fic: Over The Edge [Zoë Nightshade/Heracles]
Title: Over The Edge
Word Count: 2,842
Characters/Pairings: Zoë Nightshade/Heracles
Warnings/Spoilers: Umm...has some slight facts from The Titan's Curse?
Summary: Zoe's very first encounter with the hero Heracles, and how one small decision changed the rest of her life.
Notes: So the idea actually came to me around August last year and I had started the fic but life got in the way so only actually finished it recently. Zoe has to be one of my favourite characters from PJO since she's another one of those empowered, independent women that I really admire and I thought it'd be fun to explore her past a bit. Of course a lot of this is head-canon but I've drawn upon what RR has established for Zoe and I really hope I've done Heracles' portrayal some justice. Beta-d by the lovely heyjuliee , I can't thank her enough for doing this for me everytime.
The approaching night air atop the mountain was thick and heavy. Far beyond the horizon in the West, the sun dipped elegantly out of sight. A gentle breeze swept by, rustling the leaves of nearby plants and the one lone glistening tree that stood proudly upon a hill. And yet, despite the twinkling of the overhead constellations and the stillness of the evening air, something was amiss in The Garden of The Hesperides.
A hero strode, slowly but surely, through the long grass. The shimmering tree fell not far from his line of vision.
Even with the ground beneath him unsteady and the uncertainty of his task dawning on him, he walked with such confidence and grace, his posture alone radiating strength.
He walked on, The Nemean Lion’s pelt trailing on the ground behind him. It fell to his side, however, when he stopped abruptly. He wasn’t expecting to be followed when he turned around, though he knew he wouldn’t be alone for long. People warned him of the tree being guarded.
There was a rustling noise to his left. He crouched down carefully, scanning the tall grass. “Who’s there?” he called, voice piercing the heavy air.
When there was no reply he urged on, unafraid of any attention he was attracting to himself: “Show yourself!”
The shadows seemed to shift, and a figure - a girl - emerged into the moonlight. She stood tall with her dark hair braided down her back, soft features faltering under a gaze of steely determination.
“You must leave.” Her voice chimed in the silence of the garden. “This is no place for a mortal.”
He took a step forward, his eyes studying her closely. She was beautiful; more beautiful than any other woman he had met before. Her skin’s radiant glow seemed a reflection of the overhead stars. “And if I do not?” he asked.
“I know why you are here. This place is not safe.” Her dark eyes flashed dangerously. “You must leave.”
The hero chuckled. The girl blinked, confused. “I do not flee easily, fair maiden. In fact, I do not flee at all. It will take more than a mere beast to stand in the way of Heracles. I will retrieve what I seek.”
The girl peered over her shoulder, as if to check for those in pursuit, before turning back to face Heracles with a shake of her head. “Thou dost not understand. Many have tried, and failed. They failed to obtain the prize they sought within the garden, and they paid dearly. The Apples of Immortality are not to be plucked from the tree.” Her silk robe swayed coarsely in the wind as if some other power was fast approaching. “Go back, hero, before -”
Voices echoed from beyond the tall grass. The girl’s face froze. Heracles couldn’t determine how many voices thronged the air; they travelled together in the night air like a melody.
“Sister!” they called harmoniously.
“Sister?” he asked, puzzled - but before he had received an answer, the girl had quickly rushed forward and attempted to push him in the other direction, though her efforts were futile. “Go! Go!” she urged. Heracles smiled, clearly amused, remaining steadfast against her lithe frame.
“I told you, fair maiden, I am not afraid of anything.” A smile played on his lips. His confidence radiated, but this only irritated the girl.
The voices were approaching, piercing through the night as they called for their missing sister. “I cannot be seen with you!”
“Then why not return to them?”
She persisted in pushing him towards the tall sea of grass. “I will, but first, you must leave!”
Before she could protest, he had spun around and gripped her wrists in his strong hands, though he was careful enough not to hurt her. She yelped in surprise. “What are you doing?” she asked, glancing desperately over her shoulder.
“Are you worried for me, maiden?” he questioned, his eyes twinkling. “You seem quite intent on keeping me safe. If I’m not very much mistaken, I would say you c-“
“Get down!” the girl ordered, adding in an extra shove for good measure. This time, she was at least able to catch him off his guard, and he took a step back, lifting his hands in mock defence.
“I surrender.” A smirk graced the corner of his mouth as he trudged off into the tall grass.
As soon as he had dipped behind a thick patch of long grass, the voices called out once more, much louder and closer than before. They seemed to be addressing the girl, but the words were lost to the wind. He waited, cocking his ear, trying keenly to make out their conversation, but to no avail.
Eventually, he felt a strong gust of wind, before the garden lapsed into silence. The girl appeared above him, her arm extended. His hand clasped her palm, though he needed little help getting to his feet.
“Leave this garden.”
He kept his grip on her hand, but the girl seemed not to notice. He shot her yet another amused look. “I cannot say I can guarantee that.”
The girl stared in the direction of the tree. She sighed, exasperated. “Then at least stay hidden.” And in an instant her image had faded, leaving behind a shimmering robe that was soon engulfed by the wind.
...Ω...
“Quiet! You are attracting attention to yourself.”
Heracles hadn’t expected to jump at the sound of her voice, but he certainly made a point to hide it. A pile of pebbles lay at his feet, where he had kicked them in an attempt to release his frustration.
“Attention from you, certainly.”
The girl blushed and looked away. Heracles gave her a cocksure grin and stepped closer towards her.
“Do you have a name?”
She didn’t answer. He raised his eyebrow at her sudden shyness. “Very well, I’ll just call you Pretty One. I believe it to be very suitable.”
The girl looked up at him with shy eyes and smiled, still saying nothing. He turned his head, his eyes falling back upon the obstacle that stood between him and his prize. His eyes narrowed in thought. After a while, he caught her staring from the corner of his eye.
A small grin sitting on his lips, he asked: “Where are your sisters? Why don’t they search for you?”
“They are tending to Ladon, the one that guards the tree.”
“Ah. Hence the reason for your caution…”
She rolled her eyes in almost a playful fashion and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve told you, hero. The Apples of Immortality are not to be plucked or taken from this garden.”
His face bore the same amused look, as if everything she was telling him was meant to be some type of joke. “You honestly believe I would just give up on a challenge this easily?”
She looked perplexed. He took another step closer towards her, “You’ve got a lot to learn then, Pretty One,” he said, his face only a few inches from hers.
She found herself staring into his eyes, and though she knew she was putting everything she has at risk, she has the courage to not look away. She had never been one to defy her family’s rules and beliefs, but everything about what she was about to do; it was a new type of sensation. One that did not feel in the least bit wrong.
“What are you thinking?” he dared.
All the consequences that came along with helping a hero -especially with a forbidden task- they ran through her mind like clear images, but that wasn’t enough to stop the cheerful laugh escaping her lips as she placed her gentle hands over his sturdy ones.
“Come. I shall show thee the garden.”
They spend a good portion of the evening hours strolling among the grass and wildflowers. At one stage, she even risked them getting caught by calling out loudly as he was about to swallow a handful of poison berries. “Prosécho̱! My gods! Be careful!”
“Have you learnt nothing from what I have told thee on our tour?” she teased.
He told her countless stories of his adventures and tasks, as any proud hero would. Though he was not particularly surprised that she took an interest in his tales, he appreciated the attention.
And afterwards, when they finally found time to collapse into the tall grass. They lay side by side, staring up into the heavens.
“You’re very beautiful,” he said.
She seemed taken by surprise. “Beautiful?”
“Much more beautiful than your sisters, I’m sure.”
She glanced side-ways at him and laughed.
“Surely that is not true.”
He lifted himself up on his elbows, gently leaning over her. “Why do you say that?”
“I am the youngest of the five. That I could be as pretty and charming as them…” She stared up at the sky as she spoke, the words tumbling out. “They’ve always been so knowledgeable and wise,” she continued. She blushed.
He still lingered over her and she turned her attention back to him. She held his gaze for a few seconds, but hastily turned away. “There is little chance of me becoming like them. I feel left out sometimes. That I am different.”
She had never told anyone else the words that flowed from her mouth, and confiding in a hero was most definitely not one of the ideal ways to talk about something so personal to her, but even if she barely knew Heracles, she felt like she could trust him with anything she wanted. She loved her sisters, she really did. They meant the world to her and what she wanted the most was no more than to be accepted by them, for them to stop viewing her as only the youngest and most naïve sister.
He said nothing. The chirping of crickets gradually surrounds them. She was not sure of what is exactly running through his mind as her chest rose into him and falls steadily as she breathed.
“I’m sorry.” She seemed to realize she may have shared more than what he was expecting to hear.
She propped herself up on her elbows, readying herself to stand with palms pressing against the soft grass. His lips caught hers before she had a second to register what had happened. It may only have been a few seconds, but it felt like hours to her as his hands slid from her neck to her cheeks, pressing her gently against him. She didn’t fight it, and soon enough she found her own hands tangled in his straggly hair.
“Come away with me,” he murmured as they part.
She looked mystified. “W-what? That is absurd!”
“It doesn’t have to be! Help me complete my task and we could go! You wouldn’t have to worry about your family ever again.” His sturdy hands encased hers.
“No- I- I cannot leave them!” she insisted, shaking her head as she looked down trying to avoid his eyes.
Heracles reached for her cheek once again but stopped mid-way as the ground beneath them began to tremble. She breathed in sharply as she peered out over the tall grass. Her eyes darkened at the sight of the distant figure.
“Ladon,” she murmured.
He followed her gaze, failing to understand the situation. “Pretty One, what is it?”
With her gaze still fixed on the horizon as she stood abruptly, tugging on Heracles’ muscular arm. “We must go now,” she said urgently.
He seemed reluctant to follow but stood up, still holding her hand. A violent gust of wind blew by as she led him into the shadows, afraid to look back.
...Ω...
“Please, I-“
“Enough!”
There was no possible chance she could reason with any of her sisters now. Her actions, what she had done, it had cost her the trust of her family. Anything she ever had, it was slipping away from her, she knew.
She brought her knees to the ground, her breath trembling. Unable to look her sisters in the eyes, her dignity shrunk away into the ground.
“You’ve betrayed us, sister. Aiding a hero in the theft of something that is our duty to guard? It is expressly forbidden!” A girl, dressed in a dazzling chiton, steps forward. She had the same long dark hair, same dark eyes, but the harshness that stretched across her face could only display disappointment in her youngest sister’s decision.
“Hesperia. Sisters. Forgive me, please.” Her hand aimlessly travelled up to her hair where her broach once was. She had seen him wielding it into a weapon in his hands, how he had radiated even more power as he held it. A pained expression crossed her face as she remembered the trudge of Ladon’s footsteps approaching them, how she had urged him to go but resented his sudden absence, the last warm look of his eyes that she expected, but never received.
“It is done,” says Erytheia coldly.
“You have chosen where your heart truly lies, and it is no longer with us.” Hesperia now spoke, her steely glare fixed upon her sister.
A violent gust of wind swept across and encircled them. Her hair and robe flews wildly with the wind, she looked up into the heavens, seeking comfort within the stars but even as they continued to glow she felt the very life in her soul faltering away. The light that once danced across her skin faded until the glow had dwindled to nothingness.
She felt different; weaker, more vulnerable.
She took a final step forward towards the only family she had ever known. “I don’t understand…”
Erytheia stared across at her with cold eyes.“You are no longer one of us, because of your affiliation with the hero. You are herby banished.”
Shock registered across her face. She opened her mouth to protest, but Hesperia holds up a hand.
“Leave Mount Othrys. You are no longer welcome here. You are no longer one of us.”
A single tear trailed down her cheek. She had everything to lose and she had risked it all for one hero on a whim, a hero that hadn’t bothered to look back. She had offered him all the help within her power. Her immortality, her home, her family, they were hers no longer.
As she fled the Garden of The Hesperides, her eyes threatened to look back to her former home one last time. In that moment, she made a promise to herself that she never would again.
...Ω...
The next time she saw him was in 1575. She had been hunting deep in the woods of South Scotland, leading the Hunters of Artemis as their lieutenant. She had strayed a fair few yards away from the others, and found herself on the same hunting trial as him.
Knelt behind a thorn bush, he turned and looked at her. On instantly recognizing exactly who he had stumbled upon his away-time from Olympus he flashed her a smile.
“My, Pretty One, haven’t you changed.”
She didn’t move. She didn’t blink. She didn’t breathe. Not even the look on her face changed.
And as quickly as he winked at her, she drew an arrow, notched it into her bow and sent it flying in his direction. She knew it wouldn’t do any harm, and it didn’t surprise her one bit when he caught it in his palm and snapped it neatly between his fingers.
The two halves of the arrow landed soundly on the ground between them. “Until next time, then.” He bowed out silently and disappeared behind a pine tree.
She released a deep breath of air, and as much as she fought it, a single tear slid down her cheek. She willed herself to stop as she heard approaching footsteps behind her.
“Zoë?” a fellow Hunter called out.
She turned towards her hunters and shouldered her bow. “Let us go. There is much to be done.”
The group of fourteen or so girls didn’t know what had happened, but they knew better than to question their leader. They fled the clearing and back into the forest.
Zoë made to follow but before disappearing around a hollow tree trunk, she turned and stared at the broken arrow lying helplessly on the floor, wondering if her life would be any different if she had chosen to leave with him all those years ago on that fateful night.
As much as she would give to do it over, to forget, Zoë Nightshade knew that he would always be back to haunt her. Not even the River Lethe would be enough to wash away the pain and betrayal he had caused her.
Word Count: 2,842
Characters/Pairings: Zoë Nightshade/Heracles
Warnings/Spoilers: Umm...has some slight facts from The Titan's Curse?
Summary: Zoe's very first encounter with the hero Heracles, and how one small decision changed the rest of her life.
Notes: So the idea actually came to me around August last year and I had started the fic but life got in the way so only actually finished it recently. Zoe has to be one of my favourite characters from PJO since she's another one of those empowered, independent women that I really admire and I thought it'd be fun to explore her past a bit. Of course a lot of this is head-canon but I've drawn upon what RR has established for Zoe and I really hope I've done Heracles' portrayal some justice. Beta-d by the lovely heyjuliee , I can't thank her enough for doing this for me everytime.
The approaching night air atop the mountain was thick and heavy. Far beyond the horizon in the West, the sun dipped elegantly out of sight. A gentle breeze swept by, rustling the leaves of nearby plants and the one lone glistening tree that stood proudly upon a hill. And yet, despite the twinkling of the overhead constellations and the stillness of the evening air, something was amiss in The Garden of The Hesperides.
A hero strode, slowly but surely, through the long grass. The shimmering tree fell not far from his line of vision.
Even with the ground beneath him unsteady and the uncertainty of his task dawning on him, he walked with such confidence and grace, his posture alone radiating strength.
He walked on, The Nemean Lion’s pelt trailing on the ground behind him. It fell to his side, however, when he stopped abruptly. He wasn’t expecting to be followed when he turned around, though he knew he wouldn’t be alone for long. People warned him of the tree being guarded.
There was a rustling noise to his left. He crouched down carefully, scanning the tall grass. “Who’s there?” he called, voice piercing the heavy air.
When there was no reply he urged on, unafraid of any attention he was attracting to himself: “Show yourself!”
The shadows seemed to shift, and a figure - a girl - emerged into the moonlight. She stood tall with her dark hair braided down her back, soft features faltering under a gaze of steely determination.
“You must leave.” Her voice chimed in the silence of the garden. “This is no place for a mortal.”
He took a step forward, his eyes studying her closely. She was beautiful; more beautiful than any other woman he had met before. Her skin’s radiant glow seemed a reflection of the overhead stars. “And if I do not?” he asked.
“I know why you are here. This place is not safe.” Her dark eyes flashed dangerously. “You must leave.”
The hero chuckled. The girl blinked, confused. “I do not flee easily, fair maiden. In fact, I do not flee at all. It will take more than a mere beast to stand in the way of Heracles. I will retrieve what I seek.”
The girl peered over her shoulder, as if to check for those in pursuit, before turning back to face Heracles with a shake of her head. “Thou dost not understand. Many have tried, and failed. They failed to obtain the prize they sought within the garden, and they paid dearly. The Apples of Immortality are not to be plucked from the tree.” Her silk robe swayed coarsely in the wind as if some other power was fast approaching. “Go back, hero, before -”
Voices echoed from beyond the tall grass. The girl’s face froze. Heracles couldn’t determine how many voices thronged the air; they travelled together in the night air like a melody.
“Sister!” they called harmoniously.
“Sister?” he asked, puzzled - but before he had received an answer, the girl had quickly rushed forward and attempted to push him in the other direction, though her efforts were futile. “Go! Go!” she urged. Heracles smiled, clearly amused, remaining steadfast against her lithe frame.
“I told you, fair maiden, I am not afraid of anything.” A smile played on his lips. His confidence radiated, but this only irritated the girl.
The voices were approaching, piercing through the night as they called for their missing sister. “I cannot be seen with you!”
“Then why not return to them?”
She persisted in pushing him towards the tall sea of grass. “I will, but first, you must leave!”
Before she could protest, he had spun around and gripped her wrists in his strong hands, though he was careful enough not to hurt her. She yelped in surprise. “What are you doing?” she asked, glancing desperately over her shoulder.
“Are you worried for me, maiden?” he questioned, his eyes twinkling. “You seem quite intent on keeping me safe. If I’m not very much mistaken, I would say you c-“
“Get down!” the girl ordered, adding in an extra shove for good measure. This time, she was at least able to catch him off his guard, and he took a step back, lifting his hands in mock defence.
“I surrender.” A smirk graced the corner of his mouth as he trudged off into the tall grass.
As soon as he had dipped behind a thick patch of long grass, the voices called out once more, much louder and closer than before. They seemed to be addressing the girl, but the words were lost to the wind. He waited, cocking his ear, trying keenly to make out their conversation, but to no avail.
Eventually, he felt a strong gust of wind, before the garden lapsed into silence. The girl appeared above him, her arm extended. His hand clasped her palm, though he needed little help getting to his feet.
“Leave this garden.”
He kept his grip on her hand, but the girl seemed not to notice. He shot her yet another amused look. “I cannot say I can guarantee that.”
The girl stared in the direction of the tree. She sighed, exasperated. “Then at least stay hidden.” And in an instant her image had faded, leaving behind a shimmering robe that was soon engulfed by the wind.
...Ω...
“Quiet! You are attracting attention to yourself.”
Heracles hadn’t expected to jump at the sound of her voice, but he certainly made a point to hide it. A pile of pebbles lay at his feet, where he had kicked them in an attempt to release his frustration.
“Attention from you, certainly.”
The girl blushed and looked away. Heracles gave her a cocksure grin and stepped closer towards her.
“Do you have a name?”
She didn’t answer. He raised his eyebrow at her sudden shyness. “Very well, I’ll just call you Pretty One. I believe it to be very suitable.”
The girl looked up at him with shy eyes and smiled, still saying nothing. He turned his head, his eyes falling back upon the obstacle that stood between him and his prize. His eyes narrowed in thought. After a while, he caught her staring from the corner of his eye.
A small grin sitting on his lips, he asked: “Where are your sisters? Why don’t they search for you?”
“They are tending to Ladon, the one that guards the tree.”
“Ah. Hence the reason for your caution…”
She rolled her eyes in almost a playful fashion and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve told you, hero. The Apples of Immortality are not to be plucked or taken from this garden.”
His face bore the same amused look, as if everything she was telling him was meant to be some type of joke. “You honestly believe I would just give up on a challenge this easily?”
She looked perplexed. He took another step closer towards her, “You’ve got a lot to learn then, Pretty One,” he said, his face only a few inches from hers.
She found herself staring into his eyes, and though she knew she was putting everything she has at risk, she has the courage to not look away. She had never been one to defy her family’s rules and beliefs, but everything about what she was about to do; it was a new type of sensation. One that did not feel in the least bit wrong.
“What are you thinking?” he dared.
All the consequences that came along with helping a hero -especially with a forbidden task- they ran through her mind like clear images, but that wasn’t enough to stop the cheerful laugh escaping her lips as she placed her gentle hands over his sturdy ones.
“Come. I shall show thee the garden.”
They spend a good portion of the evening hours strolling among the grass and wildflowers. At one stage, she even risked them getting caught by calling out loudly as he was about to swallow a handful of poison berries. “Prosécho̱! My gods! Be careful!”
“Have you learnt nothing from what I have told thee on our tour?” she teased.
He told her countless stories of his adventures and tasks, as any proud hero would. Though he was not particularly surprised that she took an interest in his tales, he appreciated the attention.
And afterwards, when they finally found time to collapse into the tall grass. They lay side by side, staring up into the heavens.
“You’re very beautiful,” he said.
She seemed taken by surprise. “Beautiful?”
“Much more beautiful than your sisters, I’m sure.”
She glanced side-ways at him and laughed.
“Surely that is not true.”
He lifted himself up on his elbows, gently leaning over her. “Why do you say that?”
“I am the youngest of the five. That I could be as pretty and charming as them…” She stared up at the sky as she spoke, the words tumbling out. “They’ve always been so knowledgeable and wise,” she continued. She blushed.
He still lingered over her and she turned her attention back to him. She held his gaze for a few seconds, but hastily turned away. “There is little chance of me becoming like them. I feel left out sometimes. That I am different.”
She had never told anyone else the words that flowed from her mouth, and confiding in a hero was most definitely not one of the ideal ways to talk about something so personal to her, but even if she barely knew Heracles, she felt like she could trust him with anything she wanted. She loved her sisters, she really did. They meant the world to her and what she wanted the most was no more than to be accepted by them, for them to stop viewing her as only the youngest and most naïve sister.
He said nothing. The chirping of crickets gradually surrounds them. She was not sure of what is exactly running through his mind as her chest rose into him and falls steadily as she breathed.
“I’m sorry.” She seemed to realize she may have shared more than what he was expecting to hear.
She propped herself up on her elbows, readying herself to stand with palms pressing against the soft grass. His lips caught hers before she had a second to register what had happened. It may only have been a few seconds, but it felt like hours to her as his hands slid from her neck to her cheeks, pressing her gently against him. She didn’t fight it, and soon enough she found her own hands tangled in his straggly hair.
“Come away with me,” he murmured as they part.
She looked mystified. “W-what? That is absurd!”
“It doesn’t have to be! Help me complete my task and we could go! You wouldn’t have to worry about your family ever again.” His sturdy hands encased hers.
“No- I- I cannot leave them!” she insisted, shaking her head as she looked down trying to avoid his eyes.
Heracles reached for her cheek once again but stopped mid-way as the ground beneath them began to tremble. She breathed in sharply as she peered out over the tall grass. Her eyes darkened at the sight of the distant figure.
“Ladon,” she murmured.
He followed her gaze, failing to understand the situation. “Pretty One, what is it?”
With her gaze still fixed on the horizon as she stood abruptly, tugging on Heracles’ muscular arm. “We must go now,” she said urgently.
He seemed reluctant to follow but stood up, still holding her hand. A violent gust of wind blew by as she led him into the shadows, afraid to look back.
...Ω...
“Please, I-“
“Enough!”
There was no possible chance she could reason with any of her sisters now. Her actions, what she had done, it had cost her the trust of her family. Anything she ever had, it was slipping away from her, she knew.
She brought her knees to the ground, her breath trembling. Unable to look her sisters in the eyes, her dignity shrunk away into the ground.
“You’ve betrayed us, sister. Aiding a hero in the theft of something that is our duty to guard? It is expressly forbidden!” A girl, dressed in a dazzling chiton, steps forward. She had the same long dark hair, same dark eyes, but the harshness that stretched across her face could only display disappointment in her youngest sister’s decision.
“Hesperia. Sisters. Forgive me, please.” Her hand aimlessly travelled up to her hair where her broach once was. She had seen him wielding it into a weapon in his hands, how he had radiated even more power as he held it. A pained expression crossed her face as she remembered the trudge of Ladon’s footsteps approaching them, how she had urged him to go but resented his sudden absence, the last warm look of his eyes that she expected, but never received.
“It is done,” says Erytheia coldly.
“You have chosen where your heart truly lies, and it is no longer with us.” Hesperia now spoke, her steely glare fixed upon her sister.
A violent gust of wind swept across and encircled them. Her hair and robe flews wildly with the wind, she looked up into the heavens, seeking comfort within the stars but even as they continued to glow she felt the very life in her soul faltering away. The light that once danced across her skin faded until the glow had dwindled to nothingness.
She felt different; weaker, more vulnerable.
She took a final step forward towards the only family she had ever known. “I don’t understand…”
Erytheia stared across at her with cold eyes.“You are no longer one of us, because of your affiliation with the hero. You are herby banished.”
Shock registered across her face. She opened her mouth to protest, but Hesperia holds up a hand.
“Leave Mount Othrys. You are no longer welcome here. You are no longer one of us.”
A single tear trailed down her cheek. She had everything to lose and she had risked it all for one hero on a whim, a hero that hadn’t bothered to look back. She had offered him all the help within her power. Her immortality, her home, her family, they were hers no longer.
As she fled the Garden of The Hesperides, her eyes threatened to look back to her former home one last time. In that moment, she made a promise to herself that she never would again.
...Ω...
The next time she saw him was in 1575. She had been hunting deep in the woods of South Scotland, leading the Hunters of Artemis as their lieutenant. She had strayed a fair few yards away from the others, and found herself on the same hunting trial as him.
Knelt behind a thorn bush, he turned and looked at her. On instantly recognizing exactly who he had stumbled upon his away-time from Olympus he flashed her a smile.
“My, Pretty One, haven’t you changed.”
She didn’t move. She didn’t blink. She didn’t breathe. Not even the look on her face changed.
And as quickly as he winked at her, she drew an arrow, notched it into her bow and sent it flying in his direction. She knew it wouldn’t do any harm, and it didn’t surprise her one bit when he caught it in his palm and snapped it neatly between his fingers.
The two halves of the arrow landed soundly on the ground between them. “Until next time, then.” He bowed out silently and disappeared behind a pine tree.
She released a deep breath of air, and as much as she fought it, a single tear slid down her cheek. She willed herself to stop as she heard approaching footsteps behind her.
“Zoë?” a fellow Hunter called out.
She turned towards her hunters and shouldered her bow. “Let us go. There is much to be done.”
The group of fourteen or so girls didn’t know what had happened, but they knew better than to question their leader. They fled the clearing and back into the forest.
Zoë made to follow but before disappearing around a hollow tree trunk, she turned and stared at the broken arrow lying helplessly on the floor, wondering if her life would be any different if she had chosen to leave with him all those years ago on that fateful night.
As much as she would give to do it over, to forget, Zoë Nightshade knew that he would always be back to haunt her. Not even the River Lethe would be enough to wash away the pain and betrayal he had caused her.