Despite her revelation during Hecuba's talk, Cassandra spent much of the next few days trying to contact Apollo. She refused to believe she'd lost him. They'd been great friends. He'd shared with her thoughts she was sure he'd told no one else, not even Artemis. He couldn't throw away what they'd had so quickly. If she found the right words or the right offering, he'd return to her.

For her prayers and contributions, Cassandra used the chamber Aesacus had conducted many of his works. Since his departure, no one had been inside the makeshift temple. The King had yet to replace his High Priest, and Cassandra didn't think he would.

Though he'd never reveal his feelings, she knew Aesacus' leaving had wounded Priam. Unlike many other kings, Priam had caused none of his minor children to feel as if he didn't care for them. Each of his offspring, close to fifty, brought him joy in their own way.

He often said, if not for his children, he'd see no reason to exist.

A few servants and even Polites caught Cassandra entering or leaving Aesacus' empty chambers. They neither commented nor stopped her.

One night after supper, Deiphobus congratulated her on finding a hobby worthy of her time.

None of her actions saw success, and Cassandra cried herself to sleep every night. But she woke each morning with a new vigor. She wouldn't accept defeat.

Her motivations changed, though, when she heard of the King's upcoming voyage to Laconia to discuss trade. Paris begged to accompany Priam, and the thought overjoyed the King.

The news made Cassandra remember the face that had hovered over Aphrodite in her visions, and Cassandra knew Paris intended to meet the woman on his trip.

She gave up trying to contact Apollo and focused her energy on convincing Paris to stay in Troy.

Two days after her constant berating, Paris' presence grew scarce. Cassandra sought the palace's crooks and crannies, but, though her brother hadn't been in the palace for long, he'd found places to hide Cassandra couldn't imagine. For once, she prayed for a vision to aid her.

Her wish went unheard.

On the fourth day of her searching, while in the gardens, Polyxena and Creusa approached her. They moved with caution, like many of her siblings had since Cassandra had abandoned her melancholy.

Only Hector and Helenus treated her the same as always, though they hadn't suggested partaking in the strenuous activities they'd all once done.

To relax her sisters, Cassandra plucked them each a flower. She handed them to her sisters with as bright a smile as she could manage.

Creusa took hers with a sad smile that darkened her face, almost identical to Cassandra's but for a few minuscule differences in their mouths and noses.

Cassandra averted her eyes.

Polyxena didn't notice her older sisters' exchange. She squealed and hugged Cassandra.

"What brings you to me?" Cassandra asked once Polyxena had loosened her hold.

"We're going to the city," Polyxena said.

Creusa tied her flower into her curls that mimicked Cassandra's, though hers shone a softer red. "We thought you'd like to join us."

Polyxena danced away from Cassandra and coaxed Creusa to do the same with her flower and her hair. "Will you?" she asked after Creusa had finished.

Creusa took Cassandra's hand. "Your being with us will make the day perfect."

Polyxena took her other hand. "Please, please, please."

Cassandra had had no luck in hunting down Paris. She didn't want to give up, but she couldn't find the point in continuing either. And she'd missed spending time with her sisters.

She nodded. "Sure."

Polyxena shrieked again and raced for the palace.

Cassandra and Creusa followed her at a much slower pace. They talked of nothing significant, and Cassandra relished in the gentle ease of her older sister's voice and mannerisms.

For a moment, she allowed herself to think everything would work out.

Toward early afternoon, the three sisters and their entourage headed for the city.

Polyxena filled their journey with her quick chatter.

Often, Cassandra and Creusa caught the other's gaze, and they'd chuckle under their breath.

At the market, Polyxena was worse. She coupled her fast talking with her insistent need to touch everything. The child flitted from one vendor to the next, demanded a list of their wares, then ran away mid-sentence.

Agatha waddled after her and shouted for order.

Polyxena didn't listen.

Cassandra and Creusa shook her heads, and both expressed their pity for their old nursemaid. Only time would cool their sister's enthusiasm.

Cassandra and Creusa sought their own adventure, their attendants not too far from them. Unlike Polyxena, they listened to the vendors and treated each with the respect they deserved. They made many purchases, more than enough to rectify their sister's poor behavior.

While in front of the vendor who sold fabric from the far east, Cassandra's sight tunneled, and fear yanked on her heart.

No, no, not now.

Couldn't this wait for home?

She didn't know how she'd—

The prophecy dragged her under.

Unlike in the past, Cassandra felt a part of what she saw. She stood near the main gate of Troy.

Men and women danced around a massive horse covered in eyes.

She screamed at those nearest her, warned them of the sinister nature the horse emitted, but the people only stared at her and laughed.

Cassandra reached for the nearest weapon—an ax—and ran at the horse.

Someone grabbed her and flung her away.

She stumbled, and the vision shifted.

Now Troy lay in shambles around her. The fire crept toward her.

She couldn't move, couldn't breathe.

Foreign soldiers chased, killed, and did much worse to Troy's citizens. She tried to look away, but she didn't control her body. Each atrocity took a piece of Cassandra's soul until she had nothing left.

Halfway through, she lost the ability to cry or yell.

"My Lady?"

A light tapping on her cheek forced the vision to disappear. Her true surroundings came into focus, and Cassandra retched on the feet of the attendant who'd drawn her from her vision. Another attendant held her upright, and she slumped against the woman.

Cassandra sobbed.

Agatha pushed aside the vomit-covered attendant. She gathered Cassandra into her frail embrace. "What's wrong, child?"

She looked at Creusa. "What happened?"

"I don't know. Everything was fine, then she cried out and lost her footing."

The nursemaid returned her attention to Cassandra. "Are you okay? Tell your dear Agatha what's troubled you so."

"Troy," Cassandra croaked.

"What about Troy?"

"The horse with the eyes will destroy us all. Everything will burn!"

Agatha's arms tightened. "No, nothing will topple Troy. Certainly not a horse." She turned Cassandra away from the curious vendors. "Let's get you home. You need to rest. You've had too much sun."

Cassandra struggled against the nursemaid's grasp. Though she knew she appeared crazy, she had to speak. She couldn't ignore her prophecy.

"You have to listen," she yelled. "Troy is in danger." She met the gazes of the staring vendors. "You're all in danger."

"That's enough." Frustration clipped Agatha's words. "You're much too old for this nonsense."

She reached for Cassandra.

Cassandra slapped at Agatha's fingers and staggered back. Her sandal caught on a crack, and she fell.

Pain exploded as her head bounced off the ground, and she blacked out.