Page 46 of Meduso
Pegasus did not respond to me, but I led the ivory horse into the forest and back towards our caves. “We’ll stop and pluck some apples for you along the way. I’m not sure where you came from, but I’m certain you could use something to eat from your journey.”
I began to grow fond of the obedient horse. When I returned him to the caves for Euryale and Stheno to see, I shared everything with them that had transpired. I promised to hide no more secrets from them, so I gave every detail of my encounter with Poseidon.
“I think you are right to assume Poseidon has a few extra tricks up his sleeve,” Stheno agreed. “I wonder if he stole the horse from someone or perhaps the horse is his son, given birth by another.”
Euryale was distracted, not even bothering to listen to Stheno and me. She stood admiring the glorious horse. “Let me show Pegasus the garden. There is plenty of food he may enjoy from there,” Euryale suggested.
I nodded. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
Euryale then took the horse away, leaving Stheno and me alone.
“Meduso, please tell me you have not fallen back in love with Poseidon.”
I let out a heavy grunt, annoyed that Stheno would even think such a thing. “Of course not! How could I love a man who betrayed me in every possible way? The only feeling I have for him is disgust!”
“Well, as long as it is not love, then I suppose that is good. Just remember, Meduso, he could still be lying to you. I have a hunch that there is a great deal that he is keeping from you. You should not trust him so easily.”
“I don’t trust him at all, Stheno. I will continue to keep my guard up.”
I turned my head from my sister, deep in thought. I knew Poseidon would likely keep the curse on the island for as long as I lived. On one hand, I was relieved to know that no warrior would be able to withstand Poseidon’s waters to come to the island to hunt me down. On the other hand, this meant that I would remain lonely here with my sisters. No other man would be able to touch and love me the way I needed to be loved.
Chapter 14
It had been a couple months since I last saw Poseidon. However, I knew he watched over me. There were no warriors that managed to make it to the shore of Sarpedon from here on out. And that was Poseidon’s doing. Whenever a boat was traveling directly towards the island, Poseidon continued to summon the most severe of storms and rough waters to capsize their ships. Driftwood from their boats and even some of their limp and unresponsive bodies washed up on the shore. It forced my sisters and me to have to dump their remains into the lake, so we would never have to look at the ghastly sight of their dead, decayed limbs ever again.
Although Poseidon's curse may have been protecting me by ridding me of these hunters before they could ever make it to our beaches, it was actually doing more mental harm to me. I wanted to see to these strong men up close. Some of which I was desperate to feel and come in contact with. Now, I would never be able to experience that again.
Poseidon was not joking when he said that he did not want anyone else getting sexually involved with his lover. I felt practically claimed by him, but that was not my desire. I became disheartened, realizing my body and its urges would be unfulfilled, an empty vessel never having the opportunity to have its sexual appetite sustained for the rest of my life.
I kept my mind busy, trying not to think about this island prison I was trapped on. Euryale taught me new techniques in her garden, so I often tended it with her during the day. Stheno and I rarely practiced our combat skills with one another, now that no man was likely to ever step foot on Sarpedon again. My constant desire and anticipation for sexual thrills was no more. Now being on Sarpedon was truly the punishment it was originally intended to be.
One evening, I felt the need to be on my own. I made my way to the beach and set up a fire for myself. A pastime I cherished. I recalled the days when Perseus and I would venture out to the shores of Seriphos and count the stars in the open night sky. I stared up at them, admiring their ephemeral beauty, knowing they would retire at dawn.
“Katasterismoi,” an unknown voice called from behind me.
I sharply turned around, backing up to prep my stance, ready for combat. The figure held a bronze shield up to cover his face. He continued to speak. “A young, handsome lover once told me that the small traces of light in the sky were created by Artemis. They tell famous stories of the past. The gods called themKatasterismoi.”
The softness yet bravado in his tone was faintly recognizable to me. The warrior lowered his shield, but then kept his eyes closed, revealing his chiseled face and athletic body. “Meduso, it’s me…” he called out.
“Perseus!? It cannot be!?” I exclaimed. But I had no doubt that it was him. It had now been about eight years since I last laid eyes on him. Although this man had similar features to the Perseus I remember, there was something a little different about him. This fellow seemed more stout and his hair was grown out a few extra inches.
“It’s me, Meduso. In the living flesh. I promised we would meet again. And I am a man of my word.” Although his eyelids still remained shut, he was able to smile in my direction, allowing me to view those gleaming ivories of his. That smile still made me melt, even to this very day.
I slowly approached him, somewhat cautiously, still unsure if this was, in fact, reality. I needed to touch him right now. It would be instant proof that this was not some cruel trick the gods were playing on me. I caressed his soft, smooth cheeks with my palms. “Perseus! It really is you! But how?”
“I want to explain everything to you. But first, I want to be able to look at you, Meduso. I cannot bear to go on for another moment without getting the chance to gaze into your eyes,” he confessed.
Although the flames were high and the moon graced us with its luminescence, it still was not enough. Plus, there was no form of reflection he would be able to glance into to prevent me from turning him to stone. However, there was one place that was ideal.
“Let’s return to my cave. We can set your shield up there and then we can cut some of the glass stone from the cavern walls. You can view me through them,” I explained. “Come. Hold my hand and I will guide us there.”
My fingers intertwined with his. I could not help but simper. The instant our hands were locked, I felt a charge rush right from him and into me. It was as if Zeus’s own lightning bolts were passing through us. I slowly escorted him through the forest, making sure he found his footing and did not trip on any of the tree roots nor stumble on any of the debris that we walked on to return to my personal lair.
I had him remain standing in the cave as I set up his shield against a boulder. I had to start another fire, and quickly did so, as if my life depended on it. Without a fire, it would be too dark to see each other. Every second that passed by where I didn’t get the chance to fully see his face felt like an extra dagger plunging into my heart.
Finally, everything was situated as best as I could make it for the moment. I placed my hand on his broad shoulders and guided him over to his bronze shield. “You can open your eyes now, Perseus.”
And he did. Those were his hazel-green eyes I was able to make out through the reflection of his shield. This was Perseus. My Perseus. However, my sapphire eyes were no more, since my change in appearance. So, these honey-colored eyes of mine would be new to him.
