A/N-PLEASE READ! Alright, now that I've gotten your attention: (clears throat) Hey! Welcome to my story. Since this was first published, I've made revisions to the first 4 chapters. I didn't change anything plot-wise too drastically; I just fixed grammar issues. That being said, I didn't correct EVERY chapter so if some chapters seem less stellar than others, know that I didn't correct them because I didn't feel the need to. Anyway, please enjoy!

Prologue

Persia Pov-

"Persia!" Father called.

"Coming, Father!" I yelled, fumbling to lace on my best dress.

Making haste, I ran down the stairs to face my father and a visitor. They both sat in the dining room, awaiting my presence.

"Hello, my Lady." The stranger said. He looked about my age, maybe a year or two older. His tan complexion gave him a healthy glow and suited his well-built body. His hazel eyes made a slow perusal from the top of my shoes until he met my gaze. The hard line of his mouth widened but his smile was unsettling. I felt like field mouse, a prey animal. My gaze dropped to his clothing—embellished purple garments and brown leather sandals. A wealthy man. That could only mean one thing: yet another suitor.

I sighed internally.

"Greetings, my Lord." Like clockwork, I maneuvered to face the men and bowed. "I am Persia of Athens."

"It's quite a pleasure to meet you, Persia." He replied, those hazel eyes sizing me up once more. "I am Prince Edward of Ada."

"Prince Edward is betrothed to you," My father explained, stroking his dark beard. The darkness under his eyes seemed to have faded away these past days. This season, the crops had not been kind to us and in a desperate attempt to survive, I had to marry sooner than intended. The dowry money alone would keep us afloat for many seasons.

The only downside, of course, was that I would become someone's property.

"As the gods wish." I nodded, a sense of uneasiness inhabiting my stomach. In the city of Athens, when a girl reaches the age of sixteen, she has to be wedded and spend the remainder of her life as a housewife and child bearer.

I prayed to the gods—but turning sixteen was sorely inevitable.

"You will be departing tomorrow," Father informed and what I could detect as sorrow clouded his eyes. He didn't want this life for me-at least, not so soon. But he had to. "Go now, my daughter, and prepare."

My heart raced violently in my chest as his words pounded in my ears. My breath hitched and the room spun. The prince shot me a concerned look as I ran my hand through my hair.

I stood up suddenly, unable to look at the two men. "I will return shortly." I forced myself to breathe. "I just need a little air."

I ran out of the house, hoping the cool air could make sense of what Father had just said. I swallowed, trying to clear my dry throat.

Leaving…Tomorrow

I looked back at the cottage, the only home I had ever known, then at the dense forest that faced me. Marrying Edward would certainly be the end of my carefree days. The days of helping my father in the field and running through the streets of Athens was over. No longer would I venture down to the stream with my childhood friends and collect the olives on the nearby olive tree. I'd have to leave my father, the man who adopted me and took me in as one of his own.

Then there was the forest ahead of me. In the past few years, unwillingly betrothed girls had run in there and were never seen again. Did they die from the harsh winter? Or were the gods merciful and blessed them with a new, better home?

Father had told me to never go in there—I had a future.

Shaking my head, I made up my mind. As rash as my decision seemed, it was exactly that: my decision. Not my father's. Not Edward's. Mine. I deserved a future and the forest looked quite promising in that sense.

I was damned if I stayed and damned if I didn't. Either decision: marrying Edward or running away could have dire consequences. There was only one way to find out.

I smiled and picked up the skirts of my garments and ran into the forest, as far away from civilization as possible.

After I ran out of energy, my feet gave out and I collapsed on the cold forest floor. Smooth hands belonging to a silver eyed woman flooded my vision and I couldn't help but trust her. She just had this maternal aura surrounding her.

Without hesitation, I gave into the exhaustion washing over me.

Freedom.

Artemis Pov-

"Phoebe, do fetch a pale of water, please." I asked the ginger haired huntresses.

"Yes, My Lady." She ran off and returned with a bucket of water to the weary girl I held in my arms.

"What will become of her, Lady Artemis?" My youngest huntress—Chloe—implored.

"I'm not certain. She may join the Hunt if she pleases or we will escort her back home." I answered, brushing the leaves out of her raven hair. She was small, no more than a hundred pounds at least. She had no weapons on her yet she had been running. She wasn't a fighter. And judging by how long she had been sleeping, she couldn't afford to be caught.

"She must've have fled," Chloe guessed. "Most likely from Athens."

Phoebe gently held a damp wash cloth and patted it over the unconscious girl's forehead. Chloe scooped up some water and used her palm to tip water into her mouth. That did the trick because the maiden sputtered it out and sat up. Chloe and Phoebe yelped at the sudden movement and retreated behind me.

Her eyes fluttered open—they were silver and wide. I cocked my head, wondering where she'd gotten that eye color from. More specifically, which god? She radiated power, not particularly strong but still-she was a half blood.

The young girl stood up, albeit unsteady. She looked at the huntress behind me and a wave of recognition seemed to cross her features.

"Lady Artemis," She greeted, bowing in respect.

"Hello child, may I ask where you hail from?"

"I am Persia of Athens," The girl—Persia—said, retelling the story of how she was supposed to be wedded.

"Persia," I said softly, "You could go back to Athens or stay with us as an eternal maiden. We shall protect you from any harm and be your family. We can give you control of your future."

"I accept your humble offer, my Lady." Persia smiled as Phoebe taught her the oath which the girl repeated eagerly.

I watched her initiation into the Hunt—I was proud to have such a fair maiden; her beauty over passed that of Aphrodite's and I knew men would've wasted that.

Later that day, we packed up camp, my new huntress beside me.

A/N- So this was prologue, obviously short. Thanks for reading, please review!