I blinked blearily, slowly waking up. Gods… I must have fallen asleep. I rubbed my eyes, trying to regain my senses. After a moment, I realized I was laying on a bed inside a tent. A silver tent to be exact—like the ones the Huntresses of Artemis used. Wait, I must have returned to the camp after all! But I couldn’t… recall making it here.

Suddenly, the tent flap opened and none other than Berenike stuck her head in. “Hey, Ody! Finally time to rise and shine, eh?”

“Berenike?” I rubbed my eyes again. “How…”

“I bumped into you in the woods and you just passed out,” she said, giving a nod. “Eirene said you were only exhausted. Though those burns you’ve got have us concerned. What happened?”

Memories of the past few days came rushing back. My eyes widened. I panicked, jerking upright and trying to scramble to my feet.

“Atalanta-”

“Whoa there!” Berenike grabbed me by the shoulders, stopping me before I could strain myself. “Take it easy, Ody, you’re seriously pushing yourself to your limit.”

The burns on my shoulders screamed in protest, but I ignored them. “I have to find her, Berenike.”

She scrutinized me thoughtfully, only to let go of me, break out in a grin, and laugh. “Well, good thing Atalanta is here, eh?”

It took a moment for her words to sink in.

“Wait, what?” I gasped. “But she hates the Huntresses!”

“Hatred doesn't mean much when you’re injured,” Berenike said, giving a shrug. “Some of our huntresses found her all bloody. She reopened that shoulder wound of hers. Nasty stuff, but Eirene got it all cleaned up. She only agreed to stay when I brought you back.”

I could hardly believe it. Atalanta was here. Since when was fate working in my favor? Regardless, I wasn’t going to complain.

I heaved myself up onto my feet, being more careful this time. Berenike stepped out of the tent with me. And it was then that I knew I was truly home. The camp hadn’t changed one bit since my absence—not that I’d been gone for very long. The only difference was the new addition of a campfire in this area of the encampment. Logs had been hauled over to serve as benches. And sitting on one such log was none other than the woman I sought.

Atalanta looked awful. She sat on the log, sharpening a new xiphos. I figured it had been given to her by Akantha or someone else with the authority to take from our armory. But she still looked… exhausted. Her braid wasn’t as neatly pleated, and from the short time I’d known her, I could tell that Atalanta wasn’t sloppy. She was no longer wearing that formal chiton, instead donned in hunter’s attire. Someone must have lent her clothing; her attire was black and silver, the colors of Artemis. Her shoulder was all bandaged up, the wrappings stained with blood; just like Berenike said, she reopened the wound. She set the whetstone and sword down on the log, letting out a weary sigh.

Gods, I was so relieved to see her. She was okay. She hadn’t done anything to hurt herself—not on purpose, anyway. That’s all I cared about.

“Ata!” I exclaimed, rushing over to see her.

She looked up in surprise just in time to see me throw my arms around her in a hug. Completely caught off guard, she lost her balance and we tumbled off the log. Atalanta landed on her back, with me right on top of her. But I didn’t care. I was just so happy to see her. I’d been so worried I’d lost her in all that chaos.

“Thank Artemis you’re all right!” I continued, completely unperturbed by the fact that I was laying on top of her. “I was so worried!”

Atalanta let out a groan. “Could you… be more mindful of my shoulder?”

My eyes widened and I sat up. “Oh, gods, are you okay?”

She completely ignored my question to look up at me with annoyance. “What are you doing here?”

“I had to make sure you were all right,” I said. “You know, after you ran off. I would’ve come sooner, but I had to help with Alkyone and…”

Atalanta’s expression darkened. “If you’re going to talk about her, get off me.”

I didn’t even get the chance to move before someone else spoke.

“What is happening here?”

We both looked up to see that two others had entered the area. I immediately recognized Akantha, who appeared to be a bit surprised. But she wasn’t the one who had spoken. No, it had been the woman with her—someone I had never seen before in my life. I suddenly felt self-conscious under her steely gaze. I quickly shifted off of Atalanta’s lap, sitting on the ground. Atalanta scowled as she sat up, holding her shoulder.

“Aw, lighten up, Arete!” Berenike immediately came to our defense, walking over. “They’re just having a reunion, is all!”

The strange woman, who was apparently named Arete, narrowed her eyes. She was tall—even taller than Atalanta—and willowy. Her slight build was not without lean muscle, which meant she was most definitely adept at archery. She had long, elegantly wavy white hair that cascaded down to the small of her back, parted to the side. Her skin was pale, like she never spent a day in the sun. Much like mine, her eyes were brilliant silver, like moonlight. A scar went down her left eye, but she didn’t appear to be blind on that side. An intricate silver crescent moon circlet sat upon her brow. She was dressed in hunter’s garb, but in all white. Elaborate black tattoos of stags danced up both of her arms, to her shoulders, and stopped at her neck. She was eerily beautiful, carrying herself with dignity and authority.

Arete looked to my sister. “How kind of you to inform me,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Akantha cleared her throat. “Ahem. Odessa, Atalanta, this is Lady Arete. She is the Ghost Arrow of Artemis, the head of Artemis’s personal handmaidens.”

My eyes widened and I quickly scrambled to my feet. “Lady Arete, it is an honor.”

Her cold gaze flickered to me. “Odessa of Ithaka. We meet at last.” Then her eyes shifted to Atalanta. “And Atalanta of Arkadia, the famous slayer of the Kalydonian Boar.” She turned to the woman beside her. “Tell me, Akantha. Why do you allow a traitor in our midst?”

“Watch your tongue,” Atalanta snapped, glowering at her as she stood up. “I don’t give a damn about your titles. It’s all bullshit to me. I was never officially a Huntress anyway.”

Arete narrowed her eyes. “You still broke your oath to Lady Artemis. And now here you are, consorting with one of our finest.”

“There is no consorting!” Atalanta exclaimed, flabbergasted, her cheeks tinting pink. “Nothing is going on here. She was just happy to see me.”

“Damn, when am I gonna get a welcome home hug like that, then?” Berenike crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head.

I sighed in exasperation. “Berenike-”

“And even if there was, it’s none of your damn business,” Atalanta snapped, completely ignoring us. “So, be a good malaka and fuck off.”

My eyes widened in shock. Oh, gods.

Even Akantha and Berenike appeared taken aback. I knew Atalanta was brave, but this was downright foolhardy. To anger the Ghost Arrow of Artemis… I didn’t even want to consider the repercussions. She was known as Artemis’s right hand and the assassin of the Huntresses. She was often sent on missions to deal with people, men and women alike, who had wronged those under Artemis’s domain of protection. She was ancient and powerful, perhaps even akin to a demigod. I’d heard so many stories of how she was not to be trifled with… especially since she held both Artemis’s favor and blessing.

But Arete’s expression didn’t change. She appeared… indifferent.

“You are all bark and no bite,” she stated flatly. “Why Lady Artemis did not turn you into a bear, I do not know. Perhaps she still holds a certain fondness. Or perhaps she is more concerned about the one whose fate yours is bound to. Frankly, I could care no less than I already do.” She looked at me. “Odessa. Come with Akantha and me. This is not a request.”

With that, she turned around and walked away. Akantha sighed, shook her head, and followed after the white-haired woman.

Atalanta growled, clenching her fist. “Gods, why did I even stay here? I can’t stand the Huntresses of Artemis and their holier-than-thou attitudes.”

“Ata, please,” I said, eyes widening as I turned towards her. “Stay a little longer. For me.”

She looked at me, anger still smoldering in her brown eyes. She seemed to hesitate, but her scowl did not go away. Finally, she grumbled and turned away.

“...Fine. But I am leaving tomorrow. There is nothing else for me here.”

With that, she fetched her sword and walked away, disappearing into the opposite side of the encampment. I stood there for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts and bearings.

“...So, Atalanta, huh?”

I looked over at Berenike, who was smirking playfully, eyes twinkling mischievously. My cheeks burned. Oh gods, it was starting already. She would never let this go. Never. Berenike would tease me to no end.

“...Shut up!”

It was best to not keep the Ghost Arrow of Artemis waiting, so I headed after Akantha and Arete once my embarrassment had mostly passed. I found them on the outskirts of camp, conversing. Despite how quietly I approached, Arete somehow still noticed, looking up as I walked over to them.

“You wished to speak with me,” I said.

“Indeed,” Arete said, turning towards me. “The real reason I came here was to speak to you. How Lady Artemis knew you would be here, despite being away on a mission, I cannot fathom.”

My eyes widened. “Lady Artemis sent you to speak with me?”

“In a sense,” Arete said, her steely gaze meeting mine. “That she puts her faith in someone so young and inexperienced, who cannot fully understand the meaning of her gifts…” She shook her head. “What a waste.”

“There is no need to be so harsh to the girl,” Akantha said with a frown. “Odessa will come to understand someday, when the time is right.”

I fought the urge to wince. I truly had no idea what they spoke of. But at least Akantha still had faith in me, despite my failings.

Arete ignored her fellow handmaiden, her hardened gaze continuing to weigh upon me. “You have earned both Lady Artemis’s favor and blessing, Odessa. You are the first she has given this much attention since…” She wrinkled her nose. “Since that brute Orion accompanied us.”

Akantha winced. “We do not speak of that man for a reason.”

“My point is, you are very… dear to our goddess.” Arete scowled. “Do not, under any circumstances, let her down, or you will face my arrow.”

Akantha narrowed her eyes. “You tread a dangerous path, Arrow of Artemis.”

“I do not care,” Arete stated coolly, raising her head. “I will do anything for my lady, even if it means protecting her from her worst mistakes—mistakes she cannot see for what they are.”

And with that, Arete turned and walked away, leaving me with Akantha. I just stood there for a moment, completely stunned. Did she… just threaten to kill me? Gods above… I didn’t understand. What had I done to warrant such a reaction?

Akantha sighed. “Please pay her no mind. Arete is often… blinded by her love for Artemis. It makes her behave… irrationally. If she even left a scratch on you, our lady would not take it kindly. She believes herself to be immune to Lady Artemis’s wrath… but only you and those close to you would truly avoid it.”

“I… don’t understand.”

None of this made any sense. Why was I so important to our goddess? Why me of all people? Arete’s words were harsh, but she was right about one thing—I was young and inexperienced. There were so many other Huntresses more deserving of her favor and blessing than I. And yes… that included Atalanta. I had never understood why I had been born with the divine-mark on my forehead. I didn’t understand what had happened in the fight with the hydra, if that had been this power Arete spoke of. I was still just… Odessa. I was no demigod. I was no hero.

But Akantha smiled at me gently, taking my hands into hers. “Do not worry over this, my dear. You have much on your plate. I promise, the answers will come when it is time. When you are ready to know the truth.”

I… believed her. I trusted her. I nodded. She gave my hands a squeeze and let me go.

“Now off with you,” she said. “You wish to speak with Atalanta, yes? I’m sure she’s at the shrine by now.”

My eyes widened. Gods, she knew me too well. I smiled sheepishly, giving a nod, and stepped away. Erinys swooped down from the trees, soaring ahead to scout out a path. There was still much to do. I had to get to the bottom of this mystery… the mystery of what happened to Atalanta.

Just like Akantha said, I found Atalanta at the very shrine where we first met. She sat by the water’s edge, where the rocky shore met the lush grass. Argus was nowhere to be seen, which meant he had not come with her when she fled. She stared at her reflection in the crystal clear water, her gaze flickering over to mine as I approached. She said nothing as I quietly sat down next to her.

“For someone who no longer worships Artemis, you sure come here a lot,” I commented.

She glowered at me through our reflections, picking up a rock and tossing it into the spring. It skipped for several beats, before sinking at the base of the idol.

“I like it here,” she said. “It’s peaceful.”

“It is,” I agreed after a moment, turning to look at her, and not her reflection. “How… are you feeling?”

Her expression immediately darkened. “I’m not going home. I can’t. As long as he’s there…” Her hand clenched into a fist. “I never should have left the mountains.”

I hesitated. “Ata, what… happened? What did he do to hurt you?”

Atalanta unclenched her fist, letting out an unsteady breath. “He was my first… everything. My first ally. My first human friend. My… first love. My first time. He meant the world to me, and it turned out to be a lie.”

My eyes widened. All right, I hadn’t… been expecting that answer.

“When I first was invited to join the hunt for the Kalydonian Boar, I wasn’t entirely sure if I should,” she said, once again staring at her own reflection. “But my desire for fame… for glory… to make a name for myself… won. My gut told me Artemis wouldn’t like it, but I wanted to show these men up… that women could be fierce warriors as well. And just like I expected, I was not a welcome addition to the party. Almost every single hunter protested and would’ve kicked me out… if not for Meleager.”

The stories told of Atalanta and Meleager’s close friendship. I had never imagined there was something dark and sinister behind that. What had truly happened between them?

“He welcomed me with open arms,” she stated bitterly. “He convinced the others to hunt alongside me. I think they only agreed to get him to shut up. I don’t really know. He was the only one who was kind to me. And me, being young and naive, fell for it. He quickly became my friend. We spent so much time together, became so close, the other men began to make crass jokes about us. It got to me, simply because I had fallen head over heels for him. But Meleager always made them shut up. He went out of his way to help me the entire Hunt.”

He sounded like a good person… too good to be true.

“And then we killed the boar. Meleager drew first blood, but I gave the killing blow.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “His uncles, Toxeus and Phlexippus, were not pleased when he presented the boarskin to me. Meleager lost his temper and would have attacked them if I had not stepped in. I gave the skin back to him, telling him that he should present it to the king, as he was prince. That ended the arguments.”

I bit my bottom lip, noticing her clench both of her fists.

“That night, he… came to my tent to return the pelt. He insisted I should be the one to give it to his father, as I was the hero who killed the boar. He told… he told me that he’d never met anyone like me before. That I was beautiful and fierce and awe inspiring. I… couldn’t take it anymore, hiding my feelings. So I kissed him. I pulled him into my tent… and we fucked. I knew everyone would hear us but I didn’t care. I just wanted him all to myself. And that was what I got.”

Atalanta tossed another stone into the spring. This time, it sunk right into the water. Her movements were stiff, the pain, disgust, and regret smoldering in her eyes. I remained silent. She had more to say.

“He made me so many promises that night,” she said quietly. “He told me he loved me. He promised me we’d be together always, that he’d make me his princess, his queen… I didn’t care about any of that. I just wanted him. For the first time, I wanted to marry, I wanted to have a family, all because of him. I forsook everything for Meleager. Artemis being furious at my betrayal never once crossed my mind. All I could think about was how good he felt inside me.”

She shifted, kicking rocks into the spring. I realized she was shaking, her hands clenched with fists. She was… angry. At herself.

“The next day, we returned to Kalydon. I was on top of the world. I had everything I wanted, you know?” She let out a bitter laugh. “I presented the hide to King Oeneus, much to the others’ surprise. But before I could even accept the reward… a woman came in and embraced Meleager. It was Alkyone. His wife. I had… I had unknowingly fucked a married man. I had helped him cheat… Everything he promised me was a fucking lie. She just… ran up to him and hugged him and he kissed her right in front of me. It took every bit of willpower I had to contain myself the entire reception and then during the celebratory feast.”

I… didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to even think.

“After the feast, I… confronted Meleager. I demanded the truth. Why did he lie to me? Why did he trick me? He simply… laughed at me. He said I was beautiful and gullible and he wanted nothing more than to tame the feral huntress raised by bears.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I was so pissed, so fucking furious, I lost control of myself. I lashed out in anger. I stabbed him through with my sword. When I realized what I had done, I panicked… and fled. I went back to Arkadia.”

I stayed silent, reaching out to place my hand over her enclosed fist. She didn’t even react.

“Not long after the Hunt, right about when I returned to Arkadia, I…” Her voice trembled, cracking. “I discovered I was… pregnant. I… disappeared for a year because I hid in the mountains. I couldn’t let anyone else know. On Mount Parthenius, I… gave birth to a baby boy. I left him on the doorstep of a hunting family, hoping they would take him in like I had been. I… I didn’t expect…” Her voice cracked again, tears spilling down onto her cheeks. “I didn’t expect to see him again, much less being raised by his bastard of a father and his wife.”

My eyes widened. Parthenpoeus was her son?! I had figured that he was Meleager’s child as they looked too similar to be anything else, but… Atalanta being his mother was the farthest thought from my mind.

But Atalanta broke at that moment. All the emotion she’d been holding in flooded out. She pulled her fist away from me to slam it into the dirt, leaning forward as she sobbed.

“I fucking hate him! If I had known… He ruined my life! He… He…”

“Ata, breathe,” I said, quickly taking her fist again so she wouldn’t hurt herself further. “He can’t hurt you anymore. You’re safe.”

She looked down at me, eyes still swimming with tears. “How can you say that? I’m sure he was dead, Odessa! I impaled him with my fucking sword and somehow he’s still walking around like nothing happened!”

“I don’t know, okay?” I wanted so badly to let my frustration show, but I forced myself to stay calm, instead taking her face into my hands. “Look at me. Breathe. I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Atalanta. I promise. As long as I’m here… I won’t stop until you’re safe.”

She stared at me through her tears. There was shock in her eyes, in that sea of brown and tears… Perhaps she expected me to leave after all of this—to give up. But I refused to give up on her. And it had nothing to do with my quest. I still didn’t understand how I came to feel so strongly about this woman I had only known for a few days… but I wasn’t going to resist it any longer. She needed someone to be there for her… and I would do my damnedest to be that person. It was what she deserved.

Atalanta slowly reached up to place her hand over mine. She didn’t say a word. She simply nodded… and pulled me into an embrace. I was startled at first, as she buried her face in my shoulder and wept. But I let myself relax, slipping my arms around her. I held her and let her cry. Atalanta always tried to be strong, to not show any sign of weakness… Her showing this much of herself to me, these emotions she so desperately hid, told me just how much she did trust me.

“It will be okay,” I said quietly, running my fingers through her hair. “We’ll find a way out of this. I promise.”

I had no idea how I could fulfill that promise. But I had to try. For Atalanta, I would try.