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Medusa shook her head, stunned. “No.”
Elpis whispered, “I am sorry, mistress… Pamphilos was in command as they set sail for Salamis.”
“No, no.” Medusa’s voice rose, a high, agitated cry. “He was to be protected. It was part of our bargain. He promised… He promised me Ariston would be safe.”
Elpis’ brow furrowed. And then understanding dawned. “Oh, my lady,” she sobbed anew.
She shook her head, unable to accept Elpis’ words. It was not true. He lived. He must live…
“It is no matter for a God to break their word, sister. They’ve no need to answer to us,” Stheno said. “We will go home tomorrow. It will do you good to be gone from this place and all that has happened here.” She opened the door. “I will tell Galenus that we leave at first light.”
Medusa heard the door shut as Stheno left the room.
“I’m so sorry, mistress.” Elpis clasped her hand, offering support.
Medusa longed to shake off her touch, but she could not move.
“He loved you dearly,” Elpis whispered. “Ektor said he’d turned his ship towards shore to return to you…”
Medusa startled. “What?”
Elpis blushed. “I…I sent him a note. Once I’d learned what your…gift was to be, I ran to the temple. I heard Poseidon’s offer and your answer…and feared the repercussions. I asked for his guidance.”
The air drained from Medusa’s lungs.
“I ask for your forgiveness, mistress. I meant no harm…”
Her heart shattered, pulsing shards of agony through every part of her. He had died knowing her plight. He’d tried to return… She was to blame for his death, then. Such a burden would have clouded his focus, shaken his control…
A sob choked her.
“Elpis,” she gasped, clinging to her companion’s hand in desperation. She had no words, only anguish.
Had she not done everything asked of her? Had she not given everything she had, or was, in her service to Olympus? And still, they had made him suffer. Their soldier had been shown no mercy – or respect.
A peculiar numbness licked at the soles of her feet. Her toes curled as the slow rush of frost moved, traveling up the length of her legs and pricking frigid needles across her stomach. It lodged itself in her chest, turning her heart and lung to ice. She felt heavy and slow, but the pain was less. It was there, screaming at the edge of her consciousness, but she would not yield to it – not yet.
She could not stand Elpis’ touch upon her.
She could not bear to sit in this room.
She would not accept this… this punishment when she had done their will.
“Help me dress.” Medusa’s words were clipped.
“Where are you…?”
“Do not ask me questions, Elpis. Do what I ask.” Medusa did not look at Elpis as she spoke.
“Mistress?”
“Once I’m gone, find Stheno. Tell her we will depart when I return. I have no need of rest. I need only to leave this cursed place.”
Medusa stilled her impatience, standing straight to let Elpis wrap the linen peplos about her. Her restlessness increased as Elpis fussed over the bronze clasps and the drape of the fabric. By the time Elpis started to brush through her hair, she shrugged away.
“Leave it, Elpis.”
Medusa clasped Elpis’ hand in hers, stilling the brush and holding her companion away from her. She reached for her sister’s grey epiblema, covering her head with the shawl.
