and past her but her sharp eyes catches something.

"Wait!"

He came to a halt, Artemis wanted to laugh as he tensed when she approached from behind. She faced him as he looked down at her. Stupid girl stereotypes and werewolf blood that I can only reach your chin! She scowled at her height.

Artemis reached out her hand and Percy swallowed nervously until her fingers touched his shirt button that was not done probably and buttoned it.

"Be mindful walking around camp" her finger traced on that shirt button, inspecting it. "The hunters maybe comfortable with you, but they won't appreciate this."

He wanted to say something, but her demand 'go' sent his feet automatically walking to the door. The feeling of her fingers still lingered on his shirt.

Percy walked through camp, it was still early in the morning since the dews that formed on leaves hadn't been evaporated. The birds didn't even leave their nest and Percy now had to prepare for the hunter breakfasts. It wasn't that he had to, he just snapped his fingers and things would appear, he couldn't understand why Artemis wanted to make a big deal about it.

As Percy walked towards the kitchen, he noticed the light was on and the frying sound occurred within, a smell that hung the air fastened his appetite and watered his mouth. Percy made his way quickly to the kitchen door and noticed Paecus wearing an apron and was frying something as the fire blasting the pan bottom looked really delicate and exquisite. He noticed Percy and smiled.

"Morning Perseus" he turned to face him. That was the real weapon of Paecus that no one would know if not staying close to him. Besides the fighting skills he possessed, Paecus also a good actor that you would never know what he was hiding. He always appeared to be nice and kind, but once it gets down to his real nature, shivers will be consistently sending down your spine.

"I uh thought you don't have to do your duty anymore" Percy said nervously since the counter last night. Who would've known Paecus worked for two sides, both Olympians and Werewolves and no one had peeled off the cover until yesterday when he decided to reveal himself.

"Oh don't mind me" Paecus looked back at his apron and waved his hand. "It's a habit whenever I come back here, guess living with them for ten years needs time to change it. Have the morning off, breakfasts will be ready."

"If you say so then thanks" Percy said cautiously and retreated. It was even more intense staying close to Paecus now since he was the only person knew what Paecus was and that glance just piecing through Percy sent him chills. Percy also discovered that Paecus never stopped letting down his guard, his eyes always watching and his ears always listening, the pranks he accepted from Thalia yesterday was one of his acts.

The hunters were surprised when they already made their seats in the Pavillion and found Percy sitting among them, Thalia was the first to speak since the boredom was taking a living hell on her.

"When did you turn into a Sloth? Hurry up and make something! We don't have a whole day"

"Oh don't blame him" a voice came and and the hunters turned their head, Paecus smiled as he pushed forward the trolley full of food that looked to be serve in some exquisite places or for royal people. Head rise up and down, inspecting the plates of food.

"I wanted to serve you guys today" Paecus said as he placed the plates on the table. "It's been a long time"

The fragments of the food, consisted of egg and sauces, but he increased the acidity by adding apples and lemon made your mouth watered, raise your appetite in the early morning. The hunter's eyes turned starry as the plate landed in front of them.

"Dig in everyone" Paecus smiled and the hunters just waited for that.

The first sound of satisfaction came from Thalia and the Hunters just sat and enjoyed, forgetting all others.

"Try some too Perseus" Paecus handed him a plate and Percy hastily accepted. It was not a good idea to deny him since the hunters were on his side.

Percy took the first bite and the spring atmosphere surged into his mind, his mouth just wanted to taste more of that egg, the apple tingling from the acidity of lemon as it dissolved on his tongue. The egg was so soft as they jiggled when he applied a little force on the plate. It was far more delicious than any magical food Percy had ever summoned.

"I can't ever forget your cooking Paecus" Artemis moaned as she took another bite, closing her eyes to enjoy it.

"You just hurt Perseus a lot " He joked but at the moment, Percy did not care of anything except the food in front of him. With that, the pavilion was filled with moans from satisfaction every time their mouth contacted the egg.

After everyone was now panting, lounging on their chair without knowing what to do next, Paecus took unexpected turn as he stood on the chair and clang the knife with a glass.

*cling cling cling

"I need attention everyone!" Then once all heads turned to him, Paecus cleared his throat once before speaking. "I came here this time with another major duty but did not reveal due to the events yesterday."

He turned to Artemis, made her nervous a little. "The Olympians are on the run" he said. "America is not safe for Perseus anymore as I've scouted."

"Any suggestions?" Artemis asked.

"Well you must know that every major god is appointed a region to control on this earth" Paecus told them. "My mother has promised to glamour you guys to hide from Olympus eyes if we can move to France, her region."

Percy now was more confused than ever. If Paecus wanted him to move north, then why now he suggested them to go France which was thousand of miles away from Alaska. Percy knew himself was dense and all, and words must be explained for him to comprehend. But what Paecus just said made no sense at all.

"Then what are we waiting for" Thalia stood up, already excited since she got to move out of this region. "Let's hog on a boat and sail across Atlantic"

"That..." Paecus immediately said. "Is a risky move Thals"

"Huh?"

"The gods always look eastward. Across Atlantic maybe a short way to France, but we will be under the gods radar" Paecus explained. "We'll go west, across Pacific to Asia then France. It's longer indeed, but safer than going East. Even though Asia is Apollo's regions, I don't think he would betray Artemis. Besides it's still better to run into Apollo than Poseidon in Atlantic."

"Hm" Artemis contemplated, resting her chin on her finger. "It's a good idea but how can we go that far? I can't teleport this many for a long distance"

Paecus immediately gave a loud whistle that sent Percy's ear vibrating. Then cloud from the sky descent as they formed to get bigger and bigger until it turned into a fluffy ship of pink cloud.

"Aphrodite already thought about it." Paecus smiled.

"Yeah but why is it pink?" Percy stared, only to have Paecus grinning.

"Cuz it's my favourite colour"

"Oh my primordials!" Aphrodite squealed as she ran and hugged Artemis.

They finally arrived in Paris after a long journey sleeping in fluffy bed and floated on the air across two continents. The journey did not have much of an obstacle. They didn't dare to fly too high nor too low so that the two powerful gods would detect them.

Paris was like what Percy expected, classic building and the setting sun created a background for the Eiffel Tower magnified its steel metallic colour. There and then, couples hanging around the park on the street and tourists pouring into the city as if there was no end to the place. Despite the hunters winkled their noses at the sight of the couples kissing, they had to admit the city was beautiful. No wonder it was controlled and influenced by Aphrodite's name, the City of Love.

They stayed in an expensive hotel, the only thing weird was except the staffs, the hotel had no customers.

"Ok ok, I'm here long time no see" Artemis sighed in annoyance as she leaned back when Aphrodite attempted to kiss her cheek.

"And here come the honour guest" Aphrodite smiled as she tried to approach Percy, whom was tensing up the moment her attention shifted to him. Despite he had been near Aphrodite for many times, it was hard to not shut out his system and to resist that desire for her. Fortunately, Artemis stepped in front and shielded him first from Aphrodite's influence.

"Such a meanie Artemis" she pouted then smiled cheekily to the hunters. "Welcome to my mortal palace guys!"

"The rooms up stairs" Paecus suddenly approached them. "Everything has been prepared for you guys. Get dressed cuz we're gonna have a celebration today for our safe arrival."

So that the hunters started moving, pulling their packages as they followed a staff to an elevator. Aphrodite immediately turned to her son.

"Aww I miss you" Aphrodite wrapped her arms around his neck. "I knew you are the only person that can do this job"

"You say that every time mum" Paecus rolled his eyes.

If you did not know their real relationship, everyone would have mistaken them. Both looked like the same age and all couples would be jealous with their immortal beauty.

"Well well" Aphrodite suddenly stated, rested her cheek on Paecus shoulder. "Aren't you guys look cute together?"

That was when Percy realised who was standing besides him. Artemis blushed but still gave Aphrodite her famous glare.

"I don't want to fight over this" Artemis scoffed as she picked up her bag and rushed up stairs.

"You should be prepared too Percy" Aphrodite winked at him made Percy hastily moved without Artemis protection from her power. At the stairway leading up he heard Aphrodite said something into Paecus ear.

"She's here" a smile landed on the goddess that made Paecus face lit up like fireworks. Percy ignored it and continued his way.

A formal celebration seemed to be more described by the time Percy made it down stair. Hunters collided with dress that stunned Percy. He was surprised since none of them had ever cloaked the dresses on, they seemed to turned into different people. As Percy looked up the chandelier, the music started, the caliph sound of violin combined with other instruments and she came.

From the stair curving down, Artemis walked with grace on her silver dress glittering under the light of the room as if she was wearing a dress of starlight. Percy stared up at her in wonder, amazed and admired that beauty. She looked so fair with her auburn hair, tied into an elaborated bun with her ethereal pale skin, smooth like silk. As she stroll down the stair, her sparkling silver eyes darting until it fixed on him and her smile came, the room lit up, the sound of music with everything present in the room collided like an orchestra, and all the spirits sang in a harmony of blissfulness as Percy just stood there, the soul left his body and just stared at her.

For the minutes passed that seemed time had frozen, Aphrodite broke the icy silence and rushed to the goddess of the moon.

"You are so beautiful Arty!" She squealed, clinging onto Artemis side made her feel annoyed than appreciated the complement.

At last they present forth in front of Percy, as his jaws touching the floor from the two beauties, Artemis gave him a cautious look.

"I look ridiculous?" She said, inspecting his reaction.

"Huh...uh...no"

Well that came out better than he expected, but Aphrodite seemed to catch up with something and she about to say until Percy pulled himself out from the charm of Artemis beauty and clapped hie hand on the goddess of love mouth, since she had known the only secret he had in his heart that did not want to reveal to Artemis.

"You look good in the dress" Percy managed to divert the suspension when Artemis looked at him weirdly as Aphrodite struggled to get off his hold. "It's just you always wear jackets and jeans so the dress made it a bit strange"

Although Artemis suspected something, but she waved it off since she didn't want to ruin the night and asked no further. Until then someone came in.

"And I thought my mother was the most beautiful person in the universe"

They turned back to see Paecus with the classic tux, his long blonde hair still tied extraordinarily complicated like a lion mane. Then they looked at the person at his side, and Percy eyes got wider.

"Perseus?" She frowned.

"How-" Percy stuttered.

He still remembered their last encounter. She still had that tall beautiful look, her tanned skin with piercing black eyes, her raven black hair that stern and cautious look on her face. But it seemed like those had either faded or some traces magnified with her amour had been replaced by the golden dress, exquisitely designed with her hair had been tied into a bun and with the makeup Percy never imaged she would apply on. Reyna appeared to be a different person.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well of course she's my girlfriend so there's no reason why she can't be here" Paecus said before Reyna could reply and it seemed every person within the radius of hearing Paecus voice, excluded Aphrodite dropped their mouth.

"WHAT!"

"Paecus why didn't you tell me about this" Artemis said as she punched his arm.

"And you would start babbling about me to be careful and breaking someone's heart. Yeh like I would" he rolled his eyes.

"You guys have met?" Paecus looked at Reyna to whom was now feeling uncomfortable when many eyes were on her.

"Yeah he saved me and my friends last time."

That was until Paecus gave out a frown

"What saving?" He said. "I thought I had put a warning to all monsters not to cross California border last time."

Aphrodite managed to break off Percy's hold as she approached, seemed a little nervous than ever.

"Oh don't worry Paecus" his mother said. "It was just a minor attack."

"Uh being surrounded by an army of monsters in the middle of the wood is not minor to me" Percy suddenly blurted out and Aphrodite gave him the glare that terrified him to the core. Even Artemis shook her head at his stupidity.

"You are telling me" Paecus looked at his mother. "That you knew my girlfriend was in danger and you didn't inform me."

"I got Perseus to help them" Aphrodite smiled innocently. "She's safe now right?"

"Mum this is my girlfriend we are talking about. Shouldn't I be called to save her instead of someone else?"

"You said you wanted a holiday" Aphrodite pouted, playing with her fingers as Paecus sighed since he could do nothing against his mother. She was always careless like that but inside the goddess of love, she had other purposes that didn't calling her son. Only if Percy understood why she asked him to help.

Things came to past as now everyone emerged in the hours of joy. The young hunters struggled to keep on their feet as the dance floor was new to them. As Percy watching, Artemis approached made him nearly knocked over everything on the table out of nervousness.

"H-hey" he managed not to let a cup drop on the floor and grinned stupidly at her. Artemis was nervous, but she seemed to cope with the situation better than him. Holding her hands in front of her, she spoke.

"Hm..." a long sound yet no word to come out. Artemis gave one last look back at Paecus as he raised his cup at her and nodded. Artemis turned to face Percy again. "Wanna dance?"

It seemed to Artemis his reaction was not what she expected. It was priceless, contained full of shock as his mouth came to form a letter O.

"You" he pointed his finger at her then at himself. "Want me to dance?"

"I spoke modern language Perseus" Artemis seemed to be annoyed or in fact by getting angry, she could manage to calm her embarrassment.

"No-it's just uh....weird?" Percy said even thought he could not comprehend it himself. Artemis sighed.

"You in or not?"

He dropped the cup and grabbed her hand that was hanging at her side when he thought she attempted to leave and Artemis suddenly tensed. Percy now just realised what he just did and every molecules made up his body just stopped function. Even afar, Artemis could sense Aphrodite clapping her palm against her forehead from Percy's stupidity and ways to make things awkward.

He dropped her hand immediately and held his own behind his back.

"Hmm..." he gave a peaked at her, his face was bright red but he could do nothing to contain it. "Are we-"

But Artemis just shook her head and wrapped her arm around his and dragged him towards the dance floor. Percy seemed at the time like a lifeless body that only his feet seemed to work and followed her lead since his mind was all blank when Artemis suddenly turned intimating.

Artemis held out her hand and Percy just accepted when they were on the dance floor. One of her hand rested on his palm and the other on his shoulder and the music like flow of stream that shifted and moved between them, their eyes that locked and the silver and green collided when their feet started moving, as their bodies under the golden light of the chandelier.

For all the fear, the doubts, the disciplines were that forgotten in time. The music blowed at their ears, its sound travels in their heart as the tingling of notes picked at their mind as if their inside exploded with feelings of each other. Their eyes locked as they moved, Artemis capture that bright from his shined down on her and she just stared in wonder of his perfect features. Her soft cold hand landed on his, as Percy embraced and treasured that softness as it warmed slowly by their contact of skin. He pulled her closer, made a spin of magnificent as the tail of her dress circling with silver starlight, sparkling on the wooden dance floor. Their surroundings seemed to fade, as the time froze in track as the wind silent and the world stopped moving. Dancing with him, as if it was in a different world, a new perspective as he sent her to a realm of peacefulness. The floor turned to grass, the bright ceiling of chandelier turned into the deep blue of the night, as the silver starlight like precious gems sparkled and the scenery changed around them, to the mountains wrapped around the hill of grass where they danced, as the music vibrated from the living stones and the air and the gentle winds of Spring started blowing again. It was a fantasy that it seemed both Percy and Artemis experienced it.

And then the feeling surged in her, it urged her to move closer as her lips yearned for his touch as it trembled at the waiting. But suddenly the conscious mind came again and pulled her out of that moment.

"I didn't know you could dance" Artemis said in sarcasm, trying to divert the flush that was forming up her pale cheeks.

"Well I've lived for three thousand years" he surged. "Even being isolated on an island, at least I should know a few things. Beside Leto has taught me many wonderful things about the outside world. If not, I wouldn't be aroused to explore it."

"Actually I never expected you to know how to dance" Percy countered her as Artemis smirked.

"I'm born a princess Perseus. Even though I hate these things, it's essential for me to know."

"And here I thought you were going to break my foot with your heels" he laughed only to get Artemis made his thought come true by storming on it.

Percy winced, surely Artemis could never change about taking a joke seriously. He glared at her at first, but that beauty weakened his intimidation that all his mind heartened to her words. Then an idea that came in his head followed by a sign of a mischievous smile. Artemis swallowed.

"What are you gonna-h-hey hey!"

He coiled his arm around her waist, as the fingers rested at the low of her back made Artemis stiffened, cold sweats forming up on her fair skin as she looked at him with wonder and fear of what was going on in his mind. He pulled her closer as Artemis swallowed a breath when she realised their distance, her hands clapped on his chest and with a grin, he started to spin.

"S-stop Perseus" Artemis was panic as her feet suddenly did not feel the touch of Gaia, even though her spirit had returned to Chaos in the last war. "Stop spinning!"

He laughed and moved from place to place across the dance floor that the others had to create distance from them. Artemis looked at Percy in embarrassment as he tried to make a fool out of both of them yet her hands couldn't help but to pull closer to him. And there again they danced, there Artemis slowly let that flow affected and the bewilderment of joyfulness and carelessness craved into her mind yet again as she started to laugh. As they moved around the circle dance floor, as the lights of the room twirled and bent and they wrapped around both of them; and their laughter echoed therein the tornado of light they made from their imagination, that it flew their delights, their thoughts to the night sky. Until the music ended, the orchestra of instruments and the wind and the running of water halted, only then they now came down to earth, away from the moment of their own world.

They looked at each other, as they grinned and breathed hard from the fun they shared. A whistle came from the crowd made Artemis and Percy to realise where they were and parted from each other.

That moment, only they realised that their hands somehow connected.

"That was...impressive" Paecus laughed as he approached them. It still felt weird for Percy ever since he discovered Paecus relationship with Reyna. Nonetheless, somehow that made his shoulders dropped as if a competitor just quit a game. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"You two looked so cute!" Aphrodite squealed from behind Percy made him startled. Then her eyes darted to her son and his look seemed to signal something as Paecus and Aphrodite both smiled. Then Paecus turned to Artemis.

"Now I hope that you are still in the mood for me to have a dance with you" Paecus smiled as he held out his hand.

"Why don't you as Reyna?" Artemis said trying to look for her. "I don't want her to misunderstand us"

"Ah she's fine with me and you. She's that type of person Artemis. Now may I have the honour to have this dance lady Artemis?"

Artemis looked up at Percy, sensing him tensing at the sight of Paecus troubled her. Percy was not the type to be angry easily, unless you do something physical to him, but somehow Paecus's doings caused something within Percy. Aphrodite seemed to catch on and suddenly attached herself to Percy's side.

"Now why don't we have a dance as well" she winked at him. "Don't tell me only Artemis get to dance with you?"

"Uh-it's not that..." Percy stuttered as he tried to back away.

"Then come on!" And 2with that, the goddess of love started dragging him away. Percy looked back only to see Artemis in displeased. Paecus saw the opportunity and urged her again.

"Well?" He raised his brows.

Out of anger and jealousy Artemis accepted Paecus hand immediately.

The music started again and Paecus and Artemis moved in sync, but it felt somewhat different with Percy. She didn't blame Paecus since he was an amazing dancer and girls at Camp Half Love fell in love once they had a dance with him, but somehow with Paecus it was like dancing in a room, in reality. Artemis yearned to experience that time with Percy again, where dancing with him sent her to a different world of fantasy and imagination. Her eyes now focus on the surrounding, she felt bad for Paecus since his dancing partner had not regard for him, her her eyes couldn't stop searching for Percy.

Then finally she found him across the dance floor. He looked more rigid than normal while Aphrodite looked even more seductive. They were talking something she could not hear, but Percy carried on that immeasurable weight of thoughts on his face intrigued Artemis. Then Aphrodite leaned closer, to close of a distance for Artemis dismay and as Aphrodite's whispered words to his ears, Percy's eyes widened and his head turned, that was when they caught each other. The moment Artemis and Percy eyes locked, even from across the dance floor, his graze still sent that strange sensation to her made Artemis immediately diverted her eyes and blushed.

"You like him don't you ?" Artemis stiffened as now she realised who she was now with and looked up to see Paecus smiling down.

"What are you on about?" Artemis tried to be angry. "Don't tell me you're starting to be absurd like your mother?"

"Oh make me" Paecus smirked. "I know that look Artemis. One can't just simply blush when they see someone that's related, unless that's your crush."

"No, NO he's not!" Artemis emphasised the word but deep down she was terrified of Paecus discovered it.

"I'm the son of love Artemis." He said. "And I know you. I might not have lived long enough with you, but I know when you're in denial. Almost all the time"

Artemis glared at him and attempted to storm on his feet, but unlike Percy, he stepped back immediately and Artemis growled under her throat.

"Anyway, it's just a matter of time when you have to admit it. But as far as I can tell, you've already admitted it to yourself"

"What ever you say" Artemis huffed as she looked away. "They are wrong and that will never happen. He's my brother dammit!"

"But is he?" Paecus leaned closer as his brows raised, only to have Artemis stared back nervously. "Have you ever considered him to be your brother?"

That immediately shut Artemis down. Although since day one meeting him she always tried to convince herself to accept Percy as her blood and always acted like that with her mother. She always wanted to make Apollo accept him as well but deep down, in that dark place in her heart she was ashamed for her hypocrisy. She never had that feeling of blood related to Percy, all along it was just a blank page never to be filled in from the beginning. She had never once considered him and now she could not hide it.

"I know you have sworn that oath" Paecus pressed in. "But you're still an entity, a being Artemis and you know how to have feelings. It's not wrong to accept it because that's who we are, even Chaos thyself could not deny it."

"B-but I can't reveal it to him" Artemis now had turned teary. Too much emotions she heart suddenly opened and they all at once rushed in. That was another effect of being close to a child of Aphrodite as if you could share with them almost everything. "That could destroy what we have now. I-I don't want to risk it."

"It's because you have been too ignorant for so long" Paecus said softly as he lifted her chin to look at his eyes, the colours of his Irish never stopped mesmerising her. "Look at him closer, of the way he looks at you, the way he acts around you and how he talks to you. To him it's normal, but with other's eyes they are more than what of an admiration or loyalty to one. It's a feeling that he carries Artemis, that he himself just like you still afraid to reveal, of what might lay ahead that none of you never dared to cross or look forward."

Artemis now was wordless, her mouth just opened, yet no words to come. So all along, that chance for her to speak up, her hopes and dreams came true way so long and she had never noticed it. He liked her. The three words now seemed foreign yet so comfortable. It was sweet like the sugar to say, yet bitter of how it could affect them to think but it still sounded so pleasant. Percy liked her. Artemis as if could say these words all day long. Now a wall had been taken down, to its ruin yet Artemis still could not see the horizon. Another wall of reality just replaced it. Even if she confessed to Percy and now she was assured that he would likely to say yes, the future was too dim for them. It was just darkness in her vision. That was something she afraid, she scared to let loose to him, to pure everything into that relationship they could form and if something could penetrate in and destroy it, then the one suffer most would be Artemis. There was also the her mother, of what she could think of her son and daughter to become. Too many, the walls were too thick and even if she could tear down all of them, the darkness waiting could not be removed.

Then Paecus word came into the back of her mind, vibrated onto that dimensional thoughts.

"He's leaving Artemis"

"W-what do you mean?" She stammered, another news now made her hard to comprehend.

"It's you that now stand between him and the return to his people" Paecus told her. "But the line has been stretched to its limit. Soon that string will snap and nothing will hold him back; and his feeling for you will be buried in a foreign land."

Artemis stopped her dance and stepped back, Paecus looked at her with sympathy as he sighed.

"B-but he told me he would not leave" she said, tears swelling up. "He would not..."

"Tell him now if you still wish to keep him" Paecus walked closer and held her shoulders. "Strengthen that string then perhaps you can hold his heart. You know how to enjoy but have not experienced the loss Artemis. Losing someone you care is more than just mourning and missing them, it's more painful than anything you have endured. Especially if someone you have strong feelings for."

"You have seen how I was when Vanessa died" Paecus continued, his eyes full of sorrow. "You'll regret it forever if you choose to hold now Artemis. Three thousand years is enough, it's time to let go and learn to accept."

Artemis remembered of when Paecus girlfriend died. They said she was destined to be the one and forever none could replace her. Artemis had seen Paecus in the stage of destruction, over the mourning for that love he once held so dear. Artemis simply didn't not want to experience it, even though her relationship with Percy is different and their feelings were not that intense, yet, she did not want to experience an equivalent pain if she loses Percy.

"Even though I don't think it's wise for you two to form" Paecus words surprised her. "But I'll be a terrible person if I hide it from you and snatch away the decision that you have. I own you my life Artemis and I won't stand to see you in pain. That's why I've offered you this chance. Reveal it and together you both facing what darkness lying ahead, or hold it that both suffer pain yet safe from all the

judgements and things that might come. Choose it wise but decide it quick. Time is now what you don't have, even for an immortal."

With that, Paecus kissed her forehead that somehow calmed her and left. Artemis still caught in that thoughts, between the choices and decisions. Paecus words lingered in her mind, of two path ways she should take, both surely would give her pain and she either gain little or none happiness. Only now she wished someone could advise her or just decide of what she should do, to confess or to hide. Even Artemis herself did not know if she was ready.

Percy and Artemis stayed in separated rooms. But she could not sleep that night.

N/A GUYS IM SOOOO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING FOR SO LONG ??? I was out of idea until now so please please please forgive me. But I'll enlighten you with this new. Since I'm on a summer break which means five weeks without school, I'll try to update as fast as possible ????. Again, comments and votes really help. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter although I think the last part is better than the beginning. Luv ya all and have a great day ???❤ ❤ ❤

Also this chapter is dedicated toooo...

Flyone

Galaxy244 congratulations!!!!

????✌ ??

Percy’s Point of View