9. Medusa #2
She stood outside, warming her hands around the coffee cup, keeping watch in the distance.
Moments later, she spied a moving dot in the distance.
As it drew closer and closer and became bigger, she recognized the shape and size of Perseus’s wolf.
Her breath caught in her throat for a moment at the sight of his powerful form galloping towards her, his presence and potent nature sending goosebumps over her scalp and spine.
There was no doubt of his parentage, because only something truly divine could make her react this way.
The urge to run away built in her, but she planted her feet firm on the ground.
Even as her snakelets pressed her to get out of the way, she remained there, not even blinking as the wolf leaped up in the air.
The animal landed mere feet away from her, transforming into its human counterpart at the last moment.
“Good morning.”
The bright smile on Perseus’s face melted away her anxieties. “Good morning,” she greeted back as she stepped into his open arms. “Did you have a good run?”
“Yes. Oh, hey, that tickles!”
She quickly disentangled herself away from him. “Bad snakelets,” she admonished jokingly. “Stop nibbling at him, you’re scaring him.”
Perseus reached out and patted the right side of her head. “Naw, I’m not scared, just caught by surprise.” His expression softened as the little snakelets slithered against his fingers. “Good morning to you, too, girls.”
“Everything okay?” she asked, tentatively.
“Yeah.” The snakelets hissed in disappointment when he withdrew his hand. “My wolf just wanted to get out.”
“I see.”
“And I needed some time to think.”
That looming dread crept back in. “About what?”
“All good things, I promise.” He placed a kiss on top of her head. “But I do need to go into town today, just for a couple of hours.”
“Why?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“What surprise?”
“If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it?” The edges of his lips curled up. “I just realized we haven’t really gone out. Like, out out. ” He kissed the top of her head. “I want us to have dinner, to go on a proper date.”
“A date?”
“Yeah.” He paused. “I mean, you want to, right? Like, go out on a real date with me, not just because of our mission?”
“Yes, but you don’t have to?—”
“Of course I do.” His fingers threaded through hers, then he brought her hand to his lips so he could kiss it. “So, I’m going to head into town and set up something nice for us tonight, okay? Just stay home and relax, I’ll take care of everything.”
“Alright.”
His words assuaged that anxiety over the distance between them from last night, but that didn’t mean Medusa could relax after he left.
For the rest of the day, she kept checking her phone, reading and re-reading that last message, wondering how her sisters were doing.
They must be so terrified; neither of them had ever been away from home for more than a few hours.
I have to get them free.
She could not delay any longer. Perseus only had to say the words aloud. The longer she delayed, the longer her sisters were in danger. Besides, she had to do it before things became too complicated.
But they already were complicated.
It hurt to admit it, but she was already in too deep.
Things wouldn’t work out between them anyway, even under normal circumstances.
It wasn’t like she could just leave Vale Crossing to be with him permanently.
Nor would he leave the Upperworld to be with her in Serpentara.
They had no future together. The only one she had was with her sisters and family back home.
But the only way her sisters would even have a future was if he admitted who his father was. Once he said the words aloud, she would head back to Vale Crossing and never see him again. Lord Eros said that all she had to do was think of going back home, and she would be there.
Yes, that was the right thing to do. So, she sent a text to Calliope and told her to expect Stheno and Euryale to be freed soon, and once they were safe, to send her a message so she could go home.
Tonight would be the night.
Perseus was gone most of the day, and he returned after five o’clock, a garment bag in his hand. “This is for you,” he said, handing it to her.
“For me? What is it?”
He grinned at her. “Open it.”
Lifting the bag up, she recognized the designer’s logo on the front. As she unzipped it, she gasped. “Oh my…Perseus…this must have cost a fortune.” The bag opened, revealing silky green fabric. Soft to the touch, the material shimmered and shifted between emerald and gold tones. “It’s beautiful.”
“You didn’t tell me your favorite color, so I hope you don’t mind that I picked mine. Will you wear it tonight?”
She clutched the bag to her chest. “Of course.”
“Why don’t I set up a nice relaxing bath for you, and then you can get ready?”
“That would be wonderful.”
As Perseus prepared her bath, Medusa laid the dress out on the bed, spreading it out over the covers, her breath catching in her throat at the beauty of it.
The skirt went all the way down to the floor, while crisscross straps would hold it up and show off her shoulders and back.
There was even a matching head scarf in a thin, silky material.
When she placed it on her head, the wavy print camouflaged her snakelets, allowing them to breathe easier while staying hidden.
“There’s even pockets.”
Smiling, she glanced behind her. Perseus stood at the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the frame.
“Well, you know how we girls love dresses with pockets.”
“Your bubble bath is waiting.” Perseus came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close.
“The dress is gorgeous, thank you.” She giggled as her snakelets nuzzled up to his cheeks. “The girls love the scarf too.”
He smiled against her neck as he kissed her behind the ear. “They deserved something beautiful, just like you.”
After a long, luxurious bubble bath, Medusa dried herself off and put on her makeup in the large walk-in closet, then slipped into the dress.
It was even more luxurious on her, the soft fabric a sensuous sheath on her skin.
And, just as Perseus said, it did indeed have pockets, so she was able to hide her phone between the folds of the fabric.
“You look breathtaking,” Perseus commented as she emerged from the walk-in. He, too, was ready and dressed in a sleek black suit, white shirt and tie, looking so handsome that her chest hurt.
The weight of it all pressed down on her—her sisters, her betrayal, her feelings for Perseus. It was tempting to just forget her worries, and maybe have one more night with him, but she’d already delayed too long. She would make him admit Zeus was his father tonight.
Once he said it and she received confirmation her sisters were safe, she would leave.
“You too,” she murmured, turning around to face him. Staring up into his eyes, a sharp twinge in her chest stabbed at her, but she couldn’t look away. If heartbreak was the price she paid for her sisters’ freedom, then so be it.
It wasn’t meant to be anyway.
“We should get going,” he said. “Or else I’m going to toss you on the bed and then we’ll never leave.”
She forced a laugh. “Not if I do it first.”
They headed out to their rented car, with Perseus opening the door to the passenger side for her before slipping into the driver’s seat. He drove toward the direction of the town, then passed it to her surprise, following the road that sent them higher up the mountain.
“What is this place?” she asked as he helped her out the door. They had stopped outside a stone building similar to their chalet, but much larger and well-lit.
“It’s a private ski lodge.” A hand rested on her lower back as he led her toward the front door. “I reserved it just for us tonight.”
An older man dressed in a tuxedo greeted them. “Good evening and welcome, Monsieur Gialamas, Mademoiselle Medusa. Welcome to Cheval Noir. I’m Gaston and I’ll be taking care of you this evening.”
“Thank you, Gaston.” Perseus handed him their coats. “And everything has been prepared?”
“Oui, monsieur. Chef Lucie hopes you will enjoy her menu tonight as she curated it especially for you and your guest.”
“Excellent. Perhaps Lucie can come out and say hello after our meal. It’s been years since I’ve seen her, even though we’ve done a lot of business together.”
“I will let her know. Please, come inside.”
He led them into the chalet, and out toward the expansive balcony that had a stunning view of the sun setting behind the snow-capped Alps. A dining table for two had been set up in the middle, complete with flowers and candles.
“It’s gorgeous out here,” she remarked as he helped her into her chair. “Thank you for setting this up. This must have been expen?—”
“Don’t think about the cost,” he interrupted. “Just enjoy the evening.” His fingers landed on her bare shoulder, tracing a path down her back, making her shiver.
As soon as Perseus sat in the chair opposite from her, Gaston appeared with a bottle of champagne, filling up the two flutes on the table. Perseus thanked him, then raised his flute towards her.
“What are we celebrating?” she asked, cautiously taking her own glass.
“We don’t need to celebrate anything in particular. But, how about…your girls?”
Her hand went up to the side of her head unconsciously. “The girls?”
“Why not?” He beamed at her. “I’ve finally befriended them. I mean…I have, haven’t I?”
She laughed, and her snakelets preened with happiness. “I would say so.” She lifted her glass. “To the girls.”
“To the girls,” he echoed, his green gaze never leaving her as he sipped the bubbly drink.
“Looks like the first course is here.” He nodded toward Gaston, tray in his hand as he approached them.
“I can’t wait for you to try Chef Lucie’s food.
She’s amazing and has several Michelin stars under her belt. ”
“I’m looking forward to it.”