All Characters herein being sole property of Sherrilyn Kenyon.
ACHERON
Acheron stood staring at Artemis. He couldn't believe what she had just said. Was his hearing going bad after all these years?
"What in the hell did you just say?"
She stared into his eyes and he could swear he saw tears welling up in them.
"I said I love you. Is that so hard to believe?"
He threw his head back and laughed. This had to be some alternate universe.
"I have known you for over eleven thousand years and I have never seen any vulnerability in you. Cruelness, yes, selfishness, definitely, but love? Please."
She circled him looking him over from head to toe. He was the most breathtaking man she had ever seen; 6'8" and blonde for now anyway with the body of a god. She ran her hands down his back causing an involuntary shiver to run through his body.
"I am a goddess, and I can make you a god. You could help me rule the heavens. You have only to say the words. I will be yours forever."
"Artie this is no more than a ploy because you know I'm looking for my out clause. I don't think you are capable of love. So why should I believe you love me after all these years?"
She let the tears run free. No one since she existed had ever seen her cry if she indeed had ever done so. But the thought of Acheron leaving her was unbearable. She finally understood how deep her feelings went for him. Now what?
"I know that I have not always treated you as well as I should have. And I know that I have done everything in my power to control you. But I have honestly never had true feelings for anyone before. I could force you to stay or find ways to block you from finding your out clause. I would however prefer that you chose to stay. I am willing to do whatever it takes to convince you that I mean this."
He could not believe that she could possibly mean the words she had just said. Was she testing him?
"I can't trust you Artie. You had been deceitful and dishonest far too many times. I think you are only trying to control things as you always have."
She walked into his arms and kissed him. What confused him was that for the first time she was gentle and passionate instead of demanding and forceful. She was a beautiful woman with long red curly hair, and a body any man would die for. But Artemis fell short in the kindness department. She had to be in control of everything related to her. Yet he felt something for her just what was the question. Could he ever trust her? Not bloody likely.
"Artie I have to go. There daimons that need to be slaughtered and mankind to be saved." With that he turned to leave.
She caught his arm and turned him to face her. She kissed him one more time hoping he would feel her feelings for him and think about what she said.
"Acheron…give this some thought and remember what I said. I will do whatever it takes to convince you."
"If you truly want to convince me, back me up when I decide something and stay out of my way and don't interfere when I'm working. Then I will give you some serious consideration."
He thought of where he needed to be and then he vanished.
Artemis stood staring at the spot where Acheron had just been. She still wept at the thought of him leaving her. What would happen to her if he chose to leave her? Why was she suddenly hurting at that thought? This was a first for her and she was puzzled. Now what?