Page 45 of Meduso
“Those men committed a crime in my eyes. They made love to a lover of mine and wanted to live to tell the day. That cannot be allowed.”
“And you have some nerve showing your face here!” I exclaimed.
“Do not be so vile towards me. I did nothing wrong to you,” Poseidon stated.
“Are you serious right now!? Just look at me, Poseidon. All of this is because of you. This is all your fault!” I shouted.
“Meduso, you had an equal part you played in your demise. Do not be so foolish. Ever should you be so lucky you had the opportunity to bed me, God of the sea,” he explained. “You should be honored I chose you out of the countless mortals that would kill for the chance to have me.”
I became sickened, my stomach turning in a thousand different directions. I already knew that Poseidon had fooled me, but hearing the god confirm it himself, from his own mouth, was another thing. This was all just some game to Poseidon. He never really loved me at all.
He stepped closer to me, placing his hands on my face, slightly squeezing my cheeks. “Look into my eyes. Besides your sisters’, I am sure mine are the only ones you have been able to gaze fully into, without any damage being done.”
Poseidon was right. He was the only man whose eyes I was able to look into since my serpentine transformation.
“You are mine, Meduso. My property and mine alone.”
He attempted to pull me into him, but I pushed the god away. “I was seduced once by you. I won’t make that same mistake again.”
Poseidon’s face shifted into displeasure. “Fine! Have it your way, but know that I will be damned to the Underworld before I let another man touch you again. You are mine, Meduso, and only mine! No other man will ever have you. I possess you. I own you!”
I stepped further back from the angered god. As much as I wanted to yell and hit Poseidon, I knew that would be a mistake. Defying a god in such a way would be a death sentence. Thus, I kept my composure but still stood my ground. “Be that as it may, I cannot promise you I will never love again.”
Poseidon crossed his arms over his chiseled chest. “You don’t have a choice in the matter. No man will ever step foot on this island again for you to love. I will curse the waters surrounding this island. Even the bravest of warriors will never be able to withstand my turbulent sea.”
I could not believe that this territorial side of Poseidon was coming forth. The jealousy was oozing out of him. I simply stood stunned, unsure of what to even say to the god that would not get me into trouble.
“I must go now,” Poseidon stated, much to my relief. “Remaining here for a long period of time will surely draw the attention of the other gods,” he explained.
Poseidon turned his back to me and stepped into the water, but then paused before leaving. “Oh, I do have something I would like you to have before I depart.”
The sea god lowered his hands into the water and began chanting something in a language I was not accustomed to. His hands then rose towards the sky. I looked to the clouds. A beam of light protruded through them, aimed directly at the island. A figure emerged, making its way towards us. As it came closer, I realized it was a horse with the most divine, angelic feathered wings I had ever seen in my life; a beautiful creature.
As the horse landed on the ground, it stood still, lowering its head. I came forward and began petting it. He was magnificent. His hair was the softest thing I had ever felt. I was startled when the horse pressed his snout into my face, causing me to chuckle at its endearing gesture.
“His name is Pegasus, and he is yours now, Meduso,” Poseidon stated. “There may come a time where you need to make a desperate escape from this island. Pegasus will be your best means for that,” he advised.
I raised a brow at his response. “If you’re preventing anyone from coming to this island, why would I ever need to escape it?”
“There could be a number of reasons why you would need to beyond that. Do you not want the horse’s company?”
“I do. But how would I use him? I don’t have legs to ride him. I would be unable to leave this island on him,” I replied.
Poseidon shrugged. “That’s not my problem. You can figure it out. It shouldn’t be that hard.”
I was becoming irritated with Poseidon’s vague responses, but that didn’t stop me from wanting answers about this glorious creature. “Where did Pegasus come from? How did you obtain him?”
“Do not concern yourself with that. There are just some things that are best left unsaid.”
“Wait a second, you’re not leaving him here to hide him from someone, are you? Is that your true intention?” I asked with skepticism.
“Rationalize it however you will. This is a safe place for Pegasus, and I am sure you could use the company and you may even come to rely on him in a time of peril,” Poseidon said very nonchalantly.
“Fine. I will take care of him,” I declared.
“Good. I was hoping you would accept him. Then it is settled.” The sea god dove into the water, disappearing.
My attention shifted back to Pegasus as I continued to caress him. “Are you hungry?” I was not sure what to expect. Of course, the horse could not speak, but who knows, if he had wings, he could be capable of other things, right?
