Chapter 5
The Covetous Herdsman
She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, and he believed the Gods had finally smiled upon him when he came to the edge of the river only to find her swimming naked. She splashed in the sun-gilt water, laughing like a child, but as he settled in the rushes to watch her, he could tell that she was no girl.
But then she stopped her frolicking and, the water up to her throat, its sparkling surface now still about her, she pressed her hands to her face and wept.
He has hurt her, Aristaeus thought…hoped. He doesn’t deserve her!
He shifted in the grass as a serpent slithered past him, and Eurydice looked up quickly.
Their eyes locked for a brief moment of pure intensity, and then she smiled.
Such a smile! So beautiful!
Aristaeus thought that he
