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

If you have already been upon it and were not harmed, then the oracle has accepted you as its channel.”
    “Thank you for pointing that out,” she said to the priest through gritted teeth. If ever she had wanted to strike someone down for speaking, it was this priest who had just ruined any chance of her rejecting Perseus’s request.
    “Then it is settled.” Perseus directed her forward. “You will call forth the oracle so I can get my answers.”
    “But … but …” she looked over her shoulder at the priest as Perseus guided her to the rungs of the chair. The priest just smiled and nodded his head to her in a silent blessing. What was wrong with these men? Didn’t they know she could not call forth the oracle? Could they not see her unwillingness?
    “Now climb aboard, Princess.”
    Perseus removed her cape, throwing it over his shoulder. He placed her hand on the rung and with his sandaled foot he lifted her foot, placing it on the ladder. She felt her body shaking, her will suddenly very weak.
    She looked up to the top of the chair and noticed the bright moon out the opening of the cave roof that shone upon the throne seat in invitation. The cave seemed even more horrifying at night than it did during the day. And calling forth the mist of the oracle was the last thing she wanted to do right now.
    “Wait!” called the priest from behind her. “She cannot go up there.”
    A flash of renewed hope triggered inside her and she turned to look at the priest, thinking that mayhap she still had a chance to decline this position after all.
    “Why not?” grumbled Perseus.
    “Because I must record every word the oracle speaks. Wait, please. I’ll return with my scroll.”
    Andromeda’s heart dropped. That was not the answer she wanted to hear. Prolonged agony did nothing for her, but waiting for the priest would give her time to think.
    The priest disappeared behind a rock and the sound of a closing door echoed throughout the darkened chamber.
    Andromeda released the rung and forced a smile at Perseus.
    “Well, I guess we may as well relax for a moment. I think I would like to sit down over there.” She pointed back toward the stairs and started to take a step, but Perseus’s hand on her wrist stopped her.
    “I don’t think so, Princess. A bit too close to the exit I might point out. I don’t have time to wait for the priest. I have a Gorgon to kill. Now climb up to the chair before I drag you up there myself.”
    Andromeda opened her mouth to protest, but a raised finger from Perseus stopped her from speaking.
    “I mean it,” he said. “One more word from you and you’ll be over my shoulder as I climb that ladder myself.”
    She had no doubt he had every intention of carrying out his little threat. She’d be apt to test him on it, but she could not help but remember his lips so close to hers at the stream. She had no intention of being so close to his body again, falling to the ploy of his seduction. Besides, if something happened, he would be no good to her dead.
    “All right. I will go.” She started up the ladder but stopped halfway up as she heard a low whisper calling her name.
    “Yes?” she asked Perseus in response. “Why did you call me? Change your mind, perhaps?”
    He stood with his feet in a firm stance, his fists on his hips.
    “Quit stalling for time. I didn’t call you and you know it. Now get up on the chair quickly.”
    She heard it again, and this time she knew it hadn’t come from Perseus’s mouth.
    Andromeda, you’ve come back , she heard the whisper. She looked down into the darkened pit and realized the voice was coming from within.
    “Did you hear that?” she asked Perseus.
    He watched her with a scowl on his face. “I heard nothing, now stop stalling.”
    She knew he was right. The sooner she got this over with the better. She didn’t want to stay anywhere near this pit any longer than she had to.
    She scurried to the top of the chair, settling herself on the