Chapter 140 - What is our relationship?

Artemis began to wake up slowly, her eyes opening to the soft light of the room. A feeling of comfort enveloped her, and she realized she was wearing a white button-up shirt, a delicate piece that covered her body, courtesy of Ikki. The smell of food filled the air, making her feel hungry, even though she didn't need to eat as a goddess. She still enjoyed this luxury.

When her eyes finally adjusted, she saw Ikki sitting in front of her, a tray of food balanced on his lap. He watched her with a gentle smile, an expression of relief mixed with affection.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, his voice low and full of concern.

Artemis smiled, feeling warmth spread through her chest.

"Yes," she replied, a sparkle in her eyes. On impulse, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips, a gesture overflowing with gratitude and affection. The touch of their lips brought back memories of the previous night, a whirlwind of emotions and sensations that left her radiant.

As she savored the moment, she couldn't help but think how wonderful everything had been. If someone had told her one day that she, an eternal maiden, would date a man and give herself to these experiences, she would have turned that person into an animal and sent her hunters after them.

But here she was, smiling and completely happy, with Ikki by her side, and the idea of having someone who understood and accepted her made her feel incredibly alive.

"You've outdone yourself," she commented, looking at the tray filled with a variety of delicacies. "This looks delicious."

Ikki smiled, the light in his eyes shining.

"I did my best. You deserve it," he replied as he handed her the tray.

Artemis looked at him, her heart warming even more. "Thank you, Ikki. For everything."

She picked up a piece of food and took a bite, the flavors filling her mouth and bringing a new level of satisfaction.

"You don't need to thank me, Arty..." Ikki chuckled softly, shaking his head before leaning slightly toward her. "And now that we finally have time to talk... Not that I'm complaining, but where did the sweet Artemis I knew go? Now you're a pervert! Every time you see me, it looks like you want to... well, you know."

Artemis raised an eyebrow, analyzing his words with a playful glint in her silver eyes. In fact, ever since they had kissed at the Olympus party, she hadn't thought of anything other than the sensation of his lips, his touch, the warmth emanating from his body. Desire consumed her in an unprecedented way, as if she were living a dream she had always repressed. And honestly, why should she hold back now?

A mischievous smile appeared on her face as she looked at him, as if deciding whether it was worth the energy to hit him or not. In the end, she just smiled slyly.

"Your fault for daring to defile me."

Ikki laughed.

"It was my honor..." He tilted his head, analyzing her with amused eyes. "But I never imagined the fierce huntress would have such a… bold side."

Artemis smirked and picked up more food from the plate. "You awakened this in me, now deal with the consequences."

Ikki shrugged.

"Maybe I like the idea."

Before she could respond, he pulled her close and kissed her. It was a light, natural kiss, something that already felt like part of their routine. Artemis smiled against his lips before pulling away and taking another bite of food as if nothing had happened.

"If you enjoy being prey, who am I to argue?" she said casually.

Ikki laughed, grabbing a piece of food from her plate without even asking for permission. Artemis narrowed her eyes.

"You really lost your fear of me, didn't you?"

"Oh, I've always been afraid. But between that and stealing your food, I think it's worth the risk."

She shook her head, but the smile playing at the corners of her lips gave away how much she enjoyed it.

"I'm curious to see what the great goddess of the hunt will do to poor me for stealing your food..." His voice came out low, carrying a playful tone, but his eyes never left hers for a second. "But for now, how about slowing down a bit? Let's just talk."

Artemis blinked, surprised by his sudden change in tone, but she realized Ikki was right. As he gestured for her to eat, she simply rolled her eyes but grabbed another piece of food and brought it to her mouth. Ikki watched her with a curious smile.

"So, how was the hunt for the monsters that might join Cronos' cause?" he asked, genuinely interested.

Artemis let out a long sigh, throwing her head back.

"A pain in the ass," she replied, taking another bite of food. "My brother wouldn't stop talking about you and when I was finally going to introduce you to the family. As if that were some urgent task."

Ikki raised an eyebrow. "He talked about me?"

"He did. And not just once," she said, giving him a look of exasperation. "Every five minutes. 'You have to take Ikki to meet our mother!', 'My brother-in-law is amazing, did you see that he refused immortality, the goddesses also fought to dance with him.'"

Ikki laughed, a bit embarrassed. "And what did you say?"

Artemis looked at him with a blasé expression. "I told him he should worry more about the monsters than about my love life."

But then she shrugged, picking up another piece of food.

"Deep down, I know he's just trying to be a good brother."

Ikki smiled, resting his elbow on the table and placing his chin on his hand. "It's good to know he cares."

"Yeah, but sometimes it's frustrating," she said, shaking her head. "My brother loves to complicate things."

"Well, that's what siblings do, isn't it?" Ikki chuckled. "Provoke and meddle in each other's lives."

Artemis huffed, but a small smile formed on her lips.

The silence between them was comfortable, but she knew she needed to ask.

After a moment, she raised her eyes to Ikki, her expression curious but serious.

"So… what are we now?"

Ikki blinked, surprised by the direct question. He placed his fork on the table and observed her carefully.

"What do you mean?"

Artemis rolled her eyes. "Don't play dumb. We've already done everything a couple does. We said we love each other. So… what does this mean?"

Ikki was silent for a moment, absorbing her words. Then, a small smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Well, I'd say it means we're a couple." He shrugged. "Unless you have another definition."

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "And since when am I the type of person who dates?"

Ikki laughed. "Since you fell in love with me, apparently."

She huffed, crossing her arms. "That doesn't answer my question."

He leaned over the table, resting his chin on his hand. "What do you want us to be?"

Artemis bit her lip, thoughtful. "I don't know."

She looked away, as if she didn't want to admit the truth out loud.

"I just know I don't want this to be temporary."

Ikki's smile softened, and he reached out to hold her hand. "Then it won't be."

Artemis looked at his hand over hers, feeling the warmth of his touch. "And what if it doesn't work out?"

Ikki gently squeezed her fingers, his gaze firm. "We'll make it work."

She let out a sigh but didn't pull her hand away. "You really aren't afraid of anything, are you?"

"I'm afraid of losing you," he said simply. "And if you leave me, I'll hunt you down across the entire world."

Artemis laughed.

"Good luck trying to capture a goddess."

Ikki smiled, bringing her hand to his lips for a soft kiss. "I've already captured your heart, haven't I?"

She rolled her eyes, but the smile on her lips gave everything away.

Ikki released her hand and let Artemis finish eating. A strange yet incredibly good feeling took over him. Joy.

Not the fleeting happiness of a battle victory or a fun moment. It was something deeper, more genuine.

In the past few days, he had lived like a normal boy. He spent a week with Percy, playing video games, laughing, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. As if they were just two ordinary friends, with no monsters, no prophecies, no burdens weighing on their backs. For the first time in a long time, he didn't have to be a warrior, a leader, a survivor. He was just Ikki.

And now, here he was, with Artemis. The woman he loved, whom he still loved. And, as it seemed, she felt the same. It was real. Not an impossible dream, not a forbidden desire. They were together.

Fate? Maybe. But to hell with fate. To hell with those old witches who wove the threads of life as if they owned everything. He wouldn't let them control his story.

He was in control now, and he would do everything to defy what they wanted before destroying them.

On the other hand, Artemis felt her heart beat faster as she looked at Ikki. So… were they dating?

She didn't even know exactly when it happened. There wasn't a precise moment, no formal request. But, thinking about it, they had done everything a couple does. They had given themselves to each other without reservations, exchanged vows of love. And above all, they were here, together.

The thought brought back a painful memory. Aphrodite, with her smug smile, saying that Ikki could have a happy future with another woman, a family that Artemis would never give him if she rejected him. She remembered well the unbearable pain she felt hearing that, as if something was being torn from within her.

But that pain wouldn't return.

For an entire year, she spent countless nights on her lunar chariot, watching the world below and thinking about him. Wondering if he was okay, if he still thought about her. Thinking about all the moments they had together and how she ruined everything by rejecting him. She remembered the tears she shed, the bitter regret that consumed her. If only she could turn back time…

But the past couldn't be changed. So all that was left was to do things differently now.

What mattered was that, when she finally had the courage to confess her feelings, Ikki accepted her. He could have moved on, could have found someone else… but he didn't. He chose to stay. He chose her.

And she chose him.

Artemis smiled softly, recalling their first kiss after so much time apart, the heat of the moment when they gave themselves to each other, and how her body had longed for him ever since. Over the past two weeks, while hunting monsters with Apollo, she couldn't think of anything else but Ikki.

She was happy. Genuinely happy.

Guilt still weighed on her heart for the suffering she caused him, but now, all she wanted was to make it up to him. To make Ikki as happy as he made her.

The two spent a long time talking, their conversation flowing naturally and lightly. It felt surreal to Artemis, sitting beside him, feeling so at ease.

When they finished eating, Ikki took the tray and carried it to the kitchen. Artemis took the moment to stand up, but as soon as she tried to put weight on her legs, she felt like she was stepping on clouds. Her legs were pure jelly. A shiver ran through her body, and a sudden exhaustion hit her like a wave.

How had she not noticed this before? Now that she was standing, it felt like all the effort of the past days had caught up with her at once.

Before she could say anything, Ikki returned to the room and immediately noticed her condition. His gaze fixed on her trembling legs, and without hesitation, he snapped his fingers.

In an instant, the exhaustion vanished completely. It was as if it had never existed.

Artemis blinked, surprised, feeling her body revitalized. What did he do?

"Ikki… what was that?" she asked, testing her balance. "What did you do to me?"

Ikki smiled, crossing his arms casually. "Magic," he replied, as if it were nothing.

Artemis narrowed her eyes. "Magic?"

He shrugged. "Let's just say I have a trick or two up my sleeve."

She watched him for a moment, suspicious, but deep down… she couldn't deny that she felt better. Ikki had always been a mystery to her, and maybe that was what made her feel even more drawn to him.

"Well, I want to take a bath…" Artemis said, feeling the scent of sex on her body. Although she could use her divine power to become spotless, she wanted to take a proper bath. Her eyes landed on Ikki, who was already taking off his shirt, with a perplexed expression.

"Oh? What are you waiting for? Let's go!" Ikki said with a slight smile as he walked toward the bathroom.

Artemis let out a sigh and followed him, her heart beating faster as she watched his perfect figure.

Ikki and Artemis went to the bathroom together, enjoying their moment of intimacy as the hot water ran down their bodies. Artemis, still wanting to please him in some way, made sure to make that moment even more "special," something that made Ikki smile in satisfaction.

After the bath, the two returned to the bedroom. Ikki put on a pair of comfortable sweatpants and a black shirt, while Artemis, true to her style, donned her classic silver Huntress attire through her divine magic.

The night advanced, and the room was silent, illuminated only by the soft light coming from the window.

After finishing dressing, Ikki looked at Artemis, his gaze curious and relaxed, before making a casual request:

"Oh, right. Arty, I never asked, but what does your divine form look like? Could you enter your divine form?"

Artemis raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question.

"You know that's not a good idea, right?" She crossed her arms, her tone more serious. "My divine form instantly evaporates any mortal or monster who sees it. No being inferior to a god can withstand it."

Ikki just shrugged, not seeming the least bit concerned. "Yeah, I know. But I've never seen you like that. I got curious."

Artemis observed him for a moment, her mind drifting to a certain event that had become legendary among the gods: Ikki's battle against Hercules.

Hercules had assumed his divine form in that battle… and yet, Ikki had won. It had shocked everyone, as a god only used a fraction of their power when fighting a demigod. If a god had their full essence present in a single place, their divine form would eradicate any lesser being.

But Ikki had not been eradicated—he seemed casual and had killed a god in their full essence.

The gods, by nature, were their divine forms. They only assumed a lesser form to interact with mortals. At that very moment, for example, Artemis was still piloting her lunar chariot while also being there with Ikki, or she was with her Huntresses around a campfire—she existed in many places at once. However, she usually preferred to maintain four copies of herself.

The fact that Ikki even considered seeing her in her true form was yet another proof of how different he was.

Artemis sighed, pondering the idea. "You really aren't afraid of anything, are you?"

Ikki just smiled, calm, looking at her as if expecting her to transform.

Artemis took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a brief moment. Then, everything changed.

The light in the room seemed to disappear for a moment before being replaced by a silver glow—ethereal and majestic. Ikki felt a shiver run down his spine as he watched the transformation unfold before his eyes.

Artemis' divine form was something that words failed to describe. If she had already been incredibly beautiful before, now her appearance seemed to transcend the human concept of beauty. Her presence dominated everything, radiating a cold, silver light like the purest moonlight.

Her hair grew, cascading down to her waist like a waterfall of silvery strands sprinkled with shimmering crystals. It wasn't just white—it was a lustrous white, with lunar reflections and a soft blue glow, as if each strand of hair carried the very brilliance of the stars.

Her face looked sculpted by divine hands, an almost unreal perfection. Her arched eyebrows, shaped like crescent moons, gave her a regal air, and her misty eyes held the mystery of the night sky—deep and enchanting. Her rosy lips had an indescribable charm, as if a single glance from her could ensnare the soul of any being.

And then there was her body. Her silhouette was impossibly alluring, something beyond mortal comprehension. A snow-white ribbon hugged her slender waist, and her silver garments seemed perfectly molded to her body, accentuating her curves in an irresistible way. Her full, round breasts and her firm, well-shaped hips seemed like the work of celestial artistry. Every inch of her body exuded an overwhelming allure, a charm capable of corroding the mind and soul of anyone.

But Ikki remained standing there, staring at her with a calm gleam in his eyes.

And then he smiled.

"Beautiful."

His tone was natural, as if he were merely stating a fact, but there was a touch of genuine admiration in his voice.

Artemis observed him, unsurprised. She knew he wouldn't be reduced to ashes—she knew he would withstand it. But still, seeing someone gaze at her in her divine form without hesitation… it was a unique experience.

Ikki truly was different from anyone else.

Artemis barely had time to react. Before she could dissipate her divine form or say anything, Ikki had already moved.

His confident smile was the only thing she saw before feeling his firm hands wrap around her waist, pulling her close without hesitation. The warmth of his touch contrasted with the cold, ethereal aura that still emanated from her divine body.

Then, he kissed her.

It was an intense, deep kiss, filled with emotion and desire. Artemis responded without a second thought, her hands instinctively going to his shoulders. Her heart pounded, and for the first time in a long time, she felt truly alive.

But Ikki didn't stop there. In a swift, determined motion, he gently pushed her onto the bed. The soft mattress sank beneath her body as she looked up at him, her eyes shining—part surprise, part expectation.

The silver glow that enveloped her body still shimmered in the dim room, but at that moment, the only thing that mattered was the man before her.