"Be wary of bulls," Eirene's cousin Europa always said.

As a child, Eirene never understood what this meant, would a bull kick her if she got too close? Would it spear her with its horns? Either way, she carried her older cousin's advice with her like gold. Europa had been the princess of their kingdom Phoenicia, and now the queen of Crete renowned for her great beauty. She was wiser in the ways of the world and Eirene trusted her.

When Eirene got older, however, she was stunned to find out the real reason for Europa's words of wisdom. She had been innocently picking flowers when she was carried away by a white bull. Unfortunately for Europa, this bull was actually Zeus, who had fallen prey to the eros of Europa's beauty. Being Zeus, King of the Gods, he could have any woman he desired, leaving Europa forced to bear three children by him.

Eventually, Eirene came of age and learned for herself exactly what Europa meant. Men became the bane of her existence and threatened to uproot everything she loved in her life. Her freedom, her education, and most drastically, Ianeira.

"Is it true that Leukippos asked your father for your hand?" whispered Ianeira one summer's day. Persephone was home from the Underworld making it warm and bright outside once again. The two were supposed to be working on weaving baskets but had long since abandoned them to cuddle up on Eirene's bed.

Eirene brushed a dark curl out of Ianeira's face. "He did... but Father won't accept. He wants a man of higher status." Eirene inherited the same beauty that was passed down to Europa. Now that she was old enough, her father was set on using it for his own political gains.

Ianeira rolled her eyes. "He treats you like a prized mare on the market. I've heard the men in the market and I know how they talk of women."

"They spend all their time with hetairai. If I had a husband, at least I would hardly have to see him."

"If you had a husband, you would have to leave me and I would never see you again," Ianeira said, turning on her back away from Eirene. "Have you heard the songs of women who must leave their beloved to be with a man? I could not live with only the memory of you."

Eirene had heard such songs by Sappho of Lesbos. As Ianeira and her grew closer over the years she worried extensively about what would happen once they were parted by marriage. She laid her head on Ianeira's shoulder and softly kissed her cheek. "We will find a way to see each other, I assure you, Neira."

Ianeira softened under her touch and ran her hand through Eirene's hair. Eirene studied her face, Ianeira's striking brown eyes, a sharply curved nose, and gentle lips that she's known so many times. Did every woman feel cursed to leave behind her whole life for marriage?

From the other side of the house, someone pounded loudly on the door making them both jump. "Your father?" asked Ianeira.

Eirene shook her head. "It's too early." She climbed out of bed and to the door. A stranger stood in the entrance to the house having been let in by a servant. He wore a cloak of heavy, expensive material. His stature was near twice the size of the average man which made Eirene feel like a mouse. His dark, curly hair tickled the ceiling and he had a beard even more majestic.

With a flick of his hand, he dismissed the servant who let him in. Left alone in the entryway with the strange man, Eirene swallowed hard.

"Eirene of Phoenicia," he said finally. His voice was like a drum and Eirene could feel it vibrate in her chest. "I am Zeus, King of Olympus and the sky. I have looked upon you many days and nights admiring your beauty."

Eirene's mind and heart were racing as she thought to herself, the King of the Gods has been watching me? He will carry me away just as he did Europa! Then, cursing herself for her bad manners, she fell to the ground in a low bow. "It is an honor, Lord Zeus."

Zeus chuckled. "You must learn how to behave around a god. Come, it is a long journey to Cyprus."

Eirene looked up slightly from her bow. Zeus's sandals were made of the finest leather she had ever seen. "Cyprus?"

"I desire you to come away with me. It is in your best interest to obey." As he spoke, Zeus plucked a grape from a nearby bowl making it look like a pea in his massive fingers.

All the blood drained from Eirene's face when she heard this. "I- I mustn't leave my father, Lord Zeus," she stuttered.

Zeus lifted one of his large legs and brought his foot to the ground with a great thunder- like a boulder hitting the earth. The floor shook, knocking Eirene off balance. "Do not debate my demands, girl!"

Eirene clutched her side, the breath knocked out of her. But she didn't falter. No man could take her from Ianeira so soon. Not even a god. "Dear Zeus," she said cleverly, "please accept my deepest apologies. I didn't mean to disobey you. I will take this journey with you, but I have one request. I have forgotten my manners and expressed no xenia to you. Let me have my servants prepare a meal for you before we leave."

Zeus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Very well. Have it ready quickly."

Eirene nodded and stood, rushing to find a servant. As her servants showed him to a bed and fed him grapes while the food was made, she snuck off to her bed-chamber where Ianeira hid anxiously.

"We must leave now!" cried Eirene, throwing a few necessities in a cloth bag. "I will not be a prisoner to my cousin's fate. Now, while he is eating, we will slip out."

"That was Zeus..." said Ianeira. "You can't run from a god, Eirene."

"I can try."

After preparing quickly, Eirene snuck through the courtyard to the back door with Ianeira following. They donned Eirene's plainest clothes to disguise themselves as lower-class women. We must make it to the forest, thought Eirene. From there, perhaps they could travel to a nearby village and find a kind stranger to take them in. She had no idea how long they could hide from Zeus, but she would far rather spend her life on the run. After all, the prospect of her future already seemed bleak.

Making it through the inner city was the hardest part. The streets were busy with men arguing and buying produce and wine. Eirene hardly left her house, women were generally not allowed to without a man. She led Ianeira through the back streets behind the marketplace, hoping if they went swiftly enough no one would notice them.

But it wasn't long before men were shouting at them in rapid Greek. "We're going to get caught," Ianeira whispered sharply in her ear.

Eirene glanced around worriedly but squeezed her hand. "Just ignore them. If we act like there's nothing wrong with us being here they'll stop bothering us." She wasn't sure how true this was, but once they made it past the marketplace and to the outer streets of the city, the attention died down. At last, the stone streets turned to grass and a worn path led them into the forest.

Eirene turned to Ianeira and clutched both of her hands. "You don't have to come with me, you know. I can't ask you to leave your whole life behind for me, Neira."

Ianeira just shook her head and laughed. "Don't be ridiculous, Eirene. You know I have even less to live for than you. Even if we spent the rest of our lives in this forest together, I would still be a thousand times happier."

Eirene blushed. Hand in hand, they made their way deeper into the trees. Hours of hiking passed and they were feeling worn down when they came to a small clearing. On the other side stood a beautiful horse grazing on grass.

"Do you think it belongs to anyone?" Eirene said face flushed as bright as the sun.

"I don't know," said Ianeira, looking around. "I don't get a good feeling about it, it could be wild and untamed."

"It looks calm enough," said Eirene. "We aren't strong enough to make it through on foot, we might as well try to ride it." Eirene made her way carefully toward the horse. Its coat shone like gold and when she got close enough, it actually let her pet it. "It's tame!" She called. She led the horse to a rock and climbed on, beckoning Ianeira over. She shook her head, looking nervous.

Suddenly, the stallion bolted. "Eirene!" Ianeira called, but it was already too late, they were far from the clearing and the horse was galloping through the forest. Eirene wrapped her arms around its massive neck and held on for dear life. The trees and brush moved by them in a disarrayed blur of green and brown. She could feel every beat of the horse's hooves on the ground like punches to her chest. Just as she thought she might vomit, it finally ceased.

Eirene slid off its back and watched in horror as suddenly, the horse transformed. Its hooves grew into feet and hands and then into arms and legs. Its body became a torso and its mane shrunk into curly hair and a beard. Neira was right, Eirene thought. I cannot run from a god.

Zeus brushed the dirt off his hands and glared down at her. "I hoped I wouldn't have to take such harsh measures to catch you," he said. "But unfortunately you left me no choice. You are far less beautiful covered in sweat and mud."

Eirene backed up against a tree, every part of her body numb and burning at the same time. "Please," she tried to say, but there was no air left in her lungs.

"Enough!" cried a woman's voice and an arrow shot straight past Zeus's face. Eirene tore her eyes away from him to see a tall woman dressed in hunting clothes holding a bow. "I didn't have to miss."

"Artemis," growled Zeus, "leave us alone."

"I believe the forest is my territory," said Artemis. "Which means this girl is under my command, not yours."

"I am King of the Gods," said Zeus, his hands closing into tight fists.

"Yes, and I'm sure your queen would love to hear about what you were doing in these woods with a human girl."

Fire burned in Zeus's eyes but he backed up from Eirene. "You are walking on a fine line, daughter." He transformed back into the stallion in a heartbeat and galloped away through the trees.

"Are you alright?" Artemis said to Eirene, coming closer. She had hair so black it shimmered blue.

Eirene nodded gratefully and tried to catch her breath. Then, like a miracle, Ianeira emerged from the path they had taken and tackled her in an embrace. "You're alright!" she cried.

"Artemis, she saved me..." said Eirene.

The goddess put her bow away and watched them inquisitively. "What led you two into my woods?"

"We were running from him," explained Ianeira, "and besides, neither of us could stand to suffer the fate of being married."

Artemis raised her chin knowingly. "Then come," she said. "You will be needing food and water. I will gladly provide them if you agree to join my hunt. No men allowed."

Eirene looked at Ianeira and they both nodded. "Gladly."

"Then it is done." Artemis handed the two a flask of water and together the three of them headed off through the forest to meet the rest of her hunt. Eirene's heart was overjoyed, finally, she had the freedom she always craved.

And Ianeira was right by her side.