Chapter One - Thessaly Burns
938 Words
The village still smelled of smoke three days later, Artemisia refused to leave it as ash clung to the olive trees. The Roman soldiers had not returned, but fear had. Fear lingered like rot beneath the skin of the people she had grown up with, They would not look at her directly anymore not after what they had seen and after the flames bent away from her body, especially not after the warlock came.
She stood at the edge of the fields at dusk, grinding herbs with unnecessary force, Lavender, Myrrh. Rue, Her magic hummed beneath her skin , restless, agitated.
“You will draw him back,” her mother said quietly behind her.
Artemisia did not turn. “He does not need drawing.”
“You spoke to him like a rival.”
“He is.”
Her mother’s voice softened. “Child, That man is not rival to anyone. He is something else.”
Artemisia finally faced her. “Then why did he leave me alive?”
Silence stretched, that was the question that haunted her. Drakon of Sparta had watched her as if she were a puzzle, A weapon, A curiosity... not a woman.
He had not looked at her with desire but looked at her with calculation and that unsettled her more than hunger ever could.
The wind shifted, the cicadas went silent and her stomach tightened.
“He’s here,” she whispered.
Her mother paled and retreated inside.
Artemisia stayed as hoofbeats approached slowly this time, Not like a conqueror but like something that already owned the land.
He rode into view as the last light of the sun bled over the hills.
Black horse, Black cloak,Silver eyes.
Even the air felt colder around him.
He dismounted with quiet grace, No armor, No visible blade as he did not need one.
“You linger,” he said.
“You return,” she replied.
They stood several paces apart, No villagers came out to watch this time.
“Come with me,” he said.
“No.”
He studied her face. “You do not ask where.”
“I do not care where.”
“Delphi.”
Her jaw tightened
“Delphi is ashes.”
“Yes.”
“And you expect me to walk into ruins beside the man who let it burn?”
His gaze sharpened , not anger but a warning.
“I did not let it burn.”
“You stood there.”
“And you would have died there.”
She stepped closer.
“I would have chosen it.”
His eyes darkened slightly , a flicker of something more dangerous than temper.
“You do not understand what moves beneath this land.”
“Then explain it.”
“I do not explain myself.”
“Then I do not follow you.”
A pause.
He stepped closer, she did not retreat.
He was taller by nearly a head. Broader, his presence swallowed space, she could smell night air and something metallic on his skin , like lightning before a storm.
“Something ancient has been disturbed,” he said quietly. “The Oracle’s death was not merely political.”
Her pulse skipped.
“What are you saying?”
“The seal is weakening.”
The ground trembled faintly beneath her feet, It was subtle, but she felt it.
Magic responded.
“What seal?” she demanded.
“The one that keeps the old gods buried.”
Silence.
Her mouth went dry.
“The Titans?” she whispered.
“Not gods,” he corrected softly. “Worse.”
The earth trembled again , stronger, He watched her reaction carefully.
“You feel it,” he said.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She glared at him.
“Do not look pleased.”
“I am not pleased. I am relieved.”
“Why?”
“Because you are the only witch within three provinces who did not cower when Rome arrived.”
Her breath hitched , not from flattery but from recognition.
“You need me.”
His jaw flexed.
“I require your power.”
“And if I refuse?”
He stepped closer.
“So refuse.”
The air thickened, she raised her chin.
“I will not follow you like a disciple.”
“I would never accept a disciple.”
“What would you accept?”
His silver gaze dropped to her mouth briefly , then rose again.
“A partner.”
She laughed sharply.
“I would sooner bind myself to Hades." He tilted his head slightly.
“Be careful what you swear.”
Her temper flared.
“Give me one reason to trust you.”
He did not hesitate.
“I did not burn Delphi.”
“Prove it.”
“I cannot.”
“Then I will not go.”
A long silence stretched between them, then he said quietly
“If the seal breaks, Thessaly will not survive.”
Her heart clenched.
“You threaten me?”
“I inform you.”
“And if you lie?”
He stepped so close she felt the heat of his breath against her temple.
“If I lie,” he murmured, “you may try to kill me.”
Her pulse pounded.
“You think I cannot?”
His voice lowered , dangerous, intimate.
“I know you would try.”
Something inside her shivered.
Not fear but a challenge, the earth shook again this time stronger and a crack split through the courtyard stones behind them.
Both turned as the ground tore open like flesh and something breathed from below.
- Writer
