Thea's Fate (Loves of Olympus 1.50)

Xenia shook her head. “She would want you to seek happiness. She would implore you to do so, as I do now. To see you, your anger and pain, would wound Medusa-”

“Do not. Do not speak of her so,” the words were hissed. He turned from her, moving quickly to the doors. “I bid you good-night.”

Xenia winced as the heavy wooden front door slammed shut.

It was quiet then, soothing. She turned, her eyes tracing the comforting lines of the fountain, the vines that climbed up and over the courtyard walls, and the stone statues that stood throughout the small herb garden. She had never thought to return here, her childhood home. But the Persians, what had happened at to her beloved husband and his home, ensured she could never return there. Or she, too, would be haunted by memories best left forgotten.

She shivered, pulling her chlamys around her shoulders.

An owl hooted, hoarse and rough. She glanced up, searching through the branches of her olive tree for the bird. She’d not heard such a call since Medusa… left. But her niece’s beloved owl had delivered word that Spiridion and Kore would be arriving and gone. A blessing since the creature had no love for any soul save Medusa’s. Yet she wondered what had happened to Medusa’s precious pet. Had she returned to Athena on Olympus? Medusa would want her to have a new mistress to love her…

Medusa.

Ariston’s words conjured the disturbing images that had nearly driven her mad. Almost… Elpis, Medusa’s attendant and beloved friend, had helped her make sense of it, over time. A truth was more haunting than anything her scattered memories could create. Was she really dead, as the Gorgons professed? Ariston had seen her grave… Xenia shivered, pulling her chlamys tightly about her shoulders.

There was naught she could for Medusa now, save honor her memory and care for those she loved. Nay, love them as Medusa would want them loved.

The owl hooted again, closer now.

“Thea” she called out, hesitant.

Medusa had esteemed the animal more than most humans. If this was Thea, the animals care had fallen to her now. If this was Medusa’s Thea.

Her voice was stronger, “Thea? Are you there?”

The owl hooted again, drawing Xenia’s attention up into the tree limbs. Time passed as she circled the tree, her eyes narrowed in her hunt, searching each branch but finding nothing.

Indeed, even the sweet hoot and coo had ceased.

She turned to her chambers and her bed, disappointment upon her. The sight that greeted her gave her pause. There, standing as still as one of the many garden statues, was Ariston. He was staring, searching, the tree, the courtyard. An air of … desperation about him.

“Ariston?” she asked softly.

He blinked, looking dazed. “I’d no cause for such rudeness Xenia. I sought to forgiveness for my temper.”

She smiled. “There’s naught to forgive. But I thank you for the concern. I would have your forgiveness too… I’d not meant to cause you pain by speaking of her, but not to do so... Her memory is precious to me.” She paused, adding. “I worry over you, as is my duty. She was a daughter to me. And now, you are my son.”

Ariston’s face softened. “You are stronger than I.”

She shook her head, stunned by such a statement.

“You’ve lost both your husband and daughter. I’ve only lost my… wife.” She saw the muscle in his jaw clench before he continued, “I admit, there is a restlessness I cannot overcome. If the boy calms well enough, I will leave with the next full moon-”

Her throat grew tight, but she’d known he would go. “Will you go home?”

He swallowed. “Perhaps… In time.”

She worried over him, left alone with the ghosts that haunted him. “Have you spoken with your father?”

He nodded. “I feared news of my death would reach him. I sent a missive to allay such fears. And mentioned Spiridion and Kore. Elpis and Ektor have you, their children will inherit. It seems fitting that Spiridion and Kore are cared for. I have claimed them my heirs and, as such, they will inherit my oikos when they’re of age to travel to Rhodes.”

Xenia made no pains to hide her shock. “You may yet have children of your own-”

His grey eyes captured hers then. “No.”

“Ariston-”

But the owl called out again and they both stilled.