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Medusa stared back, swallowing convulsively as she sought the words to explain. None came. Even if she had the words, she would never speak them.
“What has he done to you?” Stheno asked in a voice so full of despair that Medusa closed her eyes.
“What Poseidon always does, I fear.” Even Euryale spoke gently. “He is a beast.”
Their pity chafed her, forcing her to stand straight. But the effort cost her, making her sway on unsteady feet.
“Come with us, sister. Come home,” Stheno implored. “It is done. Father will welcome you back.”
“Life will go on,” Euryale added, not unkindly. “And you may…heal at home.”
Medusa shook her head. “I will wait for my husband.” She would not leave.
“Will he want you now?” Stheno spoke so softly that Medusa wondered if her sister had said the words or if she’d asked herself such a question.
“If he is alive,” Euryale said. “Many lives were lost to the storm and the battle…”
“He is alive.” Medusa’s voice rasped from her throat.
“Will he still want you?” Stheno repeated. She moved closer and draped her arm carefully about Medusa’s shoulders. “Come away. Let us find you a bed. Galenus has been searching for you, worried and fearful.”
Medusa shook her head. “Look at me. Will seeing me make all right for them once more?” Her voice hitched as she held tightly to what little control she still had.
“You look as you always do.” Stheno hugged her.
“Whatever injury Poseidon has inflicted, it is visible only to you. Galenus and Xenia will be pleased, in their own way.” Euryale shook her head, making the long veils sway. “Your suffering has brought joy to all else, sweet sister. You have fulfilled the will of Olympus.”
Medusa stared at her sister.
“Poseidon is appeased. Father will be appeased. An alliance will be forged. It is done,” Euryale shrugged.
“Come, Medusa, let us go…”
Medusa wrenched from Stheno’s grasp, horrified by the truth of her sister’s words. She’d done her duty once more. And, in betraying her husband, she’d likely once more earned favor with her father, her family and the Gods. It galled her, making a knot tighten and twist in her stomach.
None of them mattered.
Ariston was all now.
And she would wait for him.
Until he came home, she would have his gift. “I must find my necklace.” She stumbled once, but continued to peer into the darkness. “I will not go until I have it.”
“We will help.” Stheno moved forward, holding the lantern high for Medusa.
###
Zeus leveled a hard look upon Poseidon. “You are satisfied?”
Poseidon nodded. His brother need never know the truth.
Zeus sat back in his throne, a smile upon his face. “And was the bedding worthy of such a hunger?”
“She was lovely.” His words were curt.
More lovely than he’d expected. When she’d taken his hand, his delight knew no bounds. Yet she’d refused to look on him, refused to move beneath him – as she’d done on the beach with her man. No matter how soft his lips or how gentle his touch, she was unmoved. And his delight vanished.
Zeus laughed. “Would you still have her as wife?”
