Zelus (Perseus Reimagined) (BXB)

Chapter 54

"Thank you, Zeus."

???

"STEADY BOY," I STROKE HIS neck, easing the winged horse, for he had encountered a hawk, losing his balance in the air.

Perseus grabs the bird by its feet and flings it farther below us the way Zeus aims his thunderbolts. I guess that makes sense. The bird retreats and Pegasus regains his confidence.

Pegasus possesses the speed of a cheetah. Or perhaps, Hermes himself as I recognize the land we're flying over, and it's surprising how we are almost in Seriphus. The journey to Medusa's cave took days, but Pegasus brought us home in a day.

"Tell me, my prince," I purposely lean onto him, and he holds me like a fragile puppy. "What will you do once you set the queen free?"

He didn't answer immediately, but I waited.

"I don't know," he says, leaning his chin on my shoulder. "All this time, mother had only told me to be a good prince. Treat my companions with care and my elders with respect. Everything will unfold eventually."

He sighs deeply.

"It's been years, and I'm just as lost as I ever was before," he explains. "And knowing my father is Zeus which makes me a demigod, doesn't help."

"Perhaps he'll bring you back to Olympus," I pull a thought out of my head. "I mean, you are his son, after all. And demigod or full god, you belong there. Not in the realm of mortals."

"I've lived amongst the mortals my entire life," he reminds. "And so did you."

"Me?"

"Yes," he scoffs in humor. "I could ask the same for you. Why would a daimon live with the mortals?"

"Now, now, we're talking about you here," I rotate the table of subjects back, wittingly avoiding myself to be added into the conversation.

"I know," he agrees. "But I like talking about you more."

"You're such an ass."

"I know," he admits again, laughing, then fading gradually. "I wouldn't change a thing in my life. It's not the life of a god or demigod, but I had everything I needed. And I found you, my angel."

"You're not angry with your grandfather?" I ask. "The man who deliberately tried to drown you and your mother?"

"I used to be," his arms now circled my waist. "Until I realized that revenge could be taken."

"What do you plan on doing?"

"I don't know," he said. "But I know that it's not happening anytime soon. There is so much I want to try. And now, with you by my side... and Pegasus too, the world

is our oyster."

Does he have the faintest idea that I may not live long enough to see his world? The hourglass of feathers came to my mind. What's going to happen when they have all fallen completely? How will I come face to face with the end?

I gaze to my shoulder where he's resting his chin. He catches me staring, and I perceive excitement dancing in those eyes, eager to begin a new life. I wonder if it's wise to speak of the truth to him. What'll the consequences be? Will he toss his plans aside and remain next to me? Will he continue to travel but instead of adventuring, he'd find me a cure?

Damn, how selfish of me.

"Perseus," my words stopped when a loud conniving call echoed in the atmosphere.