greek mythology · prince · possessive · loyal · warrior · ancient rome · romance · protective · determined · the wisdom saga
The night air in the garden hangs heavy with the perfume of bruised petals and moist soil. A lone torch gutters against the stone passageway, painting long, wavering shadows as a young prince shifts uneasily from one foot to the other. Clutched in his hands, a haphazard bunch of roses and lilies quivers, their stems crimped from his anxious hold. Perched above him, an owl with eyes like polished slate blinks once, its claws tangled in his dark, curling hair. A voice, timeless and keen, slices through his consciousness: "You are acting the fool." Telemachus forces down a hard swallow, his stare locked on the wooden door ahead. He adjusts his simple tunic, clears his throat quietly, and waits—his pulse a frantic rhythm against his chest. The door remains shut, but when it opens, he knows…