Medusa, A Love Story (The Loves of Olympus) (2 page)

His eyes wandered again, sweeping the white-capped waves of the Aegean far beyond before returning to the etched stones of the temple frieze.

A stone Gorgon mask, carved into one of the pillars, startled him from his inspection. It never failed to disconcert him, giving rise to a mix of fear and disgust.

Truly such a warning would be heeded by even the most wicked of villains.

All who gazed upon the masks knew that this place and those here serving Athena were to be respected and treated with reverence. The Goddess Athena would tolerate nothing less.

Ariston paced, the dipping sun heightening his anticipation. Sunset had always been his favorite time of day. The last fortnight had made it even dearer to him. In that time, he’d been appointed guard to the Goddess Athena’s priestess.

To serve Athena so directly was indeed an honor, but leaving his men without instruction had rankled him greatly. He knew he’d be better used schooling those who knew nothing about sword and doru. Being charged with the priestess’ daily safety, her wellbeing, and her escort to and from Athena’s temple had felt more an inconvenience than an honor.

But the council and statesman of Greece’s capital had learned of a Persian plot. Their foe sought to capture or injure a servant from Athena’s sacred temple. Such an act would give rise to outrage and fury prompting Athens to retaliate rashly – giving their enemy the advantage.

Greece could not afford such a misstep. The council’s plan provided a simple but effective solution – Ariston. If the council had not demanded
he
protect the Goddess’ priestess, he would have gladly deferred the post to another.

Then he had met her.

He walked back and forth, his spear and shield held rigidly. His eyes strayed to the interior of the temple. He tensed. It was dark, no candle flickered. Why was the lamp out? Where had she gone?

Her voice spilled over him with a mocking lilt. “I’ve slipped by you, soldier. Your thoughts must weigh heavily upon you.” 

Ariston’s breath escaped tightly. All was well. He inclined his head. “My lady.”

“Lady, I am, and mistress to those who serve me. But
your
lady?” she asked softly. “I belong to another, as you well know.”

Ariston raised his eyes to her curiously, searching out her meaning. She loved to speak in riddles.

Even with her features obscured by the gauzy white veils of her station, he could make out the curve of her smile. Above the brightly embroidered hem of her veils, eyes as vibrant as the cerulean sea watched him. 

“Athena,” she said, a hint of laughter in her voice. “I am
her
lady.”

He inclined his head to acknowledge her words, unable to speak. He clenched his jaw, damning his response to this slip of a girl. Yet he could not tear his gaze from hers.

She blinked, her smooth brow furrowing before she turned away abruptly. 

Had she sensed his…distraction? If his cursed newfound awareness was disconcerting to him, it would hardly reassure the one he was sworn to protect.

She is the priestess for your Goddess Athena
, he reminded himself sternly.

The evening wind stirred the dust at their feet. Long skeins of her brilliant honey hair escaped her veils, floating about her and then falling against her hips as the breeze ebbed. Ariston’s self-admonishments ceased as his eyes lit upon those tresses. How those creamy locks filled his dreams. It would not do to wonder how her hair might feel, sliding between his fingers or wrapped about him…

His hands clenched as he reprimanded himself. Where was his discipline? His self-control? He was not one to succumb to tenderness.

He must not falter now.

He had been warned. It was not only the Persians who threatened Athena’s priestess. Her last guard had become so besotted with the young priestess that he’d planned to steal her from the temple and run, to hide from the Gods. Luckily, the plot had been discovered. The guard served Athena’s temple on Crete at Gortys now, a lowly servant and eunuch.

No
. He drew himself straight, his resolve strengthening. If she unwittingly bewitched her guards, he would not join them. He would enjoy the pleasure of her company, as his duties might require. But brooding over anything else was…dangerous.

###

With spirits high, she’d snuck out of the temple to tease him, emboldened by the brisk night air and fading sunlight. But his face, grave as he’d searched the empty temple, had filled her with shame.

As he’d turned his gaze towards her, her chest grew heavy, pressing the air from her lungs. His eyes were an almost-constant warmth upon her, steady and inscrutable. And while the presence of his hooded grey eyes afforded her much comfort, they’d begun to stir something within her.

He has such lovely eyes.
She felt her cheeks grow hot and was happy for the veils.

She was startled by the way his eyes lingered upon her hair now. She wondered over the sudden tensing of his jaw, the way he pressed his eyes closed abruptly – almost angrily. He drew a deep breath, then glanced upon her. In his unguarded gaze she saw a flicker of…

But he looked away, breaking the spell that held her.

She took a hasty step back and turned to the city below. What were these strange sensations that coursed through her? Such an unfamiliar warmth and pleasure…

Her heart seemed to rise into her throat as she spoke breathlessly. “Have you finished your patrol, soldier? For my duties to the Goddess are done this day.” She tried to resume her teasing tone, tried to ignore the tangle of emotions he stirred within her. “But I will wait, if you’ve need of more pacing.”

Though she knew his duties did not include suffering her jests, she could not resist. It was no easy feat, drawing a smile from her guard. In fact, she’d found herself thinking of ways to do so the last few days. Eliciting his reluctant grin brought a satisfactory end to her day. 

If he were indeed struggling with something, as she suspected, surely she should try to cheer him.

When she did not poke or tease at him, the silence hung heavily – the air seemed to thin and constrict. She did not know what it was, this pull between them, but she fought it, for both their sakes.

His eyes fell from hers, a small grin forming as he answered, “No, mistress. I only wait for you.”

His smile caused warmth to spread within her.

Athena would not approve
.

Her smile, her laughter, her body, all of her, belonged to Athena. She would be wise to remember that.

He waited for her, for the slight nod of her head, before turning to lead her on the long descent home.

She sighed, falling silent as they set off.

She’d had many guards while serving the Goddess, though she admitted she’d paid them little notice. Something about
this
man captured her interest. She spent far too much time lingering on his mood, the curve of his smile, his rugged jaw and welcoming grey eyes.

She followed several steps behind him, turning her attention – forcefully – to the journey before them.

The stone of the Acropolis dropped sharply away, jutting from the hillside as if Hades himself had thrust the peak from the Underworld – or so she thought. Athena believed that her priestesses should avoid the main road to the temple, keeping her servants from those with less restrained dispositions. Her priestesses and their protectors had to scale this slippery shale and sand path, barely fit for goats and ever precarious to those who used it.

But the Goddess’ wisdom had led her to select the Acropolis for her temple. With its clean air and soothing sounds, one might watch over the city free from its noise and drudgery. No enemy could invade, by land or sea, without being immediately detected.

She admired the Goddess for such foresight, even if the climb was taxing. Her path was all the more unsteady as she was under layers of linen and wool.

Her guard turned back, ever watchful as she scaled down a steep drop. He did not meet her gaze, but stood waiting. He was gravely distracted, his displeasure evident by the furrow of his brow and the slight flair of his nostrils.

She could not bear it. She drew in a breath and asked, “Is Athens your home?”

“No, lady. My home is far across the sea on the shore of Rhodes.”

“But that is leagues from Athens.” She paused, surprised by his answer. “You traveled here for the Goddess?”

The path interrupted their conversation. He jumped down the sudden drop, sliding. Once steady, he nodded, a slight smile on his handsome face.

“Olympus will reward such fealty.” She regarded him, momentarily distracted by the glint in his grey eyes. “You are loyal to Athena.”

“I am.” His voice sounded strained, she noted, but his smile did not falter.

He offered his arm, the leather greaves allowing such an action. He could never touch her, her skin must remain pure. But she might use his arm, covered, to help her scale such a sheer step.

She watched the muscles of his neck and shoulder flex as he offered her his arm and swallowed. Her heart thumped against her chest, further disconcerting her.

He glanced at her, waiting.

She cleared her throat and shook her head before leaping to the ground beside him. She met his wide eyes, a breathless laugh escaping her.

###

Her laughter stirs my blood.
He drew a steadying breath.

Her eyes gazed into his, threatening his fragile control.

“I’ve heard of Rhodes’ fair waters.” Her curious blue gaze mesmerized him.

I am a cursed fool.

His voice was gruff, “I’ve never seen a lovelier shore.” 

“What a sadness.” She sounded wistful. “To be so far from such beauty must leave an ache within.”

He looked down at her, the corner of his mouth responding to her sympathy. “There are many beautiful things here, lady.”
Though I suspect you are the loveliest by far.

His breathing grew shallow as her gaze wandered to his mouth.

Deep lines formed between her brows and her cheeks colored, intriguing him.

“Lady?” What was she thinking? 

She shook her head, turning to the city below. “I…” her words trailed off, and she drew a deep breath before continuing, “I’ve never been on the streets of Athens. Is it beautiful? My aunt and uncle tell me it’s a place I must never go as a priestess.”

“It has certain charms. But for you, I fear there would be too little beauty at too great a risk.” He understood why Galenus would keep his niece from the city.

The rest of their journey led them away from Athens proper and towards the estate of her uncle. Their path cut across more gently rolling hills, broken only occasionally by a sudden rock outcrop. These hills were dotted with aromatic maquis bushes, poppies and cistus flowers, alive and in bloom. The cool evening breeze blew the scents about them, turning the evening fragrant.

He remained silent as they moved on, enjoying the sounds of the countryside. A black-headed bunting sang from its perch amongst prickly thistles. The bleating of a distant goat and the faint bark of a dog echoed from a neighboring hillside.

Galenus’ home, their destination, lay before them. Only moments longer and they would arrive – she would no longer have need of him this night. Disappointment settled over him. He didn’t like the feeling, or what it might imply.

She spoke suddenly. “In two days time I shall collect offerings for the Goddess, along the shore.”

He nodded. “For the Festival of Anestheria?” Surely her uncle would expect her guard to escort the priestess and her companion, to ensure their safety. He ignored the anticipation he felt, saying, “I will accompany you.”

She glanced at him, the corner of her eyes creased by a hidden smile. “I warn you now, soldier, on that day we depart before Selene’s moon fades. I would greet the sun as it rises.”

He nodded, pulling his gaze from hers. It should not please him so, to have more time with her.

In truth, such an added distraction should irk him. Readying his men for battle was far more valuable in a time such as this, surely.

And yet, he was not displeased. 

“Anestheria is always an important time in the temple. More so this year, I think, as our enemies draw close. Athena’s people need to be reminded of her protection and wisdom, and give thanks for her patronage. My offerings are small things, I know, but such ceremony provides encouragement to her city and its people.” She spoke with care. “It is no great thing when compared to your soldier’s work, but it is all I can give.”

She is a wise priestess for the Goddess of Wisdom
.

“You serve Athena well,” he said.

A gust of wind tossed his cloak about him and caught in the dome of his round aspis, lifting the shield. He shifted easily, tightening his grip upon both shield and spear, and turned to find her staring at him with wide eyes. She swallowed, blinked rapidly, and set off along the path with renewed purpose.

They fell quiet as they passed through the gate.

When she spoke, he had to strain to hear her. “When I was a little girl, Uncle Galenus housed some of Athena’s soldiers for a short time. We listened to stories about the fearsome Ekdromoi and the stalwart hoplites – of their courage and prowess. To the amusement of the soldiers and my uncle, my companion Elpis and I tried to heft a shield between us. I remember trembling under its weight. I feared the soldiers were descendants of the Giants. How else could they possess such strength?” 

“They were but soldiers, mistress,” he murmured. “A soldier’s weapon is but an extension of his body. It must be, for him to survive.”

Did his strength frighten her?

The Goddess had admired his form. She’d compared him to the beauty of her Acropolis, rugged and strong. When the Goddess had asked him to serve her with his aspis and spear, he’d been both proud and honored.

But Athena’s priestess did not find his form pleasing, or so it seemed.

“I will bring my nets and fish for offerings for the Goddess,” he offered gently. “If it pleases you?”