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Old Vows, Young Lovers
Burning for Love

Burning for Love

This story was originally going to be just three chapters, but I got an overwhelming amount of support that encouraged me to continue it.

BIG thank you to eessamaster1 for the incredible support and honestly for being the encouraging factor for me to continue this, or at least continue it this soon.

This is a pretty short chapter. Most of these early chapters are not that long, but the chapters in the 20s and 30s are quite extensive.

This chapter was rewritten and edited: 7/11/2024

Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 were combined into this one chapter on: 7/11/2024

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Beautiful skies shine across the horizon encasing the land in a beautiful solar light. The crystal clear waters of the ocean flow up and crash onto the beach. The sound of gulls can be heard on the horizon. The two lovers have slept long into the morning. The sun glows brightly on the land from its perch high in the sky. Artemis's time dictating the illumination of the land has come to an end. Apollo now imposes his will of life-giving rays of sunshine on the earth.

Birds fly in groups surveying the land from the sky, radiating in the natural gift of sunlight.

What they see from up there is the sight of Percy Jackson stirring from his sleep, opening his eyes to take in the beautiful landscape that dominates the cliff face and the surrounding forests. The forests surround their perch on the cliff face on all sides. Artemis, at least, still is surrounded by some of her domain.

He couldn't care less about anything to do with the surroundings, however, because, for the first time in his life, he woke up this morning next to a completely naked goddess. She is still snoozing soundly and peacefully in the crook of his arm. He only cares about the sight of his beautiful goddess. Her straight, auburn hair is cascaded all down her shoulders and over his chest. She puts the love goddess to shame with her beauty. She is the most beautiful woman in all of creation, and she is all his.

Gazing down upon the beautiful sight of Artemis's gorgeous form brings back blissful memories of the night before, and how the formerly virgin goddess gave herself to him. He occupies the entire space in her heart. He knows now that she loves him just as much as he loves her… something that he was not so sure of at this time yesterday.

He can see all of the bite marks that he left on her perfect form. He feels tremendous pride seeing all of those marks.

"Last night was incredible, magical... Like a dream come true, she broke her oath... for me. I am the luckiest man in the world." Percy thinks to himself with great pride.

Percy is tightly hugging her to him with an arm wrapped around her. The goddess feels very safe in the crook of his arm. She is sleeping on his arm right against his chest like it is the most comfortable place to sleep in the entire world. He lifts the hand that is holding her against him and rubs it on her back. He pushes the strand of hair that is intruding on her beautiful face and pushes it behind her ear.

He would rather not take the chance of someone finding a nude virgin goddess in bed with the son of Poseidon. He also thinks that they should probably get going sooner or later. It would be best if they got back to the hunt sooner rather than later.

"Aaaarty," he whispers in her ear then places a kiss on her forehead.

She stirs ever so slightly in his arms. Percy smiles as she annoyingly mumbles something about being awoken. Suddenly, she moves her head and looks right up at him.

"Good morning, love." He cooes lovingly.

She gives him a content smile.

"Good morning, Percy. What time is it?" She says rubbing her eyes with her hands. The action makes the blanket retreat to just barely above her breasts.

That is… disappointing. He had expected her to say something more romantic, but whatever. He had this vague hope for a morning session, but those hopes are gone now.

"I'd say it's roughly noon… we must have exhausted ourselves last night." Percy teases with the hope to elicit a response from the goddess.

She blushes golden at that.

"Mhm, last night..." She murmurs, smiling to herself. All of the memories come rushing into her mind all at once… There are so many thoughts that are running through her head.

Percy doesn't like the hesitation that he detected in her voice. Hearing this, Percy says: "Do you... regret it?"

"NO! Of course not." She replies frantically. She should have figured that Percy would ask her that. If there is one thing she can always count on Percy to do, it is to question a good thing.

Percy did not even realize that there had been a weight on his shoulders. The feeling of dread that she would wake up and regret what she did. That would destroy their relationship, but when he hears those words from her lips it lifts the weight off his shoulders all at once.

"Did you enjoy it?" He asks her and begins to gently caress her cheek with his thumb.

"gods yes..." she moans. Her eyes shine up at him with the sweetest love, and their lips connect with the most authentic love. She is a good kisser. Artemis learns fast, and they have been making out almost every single day.

After a few moments, he pulls away, smirking, looking into her eyes with love and passion. Looking at her, Percy can visibly read the love and... desire. In her eyes, he is surprised as she looks up and asks him the same question he asked her just moments before.

"Did you enjoy it, Percy?"

"I had the best time of my life, Arty. I loved it" He stopped and moved so he was over the top of her like he was last night. She looked up at him with love and devotion, and he could see the same look in her eyes that she had last night.

He whistles in memory of being in this same position last night, and he leans down to kiss her neck. She instantly reacts with a blush.

"Percy… You should be proud of yourself. You took the Moon goddess's virginity. She gave it to you because you are a good man."

"Thank you, Artemis."

She knows that the best reply to his gratitude is to kiss him. She wraps her arms around his neck and they begin to make out. They stay there passionately for a few moments before they pull away slowly.

"I would love to stay here forever, like this… Taking you, over and over, but I think we should get back to the hunters." He proposes to her. She blushes furiously, but she finally agrees with him.

She sighs and places a hand gently on his chest with just a gentle pressure signaling that she wishes for him to let her up. When he does, she sighs again brings the covers up to her chest, and sits up. She gazes around her at the wonder, indescribable view that is the surroundings. This was a perfect place for their first time. Neither of them will ever forget this wonderful moment… and the wonderful moments they have shared here.

"Yes, we should… shouldn't linger around out here like this." Artemis agrees. In an instant, she changed from the loving, passionate nymphomaniac he had in his bed last night to the goddess of the hunt.

Percy sighs. Maybe it was not a good idea to recommend they go back to the hunt. He hadn't realized it before, but now he realizes that he does not want to. Their romantic moment is gone now.

"Won't the huntresses ask about your bedridden hair?"

"It's possible, though I don't feel like brushing it out right now... And what? Are you scared? Aren't you supposed to be our fearless guardian, or some such?" Artemis mocks with a giggle. She knows how stupid that entire title and arrangement is. That is, by far, the dumbest title that Zeus ever came up with, but it was the right thing to do to offer Percy this position. She did not like the proposal at all when it was first made, but she agreed because she had respect for Percy.

"Of course not."

Artemis tilts her head to the side in thought.

"You're worried the huntresses won't take well to me not being a virgin goddess anymore?"

Percy walks up to her and puts his hands on her cheeks. He tells her that that is exactly what he is worried about. Neither of them really has any idea how this is going to change the future of the hunt, but Artemis knows that it will not be the same tomorrow as it is today, and it certainly won't be the same tomorrow as it was yesterday.

"Whatever happens, Percy, we will handle it together, right?"

Percy smiles and kisses her on the lips.

"Always."

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"Are you going to tell the hunters what happened? Or let them figure it out on their own?" Percy asks right after they appear on the outskirts of the camp.

"We will have to tell them."

Percy nods with understanding and they continue into the camp. He is not looking forward to having to tell them what happened… He didn't want to just go out in front of them and say "I railed your mistress!"

As they are walking through the camp, Percy grins.

"You know, Arty, last night… It was good to finally see an Olympian do some of the work for once."

She blushes bright gold.

"Shut up!" Artemis says with a blush in a not-so-convincing voice.

Percy just smirks and they continue their walk into camp. Big surprise, everything is exactly as they left it.

"What do the hunters usually do if they're left alone until noon?"

Artemis leads and Percy always follows behind. This time is no different, and she looks back over her shoulder in response to his question.

"You've been here for two years now. You know. Thalia is left in charge, and they all train and do chores." She lectures with professorial righteousness and an unceremoniously objectifying eye roll.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

They walked through camp, not a hunter in sight, so they went to the dining pavilion. No one was there either…

"Well, should we split up?" He asks with uncertainty while she has her back turned to him.

She turns back to him suddenly and tells him that that seems like a good idea.

"Hmm, must be doing chores or at the archery range." She adds and walks out of the dining pavilion.

"Percy, you check the river where we do laundry, and I'll check the archery range. Bring them all back here if you find them. We need to share the news as soon as possible." She finished.

Percy raises an eyebrow, but he does not argue. With a little bit of pep in his step, he sets off towards the river, and Arty sets off toward the archery range.

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When Percy got to the river, it was of course void of all life... Except the Naiads of course, who were more than happy to wave at him flirtatiously, and smile invitingly. They always do. They stay around here and present themself as the son of the Kind of the Sea. It is mildly irritating seeing them whenever he goes down to the river, but Artemis… She is infuriated seeing them. It was especially embarrassing whenever he was here at the river with Atalanta. She helped him with all of the chores that he was assigned when he first got here. He owes her a lot.

The hunters are nowhere to be found in this spot.

"Well, that probably saves me some embarrassment." Percy chuckles to himself, and just as he is about to turn around and walk away, he hears a familiar voice call to him.

"Still that bad, huh?"

He immediately smiles and turns around. There she is, swinging her legs back and forth while sitting on top of a rock next to the water, Hestia. His adoptive mother, and one of his biggest supporters.

"I dare say it's getting better… What are you doing here?" He asks, sincere, and looking into her warm, fire-filled eyes.

"Hmm, why else would I come to the camp of the huntress of my niece? To talk to you, of course!" She replies with mock sarcasm.

Percy chuckles warmly, "I couldn't imagine why you would want to talk to me."

"Oh, please Percy…" She blows off with an eye roll, "I know what you did last night. I'm happy for you. I hope it works out."

He looked at her surprised and asked how she knew about it.

"You're my adopted son, of course I know what happens in your life. Mothers know everything Percy, and so does my hearth."

"Oh, you approve? Really?" He asks with mild surprise.

"Of course I approve, Percy. I want what is best for you, and I know that Artemis makes you happier than anything. You are a good man, and Artemis certainly believes that you are, as well. You earned her love and respect. I am so proud of you. Whatever you do, do not let her go."

Percy smiles brightly and hugs her.

"Thank you, Hestia, that means a lot."

"You're welcome. Do you love her?" She asked.

He responded without hesitation, "With all my heart, and more."

"I know you do, I just had to hear it myself. What made you pick her? Of all the goddesses you could have had, why the man-hating one? She's plenty attractive, but I know you and that's not why."

"I chose her because I knew she held the same values that I do, I knew she'd be completely faithful, just like me. I couldn't go through the same thing that Annabeth did to me, not again… The fact she's gorgeous, and that she already respected me making it easier, were just added benefits, among a long list of other things." He explained.

Hestia looked at him, nodding her head, with a smile on her face.

"I don't think she deserves you, no one does, but I do know that you deserve to be happy, and as long as you're happy with her then I approve. The other Olympians won't be as understanding, I'm sure… I love you, Percy, and watch yourself." She told him.

"Where are you going, now?"

"Don't know. Maybe go back to my palace and bake some cookies, and take a nap." She said, yawning right on time for emphasis.

"You look tired… What happened?" He asked, concerned.

"I'm the hearth goddess, fire needs energy to burn, and after your... activities last night, I'm rather… ah, burnt out." She jokes offhandedly, and Percy chuckles.

"Stay here in the hunter's camp for a while, Percy. My little brother probably won't be too happy when he finds out who took Artemis's virginity." She warned.

"I will, thank you, Hestia. I Love you."

"Love you, too, Percy." She replied, and with that she disappeared in an inferno, leaving a burn mark on the grass around the rock that she had been sitting on.

"You couldn't dream of a better mother than Hestia… Now, time to find Arty." Percy tells himself with pride and heads off to find his girlfriend back in the hunter's camp.

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When Artemis arrives at the archery range, she quickly realizes that she is right, and the hunters are there. It's quite pathetic though because, instead of practicing and instructing the younger hunters, they were competing against each other in a contest.

"This is what they get up to when I leave? Instead of practicing?" She sighs as she thinks to herself.

She suddenly sees Thalia sitting on the sidelines watching the hunters with Atalanta and Phoebe sitting a distance away. At least her lieutenant has better morals than to compete in this pointless content, but then again, she is the one condoning it.

As soon as she walks over to Thalia she gets noticed right away.

"Good afternoon, My Lady," Thalia says with a bow of her head.

Artemis chuckled, "What? No 'Where the Hades have you been all morning?' or something?" She asks lightheartedly with a giggle.

"I-I wouldn't dare, of course, though I did wonder..." Thalia says as she begins to trail off.

Artemis just rolls her eyes and says, "Ok, whatever, I need you to gather all of the hunters in the dining pavilion. There is something I need to announce to everyone." Artemis tells her seriously, and Thalia nods and runs off toward the group. Artemis is too lazy to walk back to the camp, so she finds a tree to hide behind and flashes herself back to the camp.

When she gets there all she can think is: "How am I going to do this? What will they think?"

She quickly spots Percy walking back from the river not too far off, and she sighs as she goes to talk to him.

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Surprisingly, it did not take long for Thalia to get all of the hunters together in the dining pavilion. Almost none of them seem particularly happy to be there. Today has been a pretty lame day for them, so they all must be bored.

Artemis takes a moment to look at all of her hunters to make sure they are all here. They are all seated around the table inside the dining pavilion, and most of them look either bored or curious. Some of them look expectant and some look as if they know exactly what this meeting is for. One of the huntresses is Atalanta. Percy is seated directly to Artemis's right. Thalia is seated to Artemis's left, and down the table beside Thalia is both Phoebe and then Atalanta.

When she looks at Percy, and he nods to her, she decides to just go for it and get this over with. The hunters are very confused when they see the obvious, silent communication between their mistress and her lover. The huntresses know that Percy and Artemis are in a relationship, but they do not know to what extent.

Well, they will certainly know in just a few moments…

Artemis takes a deep breath to prepare herself for what is about to happen.

"You all know that Percy and I are serious in our relationship," Artemis begins. Some of the hunters seem to be content and accepting of the fact. Most of them nod their heads while others seem to still be bored.

"Good, but before I tell you the real reason I had you all gather here, I am going to state that if you wish to leave after, I won't stop you and no one else will either." She states with resignation in her voice.

Most of the hunters have an expression of confusion, anticipation, anxiousness, and raised eyebrows painting their faces like a canvas.

"So without delaying this any longer, you all should know that I am no longer a maiden goddess." She finishes quickly, and she braces herself for the backlash that she is about to receive. Percy has been really quiet, and that is very smart of him.

Hearing how bluntly and suddenly she put it, Percy grimaces too, likely anticipating the backlash that they both are going to get and the accusations of who knows what that he could be facing now

There are significantly fewer shocked expressions on the faces of the huntresses than Percy or Artemis anticipated there to be; however, the more experienced and older hunters reacted like this:

"WHAT?!" Phoebe immediately shouts, standing up and balling her fists incredulously. Phoebe has always been hot-tempered, and outright cruel sometimes, which is influenced by more than a few things. She is the eldest of all the hunters, even older than Zoe, and she had a very rough upbringing before she joined the hunt. She does not like Percy, and she does not believe that he should be dating Artemis. She has made his life very hard for him in the hunt, and she has not stopped doing so, either.

Percy raises an eyebrow at her outburst, and he is stunned that the hunter would so openly challenge her patron. Thalia has the same expression, but she stays out of this. Atalanta looks on with interest and reserve waiting to see how this plays out. She is already deep in thought as she is analyzing everything that has been told tonight. Realizing that this is about to get heated, however, Atalanta decides to attempt and cool the situation.

"Back off, Phoebe." Is all that is said by the highly respected Atalanta before things could escalate further.

"Percy and I are very close. We have been sleeping together for quite a while, but last night was the first time that we decided to take things to the highest level in our relationship. I have no regrets about what happened, and to any of you who have reservations about this prospect, I was the one who started it." Artemis says definitively as she braces for any other feedback that they could be getting.

The hunters all look dumbfounded; however, at that same time, a good lot of them groan and pass bags of drachma around as if they are in one of the mortal's casinos. The ones that received bags also were wearing a triumphant and completely content expressions. Artemis notices that a good number of the bags ended up in front of Thalia, and to everyone's surprise, the second biggest pile of bags was in front of Atalanta. Atalanta, the second eldest huntress, places the bags behind her like she is trying to hide them and goes back to looking as if nothing happened. The hunters who got money look about like a weatherman who predicted the first storm of their career.

Percy and Artemis look completely surprised with their eyebrows raised. They both look confused, but it was Percy who figured it out first amongst the two of them.

Thalia is the one to break the silence that has taken over the dining pavilion as she senses the confusion and bafflement of the two lovers.

"We placed bets, or most of us did… On whether or not Artemis would lose her maiden vow and who would be the one to start it." She explains.

A few moments go by before Artemis finally asks: "So, you all aren't upset about this?" Relief and shock in her beautiful voice.

Almost poetically, everyone looks at Phoebe immediately as if to answer the question with another question. Phoebe is not happy, and before anything else can be said, she storms out of the pavilion.

Percy's eyes follow her as she leaves. He is not necessarily concerned about Phoebe's opinion of him, but she holds incredible leverage in the hunt. Every single huntress looks up to her because of her wisdom and experience.

"No," Thalia says in response and Atalanta is nodding beside her. She has not said a word yet other than the thing she said to Phoebe. She seems to be analyzing this all on overtime. "We are happy for you. Both of you deserve to be happy, and Percy especially deserves to have some fun after everything he has gone through."

Artemis's face turns slightly golden, and Percy coughs into his fist in embarrassment. He needs a shower after all of this.

"I don't see anything wrong with this either, but I do have to raise the question of how this will affect the hunt moving forward? " Atalanta comments with absolutely no disapproval in her voice but with just a slight bit of confusion and hesitation.

Everyone holds this huntress in incredibly high respect and pride. She is so much like Artemis in every single way and hearing her approval is very reassuring.

"For now there will not be any changes in the hunt. I will, later, change the hunter's oath so that you all will not be bound to be maidens anymore. I know you will like that, Atalanta." she says, and Atalanta grins with excitement.

"That is, unless any of you think there should be any changes because of this?" She raises.

The rest of the hunters are silent as some of them shake their heads in disbelief. There are mixed feelings about the prospect of changing the hunter's oath.

"No? Ok, then there won't be any changes, as of now. I found the right man to be with, and I am happy. I want that for any of you if you so desire, and there should not be anything keeping you from doing so anymore. If you choose to remain maidens, then that's great, but if you do find a male that you accept and love, then just know that there won't be any consequences if you wish to pursue him. Just tell me first, or Thalia at least." She explains with motherly love, and the rest of the hunters nod in approval waiting for her to dismiss them.

"Don't let Apollo hear you say that…" Percy comments humorously. Some of the hunters groan audibly, and it is because the last thing they need is Apollo hitting on them any more than he already does.

"I know this change is sudden and drastic, and I know that some of you might have things to say in response to this that may not be friendly, and I perfectly understand. Also, I know many of you have already, but do your best to accept Percy… Alright? Zoe respected him, and she befriended him before she died. Thalia and Percy are practically siblings, they are so close, so, please… Don't hold any hard feelings towards him, because he truly hasn't done anything to deserve them. All he's ever done is treat us all with kindness." She finishes with her voice sincere and friendly. The hunters nod in agreement and smile welcoming Percy. They are mostly content with what has happened today.

Percy turns his head and looks at Artemis with a warm smile. He will thank her well, later, but right now he wraps an arm around her form and pulls her to him, right in front of all the hunters, letting them see how in love they are and that Artemis accepts Percy.

She is slightly embarrassed and surprised, but she rests her head against his shoulder as the hunters watch them. Most of them are filing out now, but the pens who stayed are watching their close bond and seeing how in love they are. Most of them have at least seen Percy and Artemis kiss, but now? Now they all see that Percy and Artemis's relationship has gone to the next level. It puts everything in perspective to see how much the goddess of the hunt has changed. Does this mark new beginnings? Or will things continue as they have?

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A/N- Welp, there we have it! This chapter was originally two separate chapters, but I combined it into one chapter.

Thanks to eessaamaster1 for the continued support! Also thanks to him the hunters are gamblers! Cool beans! What's Thalia gonna spend all her drachma on? Only can find out, right?

I welcome all feedback and criticism so long as it is constructive. Check me out on Discord; the link is in my bio.

Take care and be safe!

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