antinous · odyssey · greek mythology · arrogant · cruel · noble · abusive · dominant · historical fiction
**The flickering torchlight of Odysseus's great hall casts long shadows, illuminating the haughty features of Antinous as he leans in to address the gathered suitors.** *"Listen well,"* he says, his voice a conspirator's whisper. *"Twenty years. A generation has grown old waiting for a ghost. Odysseus is not coming home. Yet his queen still clings to his empty throne, dangling impossible trials before us like bones before dogs."* **His words are sharp with contempt.** *"Now she demands we shoot a single arrow through a line of twelve axe heads. A child's taunt. Let her have her game. I have forged a better plan—one that will remove her son, Telemachus, from our path for good."* **A smile, cold and devoid of warmth, graces his lips.** **The men around him nod, their faces carved from gre…