Strange Love

Jos continued to stroke the soft fur of the wolf's head that rested in her lap. "That is an amazing story, but how does it apply to me?"

Andy frowned as she looked away in embarrassment. "You see, Peg made a deal with Zeus. He would give him information that could prevent Poseidon from getting a powerful ally, you... The Kraken, if he released Peg from his services. He had no idea at the time, how far Zeus was planning on taking things." She leaned forward and took Jos's hand. "There are a few things you need to know that those seed will not recover for you, things only those involved know and speak very little of. You need to know what lengths Arei has gone to in the hopes of helping you and easing your suffering."

Jos shook her head in confusion. "What do you mean what he has done to help me?"

Andy sent Jos a troubled look. "The last part of my story will hurt you to hear nearly as much as it hurts me to tell you." She squeezed Jos's hand. "Had either of us known, I promise you we would have found another way. I never meant for you or Arei to get hurt in such a way. You have to believe me."

A strange calm settled over Jos. {Finally, will I learn the answers to the questions I've had all this time?} "I want to know... Andy, I need to know."

Poseidon's palace 1566

Andy watched as Arei disappeared into the tall doors of the palace. "That was the best story I believe I've ever heard." She said as she leaned her head against Peg's shoulder.

As soon as Arei had vanished, Peg turned on Andy quickly. "I believe I know how to win back my freedom from Zeus and maybe convince him to release your bonds from his horrible son!"

Andy furrowed her brows, "What are you talking about?"

Peg's eyes were wide with madness as his brain quickly hatched out his plan. "The story Arei just told us, surely Zeus would be willing to make a deal for such information."

Andy frowned, "But you heard Arei. They are in love."

"And they shall remain so, but without father getting his claim to her." Peg said with nervous excitement. "Andy, it could mean freedom for the both of us!"

Andy shook her head. "Peg, your uncle can't be trusted. He wouldn't stop at simply blocking your father from claiming her, and you know that. Just as you know he would not give either of us our freedom for mere information. He'll ask something of us to prove our loyalty and as proof of our words. I'm not sure I'm willing to pay such prices."

Peg bent and pressed his forehead to hers as he squeezed her hands tightly against his chest. "Please Andy, I can't be owned property any longer; just as I can't bear to see you be treated as such either."

Andy squeezed her eyes tightly shut as she shook her head against his. "I'm a woman, Peg. I'm no better than property, even in this day and age. What will I do? Where will I go? My own children have long turned their backs on me in favor of winning their father's approval and support."

"We can run away together. Go to a new place where no one will recognize either of us. We can be happy together, just as we always have." His words cut her deep and he could tell by the look on her face. Now was no time to tell her his truths, however, there was too much at stake and too much that could still be lost if the plan didn't work. He bit back his declarations of love and pressed her further. "If you won't do it for your own freedom, do it for me... as your oldest and dearest friend... and trust that I will find a way to do right by you after all the pieces fall into place."

Andy bit her lip hard. She could feel the weights of regret and fear already begin to settle in the depths of her stomach. She whimpered out a sob as she finally nodded yes. "Alright, just tell me what we must do."

He pulled her into a tight hug and showered her forehead with kisses. "Thank you, thank you so much. I promise you'll not regret it!"

She pushed against him. "Don't make promises you can't keep. Now let's do this thing before I lose my nerve."

Later that night, Andy couldn't help the silent tears that fell as she listened from the cracked door of one of the rooms for Zeus's sign. Arei was pouring his heart out to the woman he loved, and the girl was openly accepting all he had to say. They were in love... She couldn't help the teary glances toward Peg with every heart felt word of the two lovers. Words she had longed to hear from the man next to her for so long now, but their love was doomed. He would promise her the entire world and all that was in it save for one thing, the one thing she wanted most above all else... his heart. She had heard the many rumors going around about the man, one would have to be daft to miss them; and though she knew some of them to be untrue, there was also no proof as to them being complete lies either. She had never seen him with a woman, though she'd seen him talk to many men and even lead them toward vacant rooms and darkened hallways, only boosting the whispers of his s.e.x.u.a.l preferences. He hadn't once made an attempt on her either, no matter how many nights they'd spent wrapped in one another's arms... no matter how many times she'd put herself out there in the hopes of tempting him, even for a night. She couldn't take it any longer. She reached out and took his hand, squeezing tightly when she heard Zeus's cold laugh in the hallway, interrupting the lover's heartfelt conversation.

"Good luck, may love prevail." They heard Zeus say, followed by the sound of him blowing out a powerful breath. "Grab her and hurry. I'll take him." Zeus called out to them.

Peg frowned as he stepped out of the shadows as Andy clung even tighter to his hand. "Was that really necessary? Is any of this?" Peg had stated her very own thoughts, but his boldness to stand against Zeus frightened her. The God had promised to release Peg, but he could just as easily change his mind, just as he could just as easily change his mind about granting her a divorce once Perseus agreed to it.

Zeus sent him a glare. "It is and you will do as I say, remember you work for me." He bent and tossed the cloak over Arei's massive sleeping body, before lifting him into his arms. He nodded toward Jos's sleeping form. "Make sure you don't drop her."

Peg shot a glance to Andy, fearing what angering this particular god could do to her if this was how he planned to treat his own great granddaughter. He reluctantly nodded as he undid his suit and handed each piece to Andy. With any luck this would be the last night he'd have to dress so flamboyantly and act so outrageously. Once n.a.k.e.d, he lifted Jos into his arms. "I'll shift outside. It will be more conspicuous that way."

Late the next night after all the dirty deeds had been done and all the truths had been brought to light, Andy forced down the regret for her part in it all. Her life could finally begin. "You and I will always be together, even as stars... it doesn't matter how this goes with everyone else. You are mine and I am yours, always together, never apart." She wrapped her arms around Peg's neck as he leaned down to kiss her, a deep passionate kiss. They could finally be together and that is all that mattered... all that she could let matter right now.

Peg smiled down at her. "We will go to Perseus at first light and ask for your freedom from his hollow bonds." He kissed her again deeply, before dropping to her side and pulling her into his arms. "I can't wait to have all this pain and horror behind us and to be allowed to finally live our lives." He said wistfully.

Andy frowned as she clung to him tightly. "What if he refuses?" She asked on a nervous whisper.

Peg hooked his finger under her chin and brought her gaze up to meet his. "We will not give him a choice in the matter. We shall let him know Zeus has freed me and accepted our union and let him formulate his own suspicions from there onwards. He needs not know the conditions were granted on his acceptance of our union... not until after the divorce is final, anyways."

Andy frowned. "More deceit then?"

Peg pushed up onto his elbow so he could meet her gaze fully. "I am willing to go as far as I have to, to be with you. I love you! I always have, and if I have to add one more lie to the web of lies, I've built all these years to stay by your side then so be it." He held her chin gently. "I promise, I will never lie to you again... but I'll not make the same promise to anyone besides you. I will always do what I have to for you."

"No matter who gets hurt in the process? Even your own brother?" Andy asked in sad disappointment.

Peg nodded. "Though it pains me greatly, yes. I would burn the world itself if I thought it stood between us." He leaned forward and kissed Andy's lips softly. "Get some rest, Love, we have an even more tiring day ahead of us tomorrow." He pulled her down with him as he laid back against the bed. He stared at the ceiling as his mind raced through his plans for the future and his many regrets of the past.

When morning came, Peg held true to his word. He caught Ry downstairs still drowning in the sorrows of the night before. He quickly explained his plans and set out on his way with Andy in tow. No matter how much either of them had thought about it over the course of the past hours or even years, neither would have ever expected what was to come.

Perseus pushed himself back in his office chair and walked around to the front of the desk. He crossed his arms over his broad chest as he reclined against the desk. His gaze moved from that of his once best friend to his wife then back. He finally nodded his head. "I'd love to say this has come as a surprise, really I would... but it would be a lie. I've actually suspected as much for some time now." He shrugged as he made his way over to the cupboard were, he stored his finest liquors. He poured three glasses carefully carried them back with him to his waiting guests. "I do hope this will not botch hopes for mending our friendsh.i.p.s in the future." He said as he handed Peg a glass. "In honesty, I was always jealous of the relationship the two of you shared. I'd half expected you to ask for a divorce the second Peg realized he was capable of human form." He shrugged as he handed on of the glasses to Andy. "Our children also suspected an affair; and though I tried to convince them otherwise, blamed you for my many affairs." He took a long drink before swirling the amber liquid around in his glass. "I assure you; I do not share their sentiments. In fact, allow me to be the first to congratulate you both." He lifted his glass to the both of them, before kicking it back and draining the contents. "I will have the papers drawn up within the week. You are both welcome to stay here if you need. I will be busy most of the time anyways, so you'll not be in the way."

"Percy, we appreciate the offer... we do... but we've been tip-toeing around this palace long enough. Send the papers when they are prepared and we shall sign them and return them, but until then we will be staying with Peg's father and will remain under the protection of Poseidon from here on out." Andy stated, repeating the plans she and Peg had made earlier that day as they waited for Perseus to be available.

Perseus nodded slowly, studying her carefully as he did. "So, this is goodbye then?"

Andy nodded. "It is, though I feel we said goodbye to one another long ago." With that Peg stood and pulled Andy to her feet beside him.

"I'm sorry things had to work out as they have, but we must be going now. I do thank you for agreeing to this so willingly." Peg replied with as much respect as he could muster for the man.

Perseus nodded, "It is in the best interest of the both of us, I believe." He had the dignity to look away. "There is also someone else with whom I've been engaging. It has persisted for some time now and... has grown more serious of late." He turned his attention to the glass. "She carries my child. The divorce will allow enough time to wed her and have the child born legitimate."

Peg nodded as he squeezed Andy's hand tightly. "Congratulations."

Perseus met Peg's heated gaze and gave a curt nod. "Thank you. Do take care, the both of you."

Current day

"You see, while we were joyously enjoying our new life together Arei and Ry both were being held in Zeus's prison. Word did not reach Poseidon until sometime later. By then it was too late, your trials had already been weighed and decided and Arei's fate sealed." Andy explained as tears fell freely down her cheeks.

Jos sat forward a deep frown creasing her face. "What do you mean his fate sealed? What fate?"

Andy let out a ragged breath. "Arei traded his freedom for yours. Unfortunately, it had been somewhat of a trick on Zeus's part, but by the time that information had gotten out Arei was already bound to Zeus. He was bound and forced to Zeus for over 500 years." Andy sat forward and took both of Jos's hands in hers. "Don't you see? That is why he never came back to you, that is why he wasn't there for the hearings... all of it... He did what he had to do for you. Every one of Poseidon's sons are the same in that regard. Their loyalty and devotion knows no limits. If all I can offer you here tonight, is the knowledge that you were not betrayed intentionally and that you do hold the heart of a dear man... then I will take it as a win, as small as it may be." She squeezed Jos's hands tighter. "Give him a chance."

Jos shook her head, not realizing she'd been crying until the tears began streaming wetly down her cheek at the movement of her head. "You don't understand, Andy. I have given him chance after chance to tell me the truth and he refuses. He still refuses... He won't even tell me the smallest bit of it, instead, he only tells one lie after another no matter how useless they are." She wiped vigorously at the tears streaming down her face. "Even if there wasn't someone else in my life now, I'm not sure I could forgive him... especially considering he still refuses to explain any of this."

Tears streamed more freely from Andy's eyes as she pulled Jos into a full hug, being careful of the wolf now sitting with c.o.c.ked ears beside her. "Keep trying, the two of you belong together. You deserve a second chance!"

The sound of the door brought three sets of watery eyes toward it. Peg stepped in first, looking back and forth between all the teary eyes. "Doesn't look like we've missed any fun in this room." He nodded toward Andy as he held his hand out to her. "What do you say we head home. I believe my brother has some things he'd like to get off his chest."

Arei stepped into the room with his head held low, a massive hand rubbing the back of his neck. He gave a nod to Andy as she passed by him to take Peg's hand.

"We'll see you guys tomorrow." Peg said before shutting the door behind him.

Arei glanced over to the sofa and the wolf sitting there. "Could you give us a few minutes?"