Artemis PoV
Percy was still at the castle-turned-monster nest, but he had been very helpful.Without the warning of nearby monsters, I would not have been able to strategically place my hunters, and we certainly would not have captured the cyclops.
I walked into the tent that served as a dungeon for the snarling cyclops.
"Be civil," I snapped. "If you cooperate you may even be allowed to join the ranks under Poseidon."
"I think I'd prefer something else if I cooperate," the cyclops sneered.
I cocked an eyebrow before quickly realizing what he had meant. "I don't believe my husband would appreciate that."
"Husband?" The cyclops asked. "But you're the maiden goddess!"
I could tell he was interested. "Tell you what. You tell me everything you know about the monster operations, and I'll tell you about my husband."
The cyclops nodded, and I was a bit surprised that he was so curious about Percy.
I called Athena, and she appeared quickly. "He has agreed to tell us everything he knows in exchange for information on my husband."
Athena nodded. "Start talking."
Percy PoV
The monsters had all gathered in the arena for a fight to their deaths.
With the mass amount of monsters, it was set up that there would be ten groups of two hundred monsters. Each group would go into the arena, and when there were one hundred left, the round would end.
After this, the remaining groups would join to make five groups of two hundred, and they'd do the same as before.
When there were five hundred monsters remaining, groups two hundred and fifty would go against one another until there were fifty remaining in each group.
Finally, the remaining hundred monsters would fight until ten remained.
And the part that I knew, the forces would be called in at this point and the ten powerful monsters would be captured.
The demigods that had turned to the monsters were sent to have their own tournament, where there would really be gods to detain them.
I clapped loudly, and the matches began.
The monsters were vicious, fighting to prove themselves worthy and powerful.
Surprisingly, it took a mere fifteen minutes for the largest groups to be halved.
It was the smaller groups with tougher creatures that took longer.
It took a full three hours for the group of a hundred to be narrowed down to ten.
At this point, the forces came and detained nine of the ten monsters.
The tenth ran, using incredible strength to break through the wall.
Shedding my disguise, I ran after the werewolf, painfully aware that he was headed straight for a group of unsuspecting hunters in training.
Thinking quickly, I let out an ungodly howl, alerting just about every living creature within a ten-mile radius of our location.
As we came closer to the camp, I sensed Artemis in the area with relief, knowing the hunters were safe.
Artemis PoV
My favourite part of interrogating the monster had been the look on his face when I had told him I lied about having a husband.
There was an unusual howl in the distance, maybe five miles out and coming quickly. "Be ready. Possibly hostile creature approaching quickly from the west."
Even with the advanced warning, I was thrown off guard when Lycaon blasted out of the forest and lunged at me.
Barely avoiding his claws, I launched backwards and produced my silver hunting knives.
Apparently unneeded, as my husband was close behind him.
I could almost feel the anger Percy was radiating as he lifted the werewolf king off the ground.
My lover began to squeeze the monster's throat. "You do not touch my wife."
Lycaon nodded, clearly struggling at the lack of air.
"You do not harm any of my loved ones," Percy continued. "Consider the hunters off limits too."
Ares appeared with a silver cage, which Lycaon was flung into and taken away in.
"Girls," I called. "With the massacre of monsters, there will be many more in the area and camping here is unadvised. I will be transporting you all to Camp Jupiter."
In the five minutes it took for my hunters to take down the camp, Percy had kissed me senseless behind a tree at the edge of the forest.
"I'll probably be done taking a shower when you get back to the palace," my husband notified.
I kissed his cheek. "See you in a few minutes."
To some of my older hunters like Thalia, it was clear that I had been with Percy just then. Wisely, they mentioned nothing.
Percy PoV
I took my shower quickly, ridding my body of all sweat, stink, and grime that had amassed on me in the month I had been without bathing.
Damn castles and their lack of bathrooms.
I stepped out of the shower and dressed, immediately crashing on the bed.
Artemis sat down next to me on the bed, setting down a glass of nectar and a book. "I missed you."
I rested a hand on her thigh. "I missed you too."
"Tired?" She asked.
I nodded, resting my head on the pillow. My wife kissed my cheek as I drifted off.
Artemis PoV
I took a sip of my nectar as I closed yet another book I had finished while Percy rested.
I don't remember much after that,
everything until waking up in my husband's arms drawing a blank.
Percy was nuzzled into my neck, kissing at the sensitive skin. "Good morning, love."
Eyes closed, I kissed his temple. "I missed you."
My lover held me close. "I missed you too."
I kissed his cheek. "You have to report your findings to the council."
Percy groaned. "Can it wait?"
"No," I replied. "But I'll make it up to you afterwards."
My husband pouted. "Fine. I'll get ready."
We dressed and ate a quick breakfast before heading to the door.
"One thing before we leave," he said.
I looked up and found myself the recipient of another of Percy's incredible kisses.
He pulled away, nose still brushing mine. "I love you."
"I love you too," I whispered.
My husband took my hand. "The faster this is over, the more time I spend with you."
We appeared in the council room, where I went to my throne and Percy waited in the centre.
After everyone arrived, my lover began his debriefing. "There were many monsters and demigods in the complex. A sort of hierarchy seemed to form among the monsters, while the demigods served as teachers for the lesser monsters. For further detail, I'll turn it over to Athena."
The goddess began to speak, and Percy made his way over to me, sitting on the armrest of my throne.
I must have dozed off during the
explanation, considering my waking up in the bedroom.
Percy PoV
My goddess had fallen asleep during the meeting, so I flashed her home immediately after it was finished.
Wanting to surprise her, I made lunch while she slept.
After it had all been cooked and cooled, I went to check on my wife. Artemis yawned cutely, sitting up.
"Hey," I greeted, holding her tight as she nuzzled into my chest. "Sleep well?"
My goddess kissed me lightly. "Yes."
"Hungry?" I asked. She smiled. "What did you make?"
"A sandwich-type meal," I said. "You'll see for yourself in a few minutes."
My goddess grasped the belt loop of my jeans, kissing me.
I cupped her cheek, following my lover's lead as she kissed me.
She pulled away after a little, smiling. "I missed you."
"Missed you too," I murmured, kissing her all over.
Artemis started laughing and pushed me off. "Let's go eat your meal before it gets cold."
I took my wife's hand as we walked over to the dining room.
I held her hand whenever it was free, and I could tell she enjoyed the small gesture.
