Chapter 4: The RivalA month later, Sappho sat upon the city’s defensive walls and watched the sun rise over the harbor. Although the beauty of the scene rarely escaped her, she could not shake off the sorrows that plagued her.
As the daylight hit the sails of one of the ships entering the harbor, she recognized its design and cursed. “A day too late,” she mourned. “Oh, Alcaeus, you’ve come a day too late.”
She could hear the sound of footsteps behind her. She recognized their cadence immediately, and as they stopped next to her, she squeezed the sandaled foot of her friend. “Hello, Phaon.”
He sat down beside her. “It appears you’ve found my special hideaway. I always wanted to share it, and now I’m glad I already have.”
“Perhaps you’ll be sharing it with someone else soon,” she said wi
