Chapter 188 - Wings of love

430bc Greece

"Ah another vase." Andromeda sighed. "Why is it so many people want to gift me with the same image? Why would anyone think I'd want so many constant reminders of the worst day of my life." A light nudge to her side brought her attention away from the vase. She giggled as she stroked the white muzzle of the winged horse beside her. "Alright, it was also the day I met you and Perseus... but..." She frowned as her gaze moved to the window overhead. "He has so little time for me. I fear if it wasn't for baring him son's I would have no worth to him." The winged horse nudged her and licked the side of her face. She laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You are right, I shouldn't trouble myself with such things. He is a ruler, and I should not be such a bother to my husband, instead, I should be thankful and dutiful." The horse whinnied as it shook its head back and forth making its beautiful white mane whisk around in the breeze. She stroked a hand over his muzzle to calm him. "What do you say we go for a ride? To our favorite spot afterwards?"

The horse shook its massive head vigorously as it pranced happily inside the large gardens of the courtyard. He was in the air as soon as she mounted and wrapped her arms securely around his neck. "Weee!" Andromeda called out as the strains of the palace vanished along with the site of its cold bricks. "I feel so free!" She cried out as they leveled out and she released her grip on his neck to hold her hands out level with the majestic horse's wings. She giggled happily as the horse whinnied in response.

It wasn't long before he was circling their secret spot. She and the horse flew there often when palace life was beginning to drain her mood. In the beginning Perseus would come with them, but it had been years sense he'd taken the time to do so. It was obvious to her; his fascination had only been in her looks and promise of virtue... and title of hero. Now days the only thing that could take him away from his work was a smooth scotch with visiting diplomats and the promise of a new exotic mistress to play with. Her eyes lit up when the sparkling waters of the spring and small falls below came into view. She wrapped her arms around his neck in antisipation of the descent.

She slid off his back in excitement. As soon as her feet hit the soft grass she began to run for the waters, discarding her many layers of elegant palace attire. When she was finally down to her frock, she dove into the waters. The horse pranced into the waters after her, splashing her playfully with a splash of the sparkling waters. "Hahaha, naughty pony!" She laughed as she splashed him back.

Movement from the other shore distracted them from their play. Andromeda watched as two nymphs were chased from the wood line. Andromeda watched in amazement as one turned into a beautiful willow with its branches sweeping over the spring and the other became water herself as she lowered into the spring as a short plump Satyr emerged from the woods. The horny creature searched the opening until his eyes met Andromeda's. She caught her breath and moved to cover herself knowing the flimsy cream material of her frock did little to cover her when dry, let alone when wet. A large plomb of white feathers shoot out around her.

Pegasus snorted and stomped his hooved foot against the surface of the water as a warning for the Satyr. He used his wing to pull the beautiful woman with him tighter against his side. Once the creature had ventured back into the forest, he pressed his wing tighter against her. He glanced up at the willow that now stood over the pond then down at his own hoof. {Could it be possible?}

"Peg? Peg is it safe now?" Andromeda's voice was muffled as she struggled to lower the massive wing blocking her view. "Peg?! Come on let me out! I want to see!" She pouted, hoping she hadn't missed the magic that was the nymphs changing back into their other forms. It was true the gods had gifted her and her husband with immortality, but that was the extent of it. She herself had no special abilities or magic, and the world of such creatures were still just as fascinating to her now as it was the day, she'd first learned of it. The wing lifted and a massive head nudged her. "I'm fine. Why would I not be?" She bent and splashed the horse. When the horse whinnied again, she released a huffed breath. "Alright, fine... We'll go back home." She looked longingly toward the waters. "I had hoped for just a little while longer away..." She turned and gave his neck a tender caress before turning toward the shore. "I must gather my clothing." She scooped up her clothing, forcing the heavy garments back down along her wet skin. She smiled over at the horse as it waited. "You know this would go much faster if you would help instead of standing there gawking." She teased. To her surprise the horse trotted over and began tugging carefully at the hem of her dress. She giggled. "Well thank you, kind sir." She said as she patted the horse's head and climbed atop him.

A week had passed since their last ride, in fact, Andromeda had seen very little of the horse she had grown so attached to. It was the closest thing she had to a friend in the entire palace. It was almost as if he'd been avoiding her lately. {But that's crazy, right? A horse couldn't... wouldn't avoid someone, would it?} Her eyes lingered on the path at the back of the palace property that led to their favorite spot.

With her curiosity peeked and her mind made up, she strolled through the stoned path to the thick grass of the lawn, before breaking out into a near run down the secret path leading to their secret spring. By the time she could hear the gentle, rhythmic splash of the waterfall, she was already quite winded. She rested her palm against the thick trunk of a tree as she clasped a hand to her chest and gasped for air, cursing the tight bodice she wore. Movement and an out of rhythm splash drew her attention to the spring. She stepped closer to the edge of the thick vegetation lining the bank. Bright light reflected off a solid white surface nearly blinding her. Her smile brightened as she stepped out from the shrubs. She was just about the call out his name when the feathered wings lowered and in the place of a horse's body stood a beautiful man. His body was a beautiful bronze that gleamed with the shimmering spray of the falls pouring down around him. His hair was as pale white as his wings, flowing in wet tendrils down along the well-defined biceps of the arms he had held out in front of him as if in inspection. Was it an angel?

Andromeda began walking slowly backwards before the stunning creature noticed her, but she tripped over a thick root of a tree. She quickly clamped a hand to her mouth as she squeaked out a surprised sound. Her eyes widened and she began to quickly push herself away from the tree and run as the angelic creature turned to face her.

"Andromeda? Wait!" A hoarse, deep male voice called out.

Andromeda froze in shock at the creature knowing her name. "Who... what are you?" She asked as she watched him approach. Her eyes widened as more of his body came into view as he made his way out of the water and toward her. Her breath caught and her eyes bugged as his fully nude body emerged slowly and majestically from the waters. Her lungs burned as she continued holding her breath, unable to take her eyes off the magnificent body before her.

He lowered himself to one knee before her, studying her face. He reached a handout to twist a curl around his finger, watching as the digit caressed her soft locks. He finally released her hair and moved his focus to her eyes. "Do you not recognize me at all?" He asked, his voice sounding less hoarse this time.

Andromeda searched his eyes, feeling an odd sense of familiarity. She held the twinkling silver-grey eyes for the longest time without speaking.

He stroked one long finger across her cheek as he studied her. "It's me, Pegasus." He whispered.

Her eyes widened with new shock. "Peg?! But... but you're... you're a... MAN!"

He chuckled as he nodded his head. "Yes. Do you like this form?"

She let her eyes trail over his body in amazement. When she realized he was watching her intently, she cleared her throat and shook all the crazy thoughts bouncing around in her head away. "Yes... I mean... it's a great form... How long have you been able to shift into it." She asked in curiosity.

A pleased smile spread across is full lips. "I had never thought to try until about a week ago." He moved his attention from her to where he held out and studied one well-muscled arm then back to Andromeda. "It was the day the nymphs shifted. I thought I'd try it myself." He glanced over his shoulders at the wings. "It has been somewhat of a work in progress, I must admit. I've yet to learn how to make the wings vanish." He brought one around his body for her inspection.

Andromeda swallowed past the lump in her throat. The shock of his beauty was now pushed aside by her more curious side. She pushed up onto her knees in front of him. "Is it alright if I touch them?" She asked.

He nodded, reaching out to take her hand. He pressed her palm to his chest. "Yes, you may touch any part of me you'd like." He gently ran her hand over the velvet skin that covered the thick, hard muscles beneath. "It is amazing is it not?"

Andromeda swallowed hard as she nodded. "It sure is..." Her wide eyes followed the movement of his hand as he moved hers over his body. Another thought came to mind. "If you were unaware of this form, how is it you can speak so well?"

Peg smiled, "I've always been able to understand language, and with that understanding it is rather easy for me to formulate intelligible responses now." He stood and guided her to her feet, still holding her hand.

Andromeda struggled to maintain eye contact as they stood, but his magnificent n.a.k.e.d body proved to be too much to resist. She could feel her cheeks redden as a smile and knowing look met her wondering gaze as they once again moved from the deep V of his lower abdominals back up to his silver eyes. "Um... If you are going to stay in this form, then maybe it would be best to get you back to the palace and... um find you some clothing."

Peg frowned. "Do you not like this form? Is something wrong with it?"

She quickly shook her head. "No, it's not that. It's great to finally be able to have a full conversation with you without having to guess what the various sounds you make might mean... but... um..." She forced her gaze away from him and the thick pecks that were eye level to her. "It's a bit distracting is all... um... while n.a.k.e.d, that is..."

He nodded in only half understanding. "Oh, I see. Shall I shift back then?"

Her eyes widened. "Oh no- I mean only if you'd like!" She cleared her throat again. "You know maybe it would be best if you covered with your wings at the very least, though." When he nodded and did as she said, she smiled back at him. "Then let's go show Percy what we've discovered!" She said in excitement.

Perseus sat at his desk, bent over a large ledger. "What is it? I'm rather busy." He said distractedly as Andromeda knocked lightly before entering his study.

"Peg and I wanted to show you something amazing!" She said in a low voice.

"Can't it wait, dear?" He said not bothering to look away from the book.

She glanced into the hall at Peg before returning her attention to her husband. "I believe you will be interested in seeing this now." She motioned for Peg to follow behind her. "Perseus... Peg just realized he could shift forms." She said as the winged man stepped into the office.

Perseus's eyes shot up. "Peg? Is that you?" He asked in amazement. He stood and walked around his desk. "I knew your father was Poseidon, but this is amazing!" He let his eyes trail over the man as he walked in a slow circle around him. He ran a hand over the familiar white plomb of feathers. "Can you shift easily from one form to the other."

Peg nodded. "I am still working on it. It's only been a week since my discovery, but I believe I could."

Perseus nodded. "This could be a rather useful bit of information... In fact, your father would be more than excited and maybe even willing to pay for the information." He said rubbing his chin.

Peg frowned. "My opinions of my father have not changed. I do not wish to have any contact with him."

Perseus tapped his index finger on the dip in his chin. "Then maybe Zeus..." He quickly moved back around his desk taking out his ink well. "I have some work to do. Dear, why do you not take him and find him some suitable clothing and set him up with one of the nicer rooms. I will send for Hermes."

Peg and Andromeda exchanged concerned glances. "Yes, if you would like. Is there any particular room or rank of clothing you'd suggest?"

"Dress and lodging suitable of a demi-god of course." He shooed her away with a flick of his wrist, his full concentration on the letter he was now drafting.

She let out a long breath as she closed her husband's office door. "Well, you heard the man... Let's see what we can find." She pushed away from the door and began walking down the long hall of the castle. Her eyes widened and her breath caught as a large hand gripped hers. She turned toward him. "Peg, is something wrong?"

He frowned. "I wish we would have kept this our secret for just a while longer. I'm not sure if I'm ready to meet with my uncle or face any demands he'll have on me."

She sighed and lifted her free hand to his cheek. "I'm sorry as well. Had I known he'd use your new ability to his advantage; I would have kept it a secret."

Peg leaned his face into her caress. "Would you like to go for a swim after all this business is finished?"

Her expression brightened. "Yes, that would be great!" She let her hand fall away from his face as she turned back down the hall. "Do you have a room in mind you'd like?"

"Is there one available close to yours?" He asked, his eyes focused intently on the halo of bouncing curls that was swept up into a beautiful arrangement on the top of her head.