Perhaps my love for you is a price I’m paying for my family—perhaps Venus is exacting tribute from us. Our
line began with Jupiter, who disguised himself as a bull to love Europa, our ultimate mother. My own mother,
Pasiphae, herself in turn was mounted by a bull, and gave shameful birth to the Minotaur. False Theseus
escaped the labyrinth by following the thread given to him by Ariadne, my sister. Now I, as another daughter
of King Minos, am the latest to be subject to the law that governs my family. This was destined: one house
attracted both me and Ariadne; I am as captivated by you as she was by your father, Theseus. The two
of you have enthralled the two of us—we are your double trophy.
—Ovid, Heroides.
