MYTH

Part 3

     He needed me. Dead or alive. Whichever one didn't truly matter to him. I could see it in his eyes, he was willing to do anything to get ahold of my curse. If he could physically rip it out of me, he would do so in a heartbeat. I knew we could stand in this position for hours, one second away from killing each other. Sharp blade to my neck and poisonous fangs at his. Who would strike faster, I wasn't sure about. I dared say, we were equally matched in terms of agility. 

     Although, I was doubtful he had used his full strength, and I could honestly say I could have turned into my other form and I would have been stronger. I had my suspicions that he hadn't used his full strength because I had refused to turn. I wondered, if I had given into his command to switch to my gorgon form, would my head still be attached? 

     Over Perseus shoulder, the sun had started to rise over the mountains, casting shadows that moved on the suns behalf. Waves of green could be seen for miles away, half of it shrouded in shadows and the other half illuminated by warm light. All of it covered with a thin layer of morning frost that made the landscape seem as it were coated by shimmering diamonds. With every breath that we exhaled, small light fog clouds materialized between us. 

     I need you to come to Mount Olympus with me, he'd said. 

    I need you to come to Mount Olympus with me.

     Those words rolled around in my head. I took them apart, put them back together, and processed them. My brows narrowed, other than the absolute loathing I felt toward the Gods, was there any other reason why I shouldn't go? 

     Yes, simply because I did not wish to go. That was as good of a reason as any other. And yet, I had a feeling we weren't moving from this position until I agreed. If I was to leave the only home I had known in decades, I should at least get something out of it. Plans and ideas raced through my mind. Nothing concrete came to mind, but surely something would come to me at some point during our travels. 

     My eyes turned cold. "Quite the demand you have there, son of Zeus." 

     I felt as the second snake made its way up my leg. 

     "Well, Priestess, what do you say? Should we see who can kill the fastest?" His hand tightening on the weapon, a cruel glint in his eyes. 

     I place my free arm behind my back, the one he deemed useless and inoffensive, and waited for the snake to coil itself around it. 

    "Fine, but I have one condition," I said, brows raised in challenge. 

     He chuckled. "Lets hear it, then. What could you possibly desire?" He looked me up and down, "Perhaps new garments?" 

     A prickle of embarrassment, but no, I was Medusa, warden of souls, and I wouldn't let a few words shame me. Especially words spoken from a son of Zeus. I straightened my spine as much as I could without the sword piercing my skin, and smiled while batting my eyelashes. 

     "For one, yes, preferably in red. I find that I look best in that color," and I was right, I noticed, the sun made hints of red peek out from his hair.

     A hint of cool steel brushed up against my hand. 

     "Well now I have two condition, depending on how you look at it," I smiled a sweet smile, dripping with deception. "You will grant me five wishes to call upon on whenever and wherever. Anything goes." 

     He mulled it over, a sigh leaving his lips, "Two, Priestess."

     I shifted my free arm. I felt my pulse flutter in the wrist he held tight in his grip.