Elena shrugged, “You’re both extremely tempting, and it’s been almost a month since I’ve experienced intimacy of any kind.”

  “You’re rather tempting yourself.”

  Elena smiled at me, then said, “I assume you’re both willing to put the work in, if we’re found to be compatible?”

  We both answered yes.

  Elena smiled, “That’s all that really counts then. The truthful answer you just gave me. We can figure it out as we go if we are compatible, without fear we’ll hit a brick wall on the ride. Our circumstances and need of each other already lines up too, that’s why I’m sitting here. But as Maggie said I’m new to the city, I’m not sure how to make contact with a champion of Aphrodite that can and will be willing to help us find out.”

  “And, you want to do this to avoid emotional entanglement leading to pain?”

  She nodded, “I’m not lazy in the least, and I still want to get to know both of you deeply. But with this attraction we share I can see myself growing far too attached during the usual process. Plus, I was being truthful when I said I really don’t want to wait.”

  Maggie said breathlessly, “Both of us?”

  Elena winked, “You’re exquisite, Maggie. Yes, both of you.”

  Maggie nodded, “There’re are two champions of Aphrodite who can help us in the city. They work in a beauty, fitness, and spa building, actually they own it. We can head over there, and I’m sure Levi or Ginny would be willing to tell us.”

  Elena raised an eyebrow, prompting for more information.

  “Levi is a son of Zeus, and champion of Aphrodite. Ginny is his mate, a champion, and a daughter of beauty. There’re five other mates in that family, that all work there. Levi has helped me a few times, when I got in a jam, and he already told us that me and Jack are compatible four days ago.”

  Elena ran her hands through her long dark brown hair, “I could use a trim.”

  Maggie giggled, “Me too.”

  “This is radical? I suppose I could use a haircut too.”

  It wasn’t that bad yet, but what the hell. It’d also let me make more contacts in this world, with friendly faces.

  Elena shrugged, “It’s not typically done, and we’ll owe them a favor since we aren’t official allies, even if our goddesses are. Have you given any thought to that?”

  I shook my head, “Not too much, just trying to survive, figure out my power, and working out my complicated relationship life. I’m not even sure how it works. Doesn’t a god or goddess decide who their champions are?”

  Maggie nodded, “They do, but they can’t choose you until you choose to worship them. So that first step has to be yours. Even just worshipping will gain you neutral enemies at the least, but it will also gain you neutral allies of all that god or goddess’s worshippers and even their allies. Of course, betrayal is ever a thing in our world, but there’s more ups than downs.

  “If at that time you’re asked to be a champion, the god or goddess will bless you. That’s not a vague thing either, the blessing will give you some kind of insight, and even power in some cases. You’ll also be volunteering for servitude. The god will assign you tasks. But the rewards are more than commensurate in my opinion, if I wasn’t a third generation, I’d beg to be my goddess’s champion, but only demigods can be champions.”

  Elena said, “I can’t disagree with any of that. I’m very happy with my goddesses.”

  “Plural?”

  Elena nodded, “Mostly it’s one god or goddess. The muses are kind of an exception, they are as one in their purpose and mantel of literature, science, and the arts. The last five years I’ve focused on entertaining through dance, music, and art with my power over water. But they’re also poetry, history, and comedy, as well as tragedy and astrology. They… inspire all those things, that is their mantel. I’ve actually considered being a writer now, try and see if I could make it as author, but as I said earlier, I’ll wait and see if I join the family. Wait to see all the skills brought to the table once that family seems complete and settled.”

  I grinned, “I see, any chance they can tell me what god or goddess I’d be most compatible with? Outside of my father, and other warlike gods that I’ll take a pass on, I have no idea. Aphrodite and the muses seem like obvious choices, given the two of you, but what if it’s not a good fit?”

  Maggie giggled, “No. What is your passion, your desire in life? I know love and family are a part of it, but everyone wants to connect and be loved. What’s your greatest desire.”

  “I’ll… give it some thought. It’s not as easy as that though, is it? How can I be mated to you, and maybe Elena, if the god representing my greatest passion is an enemy of your goddesses? Humans can look past that sort of thing, but can gods and champions?”

  Elena shook her head, “No, they can’t. But you wouldn’t be compatible with Maggie if your greatest desire or passion would lead you to a god that isn’t at least neutral to ours.”

  “That’s a good point. I’ll have to give it some thought. I’ve always been a physical worker, labor kind of thing, but it wasn’t like I loved it. It was just what I did to live week to week before this. I don’t actually know, life doesn’t allow for dreams and desires sometimes, and I gave those up when I couldn’t afford college. Now that I can again, have the opportunity, I need to consider it. Haircuts? Ambushing champions?”

  Elena chuckled, “True, and you already have a lot on your mind as I imagined. There’s no rush, it might be better to wait until your new life is settled anyway, finding your job later will be a big part in finding your passion. Now that you have the choice and money to explore it.”

  Maggie hummed in agreement.

  “Should we go after lunch? It’s almost… one. We only have about four hours until the coven starts to get back.”

  Elena tilted her head, “Unless you want to eat out.”

  “Works for me.”

  We all stood up, and we headed out.

  The beauty salon, fitness, and spa center was huge, and even as I pulled up I realized Levi and his mates had done what Elena suggested. They worked together, separate a lot but able to steal moments no doubt, to stay connected to six other mates. I couldn’t even imagine taking care of six women though, just the idea of three more, plus one of the coven joining us on occasion, felt crazy enough.

  Lunch had gone well, we’d chatted over some soup and sandwiches, and it was almost two in the afternoon as we arrived.

  The center was three different connected office buildings right outside the city’s urban center, but still well within the city limits of where the suburbs started. It had a casual feel to it, light brown wood front that looked welcoming like a home would, instead of a brick and mortar look.

  Turns out we didn’t even need to go inside to get our answer, as we neared the beauty salon’s door which was on the left side building, two extremely hot bright scarlet redheaded twins walked out of the door, with a dangerous look on their faces. They were extremely attractive, five feet seven inches, double D cup breasts, and otherwise lithe of body with dancer’s curves.

  Those looks of impending violence slightly calmed as they spotted Maggie, but they still looked wary as hell.

  Maggie said, “Dawn, Aurora, this is my mate Jack, and this is our ally Elena, a champion of the muses. We were hoping to see Levi or Ginny, and to get haircuts.”

  I stiffened, as Elena asked, “You know these monsters?”

  Maggie replied, “Four of Levi’s seven mates are monsters.”

  Elena looked shocked, and then curious as she looked the twins over.

  I was thinking that Levi was one lucky bastard, twin mates?

  Dawn said, “I understand, come on in, I’ll see if they’re available,” Aurora said sweetly, “We just get a little nervous when two strange demigods show up.”

  Elena smiled, “Understandable, we should’ve called ahead, but I didn’t think of it. He’s your master, and mate?” she asked curiously.

  Dawn replied cheekily, “And the father of our children.”

  That made Elena speechless, and Aurora chuckled and elbowed her sister. Then the two of them led us inside, and once we were checked in and seated then they went to find one of them. My money was on Levi, I bet they were extremely protective of a daughter of beauty as their co-mate, who must’ve been pretty worthless in a battle. It was obvious they still hadn’t been sure of us, only Maggie’s presence had gotten us in the door at all.

  Maggie was called back first, and it was just Elena and I sitting there when Levi walked in. He looked like I remembered, but I wasn’t so sure he was a nut ball anymore, now that I knew about magic, compatibility, and the fact the guy was sating seven women and had a successful as hell family business.

  He took one look at us and smiled.

  “Good to see you again, Dawn said you wanted to see me or Ginny?”

  I nodded, “We…” I shook my head, “This is Elena, champion of the muses and recently moved to town. We formed an alliance, and we were wondering if you could… would tell us if we were compatible. Nice place by the way.”

  He chuckled, “Thanks, the ladies run it, and I run the staff. Elena’s a lot different than Maggie, but she’s compatible with you both.”

  Elena said, “Nice to meet you, different how?”

  He turned around, then looked back, “I probably shouldn’t say, but Maggie has a lot more of a high maintenance personality than you do. You just need truth, respect, and to be cherished with loving attention in bed, and his thoughtfulness out of bed as well.”

  I chuckled.

  Elena said, “True, she needs more of his attention, and to feel possessed and safe in his control.”

  Levi nodded, “That about sums it up. She’ll be more like you for you, simple respect of equals, and affectionate in bed.”

  Elena asked, “And what does he need, since I already know he can provide the needs you named?”

  Levi smirked, “Men are simple. Well-fed and fucked ought to do it.”

  Elena rolled her eyes, “Lie,” while I was chuckling and trying not to laugh my ass off.

  Levi laughed, “Your blessing gives you that talent?”

  Elena nodded, “True, and yes, I did know you were joking.”

  Levi replied, “Most of what he needs is for you to accept what he has to give. Protect, cherish, and possess, though that last doesn’t mean control in your case, but it’s still there. That’s what most men need, to feel like they make a difference and are needed. Affection of both kinds, faithfulness, and attention, what most of us need, of either sex. He also needs to steer the boat, not without honor and consideration, and not in small things, but that’s there too, head of house.”

  Elena said, “Sounds like he’s highest maintenance,” she teased in that smoky sultry voice, while putting a hand on my leg and squeezing, as if that negated the sting of her comment.

  Levi chuckled, “I wouldn’t say that, but he is number two, most guys are but they’d deny it,” he turned to me, “Feel free to bring the next one by too, and you don’t all have to come, I have it all up here,” he tapped his head, “Part of the blessing. Aurora and Dawn will be much more welcoming next time, I can promise that.”

  “Next one?”

  Levi nodded, “It’s clear enough, I see the need in all of you, for a large and strong family, bonded in love, alliance, and business. Three is good, five or six is better.”

  “Eight?”

  Levi laughed, “Crazy, and I’ve got number nine on the hook, but she’ll take time to reel in, a decade or two.”

  I chuckled, “If you need anything, let us know.”

  Levi nodded, “If things ever get that crazy I will. Don’t worry about it, it’s actually something I enjoy, bringing people together. It’s a big part of being my goddess’s champion. So don’t worry about putting me out.”

  Elena smiled, “True.”

  I put my hand on Elena’s and entwined our fingers, which made her smile boldly at me. I think after finding that we were compatible, we both wanted to kiss badly, but the idea of sharing our first kiss in a beauty salon seemed gauche.

  “High maintenance?”

  She grinned, “See, already needing comfort.”

  I laughed, “Fine, I deserved that.”

  She winked, “But I’m sure you’re very worth the trouble, and will enrich my life far more.”

  “That one helped a little,” and I squeezed her hand.

  She said, “Life is complicated, I’m glad we came.”

  I replied, “Me too. Your eyes are stunning, Elena. All of you really.”

  She smiled, and whispered longingly in her smoky sultry voice, “Truth.”

  She was so exotically beautiful, and gorgeous, with that tight flexible body I could hardly wait to explore. Point being, the sexual tension between us had ratcheted up about ten levels after Levi’s green light, and her sultry dark chocolate eyes told me I wasn’t the only one feeling that need.

  I also felt a twinge of guilt. I’d just told Maggie not two hours ago that I loved her for the first time, and now I was lusting hard for this exotic beauty, but I squashed it pretty easily. Squashed the guilt I mean, it was triggered by my old world and ideals of monogamy, in this one polyamory was a reality and well understood on how to make it work successfully. Point being, I could love Maggie and have Elena too, while they had each other as well, and all of us would be faithful, even unto taking others into our bed if done with approval and in the open.

  Fortunately for my sanity, our intimate and longing gaze only lasted a minute or two, before she was called up by the next free hairdresser…

  Chapter Twelve

  “It’s probably too soon for promises, but I think it’d be wise to set expectations, meaning the rules. Obviously, the hope and expectation is for a life match between all of us and eventually being true mates?” I asked and said.

  We were back in the car, on our way home.

  Maggie said, “Yes, I agree.”

  Elena smiled, “Truth, and agreement.”

  “No empty sex,” I said, and they both agreed immediately.

  “That means,” I followed up, “We’ll only take a potential mate to our bed if we want her as a mate, and only after we’ve already discussed and agreed among ourselves to try, and she has Levi’s stamp of approval. That will lower the risk. The only risk of failure and being hurt is if the newcomer has a situation come up or if they’re too lazy to do the work to maintain our familial romantic relationships.”

  Maggie giggled, “Sounds perfect, with one reservation.”

  Elena said, “I’m fine with it, but open to hearing Maggie make a case for exceptions.”

  Maggie replied, “That would be the rule for any mates we might want to add, but there will be lesser family type connections to the women in my coven. I would like that to be an option, if we all agree, to invite one or more to our bed on occasion. Not for empty sex or to spice up our love life. We won’t need that kind of thing at all, but for a magical coven working. It also wouldn’t be empty because we’d have at least a strong friendship with that person and coven family relationship before we’d consider doing so.”

  Elena said, “I would agree to that if they were my friend. If they weren’t and just a family member as a coven member I didn’t care for, I might have a problem with it.”

  “Might?”

  Elena said, “I could always sit that one out, but you’d be losing a lot of power generation if I did. But that depends on the flavor of the not caring. Some family you actively dislike, in that case I would veto it hard. If it was someone that I’m just not really attracted to but respect, I can work with that and let you two play with that one, you know?”

  “I agree too, with Elena’s concern. The coven can be an exception to that rule but only if we all agree and are attracted to the coven member. I also can’t promise I wouldn’t get attached though, especially if it comes up often. Then if one of you object to the idea of adding that person as a mate, it could get sticky. I’m also assuming no men, you will have men in the coven at some point.”

  Maggie cleared her throat, “Actually, yes and no. No other man will touch me, Elena, or any other mates we add. But we do have all those couches, and if we invited a few up from the coven, one of the men could be with the other coven members, while we all cast the spell. So he wouldn’t be touching us, but he would be able to watch us.”

  “Fuck no,” I said firmly, “They can enjoy the view in your clothes, but your bodies are mine, and our fellow female mates. I don’t share, and I’m not going to let some guy watch you fuck each other or me. I know that’s hypocritical, but that’s how it is.”

  Maggie said breathily, “Yes, sir.”

  Elena chuckled sultrily, “Hot button anyone?”

  I blushed, “Sorry, but that’s the way it has to be. Men are competition, other women aren’t. I don’t care about that nearly as much, but I think I can deal with it, mostly because Levi said I could.”

  Maggie giggled.

  Elena said, “There’s more to it that you haven’t said.”

  I sighed, “I don’t want you watching another man fucking someone and getting turned on by it. I don’t want you thinking about another dick when I’m with you. Jealousy is a fucked-up emotion, but that’s the whole truth, and both reasons are equally strong. The whole idea of it makes me crazy, nor will I ever think of another woman when I’m with you.”

  Elena said, “Don’t worry about it. We already knew that, if not to that extent. Plus, your possessive fuck no and firm orders has your mate panting for it, if you haven’t noticed.”

  I actually hadn’t, and that kind of turned me on. She liked my possessive claim of ownership that much? Damn, what a woman.

  “You?”

  Elena replied, “One man is enough, and while I’m not panting at your possessiveness, it did make me feel warm and gooey inside. Men are different, there’s nothing wrong with it or hypocritical, and we do belong to you and only you as far as men go.”

  Not panting, but still hot as far as I was concerned.