The Lover of Medusa

Chapter 20

"Lyra?" Medusa called out for Lyra who's still inside the cabin, she's standing outside of their cabin and holding a basket. It's been three weeks since Lyra had arrive to her territory, and as they spent more time together Medusa is given the chance to get to know her better and better.

"Coming." Lyra said stepping outside of their cabin, she still has this smile on her face that doesn't go away, For most time Medusa wonders if Lyra's face doesn't hurt at all from the smiling she does everyday... But she found out that Lyra just loves to smile,  and Medusa grew to like it. Once Lyra is near she quickly wrap a piece of cloth in her head to hide her face.

"We're going to the city to buy things that we need in the house... I want you to stay with me. Is that alright?" She saw the way Lyra's face brighten up upon hearing the news. Medusa had think about this a lot, at first she just wanted to go alone... But then she can't leave Lyra alone in their cabin...her sister's might suddenly visit her and see Lyra, so she just decided to take her with her back in the city. There she could keep an eye on her, her mind will be at ease too knowing Lyra is with her.

"Let's go." She said holding her hand and guiding her. Medusa hummed in contentment, before then she couldn't imagine the thought of holding someone else's hand, just the thought of being near a human makes her skin crawl, but here she is so close to her.

"What will you be doing in the city?"  She asked her as they walk through the forest.

"I'm just gonna buy some important things that we need to survive in the forest." She truthfully said, Lyra humm and nods her head, they continue to walk for hours, Lyra seems to enjoy it even though she can't see things, she seems to enjoy the sound of the animals and the smell of the grass and the trees.

"It's been a while since I've been in the city, the last time I was there was with my friend Gwen." At the mention of that woman's name Medusa didn't fail to hear the sudden drop of Lyra's voice.... The faltering of her smile and even the shadow that cast in her eyes.

"Who is this Gwen?" She asked her, Lyra's smile returned and she looks at Medusa, her eyes seems to twinkle in excitement.

"Oh! Gwen is the best friend I ever have! We were the same age and we grew up together, her mother is my nanny, we're even born the same day so we were basically twins." Medusa listened as Lyra told her the story of her friend, and how Gwen is her only friend back in their Castle, she was the only person who hang around Lyra and for a moment Medusa's chest seem to tighten in discomfort... And then there is this feeling of annoyance and hate... She stops walking and placed her hand on top of her chest that is beating loudly... She have realized something, she's feeling jealousy towards that mortal. The idea seems so alien to her... She never get jealous before and the feeling is unpleasant it makes her gum and teeth ache. The snakes in her head are acting on her consciousness they're hissing.

"Medusa? Is everything alright?" Lyra asked, worry laze both her face and voice, she took a deep breath to calm herself and looked at Lyra... She's here now, nothing will take her away, she is her friend, her only friend.

"Yes, I just saw something and thought it was a danger." She lied, Lyra smiled and nods her head. Again they continue to walk.

"By the time we arrive there the sun is already setting, so we need to look for an inn to stay the night and go to the market the next day." She explained to Lyra and sat down on the ground, They decided to take a break since they've been walking for four hours straight, Lyra's eating her apple and enjoying it.

"Do you have friends too?" Lyra suddenly asked out of nowhere, Medusa looked at the rushing water from the river near them.

"I do... But I turned them all to stone." Lyra froze halfway from biting her Apple and she looked at Medusa, and she can see that question dancing in her face.

"They betrayed me, condemned me and cursed me, they are the one who first threw the stone at me, so in pain and rage I turned them into stone, and left them at Athena's temple after I ruined it." She said with a smirk on her lips.

"What.... What did exactly happen? I have heard story about you and the Goddess both from mortal and her alike. And you were always the bad person." Medusa was quite surprised to know that Athena even talked about her to someone. She leans closer to Lyra and smirk.

"Tell me about it." She said the snakes in her head once again brush themselves against Lyra's face as if wanting to be pet.

"She... Told me how you abuse the power she gave you... That you became ungrateful of it and used it to hurt people." This made her step back a little, her blood boil and she hissed.

"Gift? Lyra? Tell me is this a gift? Is this a gift? Where?" She held Lyra's arm and pulled her closer to her her grip on her tightening making Lyra wince.

"I...I" Lyra tried to say but nothing came out of her mouth.

"Exactly!!! Nothing! This is not a gift!!! BUT A CURSE FROM A JEALOUS GODDESS!!!" She screamed her voice ringing loudly throughout the forest, her breathing is getting heavy and rugged, everything came in flashing back into her mind, the pain, the helplessness, the betrayal! It all came back to her, everything came back to her.

"Medusa?" Lyra touched her face and she finally snap out of it. Lyra has this soft look on her face, the look that say she knows how it feels. Slowly Medusa let go of her and she wince, Medusa looked down to see that her nails have penetrated Lyra's soft skin leaving a wound.

"I... I'm so sorry." She said sitting back down and closing her eyes, She felt Lyra pulled her into a hug.

"It's alright, I'm sorry if I made you recall bad things. I'm so sorry." Medusa took another deep breath, and sink into Lyra's embrace enjoying the warmth she's offering.