I remember my first day in Troy well; the love-stricken stares from the men, who shamelessly stripped me with their lustful eyes; the accusing and envious glares from the women, who saw me as nothing but a wicked seductress, waiting for the perfect moment to steal their husbands.
It was a ridiculous paranoia those women harbored, for at that moment I was in love with no one else on Earth but my Paris.
That first day was one of the most fearful days I had ever lived through. I could still recall the vomit I felt rise in my throat as we neared the palace, my sweaty palms and rapidly beating heart. It was apparent to me that I was shunned by the commoners of Troy; why should the royals feel any different? The sweet smell of wild blossoms in the air nauseated me. My mind swam, vision blurred- everything was spinning out of control and then-
Paris put his hand in mine.
And suddenly everything was wonderful again.
"You are not to worry," he whispered, "They will love you."
King Priam was kind enough, I suppose- his eyes were no different from any other man's I have met. Queen Hecuba smiled a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. Cassandra openly cursed my arrival and sobbed when the guards were ordered to take her away. Little Laodice smiled shyly, almost awe-struck in admiration. Deiphobus feasted his eyes on me like I was a piece of meat. Polyxena watched me silently, her features expressionless. Andromache smiled warmly.
There were many more introductions that day.
Yet the only thing I seemed to remember vividly was when Hector grazed my arm with his and said, his voice like a dream,
"Welcome, sister. Welcome to Troy."