Page 65 of Crown of Serpents

Yet, Perseus didn’t flinch at her sudden outburst even though their faces were mere inches away. His eyes merely widened as her words sunk in.

He dropped his gaze, his voice quiet, “I’m sorry.” Something like regret shimmering in his eyes. “I was trying to find a way tosave your life, but I should have spoken with you about it beforehand.”

„Yeah, you should have!” Medusa echoed, realising too late that she had already won the argument.

She took a calming breath, Athena’s words echoing in her mind.I bestowed your powers upon you to protect after you left my temple, not to punish you.All these years, she had thought that the goddess she had worshipped, the deity she had wanted to dedicate her life to, had forsaken her. Now, she didn’t know what to believe anymore. Had Athena truly sought to bring her closer to the sisters that had long forsaken her?

Perseus spoke, his voice soft,“I — I just thought that you longed for a mortal life. I’ve seen how happy you were in the tavern, dancing and having fun — I just assumed that’s what you wanted.”

She did. Or did she? It had been just weeks ago when she had spent her days ravaging the Lesbos Strait, feeding off sailors’ blood, and sleeping in an abandoned cave. Back then, she would have never even considered giving up her powers, even though the serpents atop her head had been her only companions. Even though she was a monster. Lately, however, she had come to worry about Andromeda. Whenever she feared accidentally hurting her, a cold dread spread through her. In those moments, she wondered what it might be like to be mortal and normal again. If only she could control the deadly powers Athena had given her. Still, why didhefeel the need to fix her?

“I do,” Medusa finally conceded, her admission barely a whisper above the cold wind.

Perseus cocked his head at that, hope shining in his hazel eyes. “So, does that mean you’ll stay? Will you come to Seriphos with me to fight Polydectes together?”

She had not fully forgiven him yet, but the corners of her mouth tugged into a playful smile. “Depends. Do I have to stoop and call you ‘Your Majesty’ after you cut down Polydectes like the brute you are?”

Perseus flinched at that as if a shiver ran down his spine at the thought. Some part of him recoiled at what she had just said. Medusa was unsure if it was the manslaughter or becoming kingthat he dreaded.

Still, Perseus winked at her. “Godling will do just fine.”

“Fine then,” Medusa sighed, rolling her eyes at his quip, though she had to bite her tongue to prevent a giddy laugh from escaping her throat.

He beamed triumphantly, so she grabbed his tunic tighter, balling the fabric in her fists. “But don’t you ever speak on my behalf again! I am perfectly capable of defending myself. I have done so for many years … and I don’t need some godling to fight my battles.“

She glared at him, ignoring the nagging thought that reminded her of her trembling fear before Athena's steely gaze.

Perseus’s expression softened. “It won’t happen again.”

Medusa kept her eyes locked on his for a few breaths. Their breaths mingled in the cold night air, and Medusa became painfully aware of their proximity — her hands pressed against his beating heart, their noses almost touching.

She stepped back, but his scent, thyme and leather, lingered.

Perseus cleared his throat, scratching his neck awkwardly. “I think Athena meant it when she said she would bless our journey, but you are not going to like it.”

Medusa whirled around, her eyes widening in awe. Before them stood two beautiful mares, the silver moonlight casting an ethereal glow on their coats. The animals stood still before them, watching them with unnaturally sharp eyes. These were not ordinary horses but mounts summoned by the goddess of strategy and warcraft herself.

Despite their otherworldly beauty, Medusa crossed her arms, frowning, “Not sure I’d call that a blessing or Athena making a practical joke at my expense.”

Perseus merely shrugged. “Wedohave a tight schedule. It is less than three weeks to the autumn equinox, and we have to overthrow Polydectes before then — or he will claim my mother as compensation for my unsettled debt.”

She knew that what he said was perfectly rational. Riding back to the ship would save them valuable time. Moreover, her tired bones groaned at the opportunity of not having to spend the night trekking back through the pine forest.

Still, she remained rooted in place as she watched the animals before her. They did not seem nervous at her presence. The mares did not whiny or recoil from her but simply watched her expectantly. Did Athena control them?

Perseus gave her a gentle nudge and approached the larger animal. “Come on, Medusa. I’ll give you a boost … unless you want to share a horse with me again.”

Mischief sparkled in his eyes when he turned, and Medusa could feel her cheeks warm at the thought of his strong arms engulfing her once more, his torso hard against her back. It unnerved her enough to make her move.

She strode past him, bumping her shoulder into his, and hesitantly reached for the reins of the second horse. To her surprise, it remained utterly still, as if it was indeed oblivious to the monster crawling beneath her skin. Medusa inhaled deeply and flung herself on its silky back. She exhaled in relief, resisting the urge to laugh aloud in happiness. She had loved horses when she was a little girl.

Medusa did not spare Perseus another look as she declared, urging her mare into a gallop, “I think I’ve got this, godling. You just make sure that you keep up with me.”

And with that, they raced through the starry night, hooves thundering against the soft forest floor, toward the port where their ship and crew awaited.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

It had been late afternoon when they had finally reached the small port where the Queen Cassiopeia docked. They had ridden hard, Athena’s mares carrying them swiftly, only stopping to rest for a few hours to sleep and water the horses. Perseus had asked Medusa to stay hidden while he sought out Kleos, informing him about their plan. That was several hours ago.

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