“How would that work? If I was reclusive, then no one would know I had money to help people.”
Apollo side-eyed his sister. “Get Coda to set it up for you. Believe me, if you’re giving away grants for worthy causes, then people will find you online. In fact, if you clear it with Father first, you will probably find that Coda’s team would set up the site for you, leak the information to the right places, and organize your trust and whatever else is needed, along with a suitable background story about who you were and why you were doing what you were doing.
“No networking required, no having to deal with people who don’t treat you with respect. The whole thing could be conducted remotely, and you can probably get Coda to screen all the applications for funds. All you and your assistants would need to do is hand out money two or three times a year, after determining the most genuine and worthy causes.”
“You sound very confident.” Now Artemis was side-eyeing him. “Have you had a prophecy about this?”
“Hmm, I’ve seen you as a successful businesswoman, yes. I believe the key to your success will come from eliminating the parts of your business ideas that are stressful for you.”
Artemis was quiet for a moment, but she was sitting up straighter, and that was an improvement. “Those are good ideas. I can work with that. I don’t know when you got so wise. Mating must agree with you.”
“I’m not wise, I just see things differently,” Apollo said gently. “I just want to help people. I’m like you in that respect. But I do it personally, in small groups and in small ways, not looking for any recognition for it, because I’m happy the way I am. That will be the key to your success as well.” He strummed a few strings on his lyre. “I can promise you that much.”
Artemis went to say something, but then they both looked up as they heard another voice yelling, “Apollo! Apollo! We’ve got the trip sorted. Are you ready to go? Dad says you’ve been out here for ages. Uncle Regis is on his way. He says he’ll be here in twenty minutes. You’re not ready for your date night yet.”
Apollo’s grin widened as he saw Cassius running up the small hill. Artemis stood up, but she seemed frozen, and when Cassius saw her, he slowed down, eyeing her curiously as well.
A godly standoff with a curious child.Apollo swallowed his chuckle. Artemis and Cassius were walking around each other, as if neither one of them could make sense of what they were seeing.
“You’re like Apollo,” Cassius said at last. “You don’t glow as brightly, but you look like him.”
“I can assure you that I look like myself, young man. Who is this person?” Artemis looked at Apollo.
“This is my son Cassius,” Apollo said proudly. “As I told you, I have a family now. Cassius, this is my sister. So that makes her your aunt. Say hello to Aunt Artemis.”
“Artemis!” Cassius’s eyes widened, and he clapped his hands. “I’ve read about you. Is it true you have a hound? Do you have a dog? Can I see it?”
“I haven’t had a hound for some years, young man.” Artemis scratched at her neck and then patted her hair. “I used to have them, yes. Are you fond of dogs?”
“I am,” Cassius said, nodding wildly. “But we can’t really have one because Dad turns into a wolf, and that would scare any dog we had. Oh…” He looked at Apollo quickly. “That was alright to say that wasn’t it? Artemis is like you.”
“Yes,” Apollo said. “Anything you say in our house and garden is safe.”
“Phew. That’s good. But yes,” Cassius seemed determined to fill Artemis in on all the happenings. “It’s Dad and Apollo’s anniversary. They’ve been together a whole month. Uncle Regis is coming to babysit me, but it’s not babysitting, because he told me so.
“We’re going to sit up and watch movies and eat popcorn while Dad and Apollo are out. Uncle Regis says I can stay up late if I want to, which is just gonna be so much fun. Did you want to come and watch movies and eat popcorn too, Aunty Artemis?”
“Unfortunately, I have somewhere else to be tonight,” Artemis said, “otherwise I would gladly come.” She crouched down so she could meet Cassius’s eyes. “You’re a very special young man, aren’t you?”
“You’re an extra special lady,” Cassius said, and then they both grinned, which was something Apollo never believed he would ever see. Maybe there was hope for Artemis after all.
Straightening up, Artemis said, “I will come and see you again real soon, Cassius. Right now, I have to make some changes to my business. Your Apollo has been very helpful.”
“He’s always helping me.” Cassius grinned, showing his teeth, and Apollo grinned back.
“Enjoy your date night, Apollo. Genuinely. Have a good time. I’ll see you again soon.” Artemis shimmered before disappearing.
“She seems nice,” Cassius said, reaching out his hand. “You have to get up now. Dad told me to come and get you. He’s busy fussing with the way he looks, and he can’t work out what to wear.”
“That’s a bit silly,” Apollo said, getting up, sending his lyre back to it’s shelf in the house, and brushing off the back of his pants. He took Cassius’s hand, and they started walking down the hill. “Your dad looks very handsome to me in anything that he wears. Is he taking me somewhere special, do you know?”
“Oh, yes, I know. He said he’s a...” Cassius slapped his hand over his mouth and shook his head. “No, Apollo, it’s a surprise,” he said when he moved his hand away. “Dad said it was a surprise. But, oh, look.” He pointed to where a car was parking in front of the house. “There’s Uncle Regis now. I hope he remembered the popcorn.”
“There’ll be popcorn in the kitchen,” Apollo said, but Cassius was off running to greet his uncle, who he adored as well.
“Uncle Regis, Uncle Regis, you can shift here now. Apollo said the wards are up. You can let your wolf out.”
“I thought I’d come and say hello first,” Regis said. “How have you been doing, young man? After the week I’ve had, I’m looking forward to watching some movies and hanging out with you.” He swung Cassius up into his arms as Apollo ducked into the house.
