Page 77 of Crown of Serpents

“Then, there is nothing between Perseus and me either.”

“Only then?”

“What on earth are you doing, Perseus?” Kleos's deep voice boomed behind him.

He whirled to find his friend grinning, arms crossed.

Shit.

“Are you spying on Medusa?” Kleos's eyes widened in realisation.

Perseus gestured for silence, but Kleos persisted, “Oh, you are! You little—”

“Andromeda is in there too,” Perseus hissed.

“Move over,” Kleos shoved Perseus aside, pressing his ear against the door.

Inside, Andromeda’s voice softened. “Listen, Medusa. You don’t have to tell me anything, though as your friend, I am curious. But I know you’ll tell me when you are ready.”

Footsteps shuffled within. Perseus and Kleos exchanged glances. What was happening there?

Medusa sighed. “Fine, I’ll tell you.”

Perseus's heart quickened.

“The night we returned from the temple of Athena, Perseuscame to my room … we kissed … and he stayed the night.”

“You did?” Kleos asked beneath his breath, his eyes wide.

Before he could answer, Andromeda squealed, “Oh, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Tell me everything! Is he a good kisser? How was it?”

Excellent questions, Princess.

“Did you sleep with her?” Kleos interrupted again.

Did he have to know thisnow?

Before Perseus could answer, the door flew open, and Perseus and Kleos almost stumbled inside.

“You realise I can hear and smell you outside the door, right?” Medusa grinned.

Perseus flushed, his gaze locked with Medusa's ocean-green eyes. Inside, Andromeda sat with her legs crossed on the straw cot, giggling with excitement.

Medusa cast a disdainful glance at Kleos. “Now, I don’t know whatyouare doing here, but you, godling, can come back another time. As you can see, I am busy right now.”

Perseus's cheeks flushed as he elbowed Kleos, and they scuttled away like startled crabs caught in the glare of a lighthouse.

“You're about as subtle as a Cyclops on a tightrope,” Kleos muttered, shaking his head with a wry grin.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

They anchored under the cloak of a thick mist a mile from Seriphos’s shores. The ghostly veil hid the crew of would-be invaders. The waning moon cast a silvery glow over their small gathering, Perseus, Kleos, and Medusa frowning over a clay tablet etched with the palace layout that Orestes had presented.

Andromeda drifted towards the group of sailors that had gathered around. Mikis offered her a sit on a wooden barrel, but she remained standing at the edge of the group.

“Why not the front entrance?” Medusa's voice pierced the hush. “Aren't the megaron and courtyard open to the public for audiences with the king?”

Kleos shook his head, “Not in Seriphos. Polydectes uses the palace as his private residence. Only guards, servants, and his wealthy friends can enter — after being searched for weapons.”

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