Her hands covered his, holding them to her cheeks as she kissed him back. She leaned into him, pressing herself to him and absorbing his heat.
“There is food in the cabin. Elpis brought enough for your army,” she whispered against his mouth.
Ariston peered down at her. “I’ve fish as well.”
She nodded, her eyes resting on his mouth. His lovely lips turned up at the corners as beneath her gaze.
“Shall I start a fire?” she asked.
She saw him nod and tore her attention from his mouth. She held the hand that clasped hers and let him lead her back to the cabin, unsettled by how he affected her.
She busied herself with preparing their meal. He made quick work of the fish, while she stoked the fire. Figs and berries would join their fish, a hearty breakfast after such a vigorous evening. She blushed at such a thought.
“Is your father a soldier?” she asked.
He shook his head. “He, like most Greeks, has fought when called upon. But he is a statesman.”
She froze, surprised. “I know little of your family.”
“What would you know?” He smiled.
“Everything.” She shrugged. “If he is a statesman, you must have other brothers…”
“No, I’m his only son. I will inherit my family’s basileus and all the responsibilities that come with it.”
She was astounded, staring at him openly. “But why would you leave if you’re the eldest son?” Medusa watched as he pushed the rocks further from the fire, keeping the fish from charring.
“My father and I quarreled.” He stared into the fire, his face shuttered.
She moved closer, taking his hand in hers. His touch made her heart stumble, before its beat grew steady once more. “Was he unfair to you?” Her words were soft.
He looked at their joined hands, momentarily silent. “No. He was a fine father. I was a poor son.”
His words surprised her. “You? You are a man of duty and respect—”
“Because he sent me away.” His eyes moved over her face as he continued, “I was disrespectful to him and to the elders of our village. I scorned their need for ceremony and religion, calling their patient deliberations
and debate a useless waste of time. I baited them, tested him. I was not worthy to take on my family’s basileus, my father’s title and property. Father told me to leave.”
Medusa wrapped her arms about him, saddened. “Ariston,” she murmured as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.
His hand caught her cheek. “He was right, love. And I went. At first I had no purpose, no thought for anything but the wrong my father had done me. I sailed, riding the waves with no care where I’d come ashore. I hid from him and my duties for more than a year. And while I was away I began to see my crassness through the eyes of others. I was naught but a boy, privileged at that. I had no knowledge of the world beyond the peaceful boundaries of my island. The world…it is a different place when one has no home, no family.”
Medusa took his hand in hers. “You made amends with him?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “I went back, though I was hungry, beaten and bruised. And my anger was more fearsome than when I’d left. But my father took me in and asked nothing of me. I ate and slept, spent time with my mother and sisters.”
“They must have been pleased to have you home?”
“My mother and sisters? Yes. But my father… He went about his work, spoke at council, and worshipped Athena most loyally. He valued Athena’s altar most, wisdom and reason are noble aspirations for a man, you see. I watched him in wonder for, he did his duty tirelessly. And still he said nothing to me. The very things I’d shunned or ridiculed he did with pride. The longer he held himself from me while giving me everything I had need of, the more I wanted to hear him speak to me. The more I understood what it was to be a man and not a boy playing at being a man. Honor, duty, loyalty – I wanted those things. And I wanted to give those things to my father, my family.” He paused, pulling the stone from the fire and serving them both some fish.
“What happened?” Medusa couldn’t eat, she could only stare and wait.
“I asked him for forgiveness.” He shook his head. “I begged him for it.”
Her heart tightened as she said, “And he gave it.”
“He did. But it wasn’t enough for me. I needed to prove myself worthy. I needed to know I could be strong and capable enough to lead and defend. These are things that cannot just be said. They must be shown. When Athena called, I answered.”