Page 70 of Protected By Artemis

Her heart pounded in her chest, but she felt reassured as she could feel his strength and love through their bond. It was there, strong and steady, like the beating of his heart.

But then, she felt another emotion—confusion.

“Who the fuck isthat? And why is Hephaestus with him?”

As his grip slackened, Artemis managed to slip out of his arms. “What do you mean—” She gasped as she looked around his massive frame. “Why the hell is he here?”

Two figures limped toward them, one of them Hephaestus, the whirl of his cybernetic leg resonating over the hushed silence of the guests as they parted to make way. He had his arm slung under an equally large man who looked half dead, his face bloody and bruised, in his hand a broken bow. The ends of the large white wings attached to his back dragged on the dirt as they continued to hobble forward.

“Do you know this guy?”

“It’s Eros.” God of Love and Desire.

“Let me through!” Aphrodite cried as she pushed her way through the crowd. “Oh, my gods…” She sobbed as she embraced him.

“That’s her son? They look the same age,” Cade said.

“Immortals, remember?” Artemis’s heart ached for her friend as she watched Aphrodite tearfully heal her son. Hephaestus, on the other hand, had a murderous look on his face.

Cade scrubbed a hand down his face. “I guess this is my life now.”

The corner of her mouth lifted. “Are you regretting mating with me?”

“Maybe.”

But she knew from their bond that was not at all the case. “Liar.”

He kissed her on the mouth and placed his hand over her belly, then grabbed Goatzilla’s rope. “C’mon, let’s see if they need any help and if we can salvage what’s left of the party. I’m sorry it had to end like this.”

Artemis looked around her, seeing all the people she loved in one place, celebrating her, Cade, and their new family. And, barring the gatecrasher, today wasn’t all that bad.

“What are you talking about? This is all perfect.”

The End.

---