Chapter 187 - Dreams like a fairytale (2/2)

Arei rolled his eyes. ”I already know about the lotus seeds, there's no point in whispering about it.”

Andy chuckled as her eyes moved to his hand that still gripped Jos's. ”Is that why you refuse to let go of her so we can go have girl talk time?”

Arei frowned as he reluctantly released Jos's hand. ”Can you blame me for not wanting to leave her alone with either of you?” When the woman's smile fell and her bottom lip began to tremble, he let out a heavy breath and pulled her into a hug. ”I'm sorry. I didn't mean it... well I did... but I know you guys had no choice.” He held her out at arm's length. ”Thank you for helping now.” He glanced over at Jos. ”Maybe...” He whispered under his breath.

Peg came over to where they stood and pulled Andy against his thick frame with one hand and patted his brother's shoulder with the other. ”I agree with Andy. Why don't we go get a drink? There seems to be some things you'd like to get off your chest, and I know the girls have a lot to catch up on.” He bent and gave his wife a kiss. ”See you in a bit, love.”

She smiled wistfully up at him. ”Love you, Pony.”

Three sets of appreciative female eyes followed the brothers out the door. Once the door was closed, Andy captured both of Jos's hands in hers and backed toward the sofa where Shelly still sat. ”I know you've bound to have questions, everyone does when they find out.”

Jos nodded, surprised by the woman's open familiarity. ”I do actually... about you and Pegasus and about... about Arei and I...” She lowered her head in embarrassment as she said the last part.

Andy pressed out her bottom lip. ”Oh no, dear. Never be embarrassed of love.”

Jos turned red. ”I'm not sure if I would call what he and I have... Love... or even like... I'm not sure how I feel about him and I'm not sure it will ever really matter. I love someone else.”

Andy searched Jos's face for a long time, before finally releasing a heavy sigh and pulling her down into the seat beside her. ”I don't know what the two of you have now, but I can promise you it was love then. Maybe I should start by answering your questions about Peg and I, and maybe then you will understand a bit more about what it is to be with a son of Poseidon.”

Jos nodded as she shot a glance over to Shelly. She sat back on the sofa and patted her lap. Without hesitation the wolf rested her head on Jos's lap. ”Have you eaten yet this evening?” She asked the wolf.

Andy interrupted. ”We had pizza, there are leftovers in the oven if you'd like some.”

Jos shook her head. ”Oh no, I'm not hungry.” She nodded to the wolf. ”My friend here is pregnant and spent most of the past months sick, so we have been trying to push food as much as possible now in case the morning sickness returns.”

Andy nodded in understanding. ”Pregnancy can be a nasty business, but always worth it in the end.”

”Do you have children, Andromeda?” Jos asked.

Andy smiled. ”Call me Andy.” Her smile faded slightly. ”And yes... I have children... with Peg and my ex-husband...”

Jos could feel the blush spread across her cheeks. ”I... I wasn't going to ask about that.”

Andy shrugged. ”Why not? Everyone else does. After all, nearly everyone has heard of the story of him and Peg rescuing me. Perseus and I getting married was no secret either. The shock only comes when people find out that Peg and I are now together and have been for over 500 years.”

Jos's brows shot up. There was no way it was coincidence. ”5... 500 years?”

Andy nodded her expression growing serious. ”Now you understand why I think you should hear my story, yours is also interlaced with it. Had Peg and I not seen how fast love could be pulled apart in our world, we probably would have continued indefinitely with our twisted lies and muddled friendship.”

Shelly's head lifted as she and Jos exchanged looks before turning their full attention to Andy. Jos stroked her hand down the length of Shelly's soft fur. ”We are both very interested in sure. Begin at whatever point you'd like.”

Andy nodded down to the wolf. ”Well as you've probably read in history books and whatnot, my husband released Pegasus from the prison that was his mother's cursed w.o.m.b. He flew free as a winged horse, knowing no other form. He was so thankful to Perseus that he swore allegiance to him. Shortly after, he helped Perseus save me from a rock where my family tried to sacrifice me to a sea monster sent by Poseidon. Between this and the way his mother had become pregnant and then cursed, Peg did not like his father at all. Not knowing what to do with a princess that was thrown out by her people and in the bad graces of one of the main three gods, Perseus offered marriage and I accepted. I didn't discover Pegasus was in fact capable of human form until several years later and what a discovery it was...”