Atropos’s head cocked to the side. “No. That’s your task. Not that you’ve been very successful at it so far.”
He heard a sudden creaking, and let go of the chair arms before he crushed them to splinters. “Are there any other surprises I should be aware of?”
“If we told you, they wouldn’t be surprises, would they? That’s enough information, sea god. Get to work.”
The Oracle’s expression went blank, and he took a deep, hitching breath as his eyes turned blue again. “That was … unpleasant,” he muttered.
Poseidon stood, grabbing the jug of wine off the low table between them and pouring a measure into a cup. “My apologies, old friend,” he said, pressing the cup into the Oracle’s hand. “Thank you for doing this.”
Donald took a deep gulp of the wine, then shook his head. “I don’t see how it helped you at all. But you’re welcome all the same.”
“Oh, it helped. I confirmed where the information had been leaked from, and I now know that Thetis received her own prophecy that involves Griffin.” Poseidon poured himself a cup of wine. “Forewarned is forearmed, after all.”
“I suppose. And Amphitrite? What are you going to do about her?”
That was an excellent question, and one that he didn’t have an answer to. Yet.
****
After she’d finally ousted her persistent sisters with a promise to think about their proposal, Amphitrite decided she’d earned a glass of retsina.
Pulling out a bottle from her wine cabinet, she decanted the golden liquid into a wineglass, carrying it out onto the balcony of her condo. It overlooked Olympic Beach’s eponymous beach and marina, and she loved spending her mornings out here watching the sunrise as she ate breakfast.
If pressed, she still wasn’t sure why she’d purchased the condo. True, it meant she was closer to her sons as well as Nick, Aidan, and Liam, and she enjoyed living in the same area as her sister Hyacinth and her charming little antique store. But she’d had a variety of pied-a-terries around the world for centuries. Traveling among them was simply a matter of opening a portal in the world’s fabric and stepping through. There was no reason why she had to physically reside so close to a location that Poseidon was known to frequent.
And you call yourself a therapist. Psychologist, shrink thine own head.
She sighed, leaning on the balcony and staring at the horizon. Yes, she would always be attracted to Poseidon. They were still agapetos, despite what had happened. Their life threads were inextricably coiled around each other no matter how much pain it caused. But their time was past, and nothing could bring it back.
And then there was Thetis. Amphitrite grieved at what had happened to her beloved older sister, but as long as Thetis focused her hatred on Olympic Cove, Amphitrite didn’t feel comfortable being anywhere else. Long before she embarked on her human careers in the social sciences she had been a warrior goddess, fighting alongside her father and sisters against the primordial sea gods who had plagued the Olympians and their allies. She still practiced regularly, sparring with trident and net, sword, and dagger against friendly tritons who were more than happy to help keep her battle skills up to date.
There was no pleasure now in setting herself against Thetis. But if her eldest sister persisted in attacking her family, Amphitrite would be there to protect them. And if it meant fighting at Poseidon’s side once again, then she would grit her teeth and do it.
Why in Gaia’s name would he bring up Medusa? Not even my sister could lay siege to Tartarus and threaten its inhabitants. What could he have been thinking?
Willing herself to relax, she sipped her wine. It truly was a lovely view, with the sea shimmering under a soft blue sky and the barrier islands breaking up the horizon with tropical streaks of brown and green. The beach below was already occupied by mortals on a wide variety of blankets and loungers, and she could see children bobbing and splashing in the shallows.
One child seemed more frantic than the others, fighting to keep his small face above the water. Reaching out, she willed a wave to lift him and carry him further towards the beach. He got up with a look of surprise, wobbling in the now-knee-deep water, and dashed onto shore to his mother.
A win for you, beloved.
She closed her eyes, imagining the slim form next to her, elbows resting on the railing next to her own. Well, I could hardly let the child drown, could I?
She almost heard the indulgent chuckle. You protect people, Ammie. It’s what you’ve always done best.
The grief pricked her heart again. But I couldn’t protect you, could I? I didn’t even know what you were facing until it was too late.
It wasn’t your fault.
I’d promised to keep you safe. But in my selfishness I left you exposed.
It still wasn’t your fault. If she opened her eyes she wondered if she would see Medusa standing there, wisps of the handmaiden’s brown hair dancing on the sea breeze. You need to forgive yourself, beloved. I forgave you long ago.
Gaia, she hoped that was true. I miss you, love. I miss you so much.
There was no reply. There never was. Rationally, she knew that she was making up both sides of the conversation. But part of her still hoped that Medusa’s spirit reached out from wherever it resided and touched her in these moments.
She sipped her wine again, and remembered.
****
Millennia ago
It had taken a quiet word in Athena’s ear that her handmaiden was looking rather wan and could use some fresh air, but Amphitrite finally managed to lure Medusa out of the Parthenon for an afternoon.
When the Nereid arrived at the temple Medusa was already waiting for her on the steps, shawl modestly draped around her head and forming a lovely frame for her face. The handmaiden watched the crowds of Athenians streaming by in the street going about their daily business with a certain amount of fascination. It wasn’t surprising, Amphitrite thought. Medusa would see supplicants in the temple regularly as part of her duties, but as the priestess of Athena she probably didn’t get out of the Parthenon proper very often.
Perhaps I can get permission from Athena to take her on a trip. She and Poseidon had a small villa on Crete that overlooked the ocean, and it would be a perfect getaway place. She imagined Medusa playing in the surf and smiled at the thought.
Medusa spotted her and waved excitedly. Still smiling, Amphitrite climbed the steps, secure in her disguise as a mortal woman. “Are you ready for our picnic?” she asked.
“Yes, very much so,” Medusa said, taking Amphitrite’s arm. The scent of rosemary and lemon rose from the handmaiden’s skin, and Amphitrite indulged herself in a discreet sniff. “But are you sure it’s safe for us to go out unattended?”
Amphitrite chuckled. “I’m a goddess, darling. Any footpad or ruffian who tries to accost us will regret his decision very quickly, I assure you. But if it makes you feel better.” She waved a hand, and four tall, muscular tritons melted out of the crowd, coming to attention before her. They had exchanged their usual armor and tridents for hoplite spears and shields, but looked just as competent in the landwalker garb. “I thought I would have these males escort us out of the city.”
Medusa blushed, glancing from underneath her lowered lids at the muscled tritons. “A wise choice, my lady,” she said, dimpling. “I don’t suppose they know how to peel grapes, do they?”
Amphitrite laughed at that. “I don’t know. Shall we give them some and see?”
The tritons looked somewhat discomfited by the suggestion, but Medusa’s giggle and gentle squeeze of her arm were worth it.
Leaving the city was simplified by the aura Amphitrite generated around their little party. It was a trick most of the gods used regularly to make themselves invisible, or simply so unremarkable that they were as good as invisible. The crowds melted out of their way with pleasing haste, and they reached the harbor in record time.
From the corner of her eye Amphitrite studied her agapetos. Used to the confines o
f her temple, Medusa was perspiring gently and somewhat breathless from the walk, but still seemed enthralled with everything around her. The Nereid guided her into a shadowed space between two buildings, making sure that no mortals were already lurking there.
“From here, we’ll take a portal to our picnic site,” she said, nodding to the tritons. They lifted their spears in salute and headed for the water.
“A portal?” Medusa asked.
“It’s how gods move between distant places. You’ll see.”
Using the skills bequeathed to her by Poseidon, Amphitrite opened the fabric of the world, creating a doorway. Putting an arm around Medusa’s shoulders, she guided the handmaiden through.
Medusa gasped as soon as she saw the countryside that now surrounded them. “My lady! Where are we?”
Amphitrite had selected a spot on a lush green hillside overlooking the Aegean. She knew that the nearest human settlement was a fair distance away, and they were unlikely to be disturbed by a wandering shepherd. “We’re on the northern coast. Don’t worry, I’ll have you back in Athens by nightfall.”
Medusa was entranced by the view, cheeks pink with excitement. “Oh, I’m not worried,” she said happily, taking in a deep breath of the delicious sea air. “My lady knows you’ll have me back in time. This is so beautiful!”
“I’m glad you like it.” Amphitrite led the girl to a basket she’d placed on the hillside earlier. On top of the wine and foodstuffs she’d selected for their picnic was a soft wool blanket in Tyrian purple that she had woven and dyed herself.
After she spread it out under the shade of a nearby tree, Medusa was finally persuaded to sit and take a cup of wine. “It’s just so lovely here,” she said, gazing at the Aegean and the hills rising along the shoreline. “So different from Athens.”
“Less crowded, certainly,” Amphitrite said, setting out plates loaded with delicacies. “Are you originally from the city?”
Medusa nodded, plucking up an olive and popping it into her mouth. “My father was a baker,” she said after decorously discarding the pit. “He died from an illness when I was very young, and his shop was taken over by his brother. But my uncle already had children, and my mother decided it would be better for me if I were dedicated at one of the temples. The priests at my lady’s temple accepted me as an acolyte, and I’ve been there ever since.”
“Were they kind to you?”
“Oh, yes. I was taught to write and do sums with the other acolytes, and scholars would be brought in to teach us about the natural world, history, and philosophy. When I came of age, I dedicated myself to my lady’s service and was consecrated as a priestess. It’s been an honor to serve in her temple.”
“You seem happy there.”
Medusa nodded. “I am. I feel I’ve found my purpose in life.”
Something twinged inside Amphitrite. It was a requirement that all of Athena’s priestesses be virgins. That rule ran directly counter to Medusa’s future as agapetos to herself and Poseidon. She didn’t want to deprive her lovely new mate of her calling, but neither did she want to ignore the gift that the Fates had laid on them. If Poseidon and Athena didn’t cordially loathe each other, I might be able to persuade Athena to give Medusa an easement on the virginity rule, or to create a new position for her that didn’t require virginity. But I have no idea how to ask her to give her favorite handmaiden to a god who is her rival.
She realized Medusa had said something. “I’m sorry, love, I was woolgathering. What did you say?”
The handmaiden smiled down at her clasped hands. “I said that if you were a boy, I would have thought you’d brought me here for immoral purposes.”
Amphitrite bit the inside of her cheek to suppress her own smile. She had selected the spot for its secluded nature as much as its beauty. And the idea of laying her beautiful girl down on the soft purple wool and making love to her had been in the forefront of her mind since she’d first come up with the idea for the picnic.
The only problem was, she wasn’t quite sure how to make love to another woman. The will was most certainly there, but the experience was sadly lacking. When she’d spoken in confidence to Aphrodite about her concerns, the beautiful Goddess of Love had been more than helpful with instructions. But putting them into practice…
She decided to be honest about her desire. “Would you be horribly shocked to learn that I have had fantasies about bringing you here for immoral purposes?” she asked.
Medusa’s breath caught, her cheeks blushing to a dark rose. “I … I wouldn’t be shocked,” she finally said. “I may have thought the same thing. Quite a number of times, actually.”
Amphitrite’s mouth dried at the confession. She took a quick sip of her wine. “And what did we do in your thoughts?”
Medusa’s blush deepened, but she took a deep breath. “The same thing that we did in your fantasies, I suspect. We lay down together, kissing and touching each other. It was very … pleasant.”
“I would imagine.” Amphitrite carefully put down her wine cup. “Medusa, may I kiss you?”
The handmaiden nodded shyly. Amphitrite leaned forward, brushing her lips over Medusa’s in the gentlest of touches. She was shocked at the desire that crackled between them, making her lips tingle in delightful anticipation. She kissed Medusa again, more firmly this time.
Medusa tasted like wine and something else, a tanginess that Amphitrite had never tasted before. Tracing the seam of the handmaiden’s lips with the tip of her tongue, she was pleasantly surprised when Medusa opened her mouth with a soft groan. Their tongues slid together, the velvet friction waking a sweet warmth between the Nereid’s legs.
And then Medusa was pushing back, playfully overbalancing her until she sprawled on her back with a laugh. The grinning handmaiden leaned over her, stealing another lingering kiss as the scent of rosemary and lemon filled the air.
“Oh, my. Eager, aren’t you?” Amphitrite said happily.
“Yes. This is fun. I like kissing you.” Medusa dipped her head, doing just that until every part of Amphitrite felt warm and eager. Her arms came up and looped around Medusa’s slim shoulders, holding her close as they explored each other’s mouths.
Finally, Medusa pulled away, breathless. She stretched out on her side facing Amphitrite, who had mirrored her position. “I’m tingling all over,” she said, her face flushed and moist. “This is lovely, Ammie. What else can we do?”
“A number of things.” Amphitrite rested her head on her hand, tracing a finger over Medusa’s exposed shoulder and watching the young woman shiver. “But I’ve never made love to a woman before, so much of this is new to me.”
“I’ve never made love to anyone,” Medusa said mournfully. “I’m afraid you’re going to think I’m clumsy or stupid.”
“You’re hardly that. Trust me, love, you’re wonderful just as you are.”
“Good.” Medusa reached up and cupped her cheek. She turned her head and kissed the handmaiden’s palm, and felt the shiver it produced. “I love it when you kiss me. It makes me feel warm and tingly.”
“Then I need to do it some more, yes?” With a laugh Amphitrite pushed her glorious girl onto her back, kissing and nibbling a line down the long tendon of Medusa’s neck before coming back up and gently biting her earlobe.
Medusa giggled, squirming under her attack. Amphitrite licked like a cat around the outer shell of the handmaiden’s ear, then took the top curl in her mouth and gently sucked on it.
Medusa’s entire body went boneless at that and she moaned. “Ohhhh, that’s good.”
Amphitrite let the fragile curl of flesh and cartilage slide out of her mouth. “When Poseidon does that to me, it makes me wet,” she purred. “Are you wet, my love?”
“I don’t know.”
The Nereid reminded herself that her agapetos was virginal. And I suspect your studies never included self-pleasure. “Between your legs, love,” she whispered directly into Medusa’s ear, knowing her breath would be just as stimula
ting as her lips and tongue. “Are you warm and wet there?”
“Oh, yes.” It was said in a groan, and Medusa’s slim hips pushed upwards. “Oh, gods, yes. How did you know?”
“It’s what happens when a woman is aroused. It feels marvelous, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.” The handmaiden writhed as Amphitrite kissed a path down from her jawline to the notch between her collarbones. “I feel like it’s pulsing with my heart.”
Amphitrite considered her next move. With exquisite care, she slid a hand under Medusa’s breast, just spanning the underside in the curve between her thumb and forefinger. “May I touch you?”
Medusa bit her lip with delight, nodding.
Amphitrite moved her hand up, enjoying the heft of the handmaiden’s small, firm breast and the pebbled tip that nudged her palm. “So beautiful. Let me see?”
Her agapetos took in a stuttering breath, apprehension overwhelmed by desire. “Yes.”
Releasing the shoulder pins, Amphitrite eased Medusa’s neckline down, exposing two creamy mounds with dusky pink nipples. She clicked her tongue in delight. “You’re all the colors of spring, love.”
Medusa giggled, the sound golden in the warm air. “I’m glad you approve, my lady.”
“Oh, I more than approve, my gorgeous girl.” Bending her head, Amphitrite licked the stiff little bud and was rewarded with a growly little moan. The girl’s skin was just as delicious as her mouth, with a faint fresh taste of salt that added savor. She settled in to tease, running the tip of her tongue around the pink edge of the areola before licking back to the taut nipple. Taking it into her mouth, she sucked, gently at first and then more with more strength as she felt Medusa writhe under her.
She switched her attention to the other nipple, flicking it with her tongue until it was as wet and stiff as its twin. She mouthed a path back and forth, under the soft underside of each breast and then over until Medusa’s hands plunged into her hair and she was dragged up for a messy, delicious kiss.
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