The Oracle of Delphi (Greek Myth Fantasy Series) (22 page)

It reared its head back, twisting its long neck looking for its attacker. Perseus held the shield in front of him and directed Pegasus around the serpent’s head, hoping to make it dizzy. He heard Andromeda’s voice calling his name from below and his heart rejoiced to learn she survived.

He reflected the fire from the sea serpent’s nostrils off the shield as the beast snorted its disapproval. Pegasus whinnied from beneath him and he brought the horse around the back of the beast one more time. Pulling the sword of Zeus from his side, he reached out and slashed through the air as the serpent turned toward him. Once again he used his demi-god strength, but this time was successful as he severed the sea serpent’s head from its neck.

The people of Thessaly cheered, sending shivers of elation through his body. He did it! He had killed the sea serpent as he had promised Andromeda he would do. Perseus turned the horse to direct it back to Andromeda, eager to hold her once more in his arms.

“Perseus, look out behind you!” she shouted.

Perseus turned Pegasus just in time to see three new heads sprout from where the sea serpent previously had only one. He felt his apprehension grow as he dipped in and again slashed furiously at the heads. This time he watched, overtaken by horror as three heads were replaced by twelve. Each one had eyes meaner than the last, and a tongue sharper than his own sword. The tongues lashed out around him, and he directed Pegasus through them as if he were running an obstacle course back on Seriphus.

He could not strike back because he needed to guide Pegasus up and away from the dangerous heads. His defense kept him from attacking, but he knew it would not have done any good anyway. With every slice of the beast, it only became more powerful. He saw no way out of this situation. Even though he was a demi-god, the sea serpent was the pet of a god. With the power of Nereus behind it, Perseus knew he had no chance of winning.

He looked down to Andromeda, spying her foot lodged between two rocks. Her eyes begged him to continue. He thought of their baby growing within her, of losing both his wife and child to the sea serpent, and knew he would give his own life if need be to save them. But still, his sword was not the answer.

He reached down and placed the sword in its scabbard, using the shield to ward off the sharp tongues and flames. His hand brushed across the magic bag at his waist, the weight of Medusa’s head heavy within it.

He suddenly felt like a failure. He was not only helpless to save his wife and child, but neither would he be able to save his mother. Fury grew within him, and he turned Pegasus once more just missing the wall of a cliff.

“By the gods, I will save them all if it’s the last thing I ever do!”

An idea came to him, and he wondered why he had not thought of it before. He took the shield of Athena and threw it at the sea serpent. It hit one head of the beast and fell deep into the sea.

It was just the distraction he needed. As the sea serpent looked toward the shield thinking it Perseus falling to his death, he pulled open the bag at his waist, feeling for the front of Medusa’s face to know which direction her eyes faced.

He guided Pegasus once more down toward the sacrificial rock to warn Andromeda and her father to shield their gaze. Then he directed the flying horse over the heads of the sea serpent, pulling its attention away from the crowd.

Once again the beast came after him, but this time he reached into the bag and pulled out the head of Medusa. He held it up high like an offering to the gods, watching as one sea serpent head after another froze and turned to stone before his very eyes. When the sea serpent stopped its moving, he placed the head back into the bag and closed it securely.

The crowd cheered wildly from the shore, and Perseus rode the winged horse around the sky feeling like the hero he yearned to be.

He pulled the sword of Zeus from its scabbard, and used it to slice the stone serpent to pieces. The chunks fell into the sea and disappeared beneath the water.

He directed his attention to his wife now, and brought Pegasus lower to the ground. But his eye caught instead on the body of a man struggling in the midst of the water.

Andromeda’s voice cried out to him urgently.

“Perseus, quick! You have to save Klaus.”

Andromeda saw Klaus struggling against the waves in the midst of the sea. He had not died after all. With relief, she shouted to Perseus and pointed at the man. In one swift movement, Perseus scooped Klaus out of the water and pulled him atop his horse.

A smile returned to her face as she watched her hero save so many lives.

“Is that your Perseus?” King Cepheus asked her.

“That is my husband,” she said proudly.

Perseus brought the flying horse to the ground, walking it through the shallow water toward her. He held the battered and bleeding Klaus in his arms, and her father jumped up, ordering his men to retrieve his steward.

“Take him inside,” he said quickly. “We still may be able to save his life.”

Klaus looked up at him through swollen eyes, and somehow managed to strike a smile.

“You cannot get rid of me that easily. I am afraid you will have me around for quite awhile.”

The king looked to the steward, his eyes welling with tears of regret. “I am so sorry, Klaus. I let anger cloud my judgment.”

“No need to apologize, my king. I would have gladly given my life to save your daughter.”

Andromeda saw the wetness in her father’s eyes, but he held himself like a king and refrained from showing his emotion.

“I will expect you back to work as my steward soon,” he grumbled. “Now get the bloody man out of here already,” he ordered his men. With one last deep breath, he regained his composure and walked back to Andromeda.

The men did as instructed, while Andromeda watched her husband dismount.

“Andromeda!” Perseus hurried over and wrapped his arms around her. She reached up to him, pressing her lips against his in a kiss she thought she would never again experience.

“Thank you!” Emotion welled in her throat keeping her words from being more than a whisper. “I hoped you would come.”

“Princess, I never meant for things to go this far.” He used his powerful hands to pull apart the rocks that wedged her foot in place. He rubbed a hand over her foot gently, feeling the swell of her ankle.

“I’ll be fine,” she reassured him. “If you can just help me to my feet, I am sure I can walk.”

But he did not give her the chance. He scooped her up into his arms and pulled her to his chest in a protective hug. She was back where she belonged - in Perseus’s arms - a place she never wanted to leave again. Their eyes locked, and even without words she could feel his emotions. They belonged together. They were husband and wife, and nothing would force them apart again.

“You must be Perseus,” her father interrupted their intimate moment. “I owe you more than I can ever repay.”

“No, King Cepheus,” Perseus answered. “You owe me nothing. I have far more than I could have ever asked for right here.”

Andromeda felt so safe and secure in his arms, happier than she had ever been in her life.

“I see you killed Medusa.” She nodded toward the magic bag sitting on the sand by the winged horse’s feet.

“I did,” he replied with a nod of his head. “And because of Pegasus here, I was able to get here in time.”

Andromeda watched the horse lower its head in a semi-bow and stomp a golden hoof upon the rocks. Its wings unfurled beautifully behind him, showing off the white feathers for all to see.

“The horse is beautiful,” she told him. “Where did you find it?”

“Let’s just say it was a gift.” His eyes focused on her lips when he spoke, and before she knew it they kissed again.

She ran a hand down his bare chest, suddenly feeling embarrassed for him as he stood there in nothing more than his undergarment.

“What happened to your clothes?” she asked him curiously. “Did you meet up with more sea nymphs on the Gorgon’s isle?”

“Hardly,” he told her. “I only met some very ugly Gorgons. I used my clothes to help me escape from them.”

“Well, done,” said the king to Perseus. “Come. We will have a celebration in your honor and you can tell us all about it.”

“Thank you, but I cannot. I need to get back to Seriphus.”

Andromeda’s heart sank. She thought he would be happy to be back with her and they would have some time together before he left to fulfill his quest. But now it sounded as if he planned to leave right away. She could not let him go. She had to tell him she loved him. Then, mayhap things would change. If he knew how she felt, surely things would be different. She would not lose him again after just being brought back together. If he wouldn’t stay, than perhaps he would take her along with him.

“Please stay,” she begged him. “I need to be with you, Perseus. I need you near me now more than ever.”

Perseus looked into her eyes and she saw something more than she had before. Could it be love? She did not know, but hoped it was.

“All right,” he told her softly. “Since I now have Pegasus, I’ll be able to get back to Seriphus in time. I am not due back until the day after tomorrow. I guess it would not hurt to rest up before I meet up with King Polydectes.”

Andromeda saw Perseus look up to the sky as Apollo drove his chariot in a circle around Mt. Olympus. Perseus nodded toward the god, and if she was not mistaken, the god nodded back.

*   *   *

Perseus sat at the dais, his wife at his side, as King Cepheus stood and raised a goblet of wine upward in the air.

“To my new son by marriage, Perseus,” the king said. “And to the baby that grows within my daughter, the grandson of Zeus himself.”

Pride showed on the king’s face, and Perseus could not blame him. He was to have a demi-god grandchild. This was more than any mortal king could ever hope for. Everyone raised their goblets and drank to the toast, cheering for the newly married couple. This feast was not only a celebration of the slaying the sea serpent, but also the celebration of the Princess of Thessaly marrying the son of Zeus.

He ate and drank and watched Andromeda as she smiled and talked to her parents and the other occupants of the castle. Her ankle was too sore to dance, so they just watched as the minstrels struck a lively tune and the men danced with the ladies. Perseus found himself content just looking at Andromeda, basking in the glory of having her as his wife. He never thought he could be this happy. His life had changed so much since he had met her. And now that he had her back, he never wanted to lose her again.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes upon. Her golden silk-spun hair was plaited, adorned with colorful ribbons and small flowers just like she had worn on their actual wedding day. But the gown she wore and the crown upon her head was that of a princess. The gold of her gown shimmered in the light of the torches, the material clinging seductively to each and every curve. A large amethyst stone hung from a golden chain around her neck. Her fingers were adorned with winking gemstones of every shape and color, matching the ones encased in the bright gold crown sitting majestically high upon her head. She had the presence of a goddess, even if she was only a princess. He leaned over and kissed her upon the cheek, then nuzzled his face against her ear, breathing in the sweet scent of rose water and lilies.

“Is it time to consummate the marriage yet?” His body ached for her, and he could think of nothing more than spending the night making love to his beautiful wife.

She smiled and looked up at him shyly. “I think we have already done that, and I have the proof growing inside me at this very moment.”

“Mayhap we can sneak away anyway?” he whispered into her ear. “I desire a little game of ‘sea nymph’. How about you?”

She hit him playfully on the arm, and when he looked up he saw Queen Cassiopeia watching him. She got to her feet and made her way toward him. Her long, elegant gown flowed around her as she made her way across the dais gracefully, every eye upon her.

“Perseus, I thought you might be interested to know that Klaus is going to be just fine thanks to you. He has lost one arm in the battle with the sea serpent, but the healer said he will be back to his old self soon.”

“I am glad to know that. I am told Klaus is a good man.”

He meant what he had said. After all, anyone who could forgive the king for chaining him to a stake as a sacrifice had to be special - especially Andromeda. After what she had been through, he would not have blamed her if she never wanted to see her father again.

“And I’m also glad to know my wife is safe,” he added as he lightly caressed her hair.

He drank in Andromeda’s beauty, totally admiring her for her courage as well as her determination. He wanted nothing more than to be with her in private. Since his arrival in Thessaly, he had not had any time to spend alone with his wife. Everyone had been asking him questions about slaying the Gorgon, asking him about Seriphus, and also wanting him to explain how it felt to be a demi-god. All he could tell them in answer to that last question, was that he felt like the luckiest man alive to have Andromeda as his wife.

“Why don’t you take Andromeda to her room?” suggested the queen. “I believe she is very tired from the long day she has had.”

“I’m not tired,” Andromeda answered perkily. “I feel so happy I could stay awake all night.”

“I think your mother wants me to put you to bed.” Perseus spoke in a low voice so only she could hear, and raised an eyebrow to make his point clear. She understood his glance and blushed a shade of crimson.

“Well, husband, what are you waiting for?”

Perseus needed no other invitation. In one move, he scooped her up and headed for the stairs. He made his way to the top of the steps and under Andromeda’s guidance found the right chamber. He pushed open the door and entered the room. Swinging her around, he closed the door behind them.

“I cannot believe this is happening,” she said with a squeal as he placed her down on the bed.

“We’ve done it before, Princess. Twice, if I remember correctly.”

“Not that.” She smiled and lay back on the pillows, crossing her arms and looking up at him. “I mean, we’re having a baby.”

“Aye,” he said in confirmation, removing his sword and scabbard. “I have word from Zeus himself. Matter of fact, I think Pegasus is really a gift for our future child.”

“Pegasus will be a wonderful horse for our baby.” She stared at the ceiling dreamlike, a huge smile gracing her face. “Where is the horse right now anyway?”

Perseus removed his tunic as he spoke. “I left Pegasus to guard the head of Medusa out in the courtyard. If anyone tries to steal it, he will send out an alarm.”

“Why would anyone want that awful thing?” she asked in disgust.

He folded up his tunic and laid it on the foot of the bed. “Perhaps it means nothing to you, but it is very important to me.”

“Oh, I am sorry,” she said sitting upright. “I didn’t mean that your mother is not important. But now that you have it, you can go back to Seriphus and free her.”

“Aye. And I have Zeus to thank that I now have the means to travel to my homeland quickly. Without Pegasus, I do not know how I would ever get there in time to save her life.”

“When are you going?” she asked with a frown.

“I’m leaving in the morning.”

She was quiet for a second, then raised her chin defiantly and announced; “I’m coming with!”

“No, you are staying here. It’s much too dangerous to be flying on the back of a horse in your condition.”

“But I insist!”

“Shh, Princess.” He laid his finger gently against her soft lips, resting his knee on the bed next to her. “Let us not argue on our wedding night.”

“It is not really our wedding night.”

“No, but since your father held a celebration feast for us, I’m game to believe it if you are.”

She smiled along with him, but then the smile left her face and she bit her bottom lip. Her face turned solemn and he knew what she was thinking.

“How long will you be gone?” she asked.

“I’m not sure when I will return. Perhaps in a week, mayhap longer.” He rubbed his hand over hers as he spoke. The burn on his hand from Medusa’s eyes was now covered with healing herbs and a cloth used as a bandage. It did not hurt anymore, but his skin needed time to heal. “I have a feeling Polydectes is going to give me trouble. I may be occupied for awhile.”

“What kind of trouble?” she asked.

“Nothing I cannot handle, especially after what I have been through lately.” He removed her crown and laid it on the bedside table. Then he unplaited her hair, removing the flowers and ribbons one by one.

“You surely have had your share of problems with Medusa, the sea serpent, and even the sea nymphs, haven’t you? Most heroes don’t go through so much in an entire lifetime.”

He smiled at her, remembering her version of a sea nymph, which he longed to see once again.

“I wasn’t speaking of those,” he told her. “I meant you, my feisty little princess.” He reached out and brushed the tip of his finger against her nose as he spoke.

She looked surprised, as if she did not know the trouble she had caused him along the way. He finished her hair and used the brush on the table to straighten out the tangles in her locks. Then he ran his hands along the length of her golden tresses, bringing his fingers up through the silk and letting it drop back around her shoulders.