Athena's Child (The Grecian Women Trilogy)

by Hannah M. Lynn

Medusa’s eyes moved from the horizon. With a simple, elegant nod to her mother, she turned to go.

These are not men. They are snakes, serpents trying to find the freshest eggs. And when they do find them, they crack them open, devour their insides, and leave nothing more than hollow shells.

hurl insults at strangers or throw rocks in protests. Women use words and reason where men use fists and force. So why are we always second? Why is that my goddess? Why are we always second?’

body slick as oil, the ichor pumping beneath his skin. Her tears stung, their salt bitter between her lips. Anger surged through her. How dare he come and take what was not his, and in this sacred place. Medusa

When faced with a monster, who ever looked to see beyond the teeth and talons?

But I will let you know this and hear this, for it is true. While you have been cursed by your goddess, I have been blessed, because you have been returned.’

And

He was the son of Zeus. Brother of Athena.

‘He’s ever so muscly.’ Her hands roamed up his arms, squeezing and pinching him. ‘Take me captive, Perseus, son of Zeus. Hold poor Eyno prisoner. Tie me up and whip me!’

‘No, take me, take me. She can barely bend her knees without falling over.’

‘Perhaps that’s what he likes. I’d happily drop onto my knees for you, Perseus. There’s an advantage to having no teeth, you know.’

A wet sucking noise slapped from her lips. ...

time. How long does it take to sneak into a cave and decapitate a priestess?’ He winked as he spoke. ‘A priestess?’

They’re so bad!!! They’re lying g to him just to kill her

Fear. She was afraid. Slowly, she edged backwards into one of the many crevices of the cave and out of sight. A moment later and he too was standing in her lair.

Once, people came to me for help, for advice. Now, they come to make me a murderer time and time again.’

‘If you are wrong about this, I will have no choice. I will turn you to stone before you could even raise a hand against me.’ ‘But if I am right, I will be saving both you and my mother.’ ‘I am beyond saving,’ she replied. ‘You are not. You could turn around now and leave with your life.’ He gave the comment only the briefest consideration. ‘Either I leave this island with your head or not at all,’ he said. ‘Please, this will work. Let me do this for you.’

The fact that this woman is letting him kill herself to save his mother 😭😭😭

For the first time in two thousand years, she saw herself, as clearly as all the men that had stood in front of her. The young girl, full of optimism, was long gone, although there, in the depth of her irises, she saw the slightest glimmer of hope.

torment. When he returned to Polydectes, he would find a place on Seriphos to give her the burial she deserved. That was all he could do now.

The Priestess who continued to sacrifice even after death. The woman who offered herself to Perseus to save his mother from a tyrant king.

So, Perseus stayed silent. That night and every night that followed. Years passed, and Perseus went on to become one of Greece’s greatest heroes, held in such high esteem for his feats. Meanwhile, Medusa’s truth was lost, and all that remained was the story of monsters and heroes, though the world would never truly know which was which.