Chapter 48 #2
I said nothing, a numbness creeping over me as I watched a gaggle of slaves drag Philoetius away, his chest fluttering with shallow breaths. I looked back to my brother, at the triumph in his eyes.
“You were going to kill him.” My voice trembled.
Slowly, Melanthius’s gaze slid to mine. “He’s alive, isn’t he?”
I could do nothing but stare at him, at this stranger who sat before me, wearing the skin of my brother.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Penelope marched through the chaos like a king on a battlefield.
Her eyes instantly cut to mine, the color draining from her face as she surveyed the scene—Melanthius’s swollen face, the bloodstains on the floor, Eurymachus’s arm fastened around my waist.
“I require an answer to my question,” she said evenly.
The fresh silence was punctured by a few sniggers as everyone turned to Eurymachus.
“My queen, what a pleasant surprise,” he said smoothly. “We just had a little incident. Two of your slaves got into a fight. But not to worry. We handled the situation.”
Penelope smiled tightly. “How odd. It is most unusual for the slaves to fight under this roof. But I thank you for…handling the situation. My goatherd appears in need of medical attention. May he be excused?”
“Of course, my queen.” Eurymachus flicked a hand at Melanthius.
“But…you told me I could join you,” my brother murmured.
“And now I’m telling you to leave.”
Melanthius seemed to shrink two sizes beneath Eurymachus’s quick dismissal. Yet still he obeyed, gathering what pride he could as he rose and stiffly bowed before striding from the room.
“My handmaid must also return to her duties,” Penelope said.
Eurymachus brazenly gripped my hips as he replied, “Your handmaid has promised to serve me tonight.”
I felt a sickening rush of guilt as a burst of surprise flared in Penelope’s eyes. It was gone in a whisper, replaced by a steely calmness.
“It is not my handmaid’s place to offer herself.”
“She claimed she had your permission,” Eurymachus lied. “Or have you changed your mind? Do you really intend to take away your gift to me?”
He grinned, knowing he had backed Penelope into a corner.
The tension in the room was as thick as a noose, pulling tighter by the second. The suitors’ eyes flickered between Penelope and Eurymachus, waiting excitedly to see if more blood might be spilled tonight.
“It is only a night, mistress,” I said, adopting the voice I had once used on Castor, sultry and bored. “You can spare me for one, can you not?”
Finally, Penelope looked at me, her gaze like a bolt of lightning, singeing through my bones. I saw the pain flash across her face, so dangerously close to the surface.
Eurymachus chuckled against my neck, his fingers trailing down my cheek.
“See, my queen? The slave wants to serve me. Don’t you, love?”
He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him so he could plant his mouth on my own. His lips tasted of sour wine, and I fought the urge to bite down on them, to make him bleed and yelp.
Eurymachus chuckled, then pushed my face away with a smirk.
Before us, Penelope had grown frighteningly still, as if she were cut from some ancient, eternal rock—unmoving, unyielding.
But beneath that stillness, I sensed her silent rage.
She stared at my mouth, and for a terrifying moment, I thought she was going to snap, to finally let that mask she had worn so well for so long come crashing down.
But then Penelope smiled. A slow, hard smile.
“Very well,” she said. “You may have her.”
Relief rushed through me, but when I looked at Eurymachus, at his triumphant smile, I felt a cold dread creep over me.
I can do this, I told myself. I can endure it.
To protect the palace, to protect my friends, to protect her.
“However,” Penelope continued, raising a hand as if to halt my spiraling thoughts, “I would first like to make an announcement.” She strode to the center of the room, standing next to a gleaming pool of blood.
“I have taken Eurymachus’s and Antinous’s wise counsel into consideration and given the matter much thought.
After imploring the gods for their guidance, I have made my decision. ”
I had not realized how far I was leaning forward until I felt Eurymachus pull me back against him.
“I have chosen to accept the death of my husband.”
No, no, no.
“And I have decided to remarry.”
Surprise stole through the room, and immediately the suitors began to grin at one another like a pack of wolves eyeing up their prey.
“As you are aware, there are a great many of you, and you are all exceptional candidates,” Penelope continued. “So I hope you will allow me the proper time to decide who among you I will choose as my betrothed.”
“That is most excellent news, Queen Penelope!” Eurymachus exclaimed.
She turned to him, silver fire dancing in her eyes as she said, “I must inform you, Eurymachus, that something I value highly in a man is control in all things.” She stared pointedly at his arm locked around my waist, inviting a few amused murmurs.
“And why should a woman have a say in where her husband sticks his cock?” Antinous sneered.
Penelope’s lips cut upward. “She should not, of course, and you are free to indulge however you see fit, Antinous. I would not dream of denying you that freedom. I am merely stating my preference in a husband.” She turned her smile to Eurymachus, and I swore I saw its edges sharpening. “I hope I have made myself clear.”
“Well, it hardly seems fair to deny your guests their fun,” Eurymachus countered. “Do you not think, men?”
“Only if you’re too weak to keep it in your pants,” one sniggered.
“I have no problem abstaining, Queen Penelope,” another piped up.
“Nor me!”
“I haven’t even looked at your handmaids!”
More shouts joined the others, desperate, pathetic pleas, all vying for Penelope’s attention.
“Enjoy your night, gentlemen,” she said sweetly, and my heart lifted with pride as she glided from the room.
“Get off.” Eurymachus shoved me away as soon as Penelope had disappeared.
I turned back to him, a cold triumph flooding through me.
“What’s the matter, my lord?” I pursed my lips. “Not in the mood anymore?”
“Go back to your queen. Now,” he spat. “Tell her I didn’t touch you. Make sure she knows.”
I gave a slow, mocking bow. “Of course. I am sure Mistress Penelope will be most pleased to hear that.”