Page 36 of Meduso
“Let’s go to my niece’s temple together tomorrow evening.”
“Really? You’re ready to inform her about us?” I was in disbelief.
He nodded. “Yes. I think it’s about time. I cannot stand the thought of being without you for another full day from this moment forward.”
I lunged into him for a hug as he stated this. “Thank you. I feel the same way. “But…”
“But what?”
“My sisters… I cannot just leave them at the temple alone, without me for the rest of their days. And what of my parents? Will Athena retaliate and take my actions out on them?”
“Well, your sisters can join us,” Poseidon clarified. “And your parents will be under my protection. Just allow me to negotiate with my niece and I will make sure that happens.”
It was such a relief to hear him say that. Now I had absolutely no worries about this plan on the horizon. I shut my eyes, resting my head against Poseidon’s chest. When I re-opened them, we were back at the beach near the Acropolis.
It was bittersweet being back here. On one hand, I wished we could have stayed in our own little world in Atlantis, isolated from everyone else. On the other hand, I knew that this would be my last night here in Athens if Poseidon was planning on confessing our affair to Athena tomorrow evening. After that discussion would take place, I would be carried off, out of Athens and to a majestic palace fit for the god of the sea and his lover.
I slept peacefully in my bed that night, knowing tomorrow would be my last day at this confinement. These years of monotonous labor were over, and I knew that my adventures were only beginning.
The following day, I pulled Stheno and Euryale away from the group of other priestesses and servants and into a private chamber to reveal everything to them.
“Now, I do not want either of you to be mad or think you can persuade me otherwise with what I am about to tell you,” I began with. “For the past several months, you know how I have been heading off to the beach every night to relax?”
“Yes. What about it?” Stheno sternly asked.
“Well… I’ve been meeting someone there every night. And it’s not just anyone… it’s Poseidon himself. We are in love,” I admitted, finally getting this secret off my chest.
“Poseidon!? God of the sea!?” Euryale gasped. “Meduso? Are you sure it’s him?”
“Yes, Euryale. I’ve witnessed his powers firsthand. The man is truly Poseidon. We’ve been seeing each other for the past two months. Poseidon was the man in my vision that I told you about. It all makes so much sense now. He plans to tell Athena about our relationship tonight. Then he will take me away from here to live in his palace with him. And more importantly, he offered to bring you both along as well.”
“So, we will be leaving this temple tonight? I better start packing my belongings, although there’s not much to pack. Wait. Do our parents know?” Euryale thought out loud.
“No. I will not be partaking in this charade,” Stheno grunted. “Meduso, you are being foolish! You just met this god a few months ago! Have you thought this through!? What about the repercussions we could potentially face for this, and our entire family? Surely, Athena will punisheveryonefor your irrational and disloyal behavior. I’m sorry, Meduso, but I cannot join you. And I think you are sorely mistaken in the relationship youthinkyou have with Poseidon.”
I slammed my foot in the ground. “No Stheno!Youare the one that is mistaken. Poseidon loves me and he has offered protection for all of us! Surely he would not allow anything to happen to our family either for that matter.”
Stheno shook her head and was not having any of it. “Meduso, I know that you hate me saying this, but once again, I have no choice… you are young and innocent still. Poseidon is an Olympian god. He has many children and has had many lovers throughout his immortal life. You will not be his only lover, brother. And once he is bored with you, he will dispose of you and find a new playmate that can entertain him. Come on, Meduso! Do you honestly think he will be faithful to you? Use your brain!”
“You don’t get it, Stheno! You’ll never understand! Being with Poseidon is better than being locked away here in servitude for the rest of my life. I can no longer put up with this lifestyle any longer. Poseidon has offered me a new life, a chance to fully experience the world around us and the adventures that it holds for me. That is something that will never happen if I waste my years away here.” I could sense that my eyes were watering and soon enough, the tears started falling down my face.
Witnessing how upset and hurt I was, Stheno let out a heavy sigh and approached, wrapping her arms around me. “Meduso, I want you to be happy. But more importantly, I also want you to be safe. Now understand, I do not think we will remain here at Athena’s temple for the rest of our lives. Eventually, there will come a time in the future where she will reward us for our loyalty and benevolence, and we will be free to live and do as we please. But we must do our part in fulfilling the promise our parents made to her. We cannot abandon her in this way.”
“But you lack empathy for me, Stheno. You must realize that I am aging faster than you both. By the time Athena grants us freedom and rewards us, I will be at death’s door. What then? You mean to tell me I’ve worked my entire life only to enjoy a minuscule amount of it?”
Stheno separated from our embrace and remained silent, unsure of how to respond to my feelings. She turned to Euryale, putting her on the spot. “And what will you do, Euryale? Will you go with Meduso and Poseidon, disobeying Athena and our parents, or will you remain here?”
Euryale turned her head left and right, tossing glances back and forth between Stheno and me. She deeply exhaled before providing us with her answer. “Meduso, I’m sorry. I can’t go with you either.” Euryale placed her hands on my shoulders. “But I do think you should go with Poseidon. I understand how you feel, brother. You should have the opportunity to enjoy the limited life that you have and not in the confines of this temple. Just promise me you will visit us every now and then. I cannot bear the thought of never seeing you again.”
I then leaned forward to hug Euryale, appreciating her support in my decision. “Very well. I promise to return to you all in the future, but I must go to the beach to meet Poseidon now. It is only a matter of time before we make our announcement to Athena.”
I stood in the sand, staring out into the sea like a young maiden waiting for any sign of a ship, hoping her husband would return safely from war. But my lover did return. I caught sight of Poseidon’s beautiful, lush, full auburn hair rising out of the water. As he moved towards the surface, the wet hairs on his chest clung to his thick, curved muscles. When he came to shore, he opened his arms wide, expecting me to move into them.
I obliged, and he tightly squeezed my much smaller frame into him. “Are you ready to do this?” he asked.
“More than ever,” I revealed.
“Well, let’s not waste any more time then. Shall we get to it?”
