Atalanta’s eyes lifted, and Danae was no longer afraid to hold her gaze.
“Why did you hate me when we first met?”
The moon emerged from behind a cloud. In its radiance, Atalanta’s eyes were all ebony and silver light.
“I didn’t hate you. I just didn’t trust you.”
“But you do now?”
She could barely breathe as she waited for an answer.
“Trust has to be earned. You saved Heracles back on the island. That was a start.”
Danae’s heart lifted. “I want you to trust me.”
Perhaps it was the moonlight, but she thought she saw the ghost of a smile touch the warrior’s lips. Her eyes lingered there.
Then Telamon let out a rumbling snore.
Atalanta laughed and grabbed the wineskin from Danae, draining the remaining liquid.
“I’ll tell you how to earn my trust.”
“Go on.”
Atalanta leaned closer. Danae could feel the heat of her, smell the oak and honeysuckle on her skin. Then the warrior whispered, “Bring me more wine.”
Danae cricked her neck, her body still stiff from sleep. The light of dawn cast luminous ripples over the inky waves.
“Daeira.”
At his summons, she joined Jason on the prow deck.
“Captain.”
He glanced back at Telamon and Atalanta, still bound to the stern deck. “I know you traveled with them before theArgo. But I am your captain, and they disobeyed my orders on the Doliones’ shore.”
Reaching Prometheus was all that mattered, and Jason was currently in charge of the ship that would get her there. Her stomach writhed, but she knew what she must do.
“I am loyal to you, Captain. I have come to believe the fates put me in their path to lead me to you.”
Jason’s mouth twitched. “Good. Then we understand each other.”
She inclined her head and turned to walk back down to the mid-deck, but Jason caught her arm. He pulled her close, his grip firm.
“What did you see, before we landed on the Doliones’ shore?”
She looked into his eyes, expecting to see accusation, but instead she found hunger.
“Sometimes, the omens do not offer a clear path. One sign may be favorable for some and not for others. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good.”
His hand stayed on her arm.
“The Queen of Heaven herself has blessed this quest.” Jason spoke so softly his voice was almost a whisper. “I know the omens are on my side. At first, I thought losing men was a failure on my part, but now I see that this is exactly how it was meant to be. We are treading the path the Twelve have mapped out for us. You interpret the will of the gods, and I have their blessing. Stay loyal to me, and I will make you my royal seer when I return to Iolcos and claim my crown.”
She felt nauseated, but she made herself smile. “It would be the honor of my life to serve at your side.”
Jason smiled at her, showing all his perfect white teeth. “We must reach Colchis, whatever it takes.”
