Well, its Thursday. I was hoping to have a grand announcement, and links to my book available for you tonight. But alas, I do not. But I can tell you that about five minutes ago I hit submit to my kindle publishers account. And once I am done here I will submit to Kobo and Nook! It may take a couple of days, but as soon as they are ready I will post links for all!!.

On to the teaser!!

Muse Vol 2

Prologue

1200 B.C.E

I walk through the throng of bodies writhing on the floor of the bathhouse. The occasional hand reaches out to me, pulling on my robes, fondling my breasts. I bat them away disdainfully. I loathe that the people of Olympus deem these incestuous orgies acceptable. Dionysus grabs me forcing his tongue down my throat, and I push him away. I do not want any part of him or his fornicating lifestyle.

I was asked to come to the party to sing and read my poetry. I should have known it would turn into this. Yet I came, because I was born to be a muse; the muse of erotic poetry and music. My life’s work was written for me before I was born. I did not choose my path, it was chosen for me.

I did not see Eros in the crowd, and was relieved by this. Eros had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. Yet, he was the only man that ever held my heart. I had to convince myself daily that it was his god of love status, which made me want him so badly. Our nature is what drew us together. Somehow, I knew, because we truly knew each other, I had developed these feelings. Eros, of course, knows nothing of my crush.

I have watched him for years, taking different women, having his way. He was in love once, with one of his mother’s attendants. Aphrodite would not allow her son to be in love with a servant, so she banished his love to earth. Eros has not been the same since, taking a witch for a bride upon his mother’s bidding, toying with the emotions of all those around him. I can see the pain in his eyes when he looks at me. I often wonder how he would react if I professed my love to him. My fear of this is what keeps me from my confession.

My sister, Terpsichore, appeared before me in the door to the bathhouse. I watched as her face twisted in horror. She turned and fled out the door she came in. I hurried after her concerned. I glance in the direction of a smaller bath, which was in the area that Terpsichore was looking. My Jaw drops at the sight of Priapus and Psyche having intercourse on the edge of the small pool. Priapus was Terpsichore’s fiance, and like me, she did not approve of these parties.

Psyche opens her eyes and narrows them at me. The bride of Eros has never kept me in her favor. I did not want her approval. I did, however, want to make sure that Eros knew of her behavior. I break my stare and follow my sister, hoping that I can comfort her in some way. Unfortunately, when I reach the courtyard I can see no trace of her anguished form.

I walk alone toward the home I share with my sisters. The noise from the party was spilling into the street behind me. I was unhappy with this life. I often wished I could join my mother in the underworld guarding the oracle of Trophonios. However, every life comes with its own troubles. If the golden streets of Olympus seemed corrupt, then I am sure the underworld would be abhorrent in my eyes.

Rounding the corner into the narrow alley that leads toward the entrance to the house of the muse, I spy Eros Just off the veranda. I smile at him as I approach, but Eros does not seem to notice me. When his face finally meets mine, I see a look of horror register through his eyes. He rushes to meet me before I can cross the distance to his location. I look over his shoulder to see a figure rising and rushing away. My stomach turns, and jaw drops wide.

I narrow my eyes and huff out my frustration. “I was going to tell you that your wife is off with my sister’s fiance at one of Dionysus’s Parties. However, it looks like you were busy with your own temptations.” I raise an eyebrow at him, as he stands silent in front of me, guilt written across his face. I do not know why I expected different, but when you love someone, you see past their flaws.

“She is my mother’s wife; I did not want to marry her.” He drones out in a cool monotone. I shake my head and turn toward the front of the house. Eros grabs my arm but I give him a venomous glare and he releases me. I glance past him once more to see his harem girl hovering in a doorway down the alley watching us.

“Your conquest awaits, great Eros.” I say through gritted teeth and give an exaggerated bow. He glances back down the alley and I take the opportunity to enter the house, slamming the door in my wake. I stomp off toward the bedchambers on the second floor. Hastily, I shove what few possessions I have in a bundle, then make my way back down to the kitchen.

Urania stands at the hearth, checking on her flat bread. Her face softens when she sees me. I sit at the table by the window, staring off toward the boundaries of Olympus. She places a warm piece of bread before me, along with a bowl of cheese and grapes. I smile and nod at her, smashing my eyes closed before the tears I can feel coming betray me. She sits across from me and grabs my hand. I can no longer keep the tears at bay as I meet her concerned face.

“What is the bother sister?” Urania says, gently squeezing my hand.

“I will take my leave dear sister.” I say, squeezing back. “I am going to roam the earth with the Humans. I cannot continue to live in a place where love is not coveted. I will not remain where the sacrament of marriage is violated. I would rather walk the earth alone for a million years, than spend one more minute in this sinful haven.”

Urania gasps, throwing a hand over her mouth. “Zeus will not allow it.” She says, looking at me as if I am signing my own death warrant.

I shake my head, pleading with my eyes. “Please sister, you mustn’t raise the alarm. This is something I must do. If you love me you will let me go.” Urania’s face twists with sorrow as she contemplates my plea. My heart sinks, knowing that I was causing my favorite sister pain. Just as she is about to speak, a knock comes at the door. Urania stands slowly, tears pooling in her eyes, and goes to answer the door.

I grab my bundle and run out the back entrance, toward the secret passage to the human world. I round the corner into the cave just as I hear Eros yell my name. I refuse to stop running until the cool Macedonian night air engulfs my senses.

In the distance, I see a Shepard, asleep next to a small campfire. I take in my surroundings and embrace the beauty that is the human world. Falling to my knees, I start to weep. I weep for my sisters, my father, the life I was leaving behind, the life I was about to begin. Burying my face in my bundle, I sob until I am out of breath. The human emotion of sadness was not foreign to me. However, self-pity and desperation were new. It shuddered through my body like the blow of a lightning bolt.

I feel a pair of hands on my shoulders and startle. Frozen in place and unable to move, I hold my breath. A familiar frame wraps itself around me; the scent of my best friend melts into my skin. I turn and nestle into his large frame. Although I knew he was here to take me back, his presence brought me comfort.

“I will not go back Eros.” I whisper into his chest as I heave out a heavy sigh. “I cannot live that life any longer.”

Eros strokes my hair and holds me tight to his chest. “Then let’s stay here. Let us live among the shepherds of the human world.” He motions toward the man on the hill in the valley below.

I raise my face to his, unable to believe what I had heard. “You will stay with me?”

“Of course I will. I do not wish to be under my mother’s control any more. I want to find Antheia, my love, and be with her as we had always planned.” My heart sank when he confessed his plan. I drop my head so he cannot see the disappointment I could feel on my face.

We made our way to a nearby village and Eros rented us a room in a local Inn. I had a small supply of human currency, given to me by the random villagers that we had encountered. I found it far too easy to use my powers over them. I decided that I would quell my gifts unless I absolutely needed to. If I was going to live among the humans, I was going to act as human as possible.

After weeks of travel, we were found by Hermes in Rome. He informed us that my father had banished us. Psyche and Aphrodite where furious over our disappearance, they assumed that we were lovers. Urania had not told of our conversation the day I left. My heart warms when I think of her. She has always been my favorite sister. I miss her dearly.

From that day forward, Eros and I decided that we would defy our parent’s assumptions and shun everything about Olympus. We changed our names, and tried to blend in to the human culture. We traveled as brother and sister, refusing to let them be right about us. From time to time, we would separate, but we would always meet at the base of mount Olympus on the ten-year anniversary of our exodus. Eros would often reminisce about the days of excess in the home of the gods, but I never looked back. I had found my home, and I would never return to the mountain.

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Remember that this is pretty raw and , enjoy!!