“You need to abstain from physical affairs for the next several days, unless you’d like to be with child.”

Lou’s face turned apple red, and she scooted away from Artemis, distancing herself from the awkwardness.

My shoulders slouched, and I sighed. “Can you please tell me why the both of you are here? We need to start rowing, and this conversation isn’t exactly keeping us on task,” I grumbled, hoping Lou wouldn’t bring up my mad family once they were gone. Maybe we could pretend like this never happened.

“Yes, you do need to be on your way,” my father said, popping up at the boat’s stern, behind Lou and Artemis.

Lou spun and clutched her chest, staring at our new guest.

“The three of us would like to offer you some godly gifts for your trial.” A bronze bow hung across Delphi’s back, one I’d never seen before. He wore a white chiton, baring much of his chest, and two gold bracers at his wrists. The wool outfit was not a Cava tradition, which made me wonder if he had just visited Zeus on Mt. Olympus.

Artemis twisted to face him. “Brother, how lovely for you to join us,” said Artemis. “Elouise, this is my twin, Rylander’s father, Apollo. I believe you know him as King Delphi. I don’t mind the grey hair, brother. Makes you look wiser.”

Delphi dipped his head to Lou and ignored his sister. Thick lashes fanned his face as his blue eyes pierced into mine. I read a rare show of concern in his features.

“It’s lovely to see you again, Elouise.”

Lou turned back to face me. “Your family will be the death of me,” she whispered.

My father’s jaw popped ever so slightly, then he coughed, bringing the attention back to himself. “We each have a token that will aid in your fight with Queen Lorelei.” He stood and glided to the center of the boat without rocking it. “Artemis, you may present yours first.”

My aunt snapped her fingers, and a golden arrow appeared between them. She handed it to me. “Rather than kill, this arrow will transform whomever you hit into a deer.” A suitable gift for the goddess of the hunt, with dominion over the animals and the forest.

Lou frowned. “Why would we need that?” she asked.

Artemis shrugged. “To remove someone from harm’s way, to spare a life blocking your path, or you may find it amusing. Its use is determined by you. The transformation will wear off in a couple hours, and they will return to their prior form unscathed.”

I rotated the weapon, inspecting its fine craftsmanship. I wondered if, in truth, my aunt had intended this for Lou, so she could make it out alive. If that were the case, I’d forgive her mortifying behavior. A gift to save Lou was worth all the embarrassment in the world.