As I continued watching my friends, I felt their joy filling me to the brim with a delicious kind of warmth. But there was somethinglurking beneath it, a creeping sense of unease fueled by the words on everyone’s lips—Hector is dead! Achilles has returned! The Greeks will win soon enough!
And when they did, the war would be over. Odysseus would return. He would take his rightful seat upon Ithaca’s throne, and what would become of our home? For nine summers, we had been carefully building a haven within these walls, a place where people could feel safe, where happiness could grow and flourish. What would happen to all that when the men returned to claim what was theirs?
“What’s that look for?”
I turned to find Eurynome at my side. Her eyes were hazy, her smile loose. It was nice, seeing her a little tipsy. She rarely let herself indulge like this.
“Nothing,” I lied, dousing my concerns with another mouthful of wine. “I’m fine.”
“That swineherd keeps watching you, you know.”
“Eumaeus?”
Eurynome’s smile was a mischievous thing. “He never takes his eyes off you.”
I followed her gaze across the room to where Eumaeus was leaning against a wall, listening distractedly to one of the kitchen girls. When he caught me looking, he tipped his cup to me and smiled.
“You should go and talk to him,” Eurynome urged.
“Why?”
“Because he’shandsome.”
She wasn’t wrong. Eumaeus was admittedly very good-looking, his rich, dark features accentuating every striking detail—the cut of his beard highlighting the strength of his jaw, thick eyelashes and brows emphasizing the deep hue of his brown eyes. I knew a lot of the palace girls coveted his attention. The boys too.
“So?” I shrugged.
Eurynome gave an exasperated huff. “In all the summers I’ve known you, never once have you batted an eye at anyone. You’re abeautiful girl, Melantho. You could have your pick of the lot.”
I rolled my eyes, turning away from Eumaeus’s lingering gaze. “Have you seen Penelope?”
“You know what she’s like. She doesn’t wish to disturb the celebrations.”
“I’m going to go look for her.”
Eurynome made a noise that was somewhere between a sigh and a chuckle. “I’d ask you to stay, but I know I’d be wasting my breath. There’s no keeping you two apart, is there?”
“I just don’t think it’s fair Penelope misses all the fun.”
“I’m sure she’s fine, love.” Eurynome patted my arm. “Better than fine. I’m sure she’s elated. Her husband will finally be returning to her—at long last. Just think howromantictheir reunion will be!”
“The war isn’t over yet.” I hated how defensive I sounded.
“No, not yet.” Eurynome’s smile widened. “But soon, my dear. Very soon.”
32
I found Penelope in the courtyard, staring up at the moon.
She said nothing as I came and sat beside her on the stone bench. My gaze traced the large oak tree towering before us, its silver-limned branches murmuring in the midnight breeze.
“Why aren’t you celebrating with the others?” Penelope asked after a time.
“I thought you could use the company…and the wine.”
I held a jug out to her, but she shook her head. I frowned, studying the sharply drawn line of her shoulders.
“What’s the matter?”
