by E. B. Black
She shushed him. "You asked me to trust you, so why can't you trust me? My sisters are immortal and their powers come from inside their heads. Stheno's neck will grow a new body, so she's not really dead.
"My sisters and Athena will find the leftover carcass lying where I was sleeping and assume you came and killed me during the night, taking my head with you. No one will know the truth."
Perseus smiled and they grabbed each other's hands.
Skin and bone sprouted from Stheno's neck, forming shoulders and a spine. They twitched as they grew.
"I will help you rescue your mother. I can turn Polydectes into stone once we find him."
"I knew I was right to keep you alive."
Their lips met and as their passion increased, so did their hope. They wrapped their arms around each other, losing themselves to bliss.
Her sister's body was taking form so quickly that she was almost whole by the time they pulled apart. Euryale began to stir.
"We should leave," Medusa announced. "Before they wake."
"Here," Perseus extended his arm to her. "Let me help you fly." The wings on his sandals flapped.
She linked her fingers with his. "I will gladly take any excuse to touch you, although I have my own wings."
They soared towards the sky at the same moment Stheno opened her eyes. The sound of her sisters' screams when they discovered "her" body would haunt Medusa for a long time. They flew in the air and tried to claw at Perseus' ankles, but their combined wing power kept them out of reach.
They saw Hecate in the distance. For the first time ever, Medusa saw her face take form behind her body and smile. No wonder Cerberus loved her so much. Just a small flash of teeth left Medusa breathless as she gazed at it.
Hecate held a torch in her hands and as Perseus flew safely by her, a burst of flame flung her sisters backwards. They screamed every curse word and death threat they knew as they disappeared.
Chapter 10
The edge of the world came into view. Medusa breathed the cool air in and sighed. Floating above it, none of the dust got in her face. She could see land, full of foliage, ahead. She had lived in the land of the dead for so long that she forgot how life grew; she barely remembered a world decorated in green and blue.
Everything was so colorful. The bright grass stung her eyes. Three beautiful women danced in the Garden of Hesperides–one dressed in pink, another orange, and the last purple, like a sunset. They tended the flowers that grew in large patches. They fetched water, dug in the dirt, and pruned the leaves. While they worked, they sang in a language that Medusa didn't recognize, but their voices were beautiful. They twirled around in their long flowing skirts and stroked the vines wrapped around their bodies.
In the middle of the garden stood some apple trees that grew large fruit, sparkling in the sunlight. They were gold and made Medusa's mouth water, which was strange because she hated the taste of fruit now. Unfortunately, she couldn't eat one because a dragon had wrapped its body around each tree. Its eyes followed the girls as they passed by. One looked up at the apples and licked her lips. The dragon's eyes darkened as it snorted fire out of its nose. The girl scurried away.
Looking down at all of this was the Titan, Atlas. He was as wide as a mountain and twice as tall. Every muscle in his shoulders twitched and spasmed as he carried the sky on his shoulders, preventing it from crashing to Earth and crushing everyone.
Medusa was surprised that he was so gorgeous. The Olympians had given mortals the impression that the Titans were barbaric gods. She had once seen a Titan attempt to escape the underworld. He didn't speak as he was dragged back by the throat to Tartarus. He snarled at Orcus, who would torment him later. His skin was the color of ash from being away from the sun for so long and his fingernails had grown out like claws. None of the Titans had been the same ever since Hera had ripped Dionysus to shreds and fed him to the starving gods. With no humanity in their eyes, they ate whatever they could get their hands on. Medusa's sisters hadn't been the same since they were condemned to hell as well.
Atlas had dark hair and eyes sprinkled with thick black eyelashes. He was tanned and toned, but prettiest of all was the expression on his face, full of love. He smiled down at the women and creatures in the garden, even as the pressure contorted the cramped muscles of his back. He looked as if he wished to stroke each one of them, like they were beloved pets of his.
Medusa could tell that he was only able to hold up the sky because of the strength and determination of his feelings. It would destroy him to see all the beautiful things in the world die. It couldn't have been an effective punishment unless Atlas was this way. He would have given up holding the sky by now if he hadn't thought the torment was worth saving everyone.
It made Medusa's blood boil. Why did the Olympians have to torment all their enemies this way? It wasn't enough that they won the war against the Titans and now had control over all life?
Atlas was barely holding the whole thing up and none of the Olympians was standing close enough to catch it if he collapsed. The way his body shook, the entire thing was too unstable, but they didn't care whether anyone died as long as they got their amusement over this god's punishment.
Perseus was looking in the same direction she was. "It would have been nice to have lived in the time that the Titans ruled. They didn't need laws or rulers to handle crime back then. Humans lived longer. I didn't know how such a thing was possible until I first saw Atlas and looked into his eyes. He's one of the few pure Titans left."
"And then the Olympians took over." Medusa crossed her arms. "Now everything is horrible."
Perseus frowned. "He looks like he's in so much pain."
"I wish we could help him. Is there any way we can alleviate his struggling for a while?"
Perseus turned in her direction and smiled. "It's time to fight the gods and their tyranny. We must do something to reverse the pain they've inflicted on others. It will be our new mission. We'll start now."
"What do you have in mind?" Medusa asked.
Perseus ripped the helmet off her face before she realized what was happening. He shielded his eyes as Atlas turned to gaze into them. She screamed, but it was already too late. The face of the Titan so full of love twisted in revulsion. His strained muscles froze in place as they hardened and grayed.
The dragon reared up in outrage and the three nymphs hid behind trees and shouted.
She grabbed the helmet and shoved it over her head before any other creature had a chance to look at her. She was glad to be invisible because tears poured down her face. It hurt to know a god who cared so much for all living things was still disgusted when he saw her.
Why was she trying to fool herself like this? She couldn't return to Earth and live among humans, even if she was invisible and interacted with no one. It didn't change who she was and what her powers did. She would never be normal again.
The two of them floated in silence for a while, staring at the aftermath.
"Why are you crying?" Perseus asked.
"I'm not crying." Even Medusa could hear the tremor in her voice.
"Don't lie to me. I ran away with you for a reason. I am here for you. Please tell me why you're upset."
Medusa sobbed loudly, unable to hold her pain in. "I didn't want you to see this side of me. It's ugly and disturbing. I thought you understood that even though I was rejoining society, we must keep my presence a secret to protect people from dying-including yourself if the gods find out I'm still alive."
Perseus raised one eyebrow. "Why are you so ashamed? As far as I am concerned, your ability to turn things into stone is a gift, not a curse."
Medusa laughed bitterly. "I think the gods would disagree with you on that."
"Their opinions don't matter." Perseus shook his head. "Don't you think I wish I had the kind of power you do? You can turn anyone into stone, bend the hardest of metal, and fly without shoes to help you.
"If I had those abilities, I could save my mother. No one
would have terrorized us or stolen her from me.
"Fortunately, I have you here with me. You're the hero, not me.
"I have assisted many helpless women in the past, but you are so strong. To make love to someone as amazing as you is a privilege. My gratitude is endless.
"Never think you are anything but special to me. I'm not disgusted by anything you can do."
Medusa's mouth fell open at his words. She wasn't sure if this man was real anymore. He was too good to be true.
Medusa blushed. "I know we haven't been together long and that I probably shouldn't say this, but you're the most amazing person I've ever met."
Perseus was quiet for a moment. Medusa was certain she had frightened him, but he turned towards her and smiled. "Good, because I feel the exact same way."
Medusa's heart fluttered. This man had the ability to turn everything horrible in her life into something lovely. She didn't understand how he did it.
She looked back one last time at Atlas as she flew away. She knew it for sure now: she had the ability to turn even gods into stone. No wonder they had avoided her gaze.
The impact was only a temporary thing, though. Like her sisters, all immortals eventually regenerated from their wounds. It made Medusa happy to know that one day Atlas would be looking down on the world with love again.
She should probably have been worried whether he would wake and tell the gods that he had seen her alive. Perseus wasn't carrying just a head with him, but traveling with an entire Gorgon by his side. No one was supposed to know. Fortunately, she knew the gods were too self-centered to give him the time of day no matter what he had to say. Besides, he was stuck in the same place, holding up the sky, and didn't have many visitors. He would be a terrible messenger. No one took anything the Titans said seriously, anyway.
She didn't know how soon he would be whole again and doubted she'd ever come back, but maybe one day, her children or Perseus'-or both of theirs-would return to this garden and say hello. She grinned at the thought of starting a family with this man.
Perseus truly did make the world a better place for her to live in.
Chapter 11
Medusa breathed in the salty air as she flew with Perseus over the sea. They had been traveling a few days and although she loved the scenery, it was starting to take its toll on her body.
The water was dark and the waves beautiful, but their movements made her stomach tumble. She probably should have asked Perseus to let her rest for the night, but she had already demanded too much of him. He didn't have to bring her with him. Her pregnancy hadn't hindered her much until now.
As time flew by, Medusa's pain increased. She was barely able to concentrate on flapping her wings as the cramping tightened in her abdomen. She'd bite her lip to keep from screaming until she couldn't take it anymore. She'd be on the verge of begging for help when the pressure would alleviate. She'd breathe slowly and regain her strength, only to have it start again a short time later.
Something wet trickled down her legs and into the ocean. It smelled like salt water and blood. She had been ignoring it for awhile, but knew where it was coming from. She was in labor.
She looked down at the fluids dripping and saw color burst across the surface of the water where the drops landed in the sea. Medusa's eyes widened. Coral reefs were forming. Fish and sea turtles swam around it and dug homes inside.
She couldn't keep it a secret from Perseus forever, but was hoping he'd eventually get tired and make camp for the night. When he drifted to sleep, she'd wander away and give birth without his knowledge. She wanted to finish this in peace.
Finally, he landed on an expanse of dry sand. Her ankle twisted crookedly when it touched ground. She collapsed and tried to grab her foot, cursing. Perseus ran to the sound of her voice and wrapped his arms around her.
"I found you this time on my first try," he announced proudly. "I hope this means I'm getting better at it. Now, please tell me what's wrong." Perseus' eyebrows wrinkled together in worry. "I know you are in pain-you've been flying strangely and breathing heavily."
She struggled not to groan. She was in the middle of a contraction. "I'm having my baby." She breathed slowly as the contraction dissipated.
"Has this been going on the whole time? Why didn't you stop me earlier?" He buried his head in his hands and pulled his hair. "I'm a fool. I should have landed back when I first suspected something was wrong."
"No, it's not your fault." Medusa grimaced. "I didn't want to bother you with the bit of pain I was suffering."
Perseus smiled. "I never doubted your capabilities to handle things. I've known you were a fighter from the moment I met you, but you're giving birth to a child; it's different."
Medusa opened her mouth to speak, but cried out instead. The contraction ripped through her body. She grabbed her belly.
"Your contractions are close together," he said. "I'll have to deliver the child for you."
She grabbed a handful of sand and crushed it in her hands. She wanted to run around and punch something. Pain made her restless, but her legs were too weak to hold her up.
"How the hell would you know what's going on?" she shouted, before she could stop herself.
He smiled. "So the swearing and hatred begins. My mother became a midwife and sometimes she'd ask me to assist her. I've seen women give birth enough times to understand what to do."
"But you can't see me like this." She was panting. She thought her contractions were over, but another was starting. Why did he have to catch her when she was at her most vulnerable and disgusting?
"Nothing is going to happen that I haven't seen before." Perseus positioned himself in front of her and parted her legs. "This time will be no different."
She gritted her teeth. This was bad. She was sweating all over and shaking. She could think of nothing else except the sparks flying behind her eyes during each contraction.
She had to explain it to him, but she didn't have the time or breathe to tell him the whole thing. He couldn't deliver the baby because he might die doing it.
The urge to push overwhelmed her. There was so much pressure and she needed a release from it.
"I think the head is crowning," Perseus shouted.
The likelihood that this child was a monster just like her was high. Would Perseus look into her eyes and turn into stone? Or would she be more like his father, Poseidon-handsome, strong, and smelling of the sea?
Medusa looked down and her eyes widened. She was invisible, so she couldn't see her legs, but the baby's thick blonde hair was slowly appearing in mid-air as she slid out. Soon her whole head was there.
She pushed again and the child fell out. Medusa glanced up and saw a messy bundle wrapped in Perseus' arms. He laughed and the baby cried. He took his sword and cut the umbilical cord. Medusa tried to reach out and grab the child before Perseus locked gazes with it, but stronger contractions shook her body.
He gently set the child on her stomach as she shouted. Something was wrong.
Perseus' eyes widened as he reached down to feel what was going on. "I think there's another one."
She felt the pressure of the second baby's head and pushed as hard as she could. She was light-headed, but luckily this birth came more easily. She didn't have the energy to put more effort into it.
Perseus laid the second baby down, crying on her belly. He cut this one's umbilical cord as well. Medusa looked down and saw that the first child was a girl and the second, a boy.
Medusa looked into their eyes. They wouldn't turn into stone because she was still invisible, but she had to know whether they were monsters like her. If she turned into stone, it would be okay, but not if Perseus did.
Unfortunately their eyes weren't open, so she couldn't tell whether they had the curse or not, but she lost her breath looking at the curly hair that framed their chubby faces. She hadn't expected to fall so in love with helpless creatures. They were both beautiful as she had been when she was human. Once they stopped crying and
she held their hands, peace flooded her body.
It broke her heart. She didn't want to have children that would suffer as she had. What if they were monsters? She wanted them to live a normal life.
How was she going to take care of them? She was on the run with Perseus from the gods' wrath!
Medusa flipped them over carefully. They had no scales and seemed human. Strange that they would turn out so perfectly, despite the fact that they had a sea god for a father and a monster for a mother. She hoped that the likelihood of their eyes being cursed like her own was very small.
She held the babies in her arms and sang to them. She rocked them back and forth, humbled by their beauty. They didn't cry anymore.
One of the babies had hair so blonde it was almost white. She grabbed Medusa gently by the nose.
"Your name will be Pegasus," she whispered to the girl.
Pegasus cooed in approval.
She lifted the other child. He twisted his mouth. She imagined him growing into adulthood and becoming a warrior.
"You will be Chrysaor," she said.
Medusa took his silence as an agreement.
She didn't know what to do with them. Even though her life wasn't a place for babies, she couldn't leave them behind or allow them to fend for themselves.
"Look!" Perseus pointed at a horse and boar traveling over one of the sand dunes a short distance away. She knew immediately that something supernatural was happening because these creatures were not native to the area. In fact, Poseidon had both a horse form and a boar form that he transformed into frequently. He must have sent them.
Her heart pounded. Did this mean the gods knew she was alive or was it an automatic response set up to rescue the children once Perseus cut off her head? Were they there to retrieve the children before they died inside her?
The horse was a chestnut mare with a shiny black mane and tail.
The boar was snorting. It had dark fur and menacing tusks.
The babies struggled in her arms as they turned and saw the animals approaching.
She clutched her babies closer. "I wonder what they want. Maybe you should chase them away."