Chapter Text
The sky above was a vibrant sapphire blue, inviting one to gaze at it for hours. White clouds speckled the expanse, providing relief from the beating sun. The ocean breeze welcomed a new day on the beaches of Greece.
Pomni, queen of Ithaca, stood on her stone balcony at the edge of her bedroom. The wind fluttered through her chestnut brown hair, drawing her gaze down toward her people.
It was the end of the grape harvest, and this year's yield had been more than abundant. Many of her subjects were busy preparing for the nightly festivities to honor the goddess, Demeter, filling the streets with food, wine, and booths selling the fruits of their good fortune.
A sad smile crossed Pomni's face. This was the fifth year the festival had taken place since he had left her side.
Many moons had passed since she had last heard from him.
Her beloved king and husband, Jax.
Gliding her hand along the stone railing, the wind picked up against her flowing white sleeves, swirling around the hem of her long dress. The gold-leafed headband sparkled in the sunlight, warming her alabaster skin. It was the same attire she had worn all those years ago.
Pomni's eyes were downcast as she reached up to touch her conch shell necklace, nervously rubbing it while she searched the sky for memories of him. It was around this time of year when she had first met her beloved king seven years ago.
-------
In the vibrant, sunlit town of Ithaca, nineteen-year-old Pomni wandered through the familiar stone streets, her heart brimming with excitement.
The Harvest Festival was upon them, and the bustling preparations filled the air with energy. She couldn’t wait to find ways to contribute alongside her family.
The warm smiles and cheerful greetings of her neighbors accompanied her as she strolled through the town.
Suddenly, her best friend, Ragatha, appeared, weaving through the morning crowd.
“Pomni! Good morning!”
Ragatha called out, her voice beaming brightly.
“I see you’re enjoying the sun Helios has given us today!”
Pomni turned to greet her with a wide smile.
“Καλημέρα! (Good morning!) Ragatha! Isn’t it a beautiful day? After the famine, it finally feels normal again. Time to celebrate!”
Ragatha laughed, her voice ringing through the air.
“What are your plans for the festival?”
“Oh, the usual—eating, drinking, working in the fields, and maybe a stroll along the beach,” Pomni said with a twinkle in her eye.
She hesitated for a moment before adding shyly, “Actually, I’ve been thinking about selling my shell art this year. The festival might be the perfect time to start.”
Ragatha’s eyes lit up.
“Oh, my gods, Pomni! That’s amazing! You know I wear the sash you made me every day, and I always get compliments on it. You’ve got the talent! You’ll do great!”
Pomni’s cheeks flushed at her friend’s praise.
“Thank you, Ragatha. I just hope everything goes smoothly this year… you know, no disasters like before.”
Ragatha groaned dramatically.
“Ugh, don’t even get me started on Prince Jax. Why does he have to cause chaos every single year? He’s a menace!”
Pomni nodded, her mind drifting to past festivals. Prince Jax, seventeen and notorious for his mischief, was a constant source of frustration for the townsfolk. From animals running loose to obscene paintings mysteriously appearing overnight, he had a knack for breaking havoc.
Last year, he even rode a bull through the marketplace, destroying barrels of sacrificial wine. Though many feared what the future held for Ithaca under his rule, Pomni secretly wondered if there was more to the mischievous prince than met the eye.
As they walked, the sea breeze carried the scent of saltwater and the sound of seagulls overhead. Pomni turned to Ragatha, her determination returning.
“I think I’ll head down to the beach to gather shells. If I want to sell my art tonight, I need to stock up.”
Ragatha smiled brightly. “Good idea! I hope you find what you are looking for, Pomni. See you tonight!”
Waving goodbye, Pomni made her way down the winding stone path toward the shore.
———
The morning sun bathed the shores of Ithaca. The gulls circled above, their cries merging with the ocean waves, while a small sailboat bobbed on the water.
Jax, the seventeen-year-old Prince of Ithaca, stood aboard, preparing it for another venture at sea.
His simple white robe, loosely tied with a golden burlap rope, shifted in the sea breeze, revealing his lean, toned frame.
The task of rigging the sail proved challenging as his sash repeatedly came undone, forcing him to pause and retie it, causing him to become irritated.
Jax stepped off the boat, his sandals crunching against the shells and sand.
Satisfied with his work, he let out a breath and allowed his long, rabbit-like ears to droop, the breeze flowing through them.
"Ah, another beautiful day at sea, eh, Zooble?"
Jax stretched his arms wide as if to embrace the day before turning to his companion sitting on a nearby rock.
Zooble, a person made out of shapes and Jax’s oldest friend and guard. Their expression carried a familiar mix of annoyance and intrigue.
"You know, it’d be a much better day if you weren’t here babysitting me,"
Jax added with a cocky smirk, leaning lazily against the boat.
"Maybe I should just stab you to get rid of you."
Zooble rolled their eyes.
"You’ve been threatening that for years, Jax. Still hasn’t happened. The King and Queen would have your ears mounted as trophies."
Jax snorted, muttering, "Might be worth it."
Zooble’s tone turned sharper.
"Look, you know the rules. The King and Queen don’t want any trouble during the festival. Demeter’s still holding a grudge from last year’s fiasco."
Jax’s ears perked upright, his temper flaring.
"That wasn’t my fault!" he snapped.
"How was I supposed to know the bull would crash into the altar and spill the sacrificial wine?"
Zooble raised a skeptical brow.
"You brought the bull."
Jax threw his hands up in frustration.
"We gave her more wine!"
"Not from the first harvest," Zooble countered.
"That’s why she was angry. The famine was her ‘gentle’ reminder of that. This festival is our chance to get back on her good side, so don’t ruin it."
Jax groaned, kicking at the sand.
"Fine, fine! Gods, you’re no fun."
For a moment, he fell silent, his gaze drawn to the horizon. The endless ocean seemed to promise freedom and adventure.
There’s a whole world out there, he thought wistfully. And I’m stuck on this island.
At seventeen, the weight of royal expectations pressed heavily on him. In just a year, he was expected to marry and settle into the responsibilities of a future king. But the thought of being tied down filled him with dread. He longed to escape, to sail the seas and become like the heroes he idolized.
Shaking off his brooding thoughts, Jax straightened and flashed Zooble a shit-eating grin.
"Yo, I’m heading out onto the waves for a while. Don’t wait up!"
Before Zooble could respond, Jax sprinted toward the boat, leaping aboard.
"Gods, I don’t get paid enough for this,"
Zooble muttered, rubbing their temples as they watched the prince sail away.
---
On the sun-kissed shore, Pomni knelt in the soft, golden sand, her handmade basket of woven shells resting beside her.
The rhythm of the waves lapping at her feet while searching for more treasures.
Each shell she found seemed to hold its own story—some smooth and polished by the tide, others etched with patterns.
She smiled at the thought of finding the perfect pair of shells, a legendary symbol of fortune blessed by the gods.
Humming softly, Pomni remained absorbed in her task, unaware of the commotion behind her.
"Out of the way!"
The urgent shout was faint at first, drowned by the crashing waves.
"MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!!"
The second cry jolted her out of her trance. She looked up just as a small sailboat barreled toward her, panic seizing her chest.
—This is it. I’m not ready to die!
But as if the gods had heard her plea, the boat veered sharply at the last moment, skimming past her by mere inches.
The wind whipped past her face, carrying grains of sand, and for a moment, her gaze locked with the sailor.
A man with rabbit-like features stood at the helm, his expression a mixture of focus and annoyance.
———
Jax, a seasoned sailor known for his confidence on the water, made a rookie mistake that morning.
Distracted by the sight of the women on the beach, he quickly lost control of his boat. He’d seen her before during his morning sails, her presence as familiar yet today there was something different about her.
She seemed more determined as if driven by some unseen purpose.
Though she wasn’t anything special to look at, Jax found himself drawn to her.
He had spent years avoiding women, fending off his parents’ insistence that he was ready to settle down. But something about her made him linger.
Shaking off his thoughts, he refocused on steering the boat—just as a sudden gust of wind caught the sail, sending him off course.
The calm ocean turned chaotic in an instant, and Jax realized that he was heading straight for her.
"Out of the way!" he shouted, panic in his voice.
The woman didn’t move, her focus still on the sand.
"Dammit, move!"
Adrenaline surged through him. He knew he had to choose—save his boat or save her. Gritting his teeth, Jax wrapped the sail rope around his arm, using every ounce of strength to pull the boat off course.
Angrily thinking to himself, "This lady is going to owe me a new boat!"
As their eyes met, the world seemed to be still.
For a single heartbeat, time froze, and Jax felt the air shift.
Oh, shit.
The boat capsized, crashing onto the shore with a thud. Sand and shells scattered into the air as Jax was thrown to the ground. The sounds of shouting could be heard in the distance.