Medusa, A Love Story (Loves of Olympus 1)

Medusa spun, turning desperate eyes on the girl.

“Where is she?”

“Athena has her…” The priestess backed up, startled.

“Where?” Medusa asked, her voice rising. “Where is she?”

“Leave us.” Athena’s order brooked no disagreement. She stood, bearing her shield and helmet, glowering at Medusa.

The priestess bowed to the Goddess, then ran from the antechamber.

“You’re forbidden from my temple.” Athena’s face reflected nothing but disdain for Medusa. “I assume you have come to beg for forgiveness?” The Goddess’ brows elevated as she waited for Medusa’s response.

Try as she might, she could not stop the words that tumbled from her lips. “Forgiveness? I need forgiveness, from you?”

“If you’ve not come to beg my favor, you should not be here. Unless you seek punishment for the crimes you’ve committed? To appease your soul?”

“What crimes do you speak of Athena? Faithful servant or faithful wife?” Her voice twisted, her pain challenging her resolve. “There is nothing more that could punish me.”

Athena’s face hardened. “You dare speak to me like this?”

Medusa continued. “When have I failed you? In all the years I’ve served you with my whole heart. And when you freed me I gave it as I chose…”

“You prattle on about your dead man.” Athena shook her head.

“And the hundreds of others who died on the sea, for you, Athena – and for Athens,” she cried.

“You cared little for them when they lived. If you’d taken Poseidon’s offer, none would have suffered,” Athena turned to leave.

“I did, Athena,” Medusa shrieked. “I did. I endured all – to save them and my husband. I had his word it would be so.”

“What?” Athena turned wide eyes to her, coming to stand before her. “When?”

“The storm… I called upon him to stop the storm…” Sorrow silenced her briefly, but she pushed on. “In exchange for the lives of those at sea – all for naught.”

Athena stepped forward, rage upon her face. “Where, Medusa?”

Medusa looked at her. She knew the face of the Goddess. It was a face she’d loved dearly for half of her life. But this look was unrecognizable to her. Burning with violent hatred, her Goddess was… frightening.

“I know not. Nor does it matter.”

“Does it not?”Athena’s eyebrow arched. Her face was taut with tension. “I have something of yours, I think.”

“Thea?” Medusa searched the temple, Thea’s call faint but audible. “Your gift, and my dearest companion.”

“Not Thea, though I have her too. She is caged.”

“Why?” Medusa shared Thea’s betrayal, then. Athena had loved the owl first, before she’d caged her.

“She attacked one of the guards.” Athena continued to watch at her, with critical eyes. “She blinded him in one eye.”

Medusa shook her head, stunned. Thea would never attack unwarranted. “She would not…”

“Yet she did.” Athena held her hand forward, “For this.” The Goddess opened her hand.

The leather cord was wrapped about the Goddess’ fingers, but the carved owl swung freely. Medusa reached for it, her heart swelling. But Athena pulled her hand away.

“It is mine,” Medusa heard the pleading of her voice and hated it. It was all she had left of him. “Thea knew it meant a great deal to me. She would have brought it to me…”