Page 81 of Crown of Serpents

She fumbled for his pants, her hands trembling with desire — something she had never expected to feel for anyone after … everything. Then, she lifted her dress, straddling him once more. Perseus gently positioned his cock at her entrance. When she finally lowered herself onto him, Medusa tilted her head, her eyes rolling back. He felt perfect inside her like their bodies had been crafted by the gods for one another.

Slowly, Medusa began riding him, holding onto his shoulders. The motion sent shivers down her spine, but she wanted more, so she began circling her hips, their moans growing louder.

Perseus’s next words came out through laboured breaths, “Take whatever you want, Medusa. Use me foryourpleasure, let me serve you!”

Medusa rocked her hips faster. A thrum of electricity was building inside her that needed release. She needed him deeper and faster. Perseus grabbed her hips as he thrust inside her, over and over again.

He groaned, “If you keep going like that, you’ll unravel me entirely.”

She slowed her pace, riding him in deep teasing strokes. Perseus white-knuckled the bed sheets with each deliciousmovement, biting his bottom lip. Medusa trailed a nail over his bronze skin, marvelling at the sight of his powerful body writhing beneath her. If only she could keep him splayed beneath her for an eternity.

Medusa rocked her hips, taking him in a deep thrust. His hands flew to her hips as a moan escaped her throat, pressure building in her core. She needed more, wanted him deeper. Her legs began trembling, but Perseus steadied her as she rode him at a maddening pace.

She dug her teeth into his shoulder, holding onto his broad frame. His blood tasted sweet on her tongue as they melted into each other, becoming one.

Lightning coursed through her veins, as Medusa erupted, her head spinning and vision blurring. Her body was set ablaze, a stream of electrifying energy. She could feel Perseus pulsating inside her just moments after her.

“Medusa,” her name was a prayer on his lips as he groaned in pleasure. The feel of his vibrating cock sent ripples of pleasure through her as she ground against him once more.

Medusa collapsed on his chest, her legs shaking. She could still hear the blood drumming in her ears when Perseus wrapped her into his arms. Medusa inhaled deeply. She’d done it. She hadn’t panicked.

Perseus stroked her hair, kissing her forehead. His lips barely brushed against her skin, but it made her heart flutter regardless. Then he looked at her, smiling as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world. In the flickering light of the oil lamp, his hazel eyes almost appeared the colour of molten gold. He brought his mouth to her ear and whispered, “You are magnificent, Medusa. Do you know that?”

A silly laugh bubbled in her throat. “I do.”

…

Medusa had lain enveloped in Perseus’s muscled arms for hours, toying with his soft curls. Neither of them had closed their eyes, their time too precious to doze off.

“Are you scared of what might happen?” Medusa blurted out,her voice small.

Perseus tilted his head, furrowing his brows in thought. “No.”

“Oh.” The word was like a punch to her gut. Medusa averted her gaze, tears glistening in her eyes. She did not like to admit it, but the past days had been torment for her. All kinds of terrible scenarios kept her up at night.

Perseus cupped her cheek, gently nudging her to face him once more. “Areyouscared?”

Instinct beckoned her to deny her feelings, to hide her vulnerability from him, to shield herself. Her body did not comply. “I’m scared of losing you.”

He rested his forehead against hers, pulling her closer, as his warm scent calmed her nerves. “Do you want to know why I am not scared of what is to come? Even if we might never see each other again, I can only think about how grateful I am to have met you. You’ve changed how I see the world, challenging me and helping me discover courage I never knew I had. Every moment, every stolen glance, every dance, every argument and fight — especially when you were handing my ass to me — it’s all been a gift. So, no, I’m not afraid of losing you because I am incredibly blessed to have had you, even for a sliver of time.”

His words were like a soothing melody. They warmed her, slowly smoothing over the cracks in her fractured soul. She interlaced their fingers, and Perseus continued, “Medusa, I … I think, no, I know … I lo —”

She stopped him before he could utter the words, placing a finger on his lips. “Don’t tell me now. Tell me in three days after we have won. Promise me.”

His throat bobbed as their gazes met in the dim light. Medusa knew that dawn was approaching fast. She would have to leave soon. Her heart thundered in her chest as she watched the shadows clouding Perseus’s face momentarily. Yet, she did not break their stare; she needed him to promise. She needed him to tell her that he would live, that he would be hers.

“I promise, I will tell you after. Wewillwin,” he said, though his voice sounded hollow.

Medusa cupped his cheek, brushing her lips against his eyelids fluttering. Their kiss was gentle and melancholic, apromise and farewell.

In the East, the first sunlight crested the horizon, illuminating the autumn sky in hues of orange and crimson, chasing away the shadows of the night.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

Perseus kept his cloak hooded as he tailed Kleos through the winding streets of Seriphos toward the tavern, where off-duty king’s guards drank and gambled the night away.

“Could you walk a bit less like you own this place? What if someone recognises us and alerts Polydectes?” Perseus muttered, glancing over his shoulders.

---