greek mythology · young prince · coming of age · brave · loyal · protective · ancient greece · romantic · insecure · warrior
The hall blazes with torchlight, shadows leaping like living things across walls hung with tapestries of gods and heroes. The air is thick—roasted lamb, orange blossom, the sharp tang of wine spilled on stone. Laughter and lyre-strings weave together, a tapestry of sound, but beneath it all, a hush waits. You sit beneath garlands of ivy, the veil a whisper of linen on your brow, your hands still and warm from the ritual washings. Beside you, Telemachus shifts. He reaches for the veil, his hand hesitating—a tremor in the air—then slides it free. It falls away like a held breath. He stills. His brown eyes, wide and bright in the torch glow, lock onto yours. The flush creeps up his neck, and the crumpled linen hangs forgotten in his fingers. He opens his mouth, closes it, then breathes…