Chasing Terpsichore (Muses Across Time) Read online

  James was openly staring at them both now, and Eros had a big goofy grin on his face. Oh great.

  “Look, help me out here, Eros. Enough with the teasing.”

  He looked from her to James and back and nodded. “Okay, I get it. Just this once, and only because you’re blushing.”

  She didn’t think she was, but she touched her cheek to check. “I am not!”

  “Gotcha!” he said as he rambled over towards the pathway on the other side of the rock.

  Lucky for her he didn’t see that she actually was blushing now.

  They decided to head down the path and hope something looked familiar to Eros or Corey. It was a couple of hours since they’d come across anyone, and they’d ducked behind a clump of trees to avoid any interaction. Up ahead he saw a tall structure. It reminded him of the ruins of a Greek temple, which was probably right, considering where they were.

  He stopped a few paces ahead of the others and pointed. “What’s that place?”

  Eros caught up with him. “The Palace of Hades.”

  He shuddered. “That place with the huge dog with three heads?”

  “Cerberus. Yes, that’s the place.”

  “Weren’t we here before?”

  Eros stared up at the structure, his intelligent eyes scanning from side to side. The loud roar of some unknown beast sounded through the air. “Yes, but we were on the other side. This is good news. Now I know where we are.”

  “I’m glad someone does because there’s a few strange-looking flying creatures heading our way!”

  Corey caught up with them and grabbed James by the shoulder. “Quick! Harpies! We need to hide!”

  He didn’t need to be told twice—those creatures looked like flying goblins on crack!

  Their screeching made his blood run cold. The group turned and ran until James steered them into a forest of dense trees.

  “We should be able to lose them in here,” he said as they continued to walk into the middle of the scrub, which was getting thicker the farther they went.

  Corey stopped and leaned over, panting to catch her breath. “We should stop here. They’re probably looking around the perimeter to catch us when we leave.”

  Eros nodded. “This is true.”

  “Do these harpies have any weaknesses? Like—sleep?”

  “They like stealing food,” said Eros.

  “We could distract them with food then. If we had any,” said James.

  Corey stood. “They do sleep. Eventually. After the parties finish.”

  “Well, by all means then, let’s throw them a party.”

  “No need for sarcasm, Eros. I was just explaining to James.”

  James stepped in between them. “Hey, people, we need to pull together, not fight.”

  Corey sighed. “You’re right, James. We need a plan to get us to the portal. Does anyone have any ideas?”

  James scanned the scrub around them. “I’m not an expert on this place, or the creatures who live here, but if we use basic jungle combat rules, we should lay low until we’re sure the harpies have moved on, and then get the heck out of here and find the track that leads to the portal.”

  Eros sat down under a bush and patted the dirt next to him. “You speak a lot of sense, for a mortal.”

  He laughed as he sat down and leaned against a tree trunk. “I’m sure you mean that as a compliment. I’m choosing to take it that way.”

  Corey’s face lit up as she smiled at him then switched to Eros. “I’m glad to see you getting on so well, boys. How about we settle in and wait for the harpies to get bored and move on?”

  “Good idea,” he said and narrowed his eyes at Eros.

  “Oh all right,” said the God of Love. “I can take a hint and shut up.”

  * * * *

  It took some time, but finally the sound of the harpies flying overhead subsided. Still, they waited an extra hour just to make sure that it was safe to move. The gods were definitely smiling down on them as a short time later they’d found the pathway to the portal.

  Eros took the lead again with James in the rear. He wanted to make sure Corey was as close to the opening as possible she he could take her through quickly if Prometheus and his soldiers returned.

  Finally it came into view and they moved towards the cave opening. James ushered Corey to enter but Eros stopped him.

  “You have to go first. You are the mortal,” whispered Eros.

  “You told me Heracles did it. Why can’t you?”

  “He’s half mortal. Heracles has the gift of strength but no powers. It has to be you.”

  James’ heart stopped when he heard the sound of horses arriving behind them.

  “Stop!” Prometheus called out.

  James turned to find Prometheus signalling to his guards.

  “Seize them.”

  Eros moved in front of James and Corey, throwing rocks to distract the soldiers.

  “Move! This is your chance to be free.”

  Corey stood her ground. “Not without you. We all go together. Once we leave our powers will return, and Zeus and his soldiers will be waiting outside.”

  James dragged Corey by the hand, pulling her towards the portal. Eros backed towards them, his fists up and ready for action.

  Prometheus roared. “Stop them!”

  One of his soldiers shook his head and walked away from the group. “You heard her. Zeus is on the outside. I will not risk his anger.”

  Corey had known that she liked that soldier best when he’d winked at her back in the cave. It looked like being nice had won for her once again. Who knew?

  “Fools!” Prometheus charged towards the group, but not fast enough to prevent them from passing through the portal.

  A burst of light covered the entrance as they clambered up the stairs. Corey looked back as Prometheus’ angry shouts cut off.

  They were finally free.

  * * * *

  The palace displayed an opulence that far exceeded what James had thought it would be—if he’d ever believed it actually existed—which he hadn’t until now.

  Great expanses of marble covered the massive floor and white, gauze-like curtains hung from pillars that reached to the sky above—which, incidentally, he could see through a transparent dome he assumed to be the ceiling. It was so high, he couldn’t really tell.

  He lay on a bed as soft as clouds and was surrounded by platters of exotic fruits and pastries that were the most mouth-watering he’d ever tasted, and the water he sipped was the purest.

  After soaking in a sunken bath, he’d slept for several hours. Now he lazed around, feeling unnecessary and unsure while he waited to see what happened next. Placing his arms behind his head, he took a long breath in, then blew it out slowly. This is the life Corey had grown up with. How the hell could he compete? Fuck, did he want to try when he was bound to fail?

  Hell yes. When he thought he would never see her again, his gut twisted. There was something special between them, and even though they’d only been together for a few days, he knew he wanted her in his life. The problem was that he could never fit in here. Somehow, he’d have to convince her to come back with him, but would she? It might take time, but he knew his family would eventually accept her when they realised how he felt about her. If he was honest, he’d never wanted to be a Queen’s Counsel anyway. That was his father’s dream. The pressure to follow in his father’s footsteps had been there all his life, although his father had always said it was his choice and no one elses. He’d never believed him then, even though he wanted to now. Not when he’d seen how delighted his father had been when he’d started his law degree. Still, he had chosen his own path, even if it hadn’t entirely been his preference, but now he had a chance to change course. This time, it would be for himself, and not because of what had been pre-planned for him.

  There was only one problem. How the hell did he convince a goddess, one of the Muses no less, to come live with him, for better or worse, in modern-day Sydney? He knew
she felt something for him but he wasn’t sure how much.

  The question was academic anyway. Her father wasn’t likely to allow her to go back to Sydney with him. He’d seen how relieved Zeus had been to get her back. Seen how much they loved each other, too. He had an uphill battle ahead of him, but he’d never been one to give up on a good fight and he wasn’t about to now.

  He sighed. Where was Corey? He hadn’t seen her since they’d arrived and he missed her.

  “You want her, don’t you?”

  Shit. He bolted upright. “Eros, you scared the crap out of me.”

  The blond giant walked over to a window seat and sat down, crossing his long legs at the ankles. “I am sure you will survive it. What I want to know is how you feel about Corey.”

  He wasn’t used to sharing his feelings with a man, or with anyone for that matter. “What’s it to you?”

  “I repeat—you want her, don’t you, James?”

  He paused, aware that what he said now could affect his chances forever.

  “I know that if I don’t have her in my life, I’ll miss one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

  Eros grinned. “Good answer. All right, now all we have to do is convince Zeus you are equally as good for her as she is for you.” He stood up and turned to leave the room.

  “Wait. I need help with that. How do I do it?”

  Eros turned his head and looked over his shoulder, smiling. “Do not worry, James. I am not the God of Love for nothing. Love will prevail.”

  Chapter Five

  “Are you sure Prometheus cannot escape again?”

  “Do not worry, Terpsichore. My soldiers have captured him and placed him under the control of Hades. He cannot escape again.”

  “Thank you, Father. I fear for my sisters.”

  “Do not worry, my dear. With Prometheus out of the way we will find them. Now, tell me of this mortal you have befriended, my daughter.”

  Corey sat at her father’s feet, sipping wine as she told her father of her time in Sydney as a dancer. “James? He is a wonderful man, Father. Leave him alone.”

  Zeus chuckled. “Why would I do anything to him, my dear Terpsichore? He saved your life. I owe him a great debt.”

  She slapped his foot playfully. “Since when has that ever stopped you from tormenting my lovers?”

  “My dear, you do me a great injustice. I never interfere with my children’s love life.”

  She snorted as she burst out laughing. “What about Demetrius? I remember you sent him to Sparta soon after we met. He definitely didn’t volunteer. He worshipped the ground I walked on. “

  “That was different. He was a weakling and an idiot. Entirely not worthy of you.”

  “What about Timothy?”

  Zeus popped a grape into his mouth and swallowed before continuing. “I needed his expertise in Crete. You distracted him from his work. Olympus always comes first. You knew that at the time.”

  “Yes, I knew it, but I was a different person then. I wasn’t really that attached to them… They were playthings to me as I was then. I’ve changed, and James is different. I love him.”

  Reaching for his goblet, her father smiled at her, his ageless face beaming with good humour. “Until you tire of him, I would think. How long do you think that will take this time? A week? A month?”

  Corey stood up and walked to the window, staring wistfully out at the peaceful garden outside. “If I am lucky enough to be with James, I believe it will be an eternity.”

  “Ha. Lucky enough? He should bow down before your beauty and pay homage to your greatness and powers.”

  She turned to face him, speaking calmly, although her heart pounded. “No, Father. He is a good man, and I feel he is my destiny. Unfortunately, I have no idea how he feels about me.”

  “He will go with you because I command it.”

  She didn’t want him that way. “No. Absolutely not. I want him to want me of his own free will. Don’t you dare do anything, Father.”

  “I can always get Eros—”

  Corey moved at lightning speed to be toe to toe with her father and spoke through clenched teeth. “No. No. No.”

  Zeus backtracked. “As you wish, my daughter. You have changed. You would not have cared this much in the past.”

  “I was a selfish, self-centred bitch. I am ashamed of how I was.”

  “You are entitled to get your own way. You are a goddess.”

  “But what is the point of having power and fame if you use them for the wrong reasons?”

  Zeus smiled. “I think I like this James more and more.”

  “It was not only James who changed my way of thinking—it was also living among mortals, and learning to fend for myself. I like looking after myself—I could never go back to the old ways.”

  “So, what you are saying is that you wish to return to this Sydney place?”

  “Yes, I am, Father. But only if James wants me there. I couldn’t bear it if he moved on with his life without me. Please, Father, may I have your permission to return to Olympus if I wish?”

  “You always had that, my daughter.”

  “But I was stuck there.”

  Zeus opened his arms and hugged Corey to his chest. “You only have to ask and I will return you. The power is within your heart. All I ask is that you spend some time here with your mother and me first.”

  “Of course, Father. I long to see my mother again. Does that mean I could have returned at any time? Eros was right?”

  “You have to really want it, and I have a feeling you wanted to stay there for a time. In future, you will be aware of your feelings and will come for visits.”

  She threw her arms around him and hugged tightly. “Thank you, Father. You don’t know how much your support means to me.”

  Zeus patted his daughter’s back. “Oh, I think I do, my dear. I love your mother, remember?”

  * * * *

  James’ gut was in knots as the servant showed him into a large chamber. He thought the room he’d been using was luxurious, but this room was a few levels higher than palatial. The transparent walls and ceiling gave the impression that they floated above the universe, which, considering who he was meeting, wasn’t such a stretch. He hoped Corey would be there because he was scared stiff. It wasn’t every day a guy got to meet the father of a girl he’d slept with, let alone cared about. It was something else to discover that her father was the King of the Ancient Universe. Just one look at her mischievous grin and he would relax. He rubbed his sweaty palms against his jeans and took an extra-deep breath. What he wouldn’t give to be anywhere else right now. He stopped walking at the raised platform where the majestic figure sat on a large throne. Zeus was certainly an imposing figure. He was tall with mountainous shoulders, his hair the flowing white of the myths. If not for the lines on his face, he could easily be mistaken for a man in his forties—a very formidable man indeed.

  His booming voice filled the large space like a megaphone. “Come.” He must have been pretty scary to watch when Corey was growing up.

  What the heck do you do when you meet a god? Bow? Get down on your knees? Who the hell knew?

  “Do not worry, mortal. I do not expect you to bow down before me. This is not your world.” He gestured for James to sit in one of the smaller seats next to the throne.

  James lowered himself into the plush, cushioned seat. He doesn’t sound so scary. “Thank you…sir. I am honoured to meet you.” Going for broke, he held out his hand to Zeus. “You are very famous in my world.”

  Ignoring the outstretched hand, Zeus roared with laughter. “I believe I am also a myth. As you can see, I am very much alive and definitely not a figment of anyone’s imagination.”

  He smiled back. “I am having a hard time taking it in, but it’s getting easier every minute I spend in this magnificent place.”

  Zeus moved forward, staring intently, his voice hushed. “You like it here? Do you wish to stay here?”

  “Much as I thin
k this place is so beautiful, I would not know how to fit in here. For starters, I have no powers.”

  “I can fix that with a wave of the hand.”

  “No. I mean—no thanks. That’s not the life that I know. I need my own time and place.”

  Zeus frowned at him. “You are sure of that?”

  He nodded. “I appreciate the gesture, but I can’t see myself living here. I must work to support myself and I enjoy helping people. It’s who I am. I couldn’t cope with all this luxury if I had it all the time.”

  Zeus stood up, all seven feet of power and intimidation. “What? You think us soft and selfish?”

  Oh hell. That didn’t come out well. “No—not at all. What I meant is that I haven’t had the necessary training to deal with the responsibilities that come with having power and position in a house as prestigious as this.”

  Zeus sat back down again, visibly relaxing. “Spoken like a true lawyer. I am impressed. My daughter was not lying when she said you are a good man.”

  She said that? Maybe there was some hope after all. He looked behind the throne to see if she was hiding behind her father. He wouldn’t put it past her. “I was hoping to see Corey here this evening. I want to see for myself that she’s okay.”

  “Terpsichore has left us.”

  “She’s gone?” No! She left without saying goodbye. He stumbled as the pain hit him in the solar plexus.

  “She has duties here. She has been summoned by her mother.”

  Another reason why it would never work. There was no point in hanging around. “In that case could I possibly impose on you to return me to my home?”

  “You do not wish to stay and visit a while longer?”

  Not now that Corey has moved on. “Thank you, but no. I too have duties and I have neglected them for too long.”

  “As you wish.”

  Zeus waved his hand and James found himself falling backwards, out of control. He thrust his hands behind him, hoping to break his fall…wherever he was falling to. Whirling colours surrounded him, hurting his eyes, so he closed them and waited. Within seconds he landed on some soft grass. Standing up, he opened one eye at a time, wary of what he might find.