Page 40 of Courting War
“What is it you would have me do?” Medusa asked.
Theo countered, “What is it you want?” Deals were always better made with more information and more leverage.
“Tsk, tsk.” Medusa clicked her tongue, and all the snakes in the room rose to attention. “You’re not in control here.”
“Clearly.” Theo rested her head against her champion’s stone knees. “I’m not in control of much lately.”
“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?” Medusa raised an eyebrow, and a chorus of hisses sounded.
No. “Are you unhappy?” Theo didn’t know what possessed her to ask the question, but she immediately closed her lips and pinched them tightly. Half afraid to hear the answer.
Theo hated owning her own mistakes.
“It depends on the day.”
Theo’s brow creased. “Are you unhappy with your gifts?”
“Gifts?” Medusa scoffed. “You mean my snakes?”
“Yes.”
“That would also depend on the day.”
Theo sighed and rubbed her face.
“So, what is it you want?” Medusa asked.
Theo’s gaze caught Medusa’s brilliant golden irises, and she measured how much she could offer. She settled on quite a lot. “Get a copy of Hecate’s Grimoire, and I will owe you a favor.” The corner of Theo’s lips rose. It was a fantastic deal for Medusa. Holding a God’s Favor waspower,and something rarely bestowed.
Medusa mulled it over, chewing on her cheek and petting one of the snakes. “Alas, I'm sorry, Theodra, I cannot.”
Medusa seemed to genuinely feel bad about it. Which meant the gods had decreed this. She’d receive no aid during the challenges.
Irritating gnats.
Still refusing to do what was required to free the boy from his spell and death, Theo reached out and grasped the first book she could find. A historical romance. Flipping the book open, Theo sighed and started reading. She had a lot of time to kill.
So, Theo read in silence, long enough for her to finish her book—granted, she was a fast reader. She picked up another historical romance,Bringing Down the Duke,and opened it to the first page. Hours slipped away, and Theo wastransfixed. A massive squawk sounded from Theo’s arm when the book was at its climax.
Squawk, squawk, squawk. The raven wanted her to save the boy. But that was a deed Theo wouldn’t ponder. Saving him would fall right into Nefeli’s plans, which wouldn’t do.
Squawk. Squawk. Squawk. Now, the raven was calling hera selfish coward.
Theo glared at it.
“Your raven is right. You’ll never leave this library if you don’t help him.” Medusa stretched out on a table, lying down like a sphinx.
“I know.” Theo rubbed her eyes drowsily before glancing down the hallway coated by books and springtime.
Pride.
Honor.
Revenge.
Pride.
Honor.
