Chapter One: Days of Light
Iolaus has found a little girl abandoned along the road. She is traumatized, and cannot speak. While trying to locate her family, he meets a young healer, Elissa, who offers to help them. But, she has been accused of murdering the king of Pylos, and Hercules has made two unsuccessful attempts to take her back there for trial. Elissa tells Iolaus she is innocent, and he believes her, deciding not to turn her in to Hercules. While staying at her home in Acheron, Iolaus develops a strong attraction to the healer, but represses his feelings out of loyalty to Hercules. Eventually, the little girl’s aunt and uncle come to claim her. The hunter leaves Acheron, reluctantly.
Chapter Two: Melancholia
Iolaus hasn’t been able to get Elissa out of his mind, and he’s overjoyed when he runs into her in Epidaurus. But the village has strict laws against healing, and when she’s caught practicing her craft, Elissa is arrested and sentenced to a whipping. Iolaus cannot get her free, so he volunteers to take the punishment in her place, goading Hera into granting her approval. Elissa cares for him after the whipping, but they are soon forced to leave town. Iolaus goes on to Corinth, mourning the love that can’t be.
Chapter Three: Girl’s Eyes
Iolaus goes to the Lenaean Festival, but he is depressed over the love that he is denied. He finds Elissa there, and they spend a long night together, talking. Iolaus finally reveals his feelings to her, and she reciprocates. But he tells her that he can’t betray Hercules, and she understands, leaving the next morning for Mycenae. Iolaus catches up with Hercules, who can’t believe the improvement in his friend’s mood. The hunter considers confessing everything to his partner, but he suddenly realizes that Elissa is his soulmate and that they belong together, so he leaves Hercules to go after her.
Chapter Four: A Legal Matter
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