Olympiad is Falling, The Rise of Artemis

“Now I’m serious wait in the bedroom and don’t come out. I mean it Artemis.”

If she was discovered there was no knowing how Storm would take it.

“What if you get your ass kicked again?”

“That won’t happen. If you come out so help me-”

“Fine, I’ll stay put.”

I exhaled. I didn’t believe here. I opened the door and Storm stumbled in.

“It’s about time.” He spat.

I groaned, “What do you want Storm?”

I was surprised his didn’t have company. He strolled into my living room, his purple cape swaying behind him as if there was a draft to carry it.

“Solaris is pulling out the troops from Olympiad as we speak.”

“Good.” I folded my arms across his chest. There was more. I didn’t trust this bastard.

“She expects you and the soldiers of light to leave for the gods world in two days.”

Fuck. I couldn’t leave Artemis.

“I don’t need to tell how much of a bad idea I think that is. With special permission from the king I will be going with you.”

“Special permission? You mean you went behind the queen’s back.”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

I couldn’t be sure Avon and Storm weren’t plotting for me not to return to Paradis alive.

“Who knows what you did to get your position.” He spat.

I grimaced. I wished people would stop implying that I was having an affair with Solaris.

“Watch yourself Storm. I couldn’t care less what you do. Why are you really here?” I dared to take a step forward.

My eyes darted to the hall, making sure she was where she should be.

Storm whirled and surveyed the room.

“Who else is here?” He barked.

“A woman. I was busy.”

“Powerful woman.” He said. “I’ll ask you once boy. Draw your wings.”

What the heck? “What?”

“You heard me. You’ve never drawn your wings. What are your hiding? Tainted blood? Traitor blood? Or dark wings?” Storm pulled out his sword and aimed it at my throat.

“I have nothing to hide.” Expect a couple things that might land me dead.

“Then why are your wings still hidden? I’ve always had my doubts about you and you can be sure before you lead any army I’ll find out.”

The tip of the cool blade edged closer to my flesh, but fear would be the last thing I showed Storm.

“You better get to work. You won’t find anything.”

Storm slid his sword back into his belt and marched to the door. “You’re not fit for Paradis or her courts. Whatever you are you don’t deserve to even look at the streets in this city.”

He marched off. I kicked the door shut.

“Fuck.” I blasted.

“Who was that?” Artemis rushed in.

“Were you listening?” I didn’t mean for the venom in my voice to come out, but it did.

She nodded. “Why does he hate you so much?”

“I wish I fucking knew.” I settled on the couch. She sat next to me and grabbed my hand. I was surprised when I squeezed her little hand.

If Storm knew I was an illegitimate heir it would make more sense as to why he couldn’t stand me. I didn’t understand, it couldn’t just be about Solaris.

“You know you’re not that.” She said, I looked at her and wondered. When realization set in I smiled and kissed her forehead. I wished she hadn’t heard any of that.

“You’ve really never drawn your wings? Why not?”

I unsettled out of the chair and her hold and stood by the fireplace. I paced the length of it. The only people that had seen my wings were my mother and Alpheus

“It’s complicated. No one can see them.”

She wrapped her arms around herself, but she held my gaze. “Will you…show me?”

What was I doing? Taking off my jacket so the force of my wings wouldn’t destroy it like they would my shirt. I held her gaze too. I shut my eyes and invoked that part of me to awaken. My skin felt like it was being ripped apart as the feathers and bones came out of me. Artemis got to her feet and rushed round the table, she stopped short when I collapsed to one knee.

“Are you okay?” She exclaimed.

I nodded. At least they were out. “I’m not used to drawing them so it’s more painful.”

Her eyes went wide and I smirked. I never thought I’d like the feeling of someone looking at my wings. She stood in front of me, her eyes glued to what was behind me.

“They’re… so big and gold! I thought angel wings were supposed to be white.” She reached out but pulled back.

“It’s okay, go ahead.”

My hands went around her waist as her fingertips brushed the feathers on my wings and traced the crowns etched into my wings.

“Do all dinemus wings look like yours?”

“No… only dinemus angels with royal blood do.”

“Royal blood?” Her face twisted then realization hit her. “Royal blood? Daylen you’re a… what are you? How could not… you said you’re only in the Queen’s court and that guy accused you of having an affair with the queen and so did the king! I don’t get it.”

“Quiet down Artemis. I don’t need everyone knowing.” I grabbed her elbow and dragged her to my room, locking the door I turned to face her.

I sucked in my wings which wasn’t nearly as painful as pulling them out. She sat on my bed, frowning at me. I smirked, I wanted her to stay there forever with me naked.

“Well!” She blasted.

I groaned. I forgot how unbearable she can be.

“Are you royalty of a different I don’t know kingdom?”

I ran a hand through my brown curly hair. “No… no one knows what I am. I was given up by my mother Solaris when I was baby. I am the product of an affair she had before she became queen. I didn’t know I was her son until she found me when I was a boy. I grew up with an abusive groundskeeper, he hated my guts. She took pity on me and had me taken care of, but our relationship has always been… strange.”

Artemis rubbed her palms together then looked at me. “What happens if people find out?”

“Then they try to kill me! I’m not just an illegitimate half-blood prince, I’m the rightful heir to the throne. No matter my parentage the laws of Paradis state I inherit the throne not my brother who to the rest of the mage world is the next heir of Paradis.”

“Crud.” She bit her bottom lip.

Saying it out loud made me realize how shitty my life was until Artemis came into it and blasted me through a building. She got up and circled her arms around my waist. I shut my eyes. I didn’t want to lose her. I couldn’t.

“I have something to tell you too.” She mumbled.

“Not right now. I just want to hold you tonight.”

There was so much we needed to figure out, so much that needed fixing, but right now I just wanted her in my arms.