The second arrow struck the death blow, and the stag dropped to the ground.

Cassandra let out a cry and turned to Apollo with an enormous grin. "Two today!"

Apollo rubbed his neck. "You've gained my sister's favor. What did you bribe her with?"

Cassandra approached her kill. "Will I always be a cheater in your eyes?"

"Whenever you make look bad."

Cassandra chuckled as she removed her arrows.

She trailed her fingers over the stag's soft hide, and a mixture of awe and mild sadness over what she'd done filled her. Guilt for taking down a magnificent being tugged at Cassandra's stomach, but she reminded herself the stag hadn't died in vain. No animal Cassandra had killed when with Apollo did.

Since neither Cassandra nor the sun god required anything from the animals, Apollo gifted the kills to worthy, needy mortals.

By having fun, Cassandra assisted the unfortunate—a win-win.

Her archery skill had improved over the three weeks she'd snuck into the forest to hunt with the sun god. She wouldn't doubt she could hold her own against Hector, if not surpass her brother.

She hoped he'd be proud of her when he came home, and she showed him.

But what if doing so made him apprehensive to hunt again with her? What if Hector's time away from Troy had turned him into their father?

Maybe he wouldn't understand why she shared his passion. Perhaps he'd tell her to retire her bow and concentrate on what the King expected of her.

Apollo materialized beside her. "Why troubled?"

He touched her shoulder.

Cassandra shook her head to chase away her thoughts. "Nothing."

The god gazed at her for a long moment, then shrugged and waved his hand. The stool he'd sat on at their first meeting appeared, and he eased himself onto it.

"Finished already, are we? Can you no longer stand your inferiority?"

"I thought you'd take pleasure in a meal, but if my manners aren't appreciated..."

"Aren't you so serious."

Apollo didn't reply and instead snapped his fingers.

The dead stag disappeared, and a small table covered in figs, cut vegetables, fresh bread, and heaping piles of meats took the creature's place. A stool like the one Apollo sat on came into existence near his.

He patted the seat and Cassandra took her spot next to the god.

She dug into the food with excitement that would have made her mother weep.

Apollo ate at a much slower pace and watched her devour whatever her hands brought to her lips. After a brief time had passed, Apollo held out a goblet.

"You need this."

Cassandra swallowed her mouthful of bread and blushed as she took the goblet. She sipped the aromatic red wine and reminded herself to keep from drinking it all at once. It was rich, far better than any wine at the palace, and she'd gotten drunk her first time consuming it.

"Thank you, my Lord," she said. She put down her goblet and gestured to the banquet. "For all of this, thank you very much."

Apollo flashed one of his blinding smiles. "I'm glad it pleases you."

The hunger that had clawed at Cassandra faded, and she picked at the food that interested her; remembered she was a young lady of high social standing in the presence of an Olympian.

How Apollo hadn't commented on her barbaric mannerisms, she didn't know.

The god shifted in his seat. "You have done very well." He took a sip from his goblet. "I can't believe a mortal has had the talent to beat me."

"I have talent now? No more ideas of me cheating?"

Apollo smirked. "I never said that. Your talent may very well lie in conning the other gods to favor you."

Cassandra rolled her eyes but chortled. "You remind me of my older brother. He's spoken almost the same words."

"The theory is sound then; undoubtedly true."

"Undoubtedly."

The following chuckle caused Apollo to shake.

For reasons Cassandra couldn't comprehend, she found the sight hilarious and joined in his amusement. Their voices melded together and rose in a deafening a roar carried on the wind to all parts of the woods.

"Whatever your talent," Apollo said when their laughter had died. "I'm surprised and very impressed."

"Thank you, my Lord." Cassandra wiped at the tears of merriment that had slid down her cheeks.

"I want to reward you." Apollo's tone had turned sober.

"Reward me? My Lord, hunting with you is reward enough."

"There's more I can do, and want to do, to show you my appreciation."

Apollo produced two large packages from behind his back before Cassandra could object. He cleared a spot on the table and set the packages before her.

"Go on. Open them," he urged, his expression bright and eager.

Cassandra pulled off the wrapping of the nearest package. Her jaw dropped when she revealed the gift.

"I can't—Oh, my Lord, this is too much."

While she spoke, she ran her fingers over the stunning bow the god had given her. The startling jade green color complimented the twelve snakes carved into the firm, light wood.

Dazed, Cassandra stood and tested the bow. She manipulated it as easily as her arms or legs.

"It was crafted just for you," Apollo said.

Cassandra already adored the bow. "Thank you."

Apollo ripped the next package open and presented the second gift to Cassandra.

"A new quiver, too!"

She allowed Apollo to place the matching quiver over her shoulder.

Its weight, like an afterthought, didn't surprise her.

The god stepped away and admired her. He nodded, then pointed at her quiver. "I've provided arrows. They're special. The arrows will allow you to hunt any game you wish. They'll harm mortals, beasts, monsters, and gods alike."

"You've given me more than I could have ever hoped for."

On impulse, Cassandra kissed the god's cheek. She realized what she'd done, and her face reddened. She stepped back.

"Thank you, my Lord. I'll cherish these gifts all my life."

Apollo touched his cheek. He glowed as a small grin stretched his lips. "You're welcome."

Thunder cracked, and they both jumped.

Cassandra looked at the sky and frowned at the gray clouds that had formed a sprawling blanket.

A single drop of rain dared to splash her nose.

Apollo sighed. "That's my cue to leave." He clapped his hands, and the stools, table, and food disappeared. "This has been a lovely day."

"I believe so, too."

Apollo's image faded. "Thank you, Cassandra, for your time."

He waved and left her alone.

"No, thank you! And for the gifts, too," Cassandra called.

She picked up her other bow and quiver and ran as fast as she could out of the forest before the storm overtook her.

Cassandra scrambled to the back door of the horse stables, checked to make sure no staff lingered in the building, then hid both her bows and quivers in an empty stall. She strolled away from the area and called out endearments to her father's many horses as she walked past them to the entrance.

The weather looked more violent as Cassandra approached the palace. She refused to let the darkening sky and booming thunder dampen her mood. She pretended the storm didn't exist as she thought about the fun she'd have with Apollo's gifts.

Cassandra grinned, unable to grasp that the god had acted so kindly. In their scant time together, he'd proven different from she'd expected, not that Cassandra could complain.

Apollo had become a friend she cherished.

"Cassandra!" a voice cried out.

Cassandra searched out the source and smiled when she saw Polyxena approaching from her left. She lifted her arm to wave but stopped herself as she noticed a striking young man, a man Cassandra had never seen before, trailed her sister.

She ran to the pair in her worry.

Once before them, she took hold of Polyxena's hand and tugged her sister to her side. "Who's this?"

The man took two steps back, his expression one of apology, and bowed. "My name is Paris, my Lady."

He had a low-pitched, melodic voice.

Cassandra's eyebrows rose.

Why did he sound familiar?

"I found him on the edge of the palace's grounds, near the rear gate," Polyxena chimed in.

"What has the Queen told you about being there?" Cassandra chided.

"I forgot." Polyxena stared at the ground, and her copious blond hair tumbled into her tiny-featured face.

Cassandra narrowed her gaze at Paris. "Why were you there in the first place?"

"For nothing bad, I swear, my Lady. I was just... working up the courage to come here."

"Citizens come through the front gate."

"Oh... Well—"

"He's not a citizen," Polyxena interrupted.

"Even important guests come through the front gate," Cassandra insisted.

"But he's not—Look at him," Polyxena said, and pushed Paris nearer to Cassandra.

"What am I looking for?" Cassandra muttered as she studied Paris more intently.

Paris' short, curly auburn hair highlighted his penetrating blue eyes. His square jaw teased the hint of stubble, and he towered over Cassandra and Polyxena.

He was well built, though not like a soldier. His lean muscles implied speed.

Paris resembled an older version of Polites.

Polyxena laughed. "You see it, too."

Cassandra ignored her sister. "Why were you coming to the palace?" she asked Paris.

"I want to speak with... my father."

A part of Cassandra knew of whom he spoke, but she still asked, "Who is that?"

Paris swallowed hard but kept his gaze firm as he answered, "King Priam."