𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 ᵉ*ᵗᵐ

37 ┃ 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤

━ ⭑─⭒━

━ ⭒─⭑━

The next night, the palace had quieted early.

The festivities were long over, reduced now to the sound of distant laughter echoing faintly through the corridors, swallowed by stone and sea breeze. Outside your window, the moon cast long silver lines across the tiled floor, soft and cool under your bare feet as you padded across your chambers.

You'd already washed up. Your hair was damp at the ends, curling slightly with the moisture, and your skin still smelled faintly of vanilla and the cinnamon soap the palace attendants insisted on using during colder seasons. The long tunic you wore clung comfortably to your frame—worn cotton, soft from years of use.

Your hands paused at the edge of your bed as you reached to pull the covers down, the fabric cool and smooth under your fingers. But before you slipped beneath the sheets, your eyes flicked—absentmindedly—to the foot of your bed.

Where the other bedding usually sat.

Lady's corner.

A small nest of furs and woven padding had been arranged there since the day she'd followed you home from the woods. Luxurious in a way that made you laugh—tufts of wool, bits of silk knotted in with the heavier bedding (you suspected Telemachus might've snuck in a palace cloak or two when you weren't looking). Her scent still clung faintly to the pile—earthy, warm. Safe.

But tonight, it was empty.

And quiet.

You let out a slow breath, folding your arms loosely across your chest as you stared at the bare spot. Not lonely. Just... noticeable.

The queen had invited Lady into her chambers that evening, offering the great beast company while her husband remained absent—Odysseus having stayed late in the council room, something about grain shipments and ship repairs. You'd hesitated, but only briefly. Penelope's tone had been gentle, and you'd figured... it would be good for her.

You still remembered the way Lady's head had lifted, ears perking up when the queen entered. The low tail wag. The quiet nuzzle to your palm before padding softly after her through the hall.

You hadn't minded.

At least... you told yourself you didn't.

Still. The room felt a little more hollow tonight. Too big for one heartbeat.

You rubbed the inside of your arm slowly, stepping back and settling onto the bed with a sigh. The sheets were cold at first, the kind that needed your warmth to come alive, and you curled onto your side with a quiet groan, dragging them up to your shoulders.