The days after the party were very quiet. I kept tending to the gardens with Ariadne and eating with Athena and Hermes. I also explored the woods surrounding the Olympians' palace, alone or with company.

Apollo's absence wasn't affecting me. Besides, I could still feel him in my mind, although his presence was barely noticeable.

At night, or whenever I was alone, I thought about my city and my family. At first I didn't feel ready to visit my family in the Underworld, but my desire to see them grew more intense with every new day.

"Would you escort me to the Underworld, at your convenience?" I asked Hermes one evening.

"Of course. We can go tomorrow, if you wish" he answered.

"Thank you" I said, wondering whether this was a good idea. I didn't know if I was really ready for it, on the other hand I wasn't able to wait anymore.

"I recommend that we leave early in the morning. You will need lots of light and sun after the visit. It can be a little unsettling the first time"

On the following day, Hermes picked me up at dawn.

"We must walk until we're out of the gates, then we will fly" he said nonchalantly. "It is not really forbidden to fly here, but it is terribly rude to leave without informing the three Horae who keep our gates. They are supposed to know who is in the palace and who is not"

I was silent during the walk, too lost in my thoughts to speak. Hermes didn't pressure me.

At the gates, a goddess with dark curly hair waved at us, and Hermes waved back.

"Take my hand and hold tight" he instructed me. "Don't worry, I won't let you go. At first, try not to look down. Oh, and wrap yourself up in your cloak... the air is chilly when you're flying"

I complied, a little nervously. He jumped off and after a moment we were flying at full speed. I grasped his hand even tighter and closed my eyes.

"Is this too quick for you?" he asked, slowing down a bit.

I opened my eyes and turned to him, careful not to look down. But I didn't need to look down in order to notice that we were at an impressive height. Well, it was obvious since we had just descended from a mountain.

"No. I suppose I'm just not used to it" I replied.

"Alright. I will dive now, we don't need to be so high. You might want to close your eyes again"

I could perceive that he was trying to go slow and smooth. It wasn't really unpleasant and I knew that he would not drop me, but my heart was racing nonetheless.

"Very well, I think you could open your eyes if you wish" he said shortly after.

I carefully opened one eye. We were flying over a wood, our feet just above the treetops.

"It is better now" I said, looking around. The view was beautiful and I was starting to get used to the speed.

"We are going to land soon" he warned me. After a while, we touched the ground next to a large cave. My legs were shaking a little and I noticed that they were very cold, despite the cloak.

At the entrance of the cave, Hermes outstretched his hand again.

"We should stay close until you have reached your destination" he explained, and we walked in.

It was very dark and I couldn't see where I was going. Hermes seemed to perceive my uncertainty.

"Just step forward and walk at my pace"

After almost a hundred of paces, I noticed a dim light ahead of us, and something shining under it. When we came closer, I noticed that it was a small river. I couldn't tell where the light came from.

"Welcome, Messenger of the Olympians. Is that the princess?" asked a voice, startling me. Turning around, I noticed a skinny man sitting in a small boat.

"Hello, Charon. Yes, this is the princess"

Charon nodded and rowed to us. Hermes helped me into the boat and in a moment we crossed the river.

The boatman rowed back to where he had been before without another word and we kept walking.

After some time, the view started looking more familiar. There was a sky of a very pale blue, and again I couldn't tell where the light came from. There were grass and trees of an unusual shade of green, and even flowers.

Hermes stopped and turned to me.

"They are over there, behind that group of trees" he told me, pointing ahead.

"Aren't you coming?"

"I would never dare. But of course, if you wish me to come, I will" he answered.

I thought briefly.

"No, it is alright. How much time do I have?"

"As soon as you start feeling dizzy, you should come back here. On the first visit, it happens pretty quickly. I will wait here"

I walked to the trees at a quick pace. Since I had little time, I didn't want to waste it.

As soon as I was behind the trees, I saw Hector. He was wearing the ceremonial robe from his funeral and looked calm, even austere.

He turned swiftly to me and gasped.

"Cassandra! You... you are not dead" he added after a moment, looking closely at me.

"I am not. I have been allowed to visit" I explained in a quivering voice. He looked the same, and yet not the same.

"How is that even possible?" he asked, surprised.

In a few words, I told him about Apollo's gift and how the Olympians had welcomed me.

"I am so glad" he said when I finished my story. "I thought that you would be enslaved or die. Where is my wife, Cassandra?" he asked urgently after a moment.

"She lives. She became Neoptolemus' prey and left with him... and with Helenus, and Aesacus"

Hector looked down.

"At least she is together with some other Trojans. Is she is concubine?" he questioned.

"She is his wife"

He sighed deeply.

"Well, better than his concubine. I hope that he will treat her well"

I started feeling dizzy.

"I must leave you now, Hector" I said.

"But the rest of the family is close, they would certainly want to see you" he objected.

"I will visit again, but now I must really go"

I tried to touch him, but my hand went through his body as if it had been made of smoke.

He raised his hand in greeting, with a sad smile.

There were tears in my eyes when I got back to Hermes. He took my hand again and looked at me closely.

"I would like to give you some nectar, but one cannot eat in the Underworld. Do you think you can walk?"

I took some tentative steps and nodded. I didn't feel well, but I knew that the way back to the boat wasn't very long.

We started walking back, but he stopped shortly after.

"I think I should carry you, Cassandra" he said.

"I can walk..." I protested feebly.

"I can see that. But you are unwell and you should get out of here quickly" he answered firmly.

"Very well"

He lifted me easily and I felt relieved that I didn't have to walk anymore. At some point I dozed off, and when I opened my eyes Hermes was carrying me out of the boat.

"We're almost there" he reassured me, walking at a very fast pace.

I sighed with relief when we came out and I saw the sun again.

Hermes gently put me down on the grass and took a flask out of his cloak.

"You can drink it all, it's nectar" he explained, opening it for me.

I drank the whole flask in a few gulps and I immediately felt better. The sun was doing something to me, too: I felt like its light was giving me strength.

I tried to stand up, but Hermes stopped me.

"No, stay. We're not in a hurry. Wait until you are ready"

He sat next to me, putting the flask back in his cloak.

"I think we can go" I said after a while.

Hermes took my hand and stood up.

"Remember to hold my hand tight. Nothing can happen to you if you fall, of course, but it might require some time for me to find you"

I grasped his hand again and he took off.

During the flight, I tried to concentrate myself on holding his hand as tight as possible. I didn't even notice where we were going, or how fast. After what looked like a moment, we landed in front of the Olympian gates. I was completely lost in my thoughts while he walked back to my room.

"Thank you" I told him feebly when we were in front of my door.

He studied me for a moment, then hugged me gently, like a brother. After that unsettling experience with Hector's body, his touch felt comforting.

"Do you think you can be alone?" he asked, letting go of me.

"Yes, I think so"

I closed the door behind my back with a sigh. I slowly walked to my bed, I climbed into it and I fell asleep.