by E. B. Black
Medusa shrugged her shoulders. "We all deserve second chances. You gave me a second chance at life when you found me in the underworld and fell in love with me."
Perseus stared at the floor sadly and raised his eyes slowly towards her face. "What if I fail you again? It's hard to live with what I've already done."
Medusa kissed him on the lips and kept her arms wrapped around him. "I wouldn't have taken you back if I didn't believe in you. We'll take it one day at a time. You believed in me once and it took me further in the world then I ever thought I could go. Now I will do the same for you."
He smiled and pulled her close, so their lips could meet once again. As she kissed him, she allowed the passion and love she had held tightly inside her for days to be released. Relieved and excited, she melted so easily against Perseus' body.
As good as his lips felt, she realized that this wasn't a permanent solution. Trust issues needed to be worked out and real life was going to make it difficult to get through. They had a long road ahead of them.
Chapter 24
A few weeks later, the good news spread-Andromeda was pregnant.
Medusa and Perseus still hadn't made love since Perseus had cheated on her. They hugged as they fell asleep, held hands as they confided in each other, and kissed frequently, but it never went beyond that. She was afraid that he would lose his erection again. She didn't plan to force him to look at her real body, but maybe even the memory of it would be too disturbing for him and she didn't want the result to be Perseus getting lost in Andromeda's arms. Not to mention that with Medusa's own pregnancy becoming more apparent, it would be harder to keep the truth from him.
It hurt to know that Andromeda was able to give him the heir he desired. She should have been relieved-this meant Perseus never had to sleep with another woman again-but it also reaffirmed Andromeda's place in Perseus' family.
Medusa thought it would be funny to watch Andromeda vomit up her weight in food as Medusa had during her first trimester, but instead of growing ill, her skin grew shimmery and her body curvier. Medusa hadn't imagined it was possible to make Andromeda any more beautiful than she already was until it happened. Medusa wished something would go wrong in Andromeda's life for once.
As if a thought from Medusa's mind was powerful enough to bring misfortune to someone, Andromeda stopped showing up for meals. She lay in bed all day, coughing, and her skin grew pale. Medusa felt smug, until she saw Andromeda lying in bed, wheezing each breath she took. She seemed frail enough for a strong wind to blow her away. Watching someone suffering was horrible, especially when that person was carrying an innocent child. At least when she killed people, it was over quickly, and she refused to ever harm a baby.
This had awakened the human inside her who loved to nurture. For now, the monster was beaten down, although she could feel it complaining. It mocked her for being so weak and had her sisters' voices when it spoke.
She wouldn't listen to it. Now that Perseus and she were having a fresh start, she had to be more compassionate or there was no hope for their relationship. She'd be the one to destroy it this time.
One of the servants admitted that she left the window open to Andromeda's bedroom one chilly night. She was running a high fever, mucus dripping from every orifice, and Perseus was yelling more often than he used to. When he wasn't screaming, he sat in silence, his jaw clenched and his brow furrowed. He was thinking of something, but didn't tell her what. Medusa imagined that he was worried over the baby.
The servant was fired and escorted from the castle by one of the soldiers. Medusa didn't follow them, but was pretty sure the girl received several lashes in punishment.
They had no doctor, but Danae-a former midwife who knew several herbal medicines that might help-looked Andromeda over, carefully tending to her sweating forehead with cold rags. She shook her head and frowned at Perseus. Things didn't look good.
For once, fate was working in Medusa's favor. The woman who stood between her and being with the man she loved was dying. She should have been happy, but she wasn't. As easy as it was to watch those other people she killed perish, they were strangers, so it was possible for her to pretend they weren't real people. She had traveled with Andromeda and saved her life. She was young and she had suffered in her own ways. Medusa didn't want Andromeda dead; she just wanted her out of her life.
The night Danae told everyone that Andromeda had less than twenty-four hours to live, all rejoicing halted in the castle. The servants didn't gossip; their faces remained somber. Danae said she was surprised Andromeda had kept the baby for this long in her weak state. Even if she recovered, it was unlikely that the child would survive. Medusa's stomach felt as if it were ground into small pieces.
Perseus paced back and forth outside Andromeda's bedroom. Several servants sat around the bed, begging her to drink something.
"This can't happen," Perseus whispered. "After all we've given up to have this child, we can't lose Andromeda and the baby. It isn't fair."
Medusa agreed and planned to fight for Andromeda's life, no matter what Danae thought. She'd do it for Perseus and for his unborn child, who deserved a happy life. She had been forming a plan in her head for a while. It was a huge risk, but the only solution she could come up with. She was afraid to speak it out loud. Once she did, there was no turning back.
Soon, they were both walking side by side in the hallway. They were alone.
Medusa breathed in and out slowly. "I think I know what we should do. I know fate hasn't been kind to us thus far, but if you're willing to bargain with me and stay open-minded, I think we can fix all of this."
She was speaking of more than Andromeda's illness. She was talking about their relationship and the fact that the two of them hadn't touched. She was referring to the pain the two of them had suffered as they struggled to keep the secret of her existence. Of course, he knew none of her thoughts.
Perseus raised one eyebrow. "What do you have in mind?"
Medusa asked Perseus to follow her into the bedroom they shared. She ran ahead and waited for his footsteps to follow. He closed the door behind him.
Medusa picked up the knife he kept on his night-stand. It disappeared into thin air, but Perseus knew she had taken it.
Perseus' voice trembled. "What are you going to do with that? Don't hurt yourself."
She sliced her palm and grunted from the pain. "You need to trust me." Ironic words, considering their relationship was strained in this area. She squeezed her hand together until blood dribbled on the ground. It stained the carpet. Flowers bloomed where the droplets landed. They sprouted from the rug like seeds planted in dirt. "My blood has the power to give life."
Perseus' mouth dropped open. "Why have you never shared this with me?"
Medusa shrugged her shoulders. "It wasn't relevant until now. Besides, do you know what kind of power this could give someone? If I told you the truth about my blood and word spread around that I was alive, then many men would want to capture me. You may not kill me, but others would who want a taste of the immortality my blood can grant against illness."
He grabbed a goblet he had been drinking wine from by the fire. He offered it to her. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's give Andromeda some of your blood to drink."
Medusa looked at the ground sadly. "You don't understand; it isn't that simple. My blood behaves differently when a human consumes it than when it leaks onto the ground." Her eyes glazed over as she got lost in another world. "I tried to cure a girl once from a snake bite by feeding her my blood. Instead of healing, she died more quickly. My blood has different reactions with different people. Some die instantly and others are restored to health.
"You and I have struggled with our relationship from the beginning because life has given you two possible paths. One is with me, defying the gods and fighting for the freedom of the world. The other is living as a king with Andromeda, having a normal family and less dangerous life. If you had never met me or believed I was your soul-mate,
you would have been happy with Andromeda, I am sure of it. She's beautiful and a loyal wife.
"You've wavered between the two of us for a while now. I'm tired of it. Let's leave our future up to the Fates. If she takes a sip of my blood and lives-she will be your queen, you can make love to her whenever you want, and I promise to never complain. But if she dies, we can't allow this charade to go on. You must reveal to everyone that I am still alive, marry me, and accept me as your queen and the mother of your children."
Perseus' brow wrinkled together as she spoke. She chewed her lower lip and stroked the baby in her belly. She had as much to gain as she had to lose and Perseus was being too quiet. It made her nervous.
Perseus nodded his head slowly as realization dawned on his face. "You're right. This is the best solution to all our problems."
"Then I have your word?" Medusa asked.
Perseus grabbed her by the waist. It was uncanny how he always knew where she was in the room even though she was invisible. "You do indeed."
Medusa leaned in close. "Then let's seal it with a kiss."
Perseus pressed his nose against hers. "Gladly."
"And let's make it good," Medusa added right before their lips met. "Because this kiss could be our last."
The softness of Perseus' lips made Medusa's heart flutter. She savored the flavor of his tongue as they explored each other's mouths. Heat spread in the air between them as shivers ran up Medusa's body. He was tender, but passionate. She felt his love in each caress of his lips against hers. She wanted the moment to last forever, but all good things must come to an end.
Medusa grabbed the goblet and the knife. She reopened her wound, which was already scabbing over, and poured a generous helping inside. She felt nervous, but relieved. All the emotions and tension she had experienced since she met Perseus were drained into the cup along with her blood. The two of them would get their closure, even if it wasn't the kind of resolution Medusa was hoping for.
She handed the goblet to Perseus. "I will be right behind you. Make sure she swallows the whole thing."
They walked down the hallway and into Andromeda's bedroom. The room felt stuffy and smelled of bodily fluids. Andromeda lay in bed, her cheek-bones more prominent than they used to be and her movements weak. Her wheezing echoed through the silent room.
Perseus sat in the chair next to the bed. "One of the villagers gave me some medicine that he thought might help. Sit up, so I can give it to you."
Andromeda struggled against her pillows. Her arms trembled as she raised her body. Despite all of this, she gazed at Perseus with love. "I'm sorry I wasn't a better queen for you." Her voice was hoarse. "I tried to do the best I could, but you were always too good for me."
Perseus shook his head. "Don't talk that way. Drink up instead."
Perseus pressed the goblet to her lips. She took one whiff and winced. "It smells disgusting."
"Just close your eyes and swallow," Perseus said.
She shut her eyes obediently and consumed it in gulps. Medusa held her breath as she drained the cup dry. Medusa was shaking in anticipation. Either she was the cause of another person's death and she got everything she wanted-or she saved someone's life and destroyed her own in the process. She would regret it either way. She crossed her fingers, not sure which she was wishing for.
Andromeda coughed so hard her face paled. Perseus grabbed a rag from the table and handed it to her. Soon it was covered in blood and her raspy breathing grew worse.
She grasped Perseus' hand as she collapsed onto the bed. Her eyes fluttered open and closed as she struggled to remain conscious. Her voice was barely a whisper. "I think this is the end."
"Hold on." Perseus squeezed her hand as she went into convulsions. Images of the girl in the cave flashed through Medusa's mind. She had been young and innocent like Andromeda. Her broken ankle as she fought to get deeper into the underworld to save her lover was a vivid picture of the pain even human girls suffered through sometimes. Andromeda had fought for Perseus, too, and had lost her family like Medusa had.
She wanted to mock Perseus for the tears in his eyes, but there were some welling up in her own.
"Goodbye," Perseus said. He kissed the knuckles of one of her hands.
As soon as he said it, her face bloomed with color. Her eyes brightened and her cheeks filled out. She looked beautiful and alive. Health poured into her.
Medusa watched the turn of events stoically. Her tears had dried up. She had known what she needed to do long before now, but this confirmed it. It was time to give Perseus the kind of life he deserved to have. This time, when she left, she'd make sure she could never come back.
She had nowhere to go, but it didn't matter. She had to leave anyway and let life take her where it wanted to. It was an excuse not to leave–an excuse she could hold on to no longer.
News spread around the village that Andromeda was better. Danae was pleased to announce that the baby was still alive, but they wouldn't know whether it were healthy until birth. Medusa knew. If the blood hadn't killed the baby, then it was better. Danae pronounced the whole thing a miracle. Andromeda's friends held a large feast in celebration of her health returning. Perseus got no moment of peace to talk to Medusa and she preferred it that way.
They all looked so happy. It gave her the strength to accomplish what she needed to do.
Chapter 25
That night when Perseus went to sleep, Medusa put her plan into action. She wasn't sure which was going to hurt worse: the physical pain or the breaking of her heart.
First, she needed to find one of the statues made to resemble her. She remembered one, about her size and made of stone, that would be dipped in bronze soon, placed in one of the corners of the dining hall. People would question what happened to it when she stole it, but would probably brush it off in the end as Fortus destroying his own work because he was unhappy with it. He threw tantrums sometimes when he was feeling insecure about his art. He'd get drunk, black out, and lay in a mess of rubble. He'd make a new one to take its place.
She carried the statue into the backyard. Too large to disappear with her like other things she held did, she'd have to be sneaky. A normal man couldn't have lifted it, but she was stronger than that. She made as little noise as possible and avoided the route of the night guard. The last thing she needed was rumors about a ghost haunting the castle and making the decorations float around.
She crumbled the body of the statue into small pieces, but preserved the head. She scattered the pieces around in the woods so no one would find them and then clawed out the eyes of the face with her nails.
She hid the head in the woods, and then she fetched a spoon from the kitchen. She also retrieved the endless wallet with a needle and some thread. This would be the worst part. She counted her steps until she found the head and then gripped a tree with one of her hands. She needed to be far away from everyone so they wouldn't hear her howls of pain.
She took the spoon and dug behind her eyes. The tendons that held the first one in place ripped and she was blinded. The pain was so bad that she forgot to catch the eyeball as it fell out. It shocked her that she had been able to free it so quickly. She flayed the tree in front of her with her claws and gripped her face, desperate for relief, until her suffering dulled into a slow throb. She wasn't sure whether this took minutes or hours.
At first, she was terrified that she had destroyed her eye. Her suffering would be for nothing if that was the case. She felt for it in the dirt, blood drying on her cheeks. She placed it in one of the empty sockets of the statue. Pain radiated across all the nerves of her face, but she ignored it.
She took a deep breath and placed the spoon behind her other eye. Her hand shook as she freed this one. She wasn't eager to be blind or to feel fiery pain burning through her face as blood gushed from the other socket, but she got through it. She placed her second eye inside the socket of the statue. They both fit perfectly.
She wished often that she had the regenerati
ve powers of her sisters. She wouldn't have been biting her hand, curled up into a ball, sobbing on the ground from the pain if she had them. At the same time, though, a weight lifted from her chest. She was finally free from the curse. No one could look at her and turn into stone anymore. Thank Hades, she didn't have the regenerative powers of her sisters. She was now free!
If anyone found this stone head, they would assume it was hers. Hard like her real head was and with her eyes inside, it would have the ability to turn people into stone. Even if people could tell the difference, they'd never live long enough to share the information.
She took the needle and thread, which was soon covered in blood as she sewed her eyelids back together. The sting of the needle was barely noticeable compared with the pain she was already experiencing. She should have washed out the wounds, but she didn't care enough to.
She placed the head inside the endless wallet where it belonged. It would protect Perseus whenever he needed her and no one would doubt the validity of his story. She washed the blood from her face. She might as well look a little presentable as she said goodbye to her lover.
For the first time in her life, even though she knew she was still ugly, she didn't feel like a monster. She couldn't hurt anyone anymore. A part of her mourned, while another part rejoiced. People could look at her now without dying. It was wonderful, except for the fact that she couldn't show her face too much or the gods would catch on to the truth.
She entered the room where Perseus slept. He was waiting for her and she knew this because he had moved none of his stuff into Andromeda's room. Even though he promised to be with Andromeda now, Medusa knew he couldn't do it. She'd have to keep the promise for him.
She took the helmet off her head. Bloody tears streamed down her cheeks. She must have been a horrific sight to see.
She approached Perseus. Her snakes, now free, roamed across his face, loving and rubbing him. He stirred as they tickled his skin.