Artemis PoV

"Could you help me with my tie?" My husband asked, fiddling with the accessory.

I smiled, kissing his cheek. "You can be so adorable at times."

He took my waist. "I know I probably won't be able to kiss you while we're at the event, so I was hoping I could now."

I rested my arms around his neck, closing my eyes as our lips met.

Like always, he tasted sweet, and his lips felt soft and warm.

After a moment, I pulled away. "Perseus, we've had sex several times. You don't have to ask for permission to kiss me when we're alone. Besides, I think it's sexy when you surprise me."

I blushed at having said the last bit, and he kissed my cheek. "Ready for the event, M'Lady?"

I shoved him lightly. "Yes." The man took my arm, and we appeared in the council hall, where all major events were held.

Almost immediately, Aphrodite found us and started flirting with my husband.

Perseus pushed her away and took my other hand. "Care to dance?"

I smiled, resting my hand on his shoulder.

We began to dance, and I became painfully aware of the number of immortals watching us.

My husband noticed my anxiousness and pressed his lips to my ear. "It's alright. I love you, and that's what should count."

I rested my head against his chest, and we danced happily until the song ended.

My husband snagged two drinks from a passing tray, handing me one. "That was nice."

"Yeah," I agreed, kissing his cheek. "It was."

An immortal from the group we were to become allies with approached.

"Hello," she greeted. "I am Clarke of the lznota. I do not know you, but I felt it important for you to know that your love is the purest of its kind."

"Thank you," I replied. "I'm Artemis, and this is my husband Perseus."

"Oh!" Clarke exclaimed. "You're one of Zeus's daughters?"

"Yes, but it doesn't amount to anything consider how many children he's had during affairs," I explained.

"I've noticed infidelity seemed to be a major issue on Olympus," she pointed out.

Athena came by and stuck herself into the conversation, giving me a chance to escape.

My husband pulled me into a hug, and we swayed to the music.

Demeter approached us, and I slipped out of his arms.

"Artemis," she addressed. "I must say I never expected you to accept your marriage."

"I love him," I informed rashly, returning to my lover's arms.

She left us to our own devices, and I took a sip of my drink.

After a few minutes of talking with him, I began to feel uneasy.

Everything became blurry at some point. "Perseus," I slurred. "I don't feel so good."

He held me close, and everything went dark.

Percy PoV

We appeared at the hunters' camp, and Artemis was almost passed out.

I waved over to Thalia, whose sleeping patterns I was beginning to question and began to explain the situation.

"I think someone spiked her drink," I offered. "There was this event, and everyone's drunk so I didn't want to leave her alone at the palace. I have a bad feeling about my mother, and I need to go check on her."

My cousin nodded, taking Artemis from me. I appeared at my mother's apartment building, where there were various emergency vehicles.

There was a woman on a gurney being loaded into an ambulance.

Going closer, I saw that it was my mother.

"What happened?" I asked the EMT.

"Drug overdose," he replied. "Intentional, by the looks of it. Are you the son?"

I nodded, climbing into the vehicle with my mother.

The doors were shut and I took my mother's hand. "Mom, I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm here. It's me, Percy. I'll be here when you wake up, because you're strong and I know you will."

My voice cracked, and I began to choke up, so I stopped talking.

We arrived at the hospital, and I followed them to a room that would be occupied by my mother.

I sat down next to the bed and took her hand, trying to keep myself together as she was hooked up to several machines.

"Mom," I whispered. "Mom, please wake up."

It stayed like this for hours, and I felt as though my heart would explode.

The only relief came when there was a hand on my shoulder, and I looked up to see the wife that I loved and adored standing before me.

She sat down in my lap, holding me and accepting my tears.

Artemis rocked me back and forth, murmuring sweet nothings until something changed.

"Perseus," she said gently. "Your mother is awake."

My wife shifted into another chair, and I kneeled down next to my mother. "Mom?"

"Percy," she whispered. "You need to let me go. I love you, but I'm only mortal. You have a wife, and I expect you to treat her well."

I nodded profusely, and she flatlined.

Artemis pulled me away as the doctors and nurses rushed in.

She took me back to the palace and just held me for what felt like years.

"Perseus," my wife started. "You need to sleep."

She put me in bed and laid down next to me, letting me hold her.

I thought about what my mother had told me.

Treat her well.

Artemis was still sleeping peacefully when I woke up.

I slipped out of bed and made a quick breakfast, bringing it back to her.

She began to stir as I set the food down on the nightstand.

My wife cuddled up against me, attempting to fall back asleep until she smelled food.

She sat up, gently touching my face. "Perseus, you shouldn't have. You should be more focused on yourself right now."

"I am," I rebutted. "Seeing you happy makes me happy. I love you, and you're all I have left."

Artemis stopped herself from saying something and leaned forward, kissing me.

It was short and sweet, but still incredible.

"I love you too," she whispered, hugging me tightly.

Sighing contently, I kissed the top of her head. "The bacon's going to get cold soon."

My wife sat up, grabbing the plate.

Every few bites, I would be offered a small amount of what was being eaten, to which I would explain that I had eaten while cooking.

"Artemis?" I asked. "If your father decides to annul all the marriages, would you marry me again?"

She set down her empty plate, nuzzling into me. "Yeah."

I wrapped my arms around her, sliding back down under the covers. "Do you have anything planned or could we just cuddle?"

My wife closed her eyes, resting her head on my chest. "My plan was to cuddle with you."

I kissed the top of her head. "You are the most incredible woman I could ever ask for.

"Percy, I love you", she murmured.

"You know, that's the first time you've called me Percy," I remarked. "It's different."

"Good different or bad different?" My lover asked sleepily.

"Neither, to be honest," I replied. "Usually everyone calls me Percy, but with you it's different, and I like it."

Artemis smiled into my chest, slowly falling asleep. While she slept, I stared at the ceiling.

Her breathing slowed, and she cuddled further into me.

My wife's fingers began curling into the fabric of my shirt, and I wondered what she was dreaming about.

"Perseus," she murmured softly, still asleep.

I smiled, happily married to the woman I loved.