FIVE

"Intruders?" I asked, stumbling as I tried to keep up.

Athena glided effortlessly through the forest. "That's likely."

"I thought you said no one could harm us here," I said, panic gripping me.

"They can't," Athena remarked, "but it doesn't stop them from trying."

The pond skipped into view. The bushes blocked any signs of what happened, but we could hear the sounds of a struggle.

And then another yelp, this one a man's, cut through the splashing water—a voice I remembered. I skidded to a halt, only for a moment. How did he get there?

I shook my head. Athena had already glided away, her shining helmet the only thing I could see over the bushes.

My feet were moving again. I rounded the bushes in time to see Athena hauling Dryope into the air. The nymph had become a vicious animal, kicking and snarling, her teeth gnashing together. Her owl eyes were wild, the pupils narrowed and sharp. Water dripped off her and she wasn't wearing any clothes. Heart sinking, I stepped closer to the pond. The nymph had been caught off guard while bathing.

And then I saw the intruder and I gasped. "Oh, my god—Paris."

Paris clutched his throat, coughing up a lung's worth of water, his Adam's apple bobbing painfully. His dark hair was plastered against his forehead and cheeks. The top of his peplos was soaked, clinging to his chest. I dropped to my knees next to him and cupped his face in my hands.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Melted chocolate eyes met mine and some of the glaze cleared.

"I'm fine, Alexis—"

My name scratched his raw throat, sending him into another spiral of coughing. I rubbed his back.

"Just take it easy," I murmured, glancing back at Dryope.

The dryad was still struggling against Athena, though the doll-like creature from earlier was returning. Her predatory eyes snapped to me, not a trace of apology amongst the gold. The switch from docile to hostile was disarming, yet an example of how unpredictable this world was.

"What did you do?" I demanded, "you could have killed him."

"He came into my territory," Dryope snarled. She clawed at Paris, who winced. "Men have no right entering my home."

"He's not a man you want to kill, Dryope," Athena sighed. "Unless you want the wrath of Aphrodite and Apollo to rain down on you."

She held the tree nymph as if she were a squirming child. Effortless and unyielding, of course. Dryope was losing steam, her thrashing less enthusiastic now and more whiny. I was thankful Athena had yet to let her go. There was no telling what she'd do if released.

"He still shouldn't be here," Dryope sniffed. "He caught me bathing! What a little spy he is!"

"I wasn't spying," Paris argued. He'd climbed to his feet, his cheeks flushed, though his lips pale. "You tried to drown me."

Dryope snarled and kicked her little feet. "I should have finished, you nasty little man!"

I threw my hands up between them, though Athena's grip was unwavering. Imagine being relieved to have a goddess as a bodyguard.

"Why are you here, Paris?" I asked.

Paris suddenly looked away, and he shrugged. "I—"

"Oh, for the love of Zeus, does it matter?" Athena cut in. "Dryope, enough of your tantrum, he is not going to hurt you. He is off-limits, so settle down and I'll let you go."

Just like that, Dryope went limp as a ragdoll. The sudden change caught Athena off guard. With a grunt, the goddess staggered, though she managed to keep Dryope from falling. Then she let go, and Dryope cried out as she dropped to the ground. Athena dusted off her hands and stepped around the nymph and rounded on me and Paris.

"You are starting to be an ache in my side," she sighed. "You should be home, foolish boy, where it's safe."

"I had to make sure Alexis was safe," Paris countered. He moved around me, placing himself between me and the goddess. "She's out here with a goddess. If anyone's in danger, it's her."

A storm ignited in Athena's eyes, her hand tightening around her spear. Dryope clasped her hands over mouth, her owl eyes as wide as they could go. I let out a nervous, disbelieving laugh. Foolish was probably the best word to describe him, yet you had to applaud his tenacity. Go, Paris.

But, Athena, naturally, didn't respond well to insults. She straightened her back, her lips dropping low.

"You should be careful where you tread, shepherd. There are things you don't know about. I'm not one to step on my family, but I will make an exception and squish you like an ant. Aphrodite can find another pet."

"Way to contradict yourself," I muttered. Louder, I said, "no one is going to hurt or maim or kill anyone, okay? Paris, I appreciate you wanting to help me, but I'm fine. Go back home and forget all about this."

"Forget about you?" Paris' smile was shy, stirring the butterflies in my stomach. "I don't want to do that. You are a very intriguing woman, Alexis—unforgettable and beautiful."

I blinked, at a loss for words. He met me like five minutes ago and he was going full-blown Romeo. I thought I was in an epic war story, not a romance.

Athena threw her hands up, mumbling a string of words I couldn't hear, though I could assume their meaning. Dryope sat cross-legged, her eyes wide. All she was missing was some popcorn.

"Ookay, look, I draw the line at star-crossed lovers," I said. "You need to go home."

It was hard to pretend like his words didn't make me swoon. Just batting his eyelashes—which were enviously long and full—made my knees weak. If he asked, I probably would walk away with him. Which was made all the more plausible when Athena opened her mouth.

"You'll move on from her in no time," she smirked, "after you see the beauty and might of the goddesses."

The teeth of my nails bit into the flesh of my palms as I squeezed my hands into white-knuckled fists. The wind picked up, catching my chiton in its grasp. Athena's hair came alive, much like Medusa's snakes. Thankfully, Athena couldn't turn people to stone but if looks could kill...

"You know what, it might be a good idea," I said, taking a step back. Athena raised her eyebrows as if she knew.

"What's a good idea, precious human?" Dryope asked in her singsong voice.

I kept my gaze level with Athena's as I addressed the nymph. "Going with Paris."

Dryope gasped. Athena's eyes narrowed. A squirrel chittered, unseen, in a nearby tree. Overhead, the sky darkened with the promise of rain. Zeus' thunder rumbled in the distance.

"Come here," Athena hissed, grabbing my arm.

She dragged me away from Paris and Dryope, who watched with unabashed interest. I was so caught up in the situation that I'd forgotten the dryad was sitting there, naked. Paris, too, must have realized, for he busied himself looking everywhere but at her. What a gentleman.

"That is the stupidest thing you could do," the goddess said, when we were far enough away.

"Maybe, but it beats sitting here doing nothing with someone who's insulted me since I arrived." I crossed my arms.

Athena pinched her brow in an attempt to stave off an Alexis-sized headache. "You are playing a game where you don't understand all the rules. I'm trying to help you"

"You said Zeus refuses to take me home. So what am I supposed to do? Wait out here in the wilderness with a nymph while you run around "helping" me?" I shook my head as the thunder rumbled nearer. "I'll figure it out my own way."

"Why must you be so obstinate—you know what? Fine. Do what you want. I am not going to stop you."

Wow, that was easy. Too easy. I narrowed my eyes, lightning igniting the sky. I suppose we should have been more concerned, considering how silent the forest had become.

"Why the change of heart?"

Athena shrugged, dug the butt of her spear in her. "You're forgetting, Alexis, that you're a pawn in a game and I don't have to help you, but I wanted to. If you want to play this game all on your own, who am I to stand in your way? I have better things to do with my time."

The blood drained from my face, pooling at my feet. Knowing her, she was probably serious. Well, so was I. I was done with her, but there was a little voice in my head screaming to stop being stubborn. Navigating the ancient world on my own was not ideal, considering everything I knew about it came from university classes and speculations.

I wasn't a Taurus for nothing, though.

"Can you at least point me in the right direction, then?" I shot back, stomping on that little voice. "Like where's Mount Olympus and how do I get there?"

"You seem to be familiar with Greek mythologies and legends; figure it out," Athena smirked and leaned in close. She brushed my cheek with the back of her hand and, while it was such a gentle touch, it left a trail of ice on my skin. "Enjoy the attention of pretty-boy while you can and try not to muck things up with your twenty-first century hands."

And with that, she was gone.

My feet were rooted to the ground as I grappled with what happened. The one person I believed was going to help me abandoned me—for real this time. Okay, yes, I did chase her off, but still! She was the grown-up in this scenario, she should know better.

"Athena, get back here," I called out. Naturally, she didn't reappear. "Whatever, I can do this on my own!"

The storm was rolling closer, kicking up loose dirt. The sky was ominous and dark, as if ready to inflict vengeance. Swirls of an angry wind captured me and a grumbling thunder shook the ground. I glared at the spot Athena had been, knowing I should move but was unable to.

Fine. If she didn't want to help me, that was fine. I was a smart, capable woman, and I didn't need a goddess to help me. There had to be some way to contact Zeus, forcing him to help me. Temples were a thing, maybe praying would help.

"I am no one's pawn," I said, my voice snatched by the wind.

I marched back to the pond where Dryope and Paris remained—or should have been. The water rippled and dimpled as the wind blew. Something sharp and cold hit my cheek and when I touched it, my fingers came away wet. More drops of rain landed on my bare arms and head. They were shockingly cold, despite how warm it had been earlier.

Where could they have gone?

A hand clamped around my arm, jolting me out of my stupor. I tensed, ready for a fight, but then another hand pressed against my cheek. It was Dryope, her golden eyes sparks against the dark backdrop. She was such a welcoming sight I could have hugged her. The only thing keeping me from doing so was the fact that she was still wild and free in her birthday suit.

"Precious human, come, I have shelter," she coaxed, "the man is there too. You will be safe to wait out the storm." She glanced over my shoulder. "Where is the wise goddess?"
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, she's long gone, probably back on Mount Olympus."

I didn't elaborate, though Dryope clearly wanted to know more. It was starting to soak in that I'd pushed Athena away even though I needed her. She had wormed under my skin, ignited my temper.

But there was no time to dwell on my mistake. The gnashing storm halted the conversation as a howling wind blew dirt and water in my face. Rather than saying anything, Dryope grabbed my hand and led me away from the pond. We ran through the gritty rain, fat blobs of rain now hitting us like cicadas. As the forest enveloped us, there was some relief, the trees groaned, swaying left and right. I had a hard time believing this wasn't Zeus' wrath literally raining down on me.

The shelter was behind a waterfall. The rain was coming down so hard it tumbled relentlessly off the rocky wall, effectively hiding the cave. I could barely make out Paris pacing back and forth.

Dryope shoved me through the icy veil, and I stumbled into the cave with a frigid gasp.

The cave was cozy and warm. Not hobbit hole cozy, but nice enough. Vibrant vines draped on one wall, and there was a layer of grass on the floor to add some softness. Flowers sprang up, pops of colour here and there. At the foot of the far wall was a pile of fur and pillow, a haphazard attempt at making a bed.

The orange, soft light came from the fire that burned invitingly in the centre of the cave. Though the waterfall's chill clung to me, my skin started to thaw as the fire beckoned me.

Paris fidgeted with the hem of his robe, thoughtful with a small frown. The flames cast a bronze glow over his skin, softening his features. In that light, light brown highlights shimmered in his dark hair. He was so stunning, the only thing I could utter was a hiccupping sound. Which he assumed meant I was cold.

"You're soaking wet," he gasped. "Come, sit by the fire before the cold sets in."

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, leading me to the fire. Perspiration mingled with a honeyed scent, as if Paris bathed in the sweet syrup. Of course, he smelled like honey. Did you seriously think he'd smell like farm animals? It's Paris we're talking about, not just some random shepherd.

It took a great deal of strength to resist pressing my nose to his neck, like a weirdo. I was relieved when he planted me before the fire and then sat next to me. Dryope busied herself with something across the cave, giving Paris and I a moment alone.

For a while, we said nothing. I warmed my hands over the fire, the drumming from the storm lulling us into a hypnotic stupor. Wind whistled through the waterfall and lightning illuminated the ringed entrance-way.

In my time, I used to love storms, since I could watch them from the comfort of my home. Out in the wild, wild Anatolia, it left me feeling vulnerable. And without Athena, that vulnerability was raw.

"Where's Athena?" Paris asked, glancing towards the cave entrance. The words bounced off cave walls, startling me out of my thoughts.

"She decided that I needed to do this on my own," I said. I spared him the details of how I was the one who pushed her away.

Paris nodded, then frowned. "What exactly is it that you need to do?"

His question made me hesitate. Hands warmed, I drew my knees up to my chin and wrapped my arms around them. Telling him might not matter, but Athena was right. I didn't know all the rules to whatever game Zeus was playing. For all I knew, telling Paris I was from the future could have devastating consequences.

"I need to go home. Athena was going to help me but she's gone and I have no clue what my next move is."

I glanced at Paris. He raised his perfectly sculpted eyebrows, encouraging me to continue. From her corner of the cave, Dryope watched me, her look unreadable. When our eyes locked, she busied herself doing something else, though I knew her attention was still on me.

"I need someone who knows this world—country," I continued slowly. "I'm out of my depth here and you went out of your way to find me... I'd like to take you up on your offer."

The silence was louder than the storm outside. Maybe I'd overstepped, or maybe I was too much trouble for his time.

"I-I don't have any money but I can figure out a way to pay you," I added hastily.

That did the trick, though not in the way I intended. Paris shook his head with a buttery smile. "No, that's not necessary. I'll help you, Alexis. But we should wait for the storm to pass before returning to my home."

Dryope scampered over to us and dropped to her knees. "Or you could stay here."

From the way she said it, I suspected she wanted us to stay with her for a very long time.

"I appreciate all you've done for me so far, Dryope," I smiled. I took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "But it's time to figure out this game on my own."

And if I had to do so with the future prince of Troy, then so be it.