Gods forbid I should look unsightly when I was paraded before my new masters.
I wished my brother were with me. I could still hear his screams, those animalistic noises he had made while Tyndareus branded Melitta. I could stillsmellher burned flesh, the stink of it clogging my nostrils, making me gag. I knew my nightmares would reek of it forevermore.
I stared at my reflection in the water, hating every inch of untouched skin that stretched between the swelling and bruises. I should have been with the others, shivering in a cell, my forehead seared with the brand that would claim my face forever, symbolizing what I was. What I would always be.
But here I was instead, being primped and preened for my new masters.
I pressed my palms into my eyes, hard enough to hurt. I couldn’t unsee it. Callias’s beautiful face being mutilated by that monster. He had never even wanted any part in this doomed plan; he had helped us out of kindness, out of friendship.
I flinched when the door opened, knocking the bronze bowl to thefloor. Quietly, Penelope stepped into the room, staring at the spilled water now pooling around my feet.
“I brought a change of clothes.” She sounded hesitant, her earlier defiance drained from her body. “The gift giving will begin shortly.”
I glared at the wall ahead of me, fisting my hands so she couldn’t see them tremble. “My brother?”
“He is in a nearby chamber. He is being…less compliant.”
“He will not go to Ithaca.”
“I was hoping you could speak with him. Convince him to cooperate.”
I turned with a snarl. “Why would I do that?”
Penelope stared at me, her gaze tripping over every bruise and cut marring my face.
She seemed to steady herself before replying, “Melantho, you know the fate that awaits him if he remains here. You do not want that for your brother.”
“Youdo not get to decide whatIwant. Or perhaps you think you do now that youownme?”
“It’s not like that—”
“No? ‘They are mine.’ Those were your words.”
She winced. “I was only saying that to protect you. You must know that.”
“Protect me?” I laughed, the sound ugly and ragged in my throat.
“Yes, I had to—”
“I heard what Tyndareus said. He said you helped.”
Penelope drew in a careful breath. “It’s not what it sounds like.”
I strode toward her so I could glare directly into her entitled, lying face.
“Did you send the guards after us?—Yes or no?”
She said nothing, but I could see the guilt darkening her eyes. It was all the confirmation I needed.
I snatched the fresh clothes from her hands and stormed away.
“Please, Melantho. Just let me explain,” she pressed. “I was worriedabout Agamemnon. I heard him at the celebrations. He said there was a slave he was looking for. I feared it was you. I feared he wanted retribution for what happened the other night. When I noticed you were no longer in the banquet hall, I…I was afraid. I could not leave, so I summoned a guard to look for you. To make sure you were safe.”
“Well, they found me,” I sneered over my shoulder. “What of Callias?”
“I knew he was a friend of yours, so I told the guard to ask him if he had seen you. I didn’t know they would… I didn’t…” She trailed off, voice fracturing. “This wasn’t what I wanted. I had no idea what you had planned. If I had, I would never have—”
“You know what I think?” I tossed the fresh tunic aside before turning back to her. “I think you sent the guards after me to make sure your wedding gift hadn’t wandered too far. To keep an eye on your property.”
