Illustrated Fiction: Just Dance (Artemis / Penthesileia)
Hello my lovely demigoddesses and demigods,
please enjoy this sapphic treat of Artemis rewarding Penthesileia for her outstanding dance performance.
The illustration was created by the amazing Sinita, who worked off a reference for armour and my first version of Artemis looking "like Makoto (Sailor Jupiter) from Sailor Moon" 😁
The illustration is available here for download below the cut.
I hope you enjoy both the story and the beautiful illustration!
Glossary
Agrotera: the Huntress, a surname of Artemis.
aspis: ἀσπίς, a heavy wooden shield used by the infantry in ancient Greece.
pteryges: πτέρυγες, "feathers", are strip-like defences for the upper parts of limbs, the iconic skirt-like ancient Greek armour.
chitoniskos: "little chiton", a short chiton, reaching only to the mid-thigh.
Otrere: the first Queen of the Amazons, the consort of Ares and mother of Hippolyte and Penthesileia. She is credited with being the founder of the shrine of Artemis in Ephesos.
cuirass: a piece of armour that covers the torso, generally both a breastplate and a backplate piece.
strophion: a linen breastband, ancestor of the bra
kitharoidos: professional musician who plays the kithara, a large lyre.
potnia: lady, mistress
Phoibê: "the radiant one", a surname of Artemis as Phoibos is a surname of her brother Apollon.
Paphian: Aphrodite, after Paphos, the place where she was said to have first set foot after her birth from the sea and cult centre of her worship.
Just Dance
For you, too, the Amazons, whose mind is set on war, in Ephesos beside the sea established a wooden image beneath an oak trunk, and Hippo performed a holy rite for you, and, O Queen Oupis, around the image they danced a war-dance with shields and in armour, and then in a broad circle dance.
Hymn to Artemis (237-250) by Callimachus
Penthesileia had practised for this all year. The festival of Artemis. The festival where they would perform an erotic war dance for the goddess and hope that she’d be pleased. It wasn't enough to just go through the motions. She had rejected performances in the past. She had denied good aim and good health to those who failed her. Penthesileia wouldn't fail her. She had refined her dance to perfection. Her armour was polished, her body purified. The music was lovely, played by amazons unable to participate in war nor dance due to age, disability or pregnancy. Penthesileia watched her sisters in arms hop and sway to charm the far-shooting Huntress before stepping into the circle herself. The music kept on playing, always the same base rhythm with playful melodies on top of it. She raised her arms, spear in one hand, aspis shield in the other. Her war cry sounded over the audience of amazons, riling them up for the display they were about to witness. Penthesileia slammedthe butt of her spear on the ground with a thud. She spun so fast into a mock attack, the pterygesof her armour flew like a flimsy dress. Her body followed in rhythm of the music, all movements timed with precision. In war, everyone had to rely on each other. Their manoeuvrers needed to be perfectly in order. Penthesileia danced, thinking of the goddess watching her, thinking of the goddess judging her every move, thinking of the goddess enjoying her erotic display. She held her spear in front of her, arching against it in sensual motions. She glided her hand down her own body, bent and leapt. She went all out. She ended the dance with her fingers framing her tongue in an obscenely erotic gesture. She was hot and sweaty and the dust of the arena clung to her like the world’s ugliest cosmetics. She bowed towards the image of Artemis and left the arena.
When she entered her chamber after the circle dance, she froze. There was a woman on her bed! A woman she was certain she didn't leave there herself! She lowered her spear.
"Who is there?" she demanded to know. A dark chuckle came in reply. The woman stood and she was taller than any woman Penthesileia had ever seen, even though the amazons were a tribe of fairly tall women. She towered over her, dark hair gathered at the back of her head, a chitoniskos falling only to her mid-thigh, and girded around her breasts. Her arms were muscular, but not overly so, unusual for a wife, not out of the ordinary for an amazon. Her eyes were bright and piercing like flaming arrows.
"Greetings, Daughter of Otrere."
"Greetings," Penthesileia replied. "What are you doing in my quarters, stranger?"
The tall woman laughed, low and melodious.
"I thoroughly enjoyed your dance, princess. I thought I'd have a private encore."
"That was a sacred offering!" Penthesileia snapped. "Not entertainment!"
"Oh, I beg to differ." An otherworldly glow emanated from the stranger. "It is pure entertainment. After all, you perform these dances for me. Isn't that right?"
Penthesileia gaped, unable to move. The mortal disguise burnt from the stranger’s flesh like an old garment. She was even more beautiful in all her radiant, divine glory.
"Now, little dancer, I should very much like a private show." The goddess was tall, taller even than her, her body toned from shooting her bow and thrusting her hunting spear. One wrong word and she might destroy her at will. Penthesileia gulped. It was strangely thrilling.
"Have you lost your speech?"
Penthesileia shook her head.
"No, Lady Artemis of the Golden Shafts Who Shoots From Afar. I shall dance for you. Only for you!"
"Good girl. Now let's take off this beautiful piece."
She ran her fingers over the gilded cuirass that protected Penthesileia’s torso. Artemis unclasped it and helped her out of the breastplate. She was soaked underneath, her bright red chiton dark with perspiration. Embarrassed, she turned to put the armour away, quickly pulling off the damp clotheswhile she was at it. Artemis gave her a smirk. She unlaced her sandals and made herself comfortable on the bed, watching her like the huntress she was. Penthesileia sweated. If the stage fright was bad before, it was a thousand times worse now.
"Unpack those beautiful breasts, princess. I want to see them."
Penthesileia blushed beneath her plumed helmet. She nestled with her strophion, the linen wraps that supported her breasts and kept them flat against her chest when she wore armour.
"That's right, take it off, girl."
Artemis stretched on the bed, looking content. Penthesileia rolled up the linen band and sorted it away. She took off her sandals.
"Now bend, princess. Show me that toned backside. Give it a slap, just for me."
Penthesileia blushed but she complied, pushing the pteryges aside to expose her buttocks and give herself a resounding slap.
"Good girl. Now dance for me."
Penthesileia timidly swayed to inaudible music, the crest on her helmet wooshing along.
"Oh, that's right."
Soft lyre music began to play, as if a kitharoidos sat right among them. Penthesileia stared. But there was no one there. Artemis was a goddess, she shouldn't be too surprised. And yet this disembodied music was nothing short of a miracle. Artemis clapped and she hurried to match her rhythm, now without her spear or shield. Just her, half undressed. But Artemis seemed to enjoy what she saw.
"You know that Terpsichore is the most beautiful of the Muses?"
Penthesileia shook her head. Ranking any gods or goddesses was not a sage thing to do, ever.
"Well, she is," Artemis told her matter-of-factly. "She's petite, lean build with insane muscle tone. She commands her body like a chariot. And I've seen it in the bedroom. The crazy things you can do with an athletic lover... She’s dance of all kinds. She infused you with her essence when you danced, I am sure of it."
"Then she has my gratitude for helping me please you, Potnia."
Artemis chuckled.
"You honoured her with your performance just as you honoured me. And your father too, I guess."
As a god, Ares was not as present as a human father might have been but he loved her and Hippolyte fiercely, of that much Penthesileia was certain.
"I did my best."
"Your best was great." Artemis licked her lips. "Now flash me that cunt."
"...What?"
"Just like your bum. Show me."
Blushing, Penthesileia turned towards her. She pulled aside the pterygesand gave her vulva a playful pat.
"Hmmm, like that." Artemis watched her with hungry eyes, slipping one hand between her legs. "Now let me see your gorgeous tits."
Penthesileia shook her torso, her breasts jiggling. Aphrodite had blessed her with a nice, perky pair. She grabbed one in each hand, squeezed them, rubbed them, all for the benefit of her goddess watching. A soft moan came from divine lips. Penthesileia glided her hands down her breasts, over the plane of her toned belly to her hairless pubic triangle, watching Artemis whose gaze followed her like a hawk. She took one of the leather straps and slid it over her cunt, between her legs. She pressed against it, delighting in the friction. It was just teasing, having a bit of silly fun, but it felt nice. Artemis swallowed.
"Come here," she told her, voice rough with desire.
Penthesileia obeyed, approaching the bed. Artemis extended her arm, beckoning her closer.
"Don't be shy."
Penthesileia climbed on her own bed, greaves clinking. She was in awe but she wasn’t shy, never!
"Give me a view."
Penthesileia pulled the leather strips aside. Artemis stared at her womanhood, hungry and unashamed.
"So pretty."
The Huntress moved swiftly and took off the pteryges and the greaves, leaving nothing but her helmet on.
"Now give me a more lascivious dance," she demanded. “I want to see the smouldering temptress who bedded women beyond counting.” Penthesileia smirked. She swayed to the sensual lyre music, swinging her hips in slow, deliberate circles. Her hands glided over her curves, her torso, her thighs as she danced to the music. Artemis watched her every move. She didn't comment. Didn't request. Just watched, silently drinking in the performance. Penthesileia closed her eyes, just let herself feel the rhythm, the vibration of the invisible lyre. She felt the divine aura, even though she couldn't see. A warm, powerful presence, caressing her. Like the warmth of a bonfire after returning from battle. She spread her legs wide to give the goddess an excellent view, just to withdraw again with a shake of her arse. Teasing. A little bratty. She knelt on the floor, crouching, her thighs apart wide enough that her entrance gaped open. If Artemis would take her eventually?
And then she felt Artemis' hands on her, caressing her, pulling her close. She opened her eyes. Artemis smiled.
"Ready to be kissed by a goddess, princess?"
Penthesileia chuckled.
"Oh yes! I feared you’d never ask!"
She pressed against Artemis, lightly pushing her into the sheets before getting on top of her and smooching her like she wanted to become one. Artemis ground against her as they kissed, her bush rubbing against Penthesileia's polished mound. She bit back a moan. Artemis' hands slid down her back and grabbed her arse, squeezing the plump flesh.
"I heard Aphrodite gave you all her gifts," the goddess said, "But I didn't realise that it was true. She gave you beauty. She gave you grace and an undeniable seductive ease. She must love you."
"She does," Penthesileia replied with a fond smile on her face. Aphrodite had taught her about the art of love and how it existed side by side with the art of war. How close she was with Ares. She had blessed her. That was why she was beautiful now, when her sister was plain.
"We do not often see eye to eye, the Paphian and I," Artemis said, "But we both care for the Amazons. She will make sure that you always have daughters to fill your ranks. And I will make sure you always have game to feed yourselves. As long as you keep dancing for me as beautifully as you did tonight." She smiled. "Skilled, beautiful women will always catch my attention."
Penthesileia grinned.
"With a flaming arrow to the heart?"
"Don't be too cheeky, princess. My wrath, as you will know, is legendary."
"I would never hope to incur your wrath, Phoibê. In fact, I wish to please you. Whether with my dance or with my cunt."
“So now that the armour is off you feel bold, girl? Don't be deceived. I like women. But I don't become stupid with desire like some members of my family.”
"Maybe you haven't met the right girl, then."
Penthesileia winked with a cocky grin.
"Wrath it is, demigoddess." Artemis said, her lips twitching with amusement. She was fast, throwing Penthesileia on her back. Her hand were everywhere, her eyes wild. It would have been a frightful sight for some. But Penthesileia wasn't afraid. She was into it. Artemis' kisses were rough, nipping at her skin, red marks blooming as she worked her way from neck to thighs. Penthesileia sighed. Artemis didn't do this for the first time, that much was certain. More like the 100,000th time, probably. And she had chosen to do it with her, out of all the goddesses and mortals she could have chosen. Penthesileia relaxed under her lips, enjoying the divine attention, opening her thighs wide for her. Artemis bit her lower lip.
"For me?" she asked, her tone light, but there was unconcealed hunger in it.
"Enjoy the buffet," Penthesileia replied, equally light but Artemis surely heard her need.
Artemis didn't blink. She crouched like a lioness between her thighs and went to town. Her tongue was sharp and precise, dug along her slit like she was ploughing the furrow. She slurped up her juices as if it were the most delicious soup. She did it all without an ounce of shame. Penthesileia was no virgin. She had been with other women, beautiful women. Even the Goddess of Love herself. But there was something feral in the way Artemis pleasured her that was unlike any of her former conquests. There was a level of veneration she had never had for any of her other partners, not even Lady Aphrodite, though she would never speak of that aloud. Artemis was wild, her tongue strokes like a whip striking true, her hands firm like the grip on a bow. Penthesileia squirmed under the attack, every lash of her tongue stalking closer to her climax. Artemis caught her gaze, her bright eyes piercing and sure. Penthesileia was flushed, all these sweet sensations making her body thrum with the joy of being a girl who loves women. Artemis made her body sing like a bowstring. Her licks were more deadly than a spear to the heart. She loved every moment of it. Being desired by the gods, what greater joy was there on this wide earth? Her legs flexed as she approached her climax, Artemis' firm hands on her buttocks, stroking her, adding to her pleasure. She held her breath – one, two...and came! A powerful explosion hurtled pleasure through her body, overtaking her, amazing her. Artemis stilled her tongue, stroking her thighs with a raw tenderness, murmuring praise against her slit. Penthesileia panted, her gaze hazy in the afterglow of her climax. Artemis gave her a wicked smirk. Her tongue came out again. She was soft, careful with the sensitive flesh in a way Penthesileia never would have expected her willing to be. Where her tongue had been brash, now it was quiet, avoiding overstimulation like a stalker stepping around traps. Penthesileia was skittish but Artemis led her back into desire, made lust swell again as if she had pulled in the tide. Penthesileia moaned. Being wanted, being taken care of like this, this must be Aphrodite's blessing. Artemis sucked lightly on her crest and Penthesileia came again, squirting into Artemis' mouth. The goddess drank it like nectar, lapping up every spilt droplet.
"It's not every day that I get a compliment this nice," she said. Penthesileia gave her a timid smile.
"It is a compliment to your skill."
"And your blessing by the Paphian." Artemis got up. "Not every girl can spray her lover with her juices. Treasure it."
Penthesileia nodded. She couldn't complain about her love life. Not at all.
Artemis got dressed and shouldered her golden bow. Then she pressed one more kiss to the Amazon's lips.
"I shall think of you often until I get to see your new performance next year."
"And I shall honour you in every way until then."
"Good." Artemis smiled. "I expected nothing less."
She stepped to the window, climbed on the sill and jumped.
Penthesileia lay awake, pleasure still humming through her veins, and wondered if it had all just been a very vivid dream. But the stains on the sheets, the red marks on her body...she knew Artemis made love to her, even if she couldn’t prove it, even if she wouldn’t speak of it to anyone. And she would cherish that memory for the rest of her days.
FIN
Callimachus’ Hymn to Artemis narrates the foundation of the goddess’ sanctuary at Ephesos, through the Amazons’ performance of a prylis (240), a weapon dance.
Downloads
Sources
“The Moon is Non-Binary” - An Ancient Greek, Probably by the Queer Classicist, 2020
Hymn to Artemis (237-250) by Callimachus
