This is the continuation of a short story I've been working on. Let me know what you think. I'm aware this is a little rough as of now.
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PART TWO:
“Tempus,” he breathed. The Goddess gave no indication she’d heard him instead her eyes scanned the throng of people.
“Which one of you has spoken against me,” She asked
Charles, with his foolish courage, stepped forward, “It was I.” Their eyes met, his were unwavering and hers, two loathing abysses. She was waiting for him to fall back, admit defeat. He was about to do anything but.
“Yes, I’ve called you an evil, hateful, wench, but I take nothing back,” Charles stated.
“How dare you--“A shriek blared across the village. Melopy was obviously, at present, giving birth to another child. Charles gasped, he’d forgotten about his wife. He moved toward his house a little ways beyond the crowd.
“Not so fast,” Tempus chimed, “I think I’ve just realized your punishment.” With a single snap of her fingers she was gone. The air glittered where she once stood.
PART THREE:
The Goddess had just disappeared when one of the midwives ran and fetched him “come quick” she had said. He'd done as she'd ordered, but wished he could've prepared himself for what he saw next. Now he stared as Melopy lay still in her bed. Her eyes open wide, but not seeing, barely breathing.
“What has happened?” He asked the midwife nearest.
“I could not tell you, milord. She has simply…frozen,” the weary woman replied. Charles walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. In her immobile arms a baby was rooted, no scream no movement. The baby was as still as its mother.
“The Goddess has done this to her…” He lovingly caressed Melopy’s cheek with his callused hand. He showed love in one simple gesture. As Charles began to cry the midwives knew it was time to go. They dutifully left him to wallow in his grief.
“Prometheus, you for once are wrong, my friend,” Tempus chided, once back in Olympus. “The mortal was wrong to have forsaken me; let him be lucky I’ve spared his life.” Prometheus remained silent as Tempus paced the volcanic rock interior.
“Well say something! Anything?” she begged when the silence became too much.
He began hesitantly, “Have you really let him keep his life, Tempus?”
She blinked, “Yes, of course. He lives.”
“But does he truly live if he has nothing to live for?” Prometheus pondered.
