Read The Oracle of Delphi (Greek Myth Fantasy Series) for Free Online Page B

her without trying to kiss her.
    He had almost kissed her at the stream and had to stop himself from such a reckless action. He would be wise to beware of Princess Andromeda. His mother had told him the oracle spoke of his involvement with her even before he was born. The prophecy said Andromeda would help him attain his goal, so he did not want to let her leave yet. But then again, the oracle spoke of her antics in trying to stop him from succeeding as well. He couldn’t have that either. Mayhap it would be safer to keep an eye on her so he always knew what she planned to do.
    He decided to go back to the oracle and ask more questions. Questions about Andromeda as well as how to find the Gorgon, Medusa. Once he had his answers, he would be satisfied. Perhaps if the oracle spoke favorably he would change his mind and let the girl return to her own village.
    He watched Andromeda sitting proud and tall atop her horse. Her golden hooded cape hung wet over her shoulders from rain, clinging to her as well as to the sides of her horse. Her white gown didn’t look much like the garments of a princess, now splashed and splattered with river mud. The wetness of the material clung to her curvy body like a second skin, leaving little to his imagination.
    By the gods, the girl was a comely wench. Everything about her intrigued him and led his mind down a path it hadn’t ventured in a long time. He wanted her, and the throbbing of his body wouldn’t let him forget it. But he pushed the thought from his mind, knowing she was nothing but trouble. No, he decided, he wouldn’t touch her. It seemed too dangerous to keep her near, as she would only distract him from his goal. The faster he got his answer from the oracle and released her, the better.
    They approached the cave just as Apollo, God of the Sun, drove his chariot across the sky, pulling the sun down to the horizon. The golden ball of fire sinking behind the tall rocks of Mt. Olympus proved to be a mesmerizing sight. Perseus could only wonder about the lives of the deities that graced Olympus as their home. And he could only wonder if some day he’d be lucky enough to meet Zeus, his father.
    “I don’t care to go back in,” came Andromeda’s defiant gripe as he dismounted quickly, still holding her horse’s reins tightly.
    “Too bad. I’m not going to let you out of my sight. Now shall we?”
    He held his hand out to help her from the horse, but she ignored it, slipping from the saddle to the ground with an expert sense of ease.
    “How is it you are out here without a chaperone? It is not befitting for a princess to be traveling alone.”
    She bit the side of her lip and played with her golden braid that hung to her buttocks. Twirling the end around in her fingers, she looked at it instead of at him when she gave her answer.
    “I am a princess. I can do what I want. And I don’t need to answer any more of your questions since I choose not to.”
    She left him standing there as she disappeared into the mouth of the cave. Perseus rested his hand atop the hilt of his sword and followed.
     
    Andromeda didn’t feel at all comfortable entering the cave again. But it was the lesser of two evils as far as she was concerned. She didn’t want Perseus asking so many questions. She would just stand in the shadows and wait. When his attention was focused on the words of the oracle, she would silently slip out of the cave without him knowing.
    His hand on her elbow startled her as he guided her forward toward the pit, giving her no chance to stray. The floor sconces shone brightly, but the scent of burning herbs no longer permeated the air. The oracle’s chair sat empty, water from the open roof dripping onto the gold piece with a slight clicking sound.
    “Where is the priestess?” he growled, stopping for a moment in his tracks.
    She tried to pry his fingers from her arm, but without luck.
    “How should I know? Mayhap she’s retired for the night.”
    A priest walked out of