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She flinches. Like my words were burning her skin.
“What about it?” Her normal energetic look is gone, replaced with a look of concern.
I press my lips into a tight line. “If you don’t advocate for yourself and your needs, no one else will. Instead, the world will use and abuse you until there’s nothing left of you to give.”
“You don’t get it.”
“Then explain what I'm missing,” I request. Lacing my fingers on my lap, I wait silently. Showing her that I’m here to listen to her.
Several moments of silence are held between us.
“I'm the sister of the Lord of Caelum. I'm not guaranteed the luxury of choice.” She explains, “For my kingdom, my home, my people, I'll not put my needs ahead of theirs.”
“In the name of Gaia and the deepest reaches of Tartarus, why not?” I challenge. Athena chuckles from her normal position at the door, “Theny, did we ask your opinion on this? No. Go back to whatever your job is here,” I snap at the captain.
Glaring at me, the goddess rolls her eyes. “It is because Artemis has honor. You only serve yourself while she does what’s best for the greater good. Maybe you could learn something from her,” Athena states in her usual bored condescending tone.
Pouncing up, I glare at the captain. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I'm familiar with sacrifice. My family had five mouths to feed. My dad and I were the primary ones to put food on the table. Together, we check our traps, hunt, and forage for anything that we could get our hands on. When food was scarce, I would cross into the lands beyond the mushrooms. The air is toxic. It makes people see things. Even though it was forbidden, I did it nearly every day. Had I not, we’d have starved long before. If that’s not a sacrifice, tell me what you’ve done in your life that was a sacrifice.”
Silently, Athena observes me. Something changes in her unreadable expression. Was it my wishful thinking or was she looking at me with respect? Something that she’s never shown me since I came to this world.
Before I could make up my mind, the Moon Goddess cuts in. “Athena, please step outside. I'll come and get you when your presence is needed,” commands Artemis.
Reluctantly, Athena steps outside. Huffing loudly at the insult. She storms outside muttering about snitching on us to Apollo.
With the door fully shut, Artemis’s fingers danced in the air for a couple of moments. The scent of earthy forest fills my room. Making me think of the countless times I was outside hunting or foraging near my home. The smell and taste of magic permeates through the air. “Little Theny has been nosy since she came to the manor. I have found it best to ward conversations from her little prying ears.”
“Probably smart,” I chuckle. “After all, Athena did give away that she plans to snitch our conversation to Apollo.”
Artemis shrugs. “Nothing has been said that would shock him.”
“Fair, now why in the name of the River Styx are you allowing yourself to be betrothed to Ares of all people. He isn’t your type...”
“I have no choice. You heard Apollo. If I were to go against him on this, he’d ban me from the court. This court is all I know. It has been my home my entire life and I don’t intend to leave my home. Plus, my brother is right. I can’t seek refuge in many other Courts of Olympus.” Artemis stares off into the fire, fiddling with her fingers. Nervous energy fills the room.
She doesn’t want this.
“There’s to be another way,” I pleaded with Artemis. “You're the co-ruler of Apollo. You’ve as much right to rule as him. Could you use that to influence him and change his mind?”
Shaking her head, she looks off, unfocused and thoughts leagues away from where we’re now. “No. I'm not a co-ruler of Apollo. I'm an advisor and his sister. A member of the royal family but nothing more.”
Scrunching up my face, I reply, “How could he do that to you?”
“He did nothing. I chose this,” Artemis taps my knee.
Furrowing my brow, I ask, “But why would you do something like that?”
If she’d taken the co-ruling position, she wouldn’t be in this mess.
“Olympians, titans, primordials and minor gods alike may be immortal, but we’re trapped in cycles. Doomed to follow our pattern of fate. This pattern extends to holders of positions too. Like the throne of Caelum. I see the repetition. That Apollo’s throne brings no good to the god who sits there. Look at Zeus, Cronus, and Uranus. If someone isn’t watchful, the power could go to their head and cloud their judgment. Only for your descendants to come around and overthrow you. That won’t be my fate. Therefore, I declined my place. Giving it solely to Apollo.” Pulling out her dagger, she picks some dirt out from under her fingernail. Artemis explained, “The combination of us would have made it difficult. Under the guise of night, I see and hear everything in our realm. During the day, Apollo hears and sees the same. Together, it would be too much for the throne.”
“But you also could help keep the court protected at all hours,” I reasoned.
And keep your interests protected.
“Yes, I suppose so.” She sighs, “But that’s something that I can also bear as an advisor to Apollo. The court favors him. He is the sun, oozing light. I can’t blame them. I'm the moon, full of shadows and darkness. Where the darkest of monsters lurk,” her eyes look mournful. Filled with distress.
“I don’t believe that for one bit, Artemis.” Scooching closer, I lean my head on her shoulder. The moon is the light of the night. Brighter than any of the evening stars. You provide a break from the darkness.”
