Watching Artemis put on a generous front while clearly being reluctant in every possible way, Russell found it amusing. Just as he was about to say something else, a voice transmission reached his ears, and he froze slightly.
"What is it?"
"A'e sent me a message. Hera is outside the hall, saying she has urgent business to discuss."
Russell raised a brow. Hera coming to see him at this hour was probably because she wanted to discuss a major deal. She might even be planning to kidnap his child as a hostage.
"Send her away. Don't let her in."
"Why? It might be something good!"
Russell raised a brow. "Yesterday, after Hecate beat... cough, cough, ambushed and knocked you out, Hera came to see me once. That was how I obtained Zeus's inheritance—the Authority of the Sky representing the position of King of Gods."
"So?"
Artemis gave him a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Hera feels unworthy of the position, so she came tonight to offer up the Authority of Marriage, allowing you and Hecate to become a pair and shroud the world in darkness?"
"Not bad. You've got ideas."
Russell's eyes lit up. It was a good idea, very Olympus. And Olympus belonged to him now.
"You really think so?"
Artemis frowned in anger and reached over to twist his waist.
"Don't be jealous for no reason. If I really wanted to do something to Hera, I would've done it last night. Why wait until today?"
Russell caught Artemis's little hand and moved the deadly weapon aside. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "This and that... then that and this... and wouldn't the Authority of Marriage be ours?"
"You're so bad!"
"Do you like it?"
"Mm."
A moment later, the uneasy Hera met with Russell.