Othryoneus proved a harder man to discourage than Cassandra had thought. He never outright forced her to be around him, but Othryoneus always suggested spending time with her whenever they were in earshot of the King, Queen, or Deiphobus (Cassandra's brother had taken to following the pair to ensure his sister's virtue).

Cassandra would agree as expected, but glare at her suitor every moment she could.

His insistence didn't bother her as much as her flattery at his actions did. Cassandra hadn't lied to Othryoneus when she said she didn't want to be someone's wife. She'd make no man happy, even if she tried.

Despite his exasperating tenacity, Othryoneus seemed an honorable man. He deserved a woman who could give him all her heart, who wasn't as damaged as Apollo and Hermes had left her.

But, though she knew she'd grumble and act like a brat, joy filled Cassandra when Othryoneus sought her attention. After a few weeks, she woke with a smile on her face as he was her first thought of the day.

During their time together, Othryoneus talked a lot about himself. He'd occasionally ask Cassandra questions, but she never answered all of them.

With those she ignored, he'd instead speak as if she'd asked him them.

Cassandra didn't let on, but she adored hearing of his childhood in Cabesos. He hadn't lived as grand as she had, and he'd been lonely without a mother or siblings, but his father had done his best to make Othryoneus happy. From the sounds of it, Othryoneus' father would challenge Zeus if it meant ensuring his son didn't have to suffer.

She didn't tell Othryoneus, but Cassandra envied him.

Their relationship changed a day in early fall.

Cassandra caught Polydorus climbing back over the palace walls with weapons he'd stolen from the guardsmen. Like before, she yelled at him and Polyxena came to their youngest brother's defense.

Though this time, Polyxena hurled cruel insults and disgusting words Cassandra hadn't thought she knew.

Cassandra wanted to walk away, but her pride wouldn't let her. She retaliated, and the sisters would have gotten into a physical fight if Othryoneus didn't intervene.

"Take him to get cleaned up," her ordered Polyxena.

"You dare command me?"

Othryoneus didn't back down from Polyxena's furious stare. He stood a head taller than her and had the bulk to rival Hector's.

Polyxena's intense stare pinned him, then she took Polydorus' hand and fled.

The suitor turned his focus on Cassandra. "Are you okay?

That—What she said—"

Cassandra flinched.

Polyxena had screamed for the entire palace to hear about Cassandra's insanity, how much of a waste of flesh she was.

Cassandra had heard it all before, and not just from Polyxena, but knowing Othryoneus had heard the damaging words made Polyxena's insults hurt as they had the first time they'd been uttered. Tears fell from Cassandra's eyes, but she dropped her head so Othryoneus wouldn't see them.

"I... I'm sorry you witnessed such horrendous behavior," she said, her voice steady even though her hands trembled. "She, um—I know I shouldn't have—"

"I saw the entire thing. You did nothing wrong."

Surprise made Cassandra raise her head.

In years, no one had come to her defense, not even Helenus. Her twin wouldn't let anyone treat her too harshly, but he never put a stop to it as Othryoneus had.

Othryoneus wiped away Cassandra's tears. "You know, I want to—" He sighed. "Why won't you let me court you?"

Too wounded to lie, Cassandra said, "I'm not worthy of you."

Othryoneus reached for Cassandra, and she let him take her in his arms. He tilted her head, so they gazed at each other. "No, Cassandra. No man is worthy of you." He bent close. "But I'd like to try."

If Cassandra cared about him as much as she refused to believe, she would have turned him down. But she'd missed having someone look at her like Othryoneus did.

What if she weren't as damaged as she'd convinced herself she was?

By the gods, Cassandra wanted to love and wanted to love Othryoneus.

She stood on the tips of her toes, so her lips hovered near his. "I'll give you a chance."

Othryoneus kissed her.

Her mind didn't fog, nor did her legs weaken like when Hermes had seduced her. Neither did Cassandra feel soul-elating rightness like she had with Apollo.

No mortal's lips could compare to a god's, yet the softness and surety Othryoneus radiated held its own thrill.

Through their kiss, Cassandra could tell how much he cared about her, how he'd devote every waking hour to make her smile. His commitment was pure.

"Hey!" Deiphobus' voice cried from a distance. "None of that. Stop right now!"

Cassandra and Othryoneus broke apart with a giggle.

As her brother approached to give the pair a thorough scolding, she took Othryoneus' hand. Contentedness filled her and gave her reason to dream of a better tomorrow.

From that moment on, Othryoneus exhausted himself as he showed Cassandra the depth of his love. Every day he brought new presents or flowers. He never left her side, though Deiphobus trailed them like a well-trained hunting dog and didn't let them get too close. Othryoneus didn't woo her with empty, sentimental words, but by being her most trusted confidant.

He never appeared too distracted to listen to her misgivings and didn't call her an idiot for worrying about Troy's fate. He even shared a few of her thoughts.

As they grew closer, a fierce debate raged inside Cassandra. She wanted to expose her gift of prophecy, and the curse Apollo had placed on her, but she didn't know if the curse would prevent Othryoneus from believing her.

If he didn't, would he think her as mad as the rumors claimed?

What if she convinced him of the truth? Would he flee in terror? Could he marry a woman so affected by the gods?

If she kept her secrets to herself, could Cassandra live with them? What if they plagued any children they might have? Could she risk that?

Loneliness and selfishness decided Cassandra, and she remained silent. She'd suffered for years, and she refused to lose the one wonderful thing to happen to her for far too long.

All her concerns would work themselves out.

Toward the end of fall, Othryoneus came to Cassandra early one morning.

Her handmaidens had just bathed and dressed her in a peplos Hecuba had selected. Since Cassandra and Othryoneus had made their intentions clear, the Queen had taken an intense interest in Cassandra. She was almost as bad as Deiphobus following the young couple, except she didn't throw a fit whenever they held hands or kissed. Often, she encouraged the couple's affection and raged at Deiphobus when he yelled at them.

Othryoneus stood in her open door; the small smile he wore whenever in her presence on his face. "You look incredible."

Cassandra blushed (a sensation she hadn't realized she enjoyed until all reasons to do so had vanished). "Thank you."

Othryoneus entered her bedchamber and enveloped her in a tight hug. Then, after glancing around to ensure their privacy, he kissed her.

Warmth pooled in Cassandra's stomach and she pulled him closer.

Her eagerness made Othryoneus chuckle, and he released her. "Ready for our day?"

"Yes."

"How do you feel about horseback riding?"

Usually, the idea made Cassandra apprehensive. She knew how to ride and had a fair amount of skill, but she didn't enjoy being at the mercy of a massive beast. Her riding instructor had told her gruesome stories about when horses got startled or angry and forewent their training.

After her vision of the horse covered in eyes, Cassandra often had nightmares about the creatures.

Now, though, Cassandra didn't hesitate to say, "I love it."

She relished every opportunity to be around Othryoneus and wouldn't let minor worries ruin their time together. Plus, the playful glint in his eyes enticed her to see what he had planned.

Othryoneus cheered and took Cassandra's hand. He drew her out of her bedchamber, and she looked for either of their shadows. Suspicion gripped her when she didn't see Deiphobus or her mother. Either Othryoneus had developed sudden craftiness, or this was part of his plot.

Cassandra didn't comment as the pair left the palace and headed for the stables, unhindered and alone. She pretended ignorance as Othryoneus stumbled over his words in an attempt at casual conversation.

More than once, she had to suppress a laugh or hide a smile.

Attendants saddled the pair on the gentlest horses, then reminded the couple of the King's travel restrictions. Othryoneus promised they'd behave and urged his horse out of the stables.

Cassandra petted her horse (one of her father's new ones) and gave the mare the command to move forward. The horse reacted instantly, and they met up with Othryoneus and his steed outside.

They trotted to one of the well-kempt trails near the stables.

While they traveled, the pair spoke; Othryoneus still sounded tongue-tied. Cassandra wanted to tease him, but the sense to pretend nothing was out of the ordinary had yet to leave her.

So, she sat back and appreciated her mare's smooth gait and the beautiful day.

The path led the pair to the tree-lined field Cassandra and Helenus had played in often as children. In the middle of the field sat a blanket laden with all of Cassandra's favorite foods.

A servant stood at the blanket's corner and bowed when Cassandra and Othryoneus advanced.

Cassandra smiled at her suitor. "How did you know I like all this?"

Othryoneus dismounted, then helped Cassandra to do so. He handed the reins to the servant, and the older man tethered the horses to the two closest trees. "I want to say I'm so in tune with you, but I asked Helenus."

Cassandra kissed his cheek. "This is very kind. Thank you."

Othryoneus' glow brightened. He sat on the blanket and gestured to the spot next to him. "Come. Enjoy this bounty with me."

Cassandra sat, and the pair dug into the food. The impressive spread didn't compare to the meals she'd shared with Apollo, but the gesture meant more to her because Othryoneus had gone the extra distance to discover what she enjoyed best. He hadn't used magic.

Everything about him was wonderfully mortal.

Neither had eaten anything prior, and they ate much of the food. Cassandra had a little of every dish.

Othryoneus copied her, though he found their tastes often ran opposite of each other.

Cassandra asked him why he had added nothing for himself, but Othryoneus told her today was all about her.

Now at their destination, Othryoneus seemed more restless than ever. His hands shook, and his foot tapped nonstop. He knocked over three plates and dropped a goblet of water into his lap. He apologized over and over.

After his last mishap, Cassandra took his hand. "What's on your mind? Why are you so nervous?"

Othryoneus gulped. "Well, I... I have something important to ask you."

"Ask away."

"I was wondering if I'd—Thank you for allowing me to love you."

"You make it an effortless task." Cassandra squeezed his hand. "That wasn't a question."

Othryoneus chuckled. "I-I know. I'm just—I rehearsed all this, so I shouldn't act like this. But now, here with you, I can't remember what—how I had my words." He groaned. "I sound like an ass."

Cassandra shook her head. "No, you don't." She leaned closer to him. "Would it help if I guessed what you're trying to say?"

"It might."

She paused as if she had to think hard, but Cassandra already knew. She'd had no vision, not that she needed one.

For weeks she'd been waiting for Othryoneus to find the courage he grasped for. Had he not brought it up soon, Cassandra would have taken matters into her own hands, damn tradition.

"Are you trying to propose marriage?"

Othryoneus' eyes widened, but he nodded. "I-I—Do you want to—You'd make me the happiest man by becoming my wife. Life won't be as grand as what you're used to, but I'll make you smile every day, I swear."

"That's all I want."

"Are you saying yes?"

Cassandra pressed her lips against Othryoneus'. "Yes."