Artemis braced herself for tears as she strode into her huntresses' favorite clearing in what she sincerely hoped was a confident way. It wasn't too late to back out. She could still keep her life. She could still-And then she remembered Orion's beaming face, and how one cheek dimpled while the other didn't. She remembered that he hated the monarchy, but he loved Hephaestus, and that he didn't drink alcohol. And it all seemed a little bit more worth it.

The goddess was surprised when she saw her lieutenant, sitting alone, cross-legged in the middle of the clearing. Ademia had a disappointed look on her face. It was strange for Artemis to be on the other end of one of those looks, as she so often gazed at her soiled girls that way when they broke their oath. (It happened so often, that she convinced herself it was a hint. Love would prevail in the end, wouldn't it?)

"Have you heard?" Artemis was uncharacteristically timid now, even around her best friend. "Maybe Apollo has told you already." Ademia nodded solemnly.

"He left just before you did. Asked me to tell you that he wanted to talk." Artemis huffed.

"Well, tell him that I don't-"

"I'm not Hermes! And none of this would have happened if you hadn't forgotten your place!" Ademia's face blanched when she realized what she had said to a goddess. "Lady- Lady Artemis, I'm sorry, I just… I'm very confused, and…"

"Think nothing of it, Ademia. You meant no harm. I can't expect you, who have sacrificed so much to my cause, to understand my feelings. And don't think I mean that it any but the most kind and loving way," Artemis added at Ademia's hurt face. "You are loyal, and that's why you do not understand. I have loved you as a sister."

"Then what will you do with me? With all the recruits? Surely you wouldn't leave us to be maidens alone." Artemis paused thoughtfully.

"Well, Athena, too, is a virgin. She may take you under her wing. Or, well, you girls wouldn't fare well with Athena… I suppose then... I release you from the oath. I have the option to do so, and I do."

"Artemis, please! No! I do not wish to be released! Nor do I wish to spend all my days with some other goddess! You will see, in time, that this was but a hazy folly, brought on by the intoxicating fragrance of summer."

"It is not," Artemis said quietly. "Do not disrespect how I feel, Ademia. I will never cease to protect you. Only soon, I must protect you as your fellow mortal. We will still be the best of friends. Tell the girls they are released. Tell them to go home, and fall in love. And tell them that I thank them, and love them, for I haven't the strength to do so myself." Ademia glared at her former patron.

"And you would just toss me away for Orion?"

"As I said, I will always embrace you as a sister, and protect you. Just in a different form now."

"No. I will protect myself from whatever curse was bestowed on you! Goodbye, Artemis." With that, Ademia stalked into the distance, various girls following her timidly. Lady Artemis had no huntresses. She had not realized just how much she would have to surrender in order to acquire the one thing she didn't have. Why couldn't she just have both? Her life seemed to be going rapidly downhill. And so, she did the sensible thing. She lowered her head into her hands, and cried.