That was a really good point. A god’s power was easy to control, just by focusing on the ends, not the means. All she had to do to turn it off was to decide it was off, and add just a tiny bit of focus and power to it.

  Amber came out with a huge duffel bag and rolling luggage.

  “Says you. All I have to do is become a Stepford goddess, a part of him, which goes against everything I was, everything I am. Not happening.”

  June shook her head, “It’s not like that.”

  Amber snorted, “I’m ready to kill everyone in this building, so maybe we should move it along.”

  We stood up and stepped closer to her, but not inside her personal space. There was a spot in the living room with extra space that would do and was near the stairs, and I teleported us home.

  Amber’s face relaxed slightly, then she scowled, “I’ll be unpacking,” then headed up the stairs like going to her doom.

  “Well, that could’ve gone better.”

  June snorted, but there was no humor in it. My sweet and innocent goddess was still furious at her newest sister.

  We headed into the kitchen, where I gave a brief synopsis of what’d just happened, and June clarified a few points when she obviously thought I was being too understanding.

  Lily said, “It’s more than the mind reading, you know. That just exacerbated it. Your mantel is a balance to ours that we need, and while I’m coming to accept that I need you and belong to you because of it… Well, she seems even more independent than I am giving her mansplaining rant. So, if she was sexpot who was I when I answered the door?”

  “Adorably gorgeous comes closest, I didn’t really mentally coin a term for you, but I was calling you gorgeous in my head in the first five minutes.”

  Lily grinned, “I’ll take it, honey.”

  “Oh good, not in trouble.”

  Lily winked, “Oh, you’re definitely in trouble, honey. But I’m hoping you can handle me.”

  June giggled, “See, some of us love your sexist pet names.”

  I laughed, “Thanks, babe.”

  Brenna said, “I think the best we can do is the charms, we’ll all protect our minds, and the three-acre property should keep her isolated from other minds. The problem is her mind reading is a part of her goddess power, which is all one thing. We can’t block that on her side, without blocking everything. Well, maybe with a ward complicated enough to filter with rules, but I doubt she’ll want to live in a six-foot-wide circle, and even then, it’s never been attempted. June’s right though, she’ll be able to deal with it once she accepts who she is and her mantel. Either turn it off, or learn to ignore it like the background din in a restaurant, or at a sport’s event”

  Lily flipped a charm at June and then me, which we caught and put on with the bulletproof one. Then we were able to drop the active spell and stop focusing on it.

  “I’m sure we’ll get back to domestic bliss, eventually. This kind of thing is probably why we’re coming in waves.”

  Lily asked, “Shopping? I need to live up to my sexist pig pet-name tonight when I’m an artist’s arm candy. I’ve never been at a swanky art show before.”

  June nodded as she giggled, “Sure, we can go now.”

  “So, not going to tell me?” I asked.

  June blushed, “Part of the goddess only info.”

  I kissed her, “Are you okay?”

  June sighed, “I will be.”

  Lily and June got up and moved together, and then teleported out.

  Brenna said, “It’s societal programming you know. All of them were born to naturally be submissive and flourish under your guidance, to take comfort, joy, and pleasure in it. It’s not supposed to be this hard, and a hundred years ago it wouldn’t have been. The yin and yang, a balance of mantel and of man and woman. She’ll come around, once she accepts it. She only thinks it’s against everything she is, but it’s really just against everything modern society taught her a woman should be. Which is wrong.”

  “Wrong?”

  Brenna said, “A woman needs a man in her life to be complete, and men need women too. Obviously, there are exceptions to that rule, and that’s okay too, but I promise your goddesses were not born one of those exceptions. Not naturally. It’s not weakness, it’s biology and healthy, and we’re both better together when we take on roles natural to our instincts. Don’t get me wrong, feminism and seeking equality and getting rights were all wonderful things, and it was obviously needed and past due. But this modern militant feminism where it’s really just a manhating club is a social disease. Men always explaining the obvious is charming. To be clear, there are still old school feminists too, and they’re totally on track, it’s just the manhaters have a very loud voice.”

  I frowned, “Thanks, I think. I think it’s deeper than that too, but not sure how.” Mostly because June clearly didn’t want me to know whatever it was. I suspected she’d be talking to Lily about it while they shopped, and that was half the reason she was so eager for the shopping trip to begin with.

  But I trusted her judgement.

  She winked saucily, “I’ll get her setup with a grimoire, and explain the good news bad news situation.”

  I sighed, “I guess it will just be the four of us tonight.”

  Brenna smiled, “Absolutely. She won’t want to be around crowds until she figures it all out.”

  Yeah. The sensually warm atmosphere of our home had been broken, but I truly believed it’d be restored and even better with Lily and Amber here.

  Until then, I’d made a promise earlier, in my mind at least at Brenna’s parting words.

  “One more thing before you go upstairs, Brenna.”

  After all, I still had earlier to make up for, leaving her home. The conversation and Amber’s arrival had put somewhat of a pall over our usual humming sexual tension, but it came back quickly when I pulled her securely into my arms and pushed her up against the counter firmly as I claimed her lips.

  She was shocked for a split-second, but then moaning in wicked delight into my mouth, as she softened and melted against me, loving how firm and insistently I was holding her in place. It wasn’t long at all, before she was bent over the counter with her skirt over her hips, while I drilled her snug sheath hard from behind.

  It was also honestly, a relief, as well as hot and amazingly blissful to be buried in her sexy body. The release we both achieved helped drain some of that new angst, if not out of the house, at least out of each other. Reminding us we were at least, okay, and still on track.

  Then I headed into the studio while she headed upstairs, it looked vastly different as I’d temporarily converted it into a workshop of sorts, for the restoration. I needed something to focus on besides the drama, so I got to work preparing the new countertops, cabinets, and mixing the paint for the kitchen color. I also repaired a few damaged spots on the walls in preparation for that painting after everything else was finished.

  Once that room was finished, I’d slowly work through the rest of the house.

  Regardless, it was a distraction, and an art of sorts I could get lost in. I knew the last thing I should do was engage Amber or try to force it. That would just make it worse, and it’d probably wind up infuriating me. The woman had a mouth, and she didn’t hold back.

  “Gorgeous seems inadequate now, gorgeous.”

  Lily grinned, “You like?” turning almost girlishly to show off her new dress, clearly eating up my response to her appearance.

  Her dancer’s body was sheathed in a dark blue number, that really worked with her extremely light and straight buttery blonde hair that was up on the sides. It hugged all her curves and showed her B cup cleavage to advantage. Even the bottom of her dress ended in a pencil skirt that went down to just above her knees, wrapped tightly around her legs with a slit up the side for walking. Her gloriously long and sexy left leg was tantalizingly revealed for a moment with each step.

  She also had on a ruby earrings and pendant set, that I recognized as part of June’s collection.

  “I do, you’re entirely captivating, Lily.”

  She bit her lip, “You look pretty yummy yourself, honey.”

  I remembered her cock tease comment, and of course she was an exotic dancer, so it was no surprise she loved my hot eyes on her. That she loved to be admired for her body and soft adorable beauty of face. That she loved the power over men’s senses that it gave her. She was exquisite, adorably sexy, and a delightfully distracting contrast to June’s soft innocent beauty and sexiness.

  June came down in a red dress that hugged her perfect body up above, and the long skirts were loose and swishy around her legs. Her hair was down that night, the shimmering midnight ringlets falling down and caressing her body’s curves. She was also wearing a sapphire earrings and pendant set.

  Exquisitely elegant, in a pair of words.

  The jewelry sets were a perfect contrast to their own dresses, while matching each other’s, and I was sure that wasn’t on accident. It was a subtle statement, that they were both together and both mine, and that was absolutely something that June would do. Not just to send out that subtle message to others, but to thoroughly seduce me and drive me crazy. Apparently, Lily was fully complicit in her plans, because they looked delighted at my riveted expression. Both their eyes were sparkling, dark blue and sexy light gray.

  “Sexy,” I accused.

  June blushed.

  I added, “You both look amazing.”

  I kissed June softly, careful not to muss her perfection, and I was pleasantly surprised to find Lily closer when it ended. I took the liberty of taking Lily’s hand, and then kissing her cheek, she really didn’t seem to mind it.

  My head was already a bit fogged, when I looked up and watched my sexy redheaded witch walk down the stairs in a shimmering multilayered silver dress. The bottom layer was entirely opaque and hugged all the curves of her body like a second skin, covering all the important bits but leaving nothing to the imagination. Or that would’ve been true, if not for the semi-transparent second layer that fell naturally and clung in a few places to hint at her curves, but never fully reveal them. Her wavy auburn hair was pinned up, and she had a warm and adoring look on her face.

  She spoke bluntly and was opinionated when I asked her for her advice, but otherwise she was my breathless and adoring servant, shamelessly willing and eager to warm my cock at my whim, and almost embarrassingly attentive to my every need. It was all over her face in that moment, and I never felt worthy of it despite how heady it was.

  “My wild witch, you’ve outdone yourself.”

  Brenna said breathily, “Thank you, Mark. As always, it’s all for you and I am yours.”

  One day I was going to ask her why she called me by name when she used mistress for June. I’d even caught her calling Lily mistress once earlier in the day, already.

  I felt a little bad about Amber, she was stuck here, but she’d also hidden and sulked in her room all day, so I wasn’t that fussed. She probably wouldn’t have wanted to go anyway, and certainly not as an ornament on my arms. The ladies also had me overwhelmed, and my body already humming with desire.

  “I only have two arms.”

  June laughed, “Don’t worry about that, we have a plan, and we all can’t wait to dance with you. And each other.”

  “I’ll be guided by you then. I think I’d lose my mind trying to pick.”

  Lily said, “You’re very laid back.”

  I suppose I was at that, I tended to channel my aggression into taking charge in bed, and they all seemed to like that and need it to feel cherished and secure. Or in battle, I tended to be protective, but otherwise I let them dazzle me as they will while I tried to give them what they needed. Outside of bed, for the most part, all they needed was my attention and sexist admiration.

  That didn’t mean they’d all be submissive in bed, some might like to fight for the top or a give or take, but they’ll all probably like a man that was firm either way. That was the hope anyway.

  “That a good thing?”

  Lily nodded, “So far. I guess if you were controlling when there was nine of us it’d be a nightmare.”

  I grinned, “Exactly.”

  Lily shrugged, “Most men want to be in charge.”

  June said teasingly, “He is in charge, where it counts, out here he spoils us,” and there was no doubt by her tone and body language she was talking about sex.

  Lily said, “So, anyone else think it’s weird that I don’t mind sharing a date? That it just thrills me for some insane reason?”

  I got the idea by thrills, she really meant turned her on fiercely.

  June giggled, “Not anymore, but I used to mentally balk at it and wonder at my desires that way. You get used to it, it’s a part of who and what we are. All I can say is I’ve never been happier, never felt safer, or more secure, before becoming his. As wrong as that sounds, and it’s not the power doing it, even if that’s part of it.

  “We still have free will, but it’s like instinct too. An intrinsic part of our being, like part of our personalities are derived from DNA. That’s how I think of it anyway, like a person who naturally takes to sports and was born with a talent, but for a goddess it’s far more profound. Like our power is just enhancing that aspect of ourselves so we can’t deny it or lie to ourselves about it. Our mantel too.”

  Lily nodded slowly, “Alright, I hear you, and I can’t argue. We ready to get this party started?”

  I chuckled, and we all moved together. Lily took my right arm, Brenna my left, and June stood on the other side of Lily, intimately close in her space but not touching. Also, something June would arrange, giving the others first shot at holding my arms directly. She was a sweetheart, and I had no doubt the plan was hers.

  I teleported us near the alley entrance next to the downtown gallery, when no one on the street was looking that way. Several turned at the flash of golden light, but I could tell they also didn’t assume we’d just appeared out of nowhere. They just looked confused for a second at what the source of the flash was, then shrugged and went on with their evenings.

  Lily grinned, and there was the wonder of a newbie to all this in her voice, “That’s so convenient, no more getting stuck in traffic.”

  June smiled, “There are a few perks, and instant transportation is the most convenient of them.”

  The gallery was sophisticated and dimly lit, save of course the bright pools of light directly around the eighteen pieces. There was a sign with my name on it, stating the artwork was mine, along with bidding sheets that held minimums. I’d never been to the downtown gallery owned by Allison before, and it wasn’t just one room. There were several, five to be exact. Two were blocked off, and each of the other three held one of the series. I supposed so it could be viewed as a whole, without my other series pieces or the emotions they evoked interfering.

  There was piano music, a lot of wine and hard liquor, and a surprisingly large number of people dressed in expensive and chic clothing. Allison must’ve staked her reputation on my showing, she must’ve been extremely persuasive about them regretting not coming if they didn’t. It was packed, which had me feeling a bit humble, but part of that last was also the three ladies on my arms.

  The two goddesses and witch orbited me that night, in a natural way that didn’t seem obvious or contrived, more flowing and graceful. Anytime we stopped by a couple or individual who wanted to chat with the artist, me, they orbited me in a natural way during the conversation. Then when we moved off I’d have a different pair on my arms as they grabbed on while we moved. It was… subtle, or at least as subtle and graceful as it could be, for what it was.

  The third person not on my arms, was the one that handled the aggressive women that had more than art on their minds, and they did it smoothly without giving offense, usually while the other two made it very clear with body language that I belonged to them.

  The whole night was a little surreal that way, to be honest, and I was completely overwhelmed by their beauty, attention, and warmth. Even Lily threw herself into the role of it with hardly knowing me, and she was an extremely seductive woman in body language and facial expression. I kept thinking about her cock tease comments, especially about the part where she said all she wanted to do now was follow through with me. She was stunning.

  It was in the end, a complete success, if a bit boring at times due to repeating the same conversation over and over again with every potential buyer, all of them convinced they were the most cultured and art savvy, while they parroted all the same things as everyone else. Still, totally worth it.

  It was around ten, when the place finally cleared out and Allison took us back to her office.

  Allison looked at us curiously, “You are all his lovers? I mean, you want them here for the numbers conversation?”

  “Yes, they can be here. Allison, I’d like you to meet the goddess muses June and Lily. They are… you could call it business partners in the arts, as far as our powers go. And this is Brenna, a witch and our advisor in the supernatural world, friend, ally, and by her own will our servant.”

  June said, “We’re also all his lovers, he’s just being a gentleman.”

  Allison looked bemusedly at June.

  I cleared my throat, “Everyone, this is Allison, the best gallery manager and art mover I know, and I trust her to do her best for me.”

  Allison smiled, “Thanks for that, and I will, if only to increase my percentage earnings. We did amazingly well tonight. If you weren’t a god, we still would’ve cleared a third of what we did, and those paintings will quadruple in value shortly. But since you are we did insanely well, even for perfection because it’s your debut. I’ll give you a sheet with the specifics and breakdown, but we sold them all at an average of five hundred and twenty thousand. After my percentage, that grosses you just over eight point three million. So truly, Mark, congratulations.”