Page 26 of Meduso
“So, do you love him?” she asked. “It’s okay if you do, Meduso. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I won’t tell anyone if you do.”
At first, I hesitated in answering this, but then lightly nodded.
“I’m jealous,” my sister confessed. “I’ve met a few males on the surface that I talked to. Some of them I really liked and I even enjoyed their company. But, every time I would think to kiss or get close to them, all I could hear were the voices of the Graeae and our parents saying, ‘you will feel the wrath of the gods!’”
I chuckled at her imitation of Deino. “You met a few men when you went to the upper world?”
“Yes. Don’t forget, I’ve spent more time up there than you have. “
“I seem to keep forgetting that,” I admitted.
“The only thing you have more experience than me with islove,” Euryale shared.
We then emerged from the water and sat next to each other on the edge of the cliff. The second we let our feet dangle, the grotto around me started to fog up until it was completely blurry. Then, I was taken away to a new place. Was I having another vision?
I was at a beach. I don’t remember this beach at all. Wait? Now that I think about it, I have been here before. It was the same one that was in my last vision nearly a year ago. Actually, this whole scene I was experiencing was the same exact one from that previous vision. The large, god-like figure was walking towards me, coming out of the majestic sea. I sprinted towards him. I reached my palms out to feel his burly chest. He was an irresistible and brawny man. His massive hands held me close.
My sister’s voice returned me back to my normal self.
“Perseus, was it? Tell me what he’s like,” she requested.
I shook my head, annoyed that I had this vision again. What were the Fates trying to tell me? That there was another man, besides Perseus, that I could love and be attracted to? I found it hard to believe. No. I actually didn’t believe it at all. This must have been some mistake. Surely, the Fates would alter this vision and provide me with a new one. At least this is what I was hoping for. I averted the thought and returned my attention back to Euryale’s question about Perseus.
“He is strong. And I don’t mean strong in thehumansense. His strength is that of a god. Well, he is technically a demi-god. A son of Zeus.”
Euryale raised her hand to her mouth, shocked by what I had just revealed to her.
“A son of Zeus!? Well, what’s he doing on that boring island, then?”
I shook my head. “First off, Seriphos is not boring. It’s very calm and quaint. I rather enjoy it. Secondly, Perseus landed on the island when he was a baby. His grandfather…” I filled Euryale in on the story Perseus had shared with me about King Acrisius imprisoning his mother because of the Oracle at Delphi’s prophecy. I mentioned the part of Zeus disguised as a shower of gold to enter Danaë’s chamber, and the king shipping them off in a chest into the Aegean Sea, hoping the mother and son would never be heard from again.
“Wow! That’s fascinating!” Euryale exclaimed.
“What’s fascinating!?” a voice called out from behind us. I craned my neck to see Stheno was approaching.
I gave Euryale a stern look, hoping she took the hint in not sharing the information I just told her about Perseus. I knew if Stheno was given any secrets, she would run and tell our parents. She always did. Nothing was ever safe with her.
“Ohhh. Ummm… Meduso was just telling me about the unique flowers on the island he was on. Yes! That’s it… they were some of the most unusual colors, right, Meduso?” Euryale lied, intending to deceive Stheno.
Poor Euryale. She was a terrible actress and not the best at being able to fib to anyone. However, it was more unbelievable that Stheno bought her act.
“Yes. Islandic flowers are much different from those on the mainlands,” Stheno added. “Anyway, father and mother request an audience with us. They are waiting in the throne chamber.”
“What for?” I asked.
“Just come!” Stheno commanded.
Euryale and I rose up and trailed behind Stheno, who led us to our parents. The deep ocean sea god and goddess sat tall on their turquoise thrones. The seats were at least three times the size of them. They seemed smaller in appearance when compared to the gargantuan chairs.
“Welcome back, son!” my father greeted me with in his usual low and intimidating tone. “How did the surface treat you?”
I bowed to him as he addressed me, a customary standard I often performed when he was seated at the throne. “Thank you, father. My visit was pleasant. I learned a great deal.”
“Good! That is exactly what I expect to hear.” Phorcys rubbed his chin as he stated this. “Do you feel you are truly ready to present yourself to Athena?”
I believed I was ready to return back to the upper world. Although, really, I just wanted a change of pace. Anything was better than being isolated here in the palace, having to listen to the Graeae day in and day out.
However, I could not help but continue to think about the vision I recently had, touching another man the way I used to touch Perseus. I still could not comprehend the meaning behind it. I needed to talk to somebody about this and about my relationship with Perseus. Someone who I knew would understand how I was feeling and who also once had love lost. Then it hit me like a fury with a quick whip to the back.
