The Oracle of Delphi (Greek Myth Fantasy Series) by Elizabeth Rose Read Free Book Online

the shadows, his head cloaked, his arms tucked inside the huge sleeves of his long, dark robe.
    “We are here to confront the oracle,” Perseus spoke up, his voice echoing off the walls of the cave.
    The priest just shook his head and answered quietly. “The priestess is weakened from her last audience with Princess Andromeda. She will not be able to call forth the oracle until she is stronger.”
    “Oh, well. I guess we are out of luck,” Andromeda said, trying to turn, but Perseus kept her from moving.
    “We will wait.” His words were strong and final. “How long will that be?”
    “There is no telling,” the priest answered solemnly. “It could be a day before she regains her strength or it could be a month.”
    “A month?” he repeated with an anxious edge to his voice. He dropped her wrist in the process. “We cannot wait that long. I need to have my answers tonight. Isn’t there another priestess who can summon the oracle for me?”
    “No one has been trained yet to succeed the priestess.” The priest shook his head as he spoke. “Right now, she is the only one who can do it.”
    “How about you?” he asked the priest. “You are always at her side when she summons the oracle. You can do it for me.”
    The priest lowered his hood, showing his bald head. The old man looked at Perseus with wide eyes. Andromeda could not help but see the frightened disbelief within them.
    “No one but a female virgin can sit on the throne of the oracle. If another tried, he would be struck dead instantly, falling into the bottomless pit by the oracle’s wrath. And even if a female virgin were atop the chair, she would not have the training to call forth the oracle and channel its answers. The priestess is the only one who can do it.”
    Andromeda felt relieved at the priest’s words. Perseus would not have his answers tonight. He would not know she was the sacrifice the oracle spoke of, and because of this she would have more time to try to convince him to slay the sea serpent and therefore save her village.
    “I guess we will just have to wait,” she said with an exaggerated sigh. “Such a pity, as I know what a hurry you are in. I am feeling a bit famished. I don’t suppose you feel the urge to hunt some food?”
    His eyes studied her with their hawk-like scrutiny. The fire reflected off his eyes, bringing them to life. He had the fires of desire within him, and he did not seem to be a patient man. Men like him got what they wanted one way or another without having to wait. She suddenly felt as if she wanted to hide behind a rock, far away from his attention.
    “You can do it!” he told her, taking her hand in his and dragging her toward the pit.
    “What? Me? No! What do you mean?”
    “Climb up onto the chair and summon the oracle for me.” He directed her toward the chair of the priestess.
    Horrified at the turn of events, she stepped away and shook her head. “No, no that won’t work.”
    “Why not?” Perseus asked in a low voice.
    She looked to the priest who did nothing to help her. Then she looked back at Perseus, giving the only excuse she could think of that might save her from this task.
    “I am not a virgin . . . that is why. I cannot sit atop the throne of the priestess without being struck dead because I am not a virgin.” She felt confident, but only until she heard his reply.
    “Really?” he said, coming toward her in a stalking manner. “And why is it I’ve already seen you upon the throne and yet you are still alive and kicking?”
    She had almost forgotten about that. She would have to come up with another excuse quickly; but the only problem was, his presence unnerved her and she found it hard to think.
    “I guess the oracle was sleeping at the time? But I’m sure it is awake now, so I don’t dare try it again.”
    “You sat upon the throne as a baby, Princess Andromeda,” the priest reminded her. “At that time you were thought to be the next heir to the oracle’s chair.