Page 59 of Protected By Artemis

But he couldn’t stop trying. Not when the thought of losing her forever was unbearable.

The gnawing regret wouldn’t let him rest. He needed to find another way to reach her.

An idea sparked, and he quickly sat at his desk and opened his laptop.People used to pray to the Greek gods, didn’t they?It was how they communicated, how they connected with the gods. Maybe, just maybe, it could work now.

He typed rapidly, searching for the right way to do it. It was a long shot, but if there was even a chance she might hear him, he had to try. After all, she missed the connection she once had with mortals, and he was banking on that being true.

Finding a few references, he leaned closer to the screen, his mind racing. He needed the right words, the right approach. He wasn’t going to give up—not when she meant this much to him.

The soft glow of the laptop illuminated the dark room as he spent hours researching, diving into obscure texts and ancient rituals, trying to understand how people once prayed to the gods of old. He needed a way to reach her, and this was the only thing he hadn’t tried.

His eyes skimmed over a passage, something about offerings and sacred words. He leaned in closer, reading aloud to himself. “To pray to the Greek gods, one must approach with reverence,offering gifts that symbolize the deity’s domain. Create a sacred space, an altar adorned with items that represent the god or goddess. Speak your words sincerely, for the gods can see through empty gestures.”

His mind raced as he mentally cataloged what he would need. For Artemis, the huntress, he would need something that resonated with her essence. He scribbled down a list: a bow and arrow, a white pillar candle, an offering bowl for fresh water, and deer horns, symbolizing her dominion over the wild.

“Choose a quiet and still place where nature can bear witness to your plea.” He read on, the instructions unfolding like a story. “Light the candle, and place the offerings before you. Then, speak from your heart, for it is the truth that the gods hear above all else.”

He could picture it now—the forest, the soft glow of the candle flickering in the twilight, the cool breeze rustling the leaves. It felt right, as if this ancient knowledge was guiding him, pulling him toward the only path that made sense.

“When you call to the gods, do so with respect,” he continued reading, the words resonating with an ancient power. “Speak their names, invoke their presence, and ask for their favor. Be honest in your intentions, for the gods do not suffer fools or liars.”

This was his chance, his way to reach her. He had to make it count. Gathering his resolve, he shut the laptop and stood up, the quiet resolve settling over him like a second skin. He gathered the offerings he needed for the altar—the bow and arrow, candles, a bowl for water, and the deer horns.

As the night deepened, he felt a tug in his chest, an instinct pulling him toward the forest. He glanced out the window, and there it was, the moon hanging low and full, casting a silvery glow over the landscape. Artemis was connected to the moon;she drew her power from it. If he was going to reach her, this was the time.

He grabbed the items for the altar and headed out into the crisp night air. The cool breeze kissed his skin, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth, as he made his way into the woods.

The moon lit a path he followed until the trees parted, revealing a small clearing bathed in moonlight. This was the spot. He set the items down carefully, arranging them to create a small, makeshift altar. The bow and arrow lay across the deer horns, the candle stood tall in the center, and the offering bowl sat empty, waiting to be filled with fresh water from a nearby stream. It felt like something was missing, so he placed a couple more candles around the altar.

With the altar prepared, he struck a match and lit the candles, watching as the flames flickered to life, its warm glow contrasting with the moon’s cool light. He took a deep breath. This was it. He knelt before the altar, his heart racing, and began to speak.

He started quietly, his voice low and uncertain. “Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, hear me. I—” He paused, shaking his head. He couldn’t do this halfway. He had to mean it, had to let his emotions fuel the words.

“Artemis,” he started again. “Goddess of the Hunt, of the moon, and the wilds, I call to you.” The words felt strange on his tongue, ancient and powerful. He paused, feeling the forest’s silence wrap around him, urging him to continue. “I seek your presence, your guidance. I ask for your forgiveness.”

He looked up at the moon, its light washing over him, and something inside him shifted. He wasn’t just saying the words—he meant them. “I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry. I panicked, but that doesn’t excuse what I did. I’m asking you to hear me, to let me make things right.”

The wind picked up slightly, rustling the leaves overhead, and a shiver ran down his spine. “I know I’ve hurt you, and I can’t undo that. But I need to speak with you.”

He closed his eyes, focusing on the connection he once had with her, trying to reach out across the distance that now separated them. “Artemis,” he said again, louder this time, his voice carrying through the night. “Please, hear me. I miss you.”

The air around him seemed to hum with energy, and for a moment, everything was still. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the sounds of nature quieting as if listening. Then, he felt it—a shift in the atmosphere, a subtle change that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He opened his eyes, and there she was, standing before him.

His heart leaped at the sight of her, but he could feel the hurt emanating from her, a tangible force that made him wince. She was here, but she was wounded.

“Why have you prayed to me?” Artemis demanded, her voice calm but edged with emotion. “What game are you playing, Cade?”

He stood slowly, his heart aching as he stared at her. “No game,” he said, his voice thick with sincerity. “I needed you to hear me because you won’t answer my calls or texts. I know I messed up, and I’m not just asking for forgiveness. I need you to know how much you mean to me. How much I regret everything.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t interrupt, her gaze fixed on him, waiting for more. He took a step closer, hoping that he could finally make things right this time.

“I panicked. But it wasn’t because I didn’t want you. It was because I wanted you too much, and that scared me. You’re strong and loyal, and you chose me. After all the time you’ve been alive, you decided to be with me. I was an idiot to push you away.”

The silence stretched between them, and his heart pounded as he waited, hoping she could see the sincerity in his eyes, the desperation in his plea.

Finally, she sighed, the anger in her eyes softening but not disappearing completely. “You can’t just fix this with an apology. You hurt me deeply.”

“I know,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “But I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it right. Just…don’t shut me out, Artemis. Please.”

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