Free House of the Rising Son by Sherrilyn Kenyon

new respect for her Ēperon and what they went through in battle.
    â€œDid you feel that? ” Apollo growled as he seized her again. He reached for the top of her gown.
    Suddenly, he went flying past her as an enraged bellow sounded.
    A blur followed after him and slammed him into the wall. It took her several seconds before she realized it was Aricles beating on the god.
    â€œAricles!” she breathed, rushing toward him before Apollo recovered enough to return the attack.
    As soon as she touched his arm, he stopped pounding on Apollo and stepped back. “Are you all right, my goddess?”
    She cupped his cheek and nodded then she turned to face Apollo.
    He pushed himself up from the floor, glaring at them. “I demand retribution for his hubris.”
    She bit back her furious disbelief. “Hubris? How so?”
    â€œHe attacked a god.”
    â€œTo protect a god. His actions were justified and you should be grateful I don’t unleash him on you for what you dared. You know better.”
    Apollo spat the blood in his mouth onto the ground, where it made a bright red splatter. “I will have my revenge on him for this.”
    â€œTouch him and I will have your heart in my fist. Now get out of here while you’re able.”
    Aricles didn’t dare move for fear of what he’d do to Apollo until the god was gone. But as soon as they were alone, he cupped Bathymaas’s cheek in his hand to study the bruise that was forming on her delicate skin. “You should have allowed me to kill him.”
    â€œAnd risk his mother or father calling out for your head? Never.”
    He pulled her gently against him and held her in the safety of his arms. “I should have been here for you.”
    â€œYou were.”
    A tic worked furiously in his jaw. “What if he attacks you again?”
    â€œI will be careful.”
    â€œBathia…”
    She kissed him lightly to silence his protest. “Nothing’s going to happen to me. You’re the one I worry over. How did you know I needed you?”
    â€œI don’t know. I had a bad feeling and I couldn’t breathe until I got here.”
    Rising up on her tiptoes, she hugged him close. “I’m glad you came to investigate it.”
    *   *   *
    Apollo cursed as he saw his face in the mirror. That human bastard had ravaged his beauty. Fury made his hand tremble as he washed the blood from his lips, nose, and cheek.
    â€œWhat happened to you?”
    He met his mother’s shocked gaze in the mirror. Like him, she had golden-blond hair, but her eyes were the same color green as his twin sister, Artemis. “One of Bathymaas’s Ēperon attacked me.”
    â€œOn the battlefield?”
    â€œNo. I was just teasing her and the bastard started pounding on me.”
    His mother gaped. “Did she not punish him for it?”
    â€œOf course not. They’re her pets.”
    Leto lifted her chin as fury darkened her eyes. “And you are my son. How dare a mortal lay hand to you!” She closed the distance between them to gently inspect his face. “I will take this up with her immediately.”
    â€œShe won’t listen. I already demanded restitution and she said it was justified.”
    Leto curled her lip. “She’s no business being the final say on our kind. She’s too capricious with her laws of fairness. I’m still seething over how you and Artemis were forced to be born, and the curse Hera gave you both with no repercussions. No matter what that bitch says, it was not justified.”
    â€œBelieve me, Matisera, I know. I should rip the throat out of her Ēperon guard with my fangs and let her see for herself how fair that curse is.”
    â€œI would agree, but she’d only kill you for it and claim that as justice, too. No … we need something to take to the other gods. Something that shows she’s not impartial.”
    â€œLike