Karen was a cute strawberry blonde, with blue eyes. Her body was average and close to the ideal measurements that way at five and a half feet. She had on looser sweat shorts, but they were extremely short and cut at an angle to reveal the bottom of her hips and every inch of her toned legs. She also had a gray sports bra on covering her generous B cups, that might’ve been a small C.

  Karen was probably the bravest among them, though both Angela and Valerie didn’t quite run from the room at first opportunity when I showed up anymore.

  Honestly, they were all, the nine of them, very nice to look at. At least four of them, almost half, approached the perfection of my mates, and probably only fell short there because of love bias. In my mind, no one was hotter than my two mates, and my admiration and affection for them multiplied that beauty in my mind, they were stunning.

  Karen smiled, “Going to just stand there?”

  Only a couple of brief moments had passed since I’d frozen in the doorway, unsure whether to go in or wait for my mates.

  I shook my head and my body unfroze, “Just wasn’t expecting anyone in here, Maggie and Elena will be another minute or two,” I shared unnecessarily as I moved over to the bench press.

  I’d never been nervous about women, still wasn’t really, it was more a self-conscious thing. The last thing I wanted to do was accidentally trigger one of these ladies with fear or memories of the past, while they were still recovering from their ordeal.

  They didn’t have a problem going to work I’d found out, because human men weren’t a threat to witches. They could easily handle any human with a few words, or even with their minds. It was men of power that made them nervous, and I was a demigod after all.

  Valerie asked, “We could go?” a little nervously.

  I shrugged, and started lifting the bar, “This is your home, of course you can stay or go as you please.”

  I may have been a demigod of the five, but I had absolutely normal human strength and speed. It was only my mind’s speed and perceptions that were enhanced in battle. It was why I flew around. I could move a soul fast with my mind, but if I depended on my muscles to dodge or block then I’d be dead in seconds. Just because I could see something coming with my fast mind, didn’t mean my slow ass body could dodge it.

  Still, healthy body, healthy mind, great sex life. Working out and looking good for my mates was a personal priority.

  Angela smiled, and said in a low voice to Valerie, “We’re fine, he’s a pussy cat.”

  I just pretended not to hear it, but it was good to hear. I’d been trying to stay out of their way the last two weeks. All three of them went back to their workouts, although Karen had never stopped. Karen was the bravest. She’d made eye contact with me in the first week, and she’d been the first one to do so in the group. Angela wasn’t too far behind her that way. Valerie was one of the shiest ones in the group, but at least she hadn’t shrunk in on herself this time.

  It was only a couple of minutes later when my ladies showed up.

  Angela, Valerie, and Karen all greeted their matriarch. Upbeat and happy, my Maggie was ruthless to her enemies but succoring to her coven and allies. There was still respect in those happy greetings though, it wasn’t a flip thing at all, but with true respect in their chirping greetings.

  My mate returned their greetings with a confident warm smile and words that were somehow both warm and welcoming, but no one could doubt she was in charge and owned the room. She was… amazing, my submissive mate in all ways private and family was far from submissive in the wider world.

  Magnificent, really.

  I’d already expected the feast for my eyes, with Maggie in white Lycra shorts and a bright red sports bra that I’d laid out, and Elena looked fantastic in a matching set of light blue tight stretchy shorts and a sports bra. I enjoyed the view of their asses and shapely legs, as they both moved over to the ellipticals and got on.

  I hated the elliptical, it was a torture device, but damn me if I didn’t love the way my mate’s bodies moved on the things.

  That workout was a breakthrough of sorts, and quite distracting. I didn’t stare or leer obviously, not even at my mates, but the five ladies were all peripheral eye candy during the workout. I dared to wonder what it’d be like with all eleven ladies under the roof working out with me at the same time in skimpy and tight workout clothes. I wasn’t a shallow asshole, nor would I ever break the family rules or not be faithful to them, but enjoying the view subtly was just built into the genes for a male.

  It was a good start for a Sunday.

  Chapter Two

  Elena was pressed against me on the couch the lounge, and we were chatting lightly after our second shower of the day.

  Maggie was spending time with the coven. It was what she should be doing on the weekends with them here. Either teaching and sharing magic, or perhaps they were doing a coven spell. I wasn’t sure what they did, but their magic not only protected this place and hid our magic and odd sights from the neighbors, it also influenced the world around them in subtle ways.

  Their magic helped ensure success in business, a well-deserved promotion for one of the coven members, or simply cutting through the red tape of the government. Or, maybe they were just bonding as coven family and support. It was impossible to say, and I wasn’t part of the coven. Maggie kept me in the loop on possible dangers, either threats from a possible enemy, or if they were up to something that might kick a hornet’s nest. Regardless, I was fine with that, and she was the matriarch. She was only mine in our personal lives, and her body at all times belonged to the family.

  But her vast ambitions and the coven were all hers.

  So I supposed the one good thing about the weekends were it afforded a lot more personal time between Elena and I to get to know each other, though I preferred the weekdays when I had them both to myself while the coven was off at their jobs.

  I’d also been thinking hard the last two weeks, of what I wanted to do. What god I wanted to worship as well as my passion in what I wanted to do outside the family, both cherishing and protecting my mates and hopefully one day building a family.

  I was fairly sure I had a good idea what that would be.

  “Could you explain how it works, how would I go about becoming a follower of the muses?”

  Elena looked at me in surprise, with warmth in her dark chocolate eyes.

  “You want to worship my goddesses?”

  I nodded, “Aphrodite sounds great and all. I really have no negative reasons or thoughts against worshipping her, but I don’t think we’d be a good fit. Notwithstanding all the love we share and the wild pleasures, almost constantly, that kind of thing isn’t where my passion lies. It’s a result of the passion I hold for both you and our naughty one, but not an end in itself, not for me.”

  She grinned, and then kissed me softly.

  “So, why the muses?” she asked curiously.

  I nodded, “I’ve been meditating on my past, in the few spare moments, trying to figure out what I’m passionate about. When I was kid I loved science fiction and fantasy books. I used to read them voraciously, then in my mid to late teens I’d even make up my own stories. Before graduation, I’d won a school award for my own short story that was published in sci-fi magazine.

  “Thing is, the last four years since graduation, not being able to afford college, working hard at menial jobs for a small paycheck,” I shrugged, “I’d pretty much lost that, completely forgotten about that desire in me because of the daily grind. I was far too tired after working eight to ten hours, all I wanted to do was pound back a couple, relax, maybe find some company. The idea of sitting down and banging out a story, of focusing my mind and emotions in such a demanding way, was the last thing I wanted to do after a while.”

  She nodded, “I… didn’t see that coming.”

  I smiled, “It was partially you that reminded me of it, when you said you might want to try being an author, move to that entertainment and inspirational calling instead of dance and music. I did a little research, and from what I can figure out the goddess Calliope was in charge of inspiring epic poetry, I’m assuming the epic part is about novel size?”

  She laughed, “Yes. They’re not quite as strictly segregated as that though, they’re water nymph goddesses and sisters, and they share everything including their mantel of science, art, music, dance, though Calliope is known for that.”

  I nodded, “So, my question.”

  She blushed, “Right, it’s little more than a simple choice. You can share the altar I already set up next to Aphrodite’s in the temple if you want. Prayer is a thing, but more importantly it’s a decision and dedication. You want to be an author, but can you be dedicated to the arts and social sciences? I also can’t say how long it will be, or even if they’ll grace you with a blessing and make you a champion once you take that step.”

  I nodded, “Entertainment is extremely important. It’s a part of what makes life worth living, inspires people, makes them laugh, connects them. It’s the spiritual food for the soul, that gives meaning to it. Philosophy, art, music, dance, comedy, all of it. Work is how we survive, inspiration is how we live. As a society, and even as a family, we grow closer through sharing nights out, good food and music, dance. Sure, Aphrodite is a big part of that too, on the family level, but the muses are far more diverse.

  “The idea of being an author and touching the lives of my readers, improving those lives if only for a moment, is something I’m definitely passionate about. More, I was thinking maybe that could be both our things. We could work as authors, either together and coauthor, or just even so the family is together, and we can read each other’s stuff and offer advice. I’m not sure how you feel about that.”

  Elena said, “Joyful, and a little turned on. I would love to share my goddesses and my work with you. The work would be our outside interest in common, and it’s something we could both do here, so we’ll be here for the naughty one if she needs us.”

  I nodded, “That’s what I was thinking. I can’t help but wonder if it’s part of our compatibility too, he did say we’d be working together in business.”

  Elena tilted her head, “Maggie?”

  “Well, we’ll need a publicist at some point, advertisements, book cover art, all that stuff, maybe a publisher and someone to proof our work. She’s a businesswoman, and has the seed money for all that, which would give her part interest in it while she also ran the coven.”

  Elena sighed and wiggled a little to reach my jaw with her lips.

  “I love you, Jack.”

  I smiled, “I love you too, Kitten.”

  She smiled brightly, “Truth,” she said lightly, then claimed my lips for a lingering sweet kiss. She let out a little needy moan as she broke it, and she rested her head on my shoulder.

  I said, “We could probably build an office to share in this behemoth. Add a couple of laptops and desks, and we’d be in business. Discuss ideas and plan out books. But back to the old point, just kneel at the altar, pray, and make the decision to be dedicated to the purpose of inspiration in the various arts, music, dance, and stuff?”

  She giggled, “Yes, stuff.”

  I nodded, “I believe I can do that, with a clear conscience.”

  She asked, “Believe?” with a raised eyebrow.

  I shrugged, “I don’t get art, like wall art, paintings. I mean, some of it’s cool to look at, but it doesn’t warm my heart, evoke emotions, or inspire me like music, dance, and reading a good book or watching a play can. But, I know it does for others, I believe it does for others, which I’m hoping is close enough.”

  She giggled, “It is. Personal tastes count for your passion in your chosen career and what you enjoy, but the simple act of acknowledging the importance of the rest and being dedicated to preserving and inspiring such things should be quite sufficient. No art inspires you?”

  I grinned cheekily, “A naked picture of you might inspire a hard cock and naughty thoughts.”

  She giggled.

  I added, “As well as loving and protecting thoughts.”

  She bit her lip, “No time like the present?”

  “Sure.”

  I’ll admit I was a little nervous. The idea of worshipping deities in the modern human world had fallen out of favor, though there were still millions of worshippers the world over in various faiths, secularism had a large impact there. There was also the idea if they did choose to make me a champion, I would in essence become their willing servant. I wasn’t overly panicked or anything, because I did believe what I’d said to my mate, and if I could help the muses and be one of their influencing hands on this world, well I was more than willing to do so.

  Even if I wasn’t a champion, I’d still be a willing servant, just under my own impetus and by my own choice as to what I focused on. So thought of that way it wasn’t much different, except I could do even more good by following a powerful and wise goddesses who knew what they were about. Even if many saw the muses as flighty, and they may be so in some ways, joyously dedicated to that narrow part of life, but they were also wise, powerful, immortal, and knew what they were doing far better than I would in their mantel.

  I’d compare it to the same impetus of why I wanted to be an author, to reach and touch lives, and to inspire others to do the same or help them do the same could only be a good thing. It was also in a way, the same generosity I displayed in bed. The same generous need to bring delight and pleasure if in a wildly different way that was less intimate and not limited to the bounds of polyamory family, but still intimate in some ways.

  It was kind of shocking for me too, just eighteen days ago I’d been a realist that looked at the world not much differently than pessimists did. Because of my failure to find a job, how hard life had been, but my life was changing. I was still a realist I believed, but despite the danger the ease that Maggie and her resources added to my life, and the spice between us and Elena all had me far closer to the optimistic side of a realist viewpoint, which really was subjective.

  So I was confident for the most part, as I walked into the small private altar room. The muses altar was obvious, since it had nine small statues, and Aphrodite’s had but one, but there were plenty of other clues. The muses were all carrying tools, books, painting gear, musical instruments, and things of that nature. They also looked like they were in the middle of a dance of some kind, and someone had carved the statues in a frozen moment of time.

  Elena was practically vibrating with excitement, when she kissed my cheek lingeringly, and left the room to give me privacy.

  One more thing to note. It was the last reason I’d ever do it, and not a reason at all for my choice. But I did take a bit of petty delight in the idea of how my father would react. The god and powerful ruler of the underworld, commander of dead souls, the earth and all its riches, and all demon kind. I’d already pissed him off by not allowing myself to be taken from the world of life and brought to him, and probably from borrowing a few souls now and then, but I imagined following the muses and dedicating my life to inspiring the world would severely chap his evil ass.

  I felt a bit self-conscious as I knelt in front of the altar, it wasn’t easy to accept they were above me, and deserved my veneration, especially after I’d rebelled against my father. Regardless, they were, and because they shared… or I should say I shared their passions and mantel, they were worthy of my devotion and even obeisance. It’d taken me a few days to get there in my head, overcoming that old-world thinking programmed in from my old human society, but I thought I was ready.

  I only had a vague idea what to do, and I didn’t so much worship them that first time in the classical sense of the word, but as I spoke to them. I uplifted the ideals and purposes of their mantel and what they stood for. I focused on my passion for the written word, music, dance, plays, entertainment of all kinds, and the beneficial effects it had on the world, countries, societies, tribes, families, and individuals. To say their mantel was diverse, in both purpose and influence from the world to the individual was an understatement. My desire to not only do that myself, but to inspire others through my work to do the same for others.

  Then I swore I’d try to follow and support those ideals for the rest of my life, and work in their name and in their direction if they chose to light a path for me. In short, my life, my professional life outside of family, had become being their follower. My becoming an author with Elena was just a part of that greater whole and greater purpose I’d dedicated myself to.

  It wasn’t something that was done lightly.

  Yet, as I stood up and left the room, I felt lighthearted and uplifted by it.

  Elena wasn’t in the hall, and before I headed downstairs to look for her, I decided to check the bedroom first. Her smoky dark brown come fuck me eyes had been filled with heat at my words, my hopes to work with her on as writers, and my decision to follow the muses which she championed. Despite our recent threesome less than an hour ago, I suspected I was about to have some one on one sex with her, which had been very rare so far.

  It was a good guess, and my exotically petite sexpot was in nothing but a light blue negligee, that was beyond sexy with sheer silk and darker lace designs slightly obscuring her fun parts but otherwise it revealed everything. She was also lying sideways, facing the door, and her head was rested on one hand with her legs sexily arranged, while her other hand was softly squeezing and teasing her breasts.

  As soon as she saw me, she rolled her nipple firmly through the lace and thin silk negligee, and she let out a gasp as her eyes widened with need.

  “I need to be fucked,” she said breathily.

  My Elena wasn’t nearly as nasty with her words as Maggie, but her blunt truthfulness in all things translated to extremely provocative language when it came to our sex lives. Needless to say, I was already rock hard by the time I’d left my clothes and shoes in a trail on the way to the bed.

  She pouted up at me sexily, as I crawled into the bed, and claimed her sweet tasting silken lips, and we both let out a moan as it deepened. Our lips slightly parting, so our tongues could duel playfully while our lips danced as one.