Artimis, in stead of going to his rooms, walked out onto the training green
for his soldiers. In the darkness, a spell was weaved around him by the dim
stars. The stars had been dim for so long now. There was an old legend that
said the stars glowed according to the love in the royal family. What did
that mean? It could mean that his father no longer loved his deceased
mother. It could also mean that the dieing King was losing his grip on life
and love was slipping away from him. Soon the stars would stop glowing
completely if something did not happen.
Artimis wandered out into the middle of the training green and stood for a moment before going to one corner and lighting the torches, casting a fiery glow around the ring. He took up a sword and began to twirl it in the ancient art of sword craft on Mau.
~*~
Once again, Luna sat in front of her vanity mirror, absently brushing her hair. The doors to the balcony were open to let in the gentle night breeze. The purple hair flowed down Luna's back as she brushed it, shinning more with each stroke. Luna stood up with a sudden urge to go out on to the balcony. She glided, the light, pale yellow silk night gown she wore clinging to her body in the cold night air.
She stared out into the darkness for a moment, and then, as if on cue, the torches lit up on the training lawn. She watched, entranced, as some, back to her, began twirling a sword in the ancient art. Moved by the beauty and magic he seemed to weave, Luna turned around, quickly grabbing the matching silk robe to her night gown, and hurried out of the room down to the training lawn.
She stood at the edge, watching the torch-light reflect off of the man's clothing, throwing his head and side into shadow.
~*~
Artimis was concentrating so hard that he did not hear it when some one approached the edge of the training lawn. He continued, oblivious to the person standing there in the shadows. His breathing fell into time with the sword. He was barely aware of him foot steps. All he saw was the flashing weapon in front of him.
~*~
Luna's breath caught in her throat. She could not see the man's face, but she was falling in love anyway. Anyone who could create such beauty had to be wonderful. 'Who is he?' Luna wondered. She became brave and stepped forward. The torch-light caught her and cast her shadow against a palace wall.
~*~
Artimis stopped, and as he started to turn, the person who had interrupted him turned and ran. As she fled, Artimis caught a glimpse of her face. "Luna!"
~*~
Luna ran all the way back to her rooms, closing the door behind her and throwing herself on her bed. She lay there, face pressed flat against the covers for a couple of moments. Slowly, cautiously, she stood up and walked out onto the balcony. Whoever it had been was gone now. She sighed to herself, sitting at the vanity once again. She picked up the brush, and softly began to brush her hair. After three strokes she stopped and stared at herself in the mirror for a long time.
~*~
'She must have seen me from her balcony.' Artimis grinned to himself. She didn't know it had been him. He retired to his rooms.
~*~
"Beautiful, aren't they?" Artimis asked, standing next to Luna the next day in the garden.
"They're my favorite." Luna told him, bending over to smell the sweet flower. It was a very light blue in color, and looked like a large rose in full bloom. At it's center was a small orb of yellowish white light that emitted the sweet smell.
Luna scowled at herself for answering the question. She wanted nothing to do with the arrogant Prince.
"You will have to take some back to the Moon with you then." Artimis offered.
"They belong on Mau." Luna answered shortly. "I appreciate them because it is the only place they are. If they were everywhere, they would be just another flower."
Artimis looked at the flower long, searching for an answer. Luna did not give him time for one.
"I have to be going." She spun on her heal and started to walk away. Artimis followed, seeing her fiery temper rise again.
"You always do when I am around." He challenged.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Luna said in a voice that clearly said, "don't push me."
Artimis delighted in pushing her further. It was that about her that intrigued him most. "Then let me enlighten you. Since you have come here you have made it very clear that you want nothing to do with me."
"And you have made it very clear that you understand that. Yet you always manage to show up where-ever I am. Why to you delight in following me around so?" Luna stopped quickly and glared him in the eye.
"May I remind you that this is my palace and I am entitled to go anywhere I please?" Artimis glared right back. "As my guest, I do not see it fit for you to demand that I should leave a place because you are there."
"And as your guest I do not see it fit that you should insist upon following me, just to push me further over the edge." Luna's voice held ice.
"I mean not to push you, only to show you that I am master." Artimis' lips curved up into a challenging smile.
"I am aware of that, you majesty." Luna said, more sarcastically then honestly.
"Then you are aware that everything in this palace is mine?" Artimis' eyes swept over Luna once again. Today she wore a tight, yellow dress with a flower-petal skirt and purple petals under the yellow once. Around her bicep she wore the gold bracelet, and her hair was pulled back into four buns, two on each side, the same style she had worn since she came.
"I am aware that all material items are yours. Other than that, you have no control over the 'things' in this palace, and definitely not over me." Luna spun around again and started to walk faster when Artimis' eyes began to once again study her.
"When did I ever say anything about you?" Artimis asked, keeping stride with her perfectly.
Luna did not answer. She just walked faster still.
"I will go anywhere in my palace that I please." Artimis said smugly. "That is, if m'lady should so permit me?" He added this last bit with ice and sarcasm.
Luna's checks became red with anger. "Anywhere in this palace, m'lord? There are certain places you will never get as long as I am hear, so help me!" With that, she quickly turned into a room and slammed the door in the Prince's face.
He started to open the door to go after her, but then decided against it. Instead, he wrote a note and slipped it under the door. It read: Meet me on the training lawn at midnight. Since I saw you I cannot stop thinking of you. *Your Sword Twirler
~*~
Luna wandered around the large room she had entered. What was it? She looked around for some form of light, and was able to find a large window. She pulled the curtains back and light flooded the empty room. She found an old couch and other old furniture. Deciding to stay in there for awhile, until she was sure Artimis would be gone, she spread out on the couch.
'He is so stuck-up! He presumes that every woman will just throw themselves at his feet without a second thought? She scowled to herself. He is just awful! He hasn't changed at all since the last time I saw him! He is still arrogant and full of himself. And now he is so handsome that girls throw themselves at him! His ego has grown ten times larger now than it ever was. If he wasn't so handsome he wouldn't be so sure on himself!' Luna's eyes widened. She shocked herself with her thoughts. Artimis? Handsome? 'Of course he isn't handsome! He isn't really, he is to tall. No, he isn't to tall. His height is perfect. But his eyes are to big. No, his eyes are nice. Of course, his real flaw is the shape of his face. It's just… right. No, it's not the shape of his face. His arms are to long though. They hang down to far. No, no they don't! Damn it! Why can't I find something wrong with him?' Luna stood up and began pacing. 'His nose? No. His mouth is really to small, isn't it? No. His stomach is very flat. No. His neck! That's it, his neck is to long! No, that's not it either! Damn, he's perfect! He really is handsome, perfect. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way he looks.' Luna sat down again, knees up and arms crossed. 'Well, looks aren't everything. It's really how you treat people that matters. And he has been nothing but rude to me since I arrived. He has been cold, intrusive, and arrogant. He followed me to my room to make sure I didn't get lost.' Luna snorted in contempt. 'There was absolutely no reason for that. I wouldn't have gotten lost, and even if I had, I could have found my way. He's just trying to be a gentleman. And then he came to get me for dinner! The nerve. "We were worried about you" What right does he have to be worried about me?' Luna stood up again and paced some more. She was finding it harder and harder to hate him. So far he had been nicer than she had, and was obviously *trying* to be nice.
'And he's following me around like I were some kind of child that needs to be kept under watch! Where does he get off following me? And then making me so mad?' Luna let out a frustrated scream, realizing that she was being completely irrational. True, he had pushed her, but she had to admit, she enjoyed it in an odd way. It was almost fun to have someone to snap at, even if she didn't always mean it… 'What is wrong with me? He is an arrogant, stuck-up, good-for-nothing, royal pain! She walked back to the door and saw the note that had been slipped under the door. She picked it up and read it. How did he know I was in here? Was he following me? I didn't even know it! It's all because of Artimis!' Luna smiled widely, opened the door, and almost *skipped* to her rooms. It was a long time until midnight.
~*~
"My lord, King Academus, Lord of the Constellation Capella!" A guard announced. In the throne room, the rest of the royalties had arrived on Mau, and the negotiations were to begin the day following the ball.
Artimis greeted the king, who was pudgy and small, and losing his hair.
"Nyanko, Ambassador to the Constellation Orion!" The guard announced. In walked a dangerously sensual-looking girl, wearing a tight black outfit that barely covered her breasts or rear end. She wore high healed boots, and would have been rather short without the heals. Fish-net stockings completed the outfit. She bowed very low to Artimis, and as she came up she gave him the same type of grin he had been giving to Luna, sensuous and luring. She opened her mouth to speak.
"King Tenus, Reining King of the Constellation Orion." She announced.
Artimis greeted Academus' twin brother, who was tall and handsome and strongly built. He had all his hair, which was a dark brown, the bangs falling into his eyes at a rakish angle.
"Galaxia, Keeper of Chaos!" The guard announced the last attendee of the negotiations.
Artimis greeted her as well. Long introductions and business took place in that hall. Shadows began to fall and the night grew dark. Finally, when Artimis could stand it no more, his voice thundered over everything else, "There will be a ball on the morrow. You are all invited. This is my word, I have spoken."
"Hail Artimis, Prince of Mau." Was the response.
"My servants will show you to your rooms, m'lords and ladies." Artimis nodded to Nyanko, who had been watching him since she had arrived.
"If you will all excuse me, I have some business on the personal side I must attend to. I bid you all farewell." Artimis bowed his head to them all and headed out the doors.
Nyanko began to follow, but Tenus stopped her.
"Did you not hear the Prince? He has personal business to attend to. Leave him be for a day, Nyanko. You will have plenty of time to… help our side of the negotiations later." Tenus purred. Nyanko smiled and made a purring noise in his ear before lightly kissing his neck. She slowly walked away from him to her rooms.
~*~
Artimis approached Luna from behind, not wanting her to see him quiet yet. She stood silhouetted by the torches that burned orange and red. The stars did not even show tonight.
He crept up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist to prevent her from turning.
"Hello m'love." He purred. "You look even more beautiful in the night than in the day."
Luna smiled to herself. That voice was so familiar. It sounded like… It couldn't be! She twisted her head, and sure enough, it was Artimis! Luna let out a little yelp of surprise, horror, and shock and broke his embrace, jumping a few feet away.
"Artimis! You arrogant jerk, leave me be!" Luna hissed.
"Whatever for?" Artimis approached her again.
"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm meeting someone here! Now leave, go somewhere else you awful snake!" Luna stood her ground.
"I know." Artimis pulled her to him, and brought his mouth close to her ear. "You're meeting that man you saw last night. You want to know something about him? He is me."
Luna looked shocked. She pulled away only slightly, partly because his embrace was strong, and partly because she did not want to, but she would not admit that to herself.
"No. It's not possible!" She looked into his eyes. "Is it?" She whispered.
He brought his mouth close to her's. "It is." He didn't even give her warning. He pushed his lips to her's, pulling her close and holding her to him.
Luna's eyes widened in shock. For a moment she could do nothing. Then she began beating her fists against him, trying to make him let go. He would not let up or let go. She continued beating his shoulders.
Artimis began to walk Luna backwards until she was up against a wall. He let go with his hands, and grabbed her wrists, pinning them against the wall. Through all of this he did not let up his mouth.
Luna fought for air with his mouth forcing itself against hers. Finally needing air, she opened her mouth just a little. That was all the experienced Artimis needed.
As soon as her mouth cracked open, he used his lips to force it open more. Once is was opened far enough, in went his tongue. He felt around in the mouth, chasing her tongue as she moved it to avoid his. He was able to find it a couple of times, and after a moment he withdrew his tongue.
Luna sighed, thinking it was over. She closed her eyes. She felt something enter her mouth again, and before she knew what was happening his tongue had found hers. Now he was playing with her. Her eyes opened wide, and she tried to fight her wrists free from his grasp. All of a sudden she gave up, and began to melt in his embrace. She went limp, and let Artimis be fully dominant.
That was all he wanted. Artimis stopped and removed his mouth, breathing heavily as he caught his breath. Luna glared at him from her helpless position, unable to do anything. She thought of screaming, but realized with a sinking feeling that Artimis had picked this spot and this time because no one would hear her if she did scream.
"I told you I always got what I wanted. I've won this time." Artimis told her, air beginning to fill his lungs again. A dark expression came over Luna's face. Her heart was beating hard and she was still short of breath, slightly from excitement.
She scowled at him in response.
"Why the dark look? You can't say you didn't enjoy it." Artimis sneered. It was not like Luna to let anyone else be dominant in anything, especially him, if she didn't want him to.
"You're so full of yourself!" Luna told him. "I didn't enjoy it one bit. Go kiss dirt!" She lunched all her weight against him and managed to force him back a little, but it was not enough. He twirled her around and pinned her again.
"Well, lets just try it again then." He brought his face closer, but Luna turned her cheek this time.
"I'd rather kiss a snake!" Luna's eyes flashed. Artimis looked slightly taken aback by her haughty remark. Luna made her move.
She forced her face forward, pressing her lips against his. She turned the tables, now *she* was doing the kissing. Her tongue felt around in his mouth. Artimis let go of her arms and pulled her closer. Her arms circled his neck, refusing to let him go.
Now Artimis turned the tables again and he was the one doing the kissing. Luna broke away, broke his embrace, and delivered a stinging slap to his face all in one fluid motion. Blood trickled down Artimis' chin.
"Don't you *ever* kiss me again!" She snarled, running into the palace and to her room.
Artimis was left alone on the lawn. He grinned to himself and walked inside. Once again her fiery temper had him entranced. What was it about her that always managed to make him want her and her alone? She was so different from all the other girls he had known. What that it? Was it because she showed absolutely not interest in him that made him want her to look at him the way he looked at her? And if she couldn't stand the thought of him like she said, then why had she kissed him? Luna was a very complicated person. Artimis supposed that time would tell her true feelings. He had still won.
Artimis wandered out into the middle of the training green and stood for a moment before going to one corner and lighting the torches, casting a fiery glow around the ring. He took up a sword and began to twirl it in the ancient art of sword craft on Mau.
~*~
Once again, Luna sat in front of her vanity mirror, absently brushing her hair. The doors to the balcony were open to let in the gentle night breeze. The purple hair flowed down Luna's back as she brushed it, shinning more with each stroke. Luna stood up with a sudden urge to go out on to the balcony. She glided, the light, pale yellow silk night gown she wore clinging to her body in the cold night air.
She stared out into the darkness for a moment, and then, as if on cue, the torches lit up on the training lawn. She watched, entranced, as some, back to her, began twirling a sword in the ancient art. Moved by the beauty and magic he seemed to weave, Luna turned around, quickly grabbing the matching silk robe to her night gown, and hurried out of the room down to the training lawn.
She stood at the edge, watching the torch-light reflect off of the man's clothing, throwing his head and side into shadow.
~*~
Artimis was concentrating so hard that he did not hear it when some one approached the edge of the training lawn. He continued, oblivious to the person standing there in the shadows. His breathing fell into time with the sword. He was barely aware of him foot steps. All he saw was the flashing weapon in front of him.
~*~
Luna's breath caught in her throat. She could not see the man's face, but she was falling in love anyway. Anyone who could create such beauty had to be wonderful. 'Who is he?' Luna wondered. She became brave and stepped forward. The torch-light caught her and cast her shadow against a palace wall.
~*~
Artimis stopped, and as he started to turn, the person who had interrupted him turned and ran. As she fled, Artimis caught a glimpse of her face. "Luna!"
~*~
Luna ran all the way back to her rooms, closing the door behind her and throwing herself on her bed. She lay there, face pressed flat against the covers for a couple of moments. Slowly, cautiously, she stood up and walked out onto the balcony. Whoever it had been was gone now. She sighed to herself, sitting at the vanity once again. She picked up the brush, and softly began to brush her hair. After three strokes she stopped and stared at herself in the mirror for a long time.
~*~
'She must have seen me from her balcony.' Artimis grinned to himself. She didn't know it had been him. He retired to his rooms.
~*~
"Beautiful, aren't they?" Artimis asked, standing next to Luna the next day in the garden.
"They're my favorite." Luna told him, bending over to smell the sweet flower. It was a very light blue in color, and looked like a large rose in full bloom. At it's center was a small orb of yellowish white light that emitted the sweet smell.
Luna scowled at herself for answering the question. She wanted nothing to do with the arrogant Prince.
"You will have to take some back to the Moon with you then." Artimis offered.
"They belong on Mau." Luna answered shortly. "I appreciate them because it is the only place they are. If they were everywhere, they would be just another flower."
Artimis looked at the flower long, searching for an answer. Luna did not give him time for one.
"I have to be going." She spun on her heal and started to walk away. Artimis followed, seeing her fiery temper rise again.
"You always do when I am around." He challenged.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Luna said in a voice that clearly said, "don't push me."
Artimis delighted in pushing her further. It was that about her that intrigued him most. "Then let me enlighten you. Since you have come here you have made it very clear that you want nothing to do with me."
"And you have made it very clear that you understand that. Yet you always manage to show up where-ever I am. Why to you delight in following me around so?" Luna stopped quickly and glared him in the eye.
"May I remind you that this is my palace and I am entitled to go anywhere I please?" Artimis glared right back. "As my guest, I do not see it fit for you to demand that I should leave a place because you are there."
"And as your guest I do not see it fit that you should insist upon following me, just to push me further over the edge." Luna's voice held ice.
"I mean not to push you, only to show you that I am master." Artimis' lips curved up into a challenging smile.
"I am aware of that, you majesty." Luna said, more sarcastically then honestly.
"Then you are aware that everything in this palace is mine?" Artimis' eyes swept over Luna once again. Today she wore a tight, yellow dress with a flower-petal skirt and purple petals under the yellow once. Around her bicep she wore the gold bracelet, and her hair was pulled back into four buns, two on each side, the same style she had worn since she came.
"I am aware that all material items are yours. Other than that, you have no control over the 'things' in this palace, and definitely not over me." Luna spun around again and started to walk faster when Artimis' eyes began to once again study her.
"When did I ever say anything about you?" Artimis asked, keeping stride with her perfectly.
Luna did not answer. She just walked faster still.
"I will go anywhere in my palace that I please." Artimis said smugly. "That is, if m'lady should so permit me?" He added this last bit with ice and sarcasm.
Luna's checks became red with anger. "Anywhere in this palace, m'lord? There are certain places you will never get as long as I am hear, so help me!" With that, she quickly turned into a room and slammed the door in the Prince's face.
He started to open the door to go after her, but then decided against it. Instead, he wrote a note and slipped it under the door. It read: Meet me on the training lawn at midnight. Since I saw you I cannot stop thinking of you. *Your Sword Twirler
~*~
Luna wandered around the large room she had entered. What was it? She looked around for some form of light, and was able to find a large window. She pulled the curtains back and light flooded the empty room. She found an old couch and other old furniture. Deciding to stay in there for awhile, until she was sure Artimis would be gone, she spread out on the couch.
'He is so stuck-up! He presumes that every woman will just throw themselves at his feet without a second thought? She scowled to herself. He is just awful! He hasn't changed at all since the last time I saw him! He is still arrogant and full of himself. And now he is so handsome that girls throw themselves at him! His ego has grown ten times larger now than it ever was. If he wasn't so handsome he wouldn't be so sure on himself!' Luna's eyes widened. She shocked herself with her thoughts. Artimis? Handsome? 'Of course he isn't handsome! He isn't really, he is to tall. No, he isn't to tall. His height is perfect. But his eyes are to big. No, his eyes are nice. Of course, his real flaw is the shape of his face. It's just… right. No, it's not the shape of his face. His arms are to long though. They hang down to far. No, no they don't! Damn it! Why can't I find something wrong with him?' Luna stood up and began pacing. 'His nose? No. His mouth is really to small, isn't it? No. His stomach is very flat. No. His neck! That's it, his neck is to long! No, that's not it either! Damn, he's perfect! He really is handsome, perfect. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way he looks.' Luna sat down again, knees up and arms crossed. 'Well, looks aren't everything. It's really how you treat people that matters. And he has been nothing but rude to me since I arrived. He has been cold, intrusive, and arrogant. He followed me to my room to make sure I didn't get lost.' Luna snorted in contempt. 'There was absolutely no reason for that. I wouldn't have gotten lost, and even if I had, I could have found my way. He's just trying to be a gentleman. And then he came to get me for dinner! The nerve. "We were worried about you" What right does he have to be worried about me?' Luna stood up again and paced some more. She was finding it harder and harder to hate him. So far he had been nicer than she had, and was obviously *trying* to be nice.
'And he's following me around like I were some kind of child that needs to be kept under watch! Where does he get off following me? And then making me so mad?' Luna let out a frustrated scream, realizing that she was being completely irrational. True, he had pushed her, but she had to admit, she enjoyed it in an odd way. It was almost fun to have someone to snap at, even if she didn't always mean it… 'What is wrong with me? He is an arrogant, stuck-up, good-for-nothing, royal pain! She walked back to the door and saw the note that had been slipped under the door. She picked it up and read it. How did he know I was in here? Was he following me? I didn't even know it! It's all because of Artimis!' Luna smiled widely, opened the door, and almost *skipped* to her rooms. It was a long time until midnight.
~*~
"My lord, King Academus, Lord of the Constellation Capella!" A guard announced. In the throne room, the rest of the royalties had arrived on Mau, and the negotiations were to begin the day following the ball.
Artimis greeted the king, who was pudgy and small, and losing his hair.
"Nyanko, Ambassador to the Constellation Orion!" The guard announced. In walked a dangerously sensual-looking girl, wearing a tight black outfit that barely covered her breasts or rear end. She wore high healed boots, and would have been rather short without the heals. Fish-net stockings completed the outfit. She bowed very low to Artimis, and as she came up she gave him the same type of grin he had been giving to Luna, sensuous and luring. She opened her mouth to speak.
"King Tenus, Reining King of the Constellation Orion." She announced.
Artimis greeted Academus' twin brother, who was tall and handsome and strongly built. He had all his hair, which was a dark brown, the bangs falling into his eyes at a rakish angle.
"Galaxia, Keeper of Chaos!" The guard announced the last attendee of the negotiations.
Artimis greeted her as well. Long introductions and business took place in that hall. Shadows began to fall and the night grew dark. Finally, when Artimis could stand it no more, his voice thundered over everything else, "There will be a ball on the morrow. You are all invited. This is my word, I have spoken."
"Hail Artimis, Prince of Mau." Was the response.
"My servants will show you to your rooms, m'lords and ladies." Artimis nodded to Nyanko, who had been watching him since she had arrived.
"If you will all excuse me, I have some business on the personal side I must attend to. I bid you all farewell." Artimis bowed his head to them all and headed out the doors.
Nyanko began to follow, but Tenus stopped her.
"Did you not hear the Prince? He has personal business to attend to. Leave him be for a day, Nyanko. You will have plenty of time to… help our side of the negotiations later." Tenus purred. Nyanko smiled and made a purring noise in his ear before lightly kissing his neck. She slowly walked away from him to her rooms.
~*~
Artimis approached Luna from behind, not wanting her to see him quiet yet. She stood silhouetted by the torches that burned orange and red. The stars did not even show tonight.
He crept up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist to prevent her from turning.
"Hello m'love." He purred. "You look even more beautiful in the night than in the day."
Luna smiled to herself. That voice was so familiar. It sounded like… It couldn't be! She twisted her head, and sure enough, it was Artimis! Luna let out a little yelp of surprise, horror, and shock and broke his embrace, jumping a few feet away.
"Artimis! You arrogant jerk, leave me be!" Luna hissed.
"Whatever for?" Artimis approached her again.
"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm meeting someone here! Now leave, go somewhere else you awful snake!" Luna stood her ground.
"I know." Artimis pulled her to him, and brought his mouth close to her ear. "You're meeting that man you saw last night. You want to know something about him? He is me."
Luna looked shocked. She pulled away only slightly, partly because his embrace was strong, and partly because she did not want to, but she would not admit that to herself.
"No. It's not possible!" She looked into his eyes. "Is it?" She whispered.
He brought his mouth close to her's. "It is." He didn't even give her warning. He pushed his lips to her's, pulling her close and holding her to him.
Luna's eyes widened in shock. For a moment she could do nothing. Then she began beating her fists against him, trying to make him let go. He would not let up or let go. She continued beating his shoulders.
Artimis began to walk Luna backwards until she was up against a wall. He let go with his hands, and grabbed her wrists, pinning them against the wall. Through all of this he did not let up his mouth.
Luna fought for air with his mouth forcing itself against hers. Finally needing air, she opened her mouth just a little. That was all the experienced Artimis needed.
As soon as her mouth cracked open, he used his lips to force it open more. Once is was opened far enough, in went his tongue. He felt around in the mouth, chasing her tongue as she moved it to avoid his. He was able to find it a couple of times, and after a moment he withdrew his tongue.
Luna sighed, thinking it was over. She closed her eyes. She felt something enter her mouth again, and before she knew what was happening his tongue had found hers. Now he was playing with her. Her eyes opened wide, and she tried to fight her wrists free from his grasp. All of a sudden she gave up, and began to melt in his embrace. She went limp, and let Artimis be fully dominant.
That was all he wanted. Artimis stopped and removed his mouth, breathing heavily as he caught his breath. Luna glared at him from her helpless position, unable to do anything. She thought of screaming, but realized with a sinking feeling that Artimis had picked this spot and this time because no one would hear her if she did scream.
"I told you I always got what I wanted. I've won this time." Artimis told her, air beginning to fill his lungs again. A dark expression came over Luna's face. Her heart was beating hard and she was still short of breath, slightly from excitement.
She scowled at him in response.
"Why the dark look? You can't say you didn't enjoy it." Artimis sneered. It was not like Luna to let anyone else be dominant in anything, especially him, if she didn't want him to.
"You're so full of yourself!" Luna told him. "I didn't enjoy it one bit. Go kiss dirt!" She lunched all her weight against him and managed to force him back a little, but it was not enough. He twirled her around and pinned her again.
"Well, lets just try it again then." He brought his face closer, but Luna turned her cheek this time.
"I'd rather kiss a snake!" Luna's eyes flashed. Artimis looked slightly taken aback by her haughty remark. Luna made her move.
She forced her face forward, pressing her lips against his. She turned the tables, now *she* was doing the kissing. Her tongue felt around in his mouth. Artimis let go of her arms and pulled her closer. Her arms circled his neck, refusing to let him go.
Now Artimis turned the tables again and he was the one doing the kissing. Luna broke away, broke his embrace, and delivered a stinging slap to his face all in one fluid motion. Blood trickled down Artimis' chin.
"Don't you *ever* kiss me again!" She snarled, running into the palace and to her room.
Artimis was left alone on the lawn. He grinned to himself and walked inside. Once again her fiery temper had him entranced. What was it about her that always managed to make him want her and her alone? She was so different from all the other girls he had known. What that it? Was it because she showed absolutely not interest in him that made him want her to look at him the way he looked at her? And if she couldn't stand the thought of him like she said, then why had she kissed him? Luna was a very complicated person. Artimis supposed that time would tell her true feelings. He had still won.
