Page 31 of Crown of Serpents (Curse of Olympus #1)
CHAPTER THIRTY
She was meant to die today. Instead, Andromeda found herself cradled in the arms of the same brute that had freed her from the cliff despite her protests. He had broad shoulders and towered over the band of warriors who hauled their injured on the only galley to survive the battle. An elderly man carried the limp body of the woman with the emerald hair who had miraculously saved them. The hero with the winged shoes, Perseus, she recalled, had regained consciousness and leaned hoisted over another warrior’s shoulder. He ordered the elderly sailor, buckling beneath the woman’s weight, to carry her toward a cabin below deck.
Andromeda's gaze drifted to the shore, where the colossal marble form of Cetus, the sea serpent, now stood as a chilling reminder of the day's events. She had meant to die today to appease the vengeful god, but these “heroes” had slain the beast that had come to claim her.
The giant lifted her over the rail and set her down with a gentleness that was completely at odds with his rugged appearance, the angry claw marks on his face, “There you go, Princess.”
Andromeda snatched her hand from his rough palm, shivering as the morning wind replaced the warmth of his embrace. Her gown was torn and drenched in saltwater.
He gestured toward a nearby cabin beneath the raised quarterdeck, a boyish grin spreading across his scarred face. “Welcome aboard, Princess Andromeda. Let me show you where you can stay for now while we figure out … well … while we figure things out.”
They stopped before the cabin door. The man opened the door for her, but Andromeda had stopped dead in her tracks. What did these men want with her? Was she being kidnapped?
When Andromeda didn’t move, the brute ducked inside himself, carefully avoiding the low ceiling, and lit an oil lantern. He grabbed a few sheepskins and draped them over a straw cot in the corner. Then, he scooped up a pile of rusty weapons in his muscular arms and threw them next to Andromeda on the deck.
Leaning against the doorframe, he flashed a satisfied smile. “There, all set. It probably doesn’t compare to the finery you are used to, but we’ll make up for it with our excellent company.”
He winked, but Andromeda remained frozen, unsure of what he expected of her. They had stolen her from her homeland; shouldn’t they be locking her up instead of offering hospitality? But perhaps, surrounded by the vast expanse of the sea, they saw no need for such precautions.
Her silence didn’t discourage the man as he continued, his chest swelling with pride. “My name is Kleos, by the way,” he curtsied, extending his hand for her to take.
She hadn’t expected this brute to know courtly manners.
Then, he added, mischief sparkling in his eyes that undermined the polite gesture. “In case you feel the urge to thank the hero who saved you … after recovering from your shock, of course.”
Andromeda echoed in disbelief, “Thank you?”
Was he truly expecting gratitude for disrupting a sacred ritual meant to save her kingdom? She had been willing to die, it was her duty to give her life for the kingdom she loved.
“You’re welcome,” Kleos grinned, seemingly unaware of the danger he and this crew had brought upon Joppa.
Oh gods, what would become of her kingdom now? Would Poseidon unleash his wrath upon them for killing his monster?
Andromeda snapped, throwing all caution to the wind. “That wasn’t gratitude, you fool! I was merely marvelling at your arrogance and idiocy for expecting me to thank you for ruining a sacred offering to the gods meant to save my kingdom!”
Anger was racing through her veins, her hands shaking, anticipating his response. She had never lost her temper before, and for a few breaths, she regretted lashing out at this stranger. Then, said stranger spoke, and she balled her fists again.
“A ritual that would have cost your life, Princess,” he retorted. “You can’t expect us not to help a young girl —what? Sixteen years old? —”
“I’m eighteen.”
“ —be slaughtered by a sea monster just to appease a vengeful god.“
“I never asked you for your help! I offered myself up as a sacrifice to save my people! My parents, the king and queen, respected my choice.”
Kleos laughed, unfazed by her anger. “Who do you think sent us to save you? King Cepheus begged us to slay Cetus and spare your life.”
Andromeda shook her head, refusing to believe him. Her father had given her his blessing in front of the entire court. Tears started burning in her eyes.
Kleos unfolded his arms, his expression softening. “They did, Princess. They couldn’t stand the thought of losing you, so they provided us with a fleet and gold to kill the beast and take you with us to keep you safe.”
He was lying. He had to be. This was part of their plot to kidnap her. He wanted to make her compliant. Yet, looking around, she noticed the intricate carvings that adorned the mast and the ship’s lean bow. They were unmistakably Joppan craftsmanship. Andromeda raised her eyes, and her heart splintered. Above the main sail billowed the colours of Joppa in the wind — gold on amethyst. She recognised his ship. It was the one her father had gifted her mother for their wedding. The Queen Cassiopeia.
She gulped as betrayal twisted in her gut. Her parents had lied to her and robbed her of the choice she had made for her people. As crown princess, it had been her duty to give her life for her kingdom. She would have gone head-held high, proud to serve the realm. Why had they not respected her choice? Why could they not have been proud of her bravery? Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Kleos shifted his weight awkwardly, reaching out to comfort her. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Princess. I just thought you should know how much your parents … I — I’m sorry.”
He smiled at her compassionately.
Andromeda didn’t want his compassion. She swatted his hand away, her anger resurfacing. “Just leave me alone. I don’t want anything to do with you.”
With that, she pushed past him and slammed the door in his face, slumping with her back against it and burying her head between her knees. A sob escaped her throat as grief and guilt threatened to tear her apart. Outside, she could hear the sailors hoisting the sails, carrying her away from the only home she had ever known. The home she had failed. Andromeda knew with certainty that she would never see these shores again. The crown princess of Joppa died today, and whoever remained was no one at all.