Artemis lay in her bed, her curly brown hair splayed out on the pillow like a halo. Her bedchamber in the Temple of the Moon was usually impeccable, but the room currently reeked of neglect. She hadn’t eaten anything in a week, and her stomach growled in protest.
The sound of the door creaking open made Artemis groan and turn her head away. She didn’t need to look to know who it was. Apollo, her twin brother and the god of the sun, had a knack for barging in unannounced.
“Artemis, you need to eat something,” Apollo said, trying to hide his disgust. He held a tray of food, the aroma wafting through the room.
Artemis turned her head away, her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want to eat, Apollo. I don’t want to do anything.”
Apollo set the tray down on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed. “Artemis, you know you can’t just give up on life. You need to take care of yourself.”
Artemis snapped at him, “Don’t tell me what I need to do, Apollo. You have no idea what I’m going through.”
Apollo took a deep breath and said, “I might not know exactly what you’re going through, but I can imagine. And I’m here for you, Artemis. I want to help you.”
Artemis looked at him, her expression softening. “I broke my vow of chastity, Apollo. I got pregnant, and I had to get an abortion. I feel like I’ve failed as a goddess.”
Apollo reached out and took her hand. “You are not a failure, Artemis. You made a mistake, but that doesn’t define you. You are still the goddess of the moon and hunt, and I will always look up to you.”
Artemis pulled her hand away and turned her head away again. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore, Apollo. Just leave me alone.”
Apollo stood up and walked towards the door. “I’ll be outside if you need me, Artemis. And I’m not leaving until you take a shower and eat something.”
Artemis rolled her eyes and muttered, “Bossy know-it-all.”
Apollo chuckled and said, “You love me, and you know it.”
Artemis didn’t respond, but Apollo knew she was listening. He opened the door and stepped outside, leaving the tray of food behind.
Artemis lay in bed for a few more minutes, then sighed and got up. She took a shower and put on clean clothes, then sat down at the table and picked at the food on the tray. She heard a knock on the door and called out, “I’m eating, Apollo. You can come in now.”
Apollo opened the door and stepped inside. “I’m glad to see you eating, Artemis. You need to keep your strength up.”
Artemis rolled her eyes. “Don’t start, Apollo. I’m eating, aren’t I?”
Apollo grinned. “Yes, you are. And I’m proud of you.”
Artemis snorted. “Proud of me? For eating a measly sandwich?”
Apollo shook his head. “No, proud of you for facing your problems head-on. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, Artemis.”
Artemis looked away, her eyes filling with tears again. “I don’t feel strong, Apollo. I feel weak and vulnerable.”
Apollo walked over and sat down next to her. “That’s normal, Artemis. But you can’t let those feelings consume you. You need to channel them into something positive.”
Artemis looked at him, her eyes filled with determination. “You’re right, Apollo. I won’t let this define me. I’ll come back stronger than ever.”
Apollo smiled. “That’s the spirit, Artemis. Now, finish your food and get some rest. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.”
Artemis nodded and finished her sandwich. She lay down in bed, feeling a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in weeks. Apollo was right. She was stronger than she thought, and she would come back stronger than ever.
As she drifted off to sleep, she couldn’t help but smile. Apollo might be a bossy know-it-all, but he was also her rock, her confidant, and her best friend. She was lucky to have him in her life.
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