Page 79 of Crown of Serpents

“Kleos, are you certain that attendants are only checked at the main entrance?” Perseus asked.

“Yes, but —”

Perseus turned to Andromeda. His voice was smooth, yet the sheer dominance in his gaze almost made her want to cower. “Can you mix a potion that will make the guests retire early? I don’t want them to get caught in the crossfire.”

She nodded. “I can make a sleeping potion that you can mix into the wine.”

“Then it is decided,” Perseus announced, chest out and brimming with infectious confidence. “We infiltrate the feast, wait for the guests to leave, and then, when Polydectes is alone, and his guards are drunk, I shall challenge him and end his reign of terror.”

Another cheer rumbled through the crew, only to be cut short by Kleos, “But doesn’t your deadline for Medusa’s head expire on the equinox? Won’t Polydectes be expecting you?”

The men fell silent. The only sound was the crashing waves rocking the ship. Perseus frowned, his brow furrowed in thought.

“Not if we spread the news that the mission has failed,” Medusa suggested. “We have been travelling on a Joppan ship pretending to be merchants, haven’t we? We could spread the rumour that you perished at sea … perhaps you died trying to save Andromeda from Cetus?“

“It might work.” Perseus scratched his neck. “Though we don’t know what news has reached Seriphos.”

Suddenly, Mikis’s voice sounded from Andromeda’s right, his chest swelling with pride she had never witnessed before, “I can find out and spread conflicting rumours about Perseus’s demise. I know all the gossipmongers in the agora.”

Perseus nodded. “Thank you, Mikis. You’ll leave at first light.”

“What about your mother, Perseus?” Medusa asked, her voice softer than usual. “Won't Polydectes come for her if he thinks you're dead?”

Perseus’s face fell at the remark, his confidence cracking. Andromeda glimpsed the worry in his eyes at the thought of endangering his family with the plan. He sighed, rubbing his temple, while the crew’s eyes remained trained on their leader. Andromeda’s head spun from everything that could go wrong in their plan.

“I could warn her to hide,” Mikis proposed, but Perseus shook his head.

“She is already hiding in the safest place I know … but I’m not sure if Polydectes hasn’t found her yet.”

“I’ll go and get her,” Medusa declared. “I’ll leave with Mikis and bring her to the ship. She’ll be off the island before we attack.”

Perseus gazed at Medusa as if she were the dawn after a long winter night, his salvation from the bitter cold. His eyes held a longing so intense, Andromeda averted her gaze.

Finally, Perseus composed himself. “Thank you, Medusa. That’s settled, then. Medusa and Mikis will track ahead tomorrow. Kleos and I will follow in three days to infiltrate the palace guard. Orestes, you will lead the remaining men to the servant entrance, where we will let you in on the evening of the equinox. Aetos, Atticus, can you position the ship in the northern bay for a quick escape — in case anything goes wrong?”

Aetos saluted, and cheers erupted once more.

Andromeda, heart pounding, waited for her assignment. No one seemed to notice her.

“Excuse me, but what should I do?”

Kleos’s head whirled, and Medusa froze with an assessing stare.

“What would you like to do?” Perseus asked.

Her palms started sweated and she gulped. Before she could overthink it, she blurted out, “I ... I'd like to come to the palace. Ican help dose the wine, and ... I can fight.” She hesitated at the last part, knowing it was only half true.

“No way,” Kleos cut off.

Andromeda bristled. Why had he gifted her that dagger if not to use it? Even if he had only trained her in self-defence. She shoved that thought down violently. Reason had nothing to do with why she felt so betrayed by his protest.

“I meant, please don’t go,” Kleos pleaded. “I — I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

His voice cracked, his vulnerability laid bare before the silent crew.

Still, when he reached for her, Andromeda pulled away, glaring up at him. “I’ve told you before that it’s not your responsibility to protect me.”

She knew her words stung. She didn’t care, as her anger drowned out memories of their stolen glances and easy laughter.

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