Saved by Perseus

By Ela Stein

Andromeda’s world comes crashing down when the Gods proclaim that she is to be chained to a rock and offered as a sacrifice to the sea monster that has been ravaging her lands. Terrified, she has no choice but to obey, though the tentacled creature is her worst nightmare come to life, and he has ominous plans for her. Perseus witnesses her plight and comes to her rescue, but liberating Andromeda requires more than just skill with his sword. Will his love be enough to save her not only from the monster, but from her dark past that conspires to never let her go?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Aug 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781771309738

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Published by Evernight Publishing ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2014 Ela Stein

ISBN: 978-1-77130-973-8

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Editor: Melissa Hosack

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

For my mom, who read Greek Myths to me from the day I was born.

SAVED BY PERSEUS

Naughty Fairy Tales

Author Name

Copyright © 2014

Chapter One

More Beautiful Than the Nereids

My earliest memory is of my mother brushing my hair. She used to sing and croon as she worked at it until my brown curls crackled and sparkled. Then, she would put the brush down and gather all my hair back with her hands, running her fingers through the thick mass, and kiss my face all over.

You are such a pretty girl, Andromeda. The prettiest of all. Lovely like the sunrise, she would whisper in my ear.

My hair and skin were the same pale shade of sun-kissed gold, like rich honey, and my eyes a pale green, like dew on a budding leaf. I do not know from whom I inherited my looks. My mother Cassiopeia, a beautiful and vibrant woman, had black curly hair, olive skin, and sparkling green eyes. I always thought her far more beautiful than I could ever be, and it made me uncomfortable to hear her always praise me. I often suspected it wasn’t so much my beauty that everyone reacted to, but rather the distinct uniqueness of my coloring.

My father Cepheus, the King of Aethiopia, was a busy man and didn’t have much time for me, which worked out well for my mother and I. We spent a lot of time together, and I learned from her how to spin yarn, weave, and sew. I learned how to manage people and the household, and slaves.

I bled for the first time when I was fourteen, and rather than celebrate, she and I conspired to keep it quiet. We didn’t trouble my father with the news, which meant that I could continue living with them, rather than be married and leave for my husband’s household. I was happy with my mother and my friends, and I had no interest in going anywhere. And so the years passed, and I was twenty-one years old before my unmarried status came to my father’s attention.

Many vied for my hand at that time, and I gave no input, though my opinion would have mattered. I did not wish to marry, but at that point, even I had to acknowledge it was time. I had no interest in any of the men, for none of them called to that part of my soul that was missing its other half.

My uncle Phineus then returned from a war. He was my father’s younger brother and a great and respected general. As a reward, my father promised me to him. The daughter of the King, I was quite a prize. And it kept the throne in our bloodline, which likely motivated my father’s decision more than anything else.

Ever since I was a little girl, whenever Phineus came back home from one of his wars for a brief stay, his black eyes followed me everywhere. He had a habit of licking the corners of his lips, his fat red tongue sliding out and leaving a wet trail behind. I spent my entire life avoiding him as best I could, and when I did happen to be near him, his roving hands seemed to always find a way to me.

When I heard I was to marry him, I did make my opinion known, and begged my father to call off the wedding, but he was resolute. It was too late to undo his decision without causing a rift.

The wedding feast was set for one cycle of the moon hence, to give us the time to prepare a sumptuous feast befitting a royal marriage. My mother and I hugged each other in my room. I wept, wetting her gown with my hot tears, while she fumed.

How dare he? She tore herself away from me and paced the room, clenching and unclenching her fists, her green eyes flashing like emeralds.

I sniffed, wiped my nose with the back of my hand, and watched her. I wasn’t sure if she referred to my father or my uncle. She glanced at me and paused her pacing. With a sigh, she