Lover, Divine

by A. Star

  "Please," Rupert begged. "Don't hurt us."

  "Answer the question!" Melissa snarled. "Your kind lie, betray and violate us, and then we are left to pay the price for it. As if our shame would not be enough!"

  "I—I don't know wh-wha' you're talkin' abou'," Rupert stammered.

  That answer clearly did not satisfy Melissa, and with one hand, she dragged Rupert to his feet, displaying supernatural strength she shouldn't have possessed.

  "Wha' are you doing?" I asked, unable to keep silent. "Don't you hurt him!" Vicky jerked violently against her binds as tears streamed down her face.

  Melissa leered. "Oh, do not worry, Siobhan dear. This will not hurt him a bit."

  She began to pull the pins from her hair with one hand while she held onto Rupert with the other. As each black curl fell loose, a hiss pierced the air. A movement out of the corner of my eye made me look toward the outer edge of the courtyard. I never found the source of the movement, but my heart dropped into my stomach when I focused in on one of the statues and realized it wasn't really a statue at all. It was a man dressed in armor and a plumed helmet. A sword was in his hand and look of utter terror was on his face. I looked around and saw that all of the statues looked this way. Terrified.

  Sentries of the Olympic Guard, I thought. More hisses filled the air and when I turned back, a scream caught in my lungs.

  Melissa's hair...it was turning into a nest of snakes...

  The world tilted as realization slammed home. She was Medusa.

  "Rupert!" I screamed. "Don't look her in the eyes!"

  But it was too late.

  Rupert's expression twisted with horror, but was cemented there only seconds later as his entire body turned to stone. Medusa laughed as she struck out at the statue, causing it to explode into thousands of tiny bits.

  "No!" I shrieked. "Rupert!" My knees buckled as I no longer had the strength to stand. Medusa approached me as I sobbed into my hands.

  "He wants you and your children dead," she said. I could hear her footsteps circling around me. I uncovered my face but refused to look up. "He has promised to aid me in my revenge once the task is complete. Athena must pay for what she did. I was the victim and she cursed me so that no man could ever look upon my face again. I will finally avenge all that I have lost, and for that to happen, you must die. Do not worry. It will be quick, and while you are bleeding out, I will slit the other's throat. This way, neither of you has to die alone."

  I screamed as Medusa moved to strike me, but she was attacked from behind. I screamed again as I watched Vicky leap onto the Gorgon's back and the two of them stumbled away.

  I had no idea how Vicky broke out of her constraints, but it was only a passing thought as I witnessed the struggle between the Gorgon and my best friend.

  "You killed my Rupert, bitch!" Vicky screeched. I heard the pain and the anger in her voice. Medusa howled as Vicky clawed at her eyes. The snakes hissed in a frenzy.

  "I will feast on your still beating heart, mortal!" Medusa fought to keep from going down, as high heels and cobblestone were inevitable foes.

  But things got worse when, out of the den of black scales hissing on Medusa's head, slithered a yellow serpent. I saw it rear its flat head and poise to strike before I could warn Vicky of its presence.

  It struck with frightening precision, sinking its fangs right into Vicky's neck. She screamed and a moment later, her grip on Medusa's face slackened. The Gorgon threw her off, and my friend crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

  "Mortals," Medusa sneered, standing over Vicky. "So stupid." She reached down and grabbed Vicky by her hair.

  Someone sprinted past me. I looked up just in time to see a flash of silver strike Medusa. She immediately released her hold on Vicky, and a moment later, her head bounced to the ground and rolled to a stop a few feet away. Her body fell where it stood.

  The Gorgon was dead.

  XVIII. LOVER'S CHAMPION

  In shock, I looked up at Garrett, then down at the sword in his hand.

  "Marie," he said. He also looked down at the sword. Like he didn't have a clue as to how it had gotten there, he threw it down, then flew at me, taking me into his arms.

  "Are you all right, Marie? Are you or the children hurt at all?"

  "Garrett," I sobbed. "She killed Rupert... She hurt Vicky..."

  Right away, he released me and made his way over to Vicky. "She's alive," he announced, "but she'll die if we don't get help soon."

  I heard a loud grunt and turned toward the noise. A tussle ensued in the shadowy edges of the courtyard. Within minutes, it spilled out into the open and there was Apollo exchanging blows with another being that I knew, almost immediately, was a god.

  They were brutal with their assaults, though I knew they both held back, but Apollo quickly gained the upper hand and stood over the scarred-face god with his boot in the male deity's chest and the blade of his sword against his thick neck. The deity laughed, despite his predicament.

  "You want to take me out, brother, use your real sword."

  "I know why you're here," Apollo snarled, ignoring the taunt. "You failed."

  "This time." The deity laughed again, displaying a repulsive smile.

  "Do not test me. I may not hold the sword of my essence in my hands, but Ano has its own purpose, which may just be to take off your shaven head."

  The deity snarled. "You would not do something so stupid."

  "I would, and I doubt our father would mind much, despite what you've convinced yourself. I'll give you one chance and one chance only. Leave now, or join the Titans in Tartarus."

  The mysterious deity had a murderous glint in his eyes, but with a vicious growl he accepted the out and flashed away.

  Apollo was at my side in a heartbeat. "My love. Are you all right? Did she hurt the children?" His hand covered my belly.

  "I'm fine," I sniveled. "We have to help Vicky. Please. She saved my life. Please save hers."

  Apollo nodded and after helping me to my feet, went to my friend. By this time, the Families had found us and started to crowd the courtyard with raised voices and panic. Bursts of surprise rang out as the body of Medusa was discovered and more gasps and shouts clipped the air when they found her head lying in a small pool of Gorgon blood a few feet away.

  There was a flash of light and Dionysus appeared. He was dressed as a mortal and still sported his mohawk.

  "You called to me, brother," he said in a timbre devoid of any accent. He ignored all the hurried bows and curtsies as he knelt down beside Apollo.

  "He sent Medusa," was all Apollo said. I shivered at the murderous rage in his eyes.

  "She's been poisoned," Dionysus replied, looking Vicky over. "By the Gorgon's venom."

  "Take her to our home, my lord," my father said, coming forward. "You can tend to her there." My mother was right beside him, horrified by the scene. When she saw me, she wrapped me in her arms and just held me close. Garrett stood nearby, looking traumatized. His gaze wouldn't leave Medusa's headless corpse. I could only imagine what was going through his head.

  "Go to the Chateau," Apollo said to his brother. "Return with Lucy." Dionysus nodded once then flashed away, almost blinding everyone with his divine light.

  Sentries marched into the courtyard and got busy with Medusa's remains. Apollo scooped Vicky up into his arms and stood. I rushed to their side and stroked my friend's damp hair out of her pale face. Tears streamed down my cheeks because I knew my best and only friend in the universe was dying.

  "Ronan," Apollo said. "Deal with any mortal interference in this matter however you see fit. Make sure the Guard burns the Gorgon's body, but not the head. Keep the head."

  My father bowed, seeming to understand why Apollo would want this. "Yes, my lord."

  Apollo looked at my brother. "I am in your debt, boy."

  Garrett finally looked up. He had this faraway look in his eyes that defined his inner turmoil so well. My heart went out to him. "It was my duty, my lord," he sai
d.

  Apollo nodded, accepting his response. "Hold onto me, Siobhan," the deity said. With a last look at my brother, I wrapped my arm around Apollo's and watched the world fade away from around us.

  We appeared in my suite and Apollo laid Vicky in my bed. Emmaline rushed in at the commotion, but upon seeing Vicky, rushed out to get water and other things I ordered her to collect.

  I started to remove Vicky's clothing, but Apollo stopped me. "No time," he said.

  Stepping forward, Apollo leaned over my friend and placed both of his hands on the sides of her face. I heard him mumble a few words in what sounded like ancient Greek, and immediately, I saw the color begin to return to Vicky's cheeks.

  "Wha'ever you're doing is workin'," I said, moving closer to my friend.

  "It will take a few moments for the poison to leave her and transfer itself to me."

  "Is tha' how you heal? By takin' all tha' sufferin' into yourself?"

  "Yes."

  "Does it hurt?"

  His eyes found mine. "No."

  It was one of those moments where I knew for sure he was lying to me. I couldn't tell from his expression, but it hurt Apollo to heal. I was completely surprised, as I didn't think the gods even knew what pain was.

  "We know pain," he said. "We just don't handle it very well. Physically or emotionally. It's why so many of our lovers end up as inanimate objects."

  "Would I have hurt you if I had cracked you over the head with my violin tha' time?"

  Apollo smiled gently. "Only my pride."

  Vicky moaned as she started to wake up. Apollo moved away from her and let me scoot closer.

  "I'm here, Vicky," I said, squeezing her hand. "Everythin' is going to be all right. I promise."

  Vicky replied with another moan then promptly slipped back into unconsciousness.

  "Don't worry, my love. She will live. Her body just needs time to recover."

  Dionysus entered the room then, followed by Dr. Life, Helen and Emmaline.

  "How is she?" Dr. Life asked, whipping out a few instruments so she could check Vicky's vitals. Helen and Emmaline stood close by to help if needed.

  "She woke up for a minute," I said. "But then she slipped back under. Apollo healed her."

  "You interfered with Athena's curse?" Dionysus blurted. "To save a mortal?"

  "I had no choice," Apollo said. "I couldn't let the girl die."

  "You and I both know she wasn't going to die. Athena is going to slaughter you, brother."

  "I did it for Siobhan and my offspring. The mortal saved their lives."

  "...and then she's going to decapitate you and parade around Olympus in full battle regalia with your head on a spike..."

  "She will understand why I did it."

  "...let's not mention what she's going to do with the rest of your body parts."

  "She will understand, brother. I will make her understand."

  Dionysus shook his head. "Yeah, whatever you say."

  I didn't understand the exchange between the two gods and didn't want to. I turned back to Vicky. Helen and Emmaline started removing her filthy clothes as Dr. Life prepared to inject her with some sort of serum.

  "We should leave them to do their work," Apollo said to me.

  I shook my head. "I don't want to leave Vicky."

  "Lucy will take care of her, my love. I swear."

  I nodded and after kissing Vicky's forehead, I followed Apollo out into the hall along with Dionysus. We closed the door behind us.

  "Promise me Vicky will be all right," I said.

  "She will," Dionysus said. "Big brother here interfered with the curse. Your friend will live, though I can't say the same for your lover." Without a flash, Dionysus disappeared.

  "Wha' curse did he mean?" I questioned Apollo, taking a seat in one of the chairs in the hall. I was so tired and couldn't stand any longer.

  "The Gorgon curse," Apollo said. He remained standing and even paced a bit. "Was Victoria bitten by the yellow snake?"

  "Aye, how did you know?"

  "If she had been bitten by any of the black snakes, she would have died instantly. I knew she had been cursed when I found her breathing."

  "Cursed? As in—"

  "Yes. If we had allowed the venom to run its course, Victoria would have turned into a Gorgon."

  I shuddered at the horrific thought. "How did you find us in the courtyard? I called to you but I knew you didn' hear me."

  He nodded. "I looked for you in the ballroom and enlisted your brother's help when I couldn't feel your presence. I knew something was wrong and I thought the worst when I realized another god was there and was blocking my sight."

  "Who was tha' god?"

  "My brother, Ares. He summoned Medusa here and hid her true likeness from all who encountered her, including your brother."

  I trembled, recalling the deity's scarred face. "Why would the god of War do this? Why did he want me dead?"

  "It was not about you, Siobhan. It was about Strafford and Isolde. Ares sought to destroy them before they took their first breath."

  "Why does Ares care so much abou' my children?"

  "Because they are my children. He knows once they live, there will be no stopping me."

  "Why didn' you kill him when you had the chance?" It was a stupid question since I already knew gods couldn't die, just cease to exist. It was not the same thing.

  "I have my reasons for letting him keep his head. Though you may not understand them, I need you to trust that they are good reasons."

  I shook with rage that came out of nowhere. "Wha' have you brought down on my family, Apollo?" I had the right to be angry. Rupert was dead and Vicky had been poisoned, and I blamed myself. Blinded by my love for Apollo, I had allowed this to happen. I had allowed Apollo to bring his secretive plots and schemes into my life and include everyone I cared about in them. This was all my fault.

  "It is not your fault," Apollo said. "It is mine. I led them here to you and your family, and I am so sorry about that. Fate has dealt you and I a dangerous hand, and I know you struggle with your feelings about our situation every moment. I don't doubt your love for me, not for a second, but if you choose for me not to be in your life after today, then I will go without any argument. It's only what I deserve and I will accept it graciously. Just know that Strafford and Isolde will not be given the same choice. They are demigods, I am their father, and they will be at my service."

  I met his eyes and my breath turned to fire in my chest. Apollo meant what he said. There was nothing beneath his words, no truth to uncover. This was the truth. My babies would be demigods. Their first loyalty would be to their father, not to me. I could scream and cry and rage about it, but it wouldn't change a bloody thing. I had chosen to love a god, knowing I might end up standing here making a choice between a life with him or a life without him. And he still hadn't said he would stay with me. He had said he loved me and that he would forever. He had said no woman had ever possessed him like I had and that while I lingered in his thoughts, they vanished like they never were. But he still hadn't said he would stay with me. I didn't know what the future held, but if he said that he chose me, I would believe him. If he wanted to stay, I would accept him. Would I be jealous? Yes. Would I be sad sometimes? Sure. But I would never be without him.

  This was what you signed up for when your lover was divine.

  "I don't want you to go," I said.

  "I don't want to go," he replied. "I love you."

  I knew he did. Our love was unconventional, but it was love all the same. Those who had never loved a god could never understand. He was divine and I was mortal, but I knew he loved me. That was all that mattered.

  "Victoria is awake and will see you now," Dr. Life poked her head outside of the room and said. Sighing with relief, I stood.

  "I'll give you time with your friend," Apollo said. I nodded, but before I left, I pushed up onto my toes and kissed him.

  "I don't know wha' kind of trouble you're in with A
thena, but thank you for savin' Vicky's life."

  He smiled. "It's nothing I can't handle, my love. And you don't have to thank me. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. Never forget that."

  I knew I never would.

  Vicky was actually sitting up when I entered the room. We had only to make eye contact and the dams broke. I flew into her open arms and we cried on each other's shoulders. I heard the door close and we were alone.

  "I'm so sorry abou' Rupert, Vicky," I sobbed into her hair. "I'm so, so sorry. This is all my fault."

  "I love you, Siobhan Marie," she cried.

  "I love you, Victoria Patrice." And we just held each other and mourned Rupert until we had no more tears to cry.

  "Who were those two women with Emmaline?" Vicky asked, wiping her red eyes.

  "Tha' was Dr. Life and Helen. They're...special healers. They wanted to make sure you were okay after the attack."

  "Wha' was tha' thing tha' kidnapped me and Rupert? It was Melissa and then she was—"

  "A Gorgon."

  "A wha'?" Vicky looked so hurt and confused. I decided to tell her the truth.

  "Her name was Medusa, not Melissa."

  Vicky's eyes bulged. "Medusa? Like...the Medusa? The crazy lady with the snakes for hair?" I nodded. "Bah! She's a fairy tale!"

  "You saw her for yourself and I know tha' you don't believe for a moment tha' you imagined her. Tha's because she was real. It was all real."

  "All of it?"

  "All of it."

  She was silent a moment. "I can't tell tha' to Mrs. Maguire. How am I gonna explain to his ma how he died? How am I gonna explain it to mine? I don't understand any of this." Tears pooled in her eyes again.

  "I'll answer any question you ask me," I said. I knew I was tempting fate, but I didn't give a damn. Fate owed me and I was going to collect.

  "Wha' happened to me? I remember her turnin' Rupert into stone and then comin' for you. I remember breakin' out of my binds and attackin' the Gorgon thing, but everythin' after tha' is a blur."

  "You were bitten," I said. "By a snake."