Medusa, A Love Story (Loves of Olympus 1)

He spoke, “My lady. How I love you so.”

She felt her heart twist, for his words seemed to stir the air beside her ear.

His lips brushed her forehead, her cheek, her chin and her throat. His head dipped down to rest on her chest. “You sleep so deeply, love. But your heart beats so I will not fear. Only wake up to me now.”

Medusa felt the tears in her eyes. What a wicked dream this was.

She could smell his scent, of sea water and fresh air, beneath her nostrils. His curls were soft and pliant, damp, beneath her grasping fingers.

Such sweet torture, that her lips could remember the feel of his lips on hers so well.

Maybe this dream, so painfully real, would finish her now. For she knew she couldn’t bear to wake.

“Medusa,” he whispered against her lips. “Wake up, love.”

And, with a shuddering sigh, she did.

The floor beneath her was hard and cold. There was no sun, no distant sound of waves or gulls. She could not bear to open her eyes for fear he would fade away…

But his lips…his lips were against hers and his breath stirred her face as he sighed.

No…no…

“Speak not, Ariston,” she begged softly.

There was silence.

It was a dream. He was not here.

Her eyes opened to the sweetest sight she had ever seen.

He lay at her side, smiling at her with unconcealed pleasure. “I will speak, my lady. For I have been too long without you and I would have you know how I have missed you.”

He was no dream.

His curls, wet from the rain, clung to his forehead. His grey eyes regarded her, an ever constant warmth. His hands clutched her cheeks, his thumbs caressing her…

Her heart filled with love, such love.

“For I have missed you, wife.”

The veil moved. She felt them, heard them, as they responded to his voice.

Her breath tore from her, but she bit back the sob. She had to hurry.

Tears poured from her eyes as she shook her head. She placed her hand to his mouth, covering it and whispering fiercely, “Peace, husband, I beg you, speak not. For I would have you leave this place, at once, of your free will…”

His lips pressed to her palm and he whispered, “I will not leave you. Not again.”

They moved, stirring the veil. They were hissing, ever so softly, in her ears.

“If you love me, you will go now. I would have you live. Please. For once they wake, I cannot stop them…” She pulled her hands free and covered the veil, pinning it in place. They began to bite, viciously, but Medusa held them tightly. “I beg you…”

“I cannot.” He spoke quickly, desperately. He searched the lines of her face, his joy and anguish tearing a whole in her heart. “I cannot.”

His lips descended on hers swiftly, silencing her pleas and breaking her heart.

“I will not part with you again, love…” His lips grew so cold upon her.