“This is her, Your Majesty.”
I hardly noticed Acte as she scurried into the room. She looked so much smaller next to the king.
“Nine summers old. House-born. Child of the palace gardener, Dolios, and a kitchen slave.”
Tyndareus swept a cursory glance in my direction.
“Will she do?” he asked his brother. His voice sounded like the sky before a thunderstorm, thick and swollen.
Icarius drew uncomfortably close, looking me up and down with dark, sunken eyes. Nobody had ever looked at me like that before.
Be brave, be brave, be brave.
“She isn’t the one I had last time,” Icarius said, features tight with an emotion I did not recognize. It looked a little like thirst but harsher.
“We had to sell the last slave due to…complications,” Acte explained.
“Complications caused by your seed,” Tyndareus said pointedly.
Icarius gave a dismissive huff.
“Perhaps you will be a little more careful this time, brother?”
Icarius’s long fingers pinched my chin as he turned my face from side to side. He ran a thumb along my lower lip, pulling it down to examine my teeth. His skin tasted of sweat and meat grease.
“It won’t be an issue, brother. This one can’t have bled yet.” He tugged at one of my curls. “Red hair. Unusual.”
“I can fetch another—” Acte began.
“No, no. This one will do.” Icarius grabbed my fingers, inspecting them. “She’s dirty though.”
My cheeks felt hot as I snatched my hand away.
“If she’s dirty, then have her cleaned,” Tyndareus sighed.
“There’s fresh water in your room, Master Icarius,” Acte added.
Icarius straightened, still watching me as the tip of his tongue skimmed along his yellow-stained teeth. “Yes, yes. She’ll do nicely once she’s tidied up.”
“Very well. I will retire and leave you to your…indulgences, brother,” the king said before turning to the gray-eyed girl. “We are most pleased to have you with us for the summer, Penelope.”
Penelope.I knew that name.PrincessPenelope.
“As am I, uncle,” she said, bowing her head.
“Clytemnestra is desperate for you to join her at the gymnasium, you know. A little training will do you good.” The king pinchedPenelope’s arm. “Get some muscle on that bone.”
“I will train if you wish, uncle, and if my father permits it.”
“Good girl.” Tyndareus patted her cheek once before exiting the room with Acte in tow.
In the following silence, I realized Icarius was still watching me. When I met his gaze, he leered closer, the pendants around his neck jangling.
“You are dismissed, Penelope,” he said.
I felt a sudden spasm of fear at the thought of being left alone with this man. I did not know what he wanted from me, but every inch of my body was screaming at me torun.
My eyes darted to Penelope.
