The Helicon Muses Omnibus: Books 1-4

by V. J. Chambers

  She closed her eyes and surrendered to it. She loved that he was a collection of opposites. His hands were large, his fingers thick, but his touch was delicate and soft. She loved how graceful and willowy he was. What she loved even more was the way his maleness seemed to intrude on his litheness, making him somehow strong and firm at the same time. She put a hand on his chest. It was solid as she ran her fingers over it.

  Sawyer let out a little gasp. He pulled back. “We should, um, do the measuring thing.”

  Right. That was why she was here, wasn’t it? “Okay.”

  Sawyer had a spool of measuring tape on the table. He picked it up.

  Nora cocked her head in sudden interest. “What unit of measurement does it use? Are the muses metric?”

  “What’s metric?”

  She laughed, taking it from him. It looked like any other measuring tape she’d ever seen, although it didn’t have both inches and centimeters on it. There was only one kind of measurement, and she squinted at the lines, trying to determine if it looked like an inch. She put a finger on one of the longer lines. “This. What does that measure?”

  “It’s a daktylos,” said Sawyer. “Is there another way to measure things?”

  She shrugged. “Well, yeah. But it’s just silly mundane world stuff.” She tried the word. “Daktylos. It sounds Greek. Maybe the muses borrowed it from the ancients.”

  “Maybe the ancients got it on an inspiration thread,” said Sawyer.

  “Probably,” she said, handing the measuring tape back.

  He unrolled it, and started to wrap it around her waist. It tugged her against him. “Hmm. I guess that this measuring thing isn’t going to be a good distraction from being close.”

  She smiled. “I guess not. That a problem?”

  “I can work with it.” He kissed her.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck.

  The measuring tape fell to the floor. His hands were on her again.

  She sighed against his lips.

  * * *

  Nora and Sawyer walked through the snow, hand in hand. They were heading out of the food enclave after breakfast and going to the meadow to look at the progress of the snow sculptures. Even though Nora wasn’t making one, that didn’t mean that she didn’t like looking at them. They were always so pretty.

  Ahead of them, Roth was walking away from his father Mack, who was chasing after his son, looking upset. “I just don’t understand,” said Mack. “You stay with me every year. You always help with the chimeras.”

  Roth didn’t turn around. He kept walking.

  “Do you not want to be here? Is that it?” said Mack. “Because I can send you back to your mother if that’s the case.”

  Roth laughed. He still didn’t turn around. “Oh, no. I’m having quite a bit of fun here, thanks very much.”

  “Turn around and talk to me,” said Mack, red in the face. He was starting to sound angry.

  Roth kept walking. He raised his middle finger over his shoulder.

  Mack halted in his tracks, his jaw dropping. He was speechless.

  Nora’s heart went out to him. Mack was a very nice man. He was one of the first people she’d met in Helicon, and she had a soft spot for his gentle, curious demeanor. She didn’t think she should say anything. She and Sawyer were eavesdropping after all. She averted her gaze, stared at the snow, and she and Sawyer walked right past Mack.

  When they were out of earshot of Mack, she said, “Roth’s really a jerk, isn’t he? How could you be mean to Mack?”

  “Yeah,” said Sawyer. “Roth’s different. I wonder what happened to him.”

  “Whatever it was, it wasn’t good,” said Nora.

  They continued to walk through the snow, following a path that had been tread by many feet before theirs. The main fire pit was still smoking. Its fire never quite went out, just burned down to coals before someone got it started again the next day. The path they followed wound around it, down a hill, and to the meadow where the sculptures were being made.

  Except they weren’t.

  When they rounded the fire pit and the meadow came into view, Nora saw that the sculptures had all been destroyed. Knocked over. Kicked. Scattered. Pummeled.

  Every single one had been ruined.

  She stopped moving, gloved hands going to her lips.

  “Gods,” breathed Sawyer.

  All around them, muses were examining what was left of their masterpieces. A buzz of angry conversation filled the air.

  Roth had stopped in front of them. He turned to face them, a huge grin on his face. “Guess you’re glad you didn’t bother to make one, aren’t you?”

  Nora gaped at him in horror. “You did this, didn’t you?”

  Roth laughed. “It’s kind of funny, don’t you think? Everyone’s making a big deal out of it, but it’s only snow.”

  “It’s not,” said Nora. “It’s an inspiration thread. Muses have to send creativity to the mundane world—”

  “Blah, blah, blah,” said Roth. “You should try not being so serious sometime. You might like it.”

  A voice from behind: “Coming through!”

  Nora turned to see one of the muses from the food enclave walking down the hill. He carrying a big pot of hot chocolate.

  “Let me help you,” said Roth, hurrying over to the man. “Can I carry something?”

  “Oh, sure, grab the bag of mugs from my back,” said the man.

  Roth took it.

  Nora’s eyes narrowed. “What are you up to now, Roth?”

  He winked at her. “So serious.”

  Sawyer took her by the arm. “Come on.”

  “But he knocked over the sculptures.”

  “We can’t be sure he did. We don’t have any proof.”

  “Oh come on. It was him.”

  He sighed. “Probably. But people are upset enough as it is. Come on.”

  She let Sawyer pull her out of the way, but she refused to stop looking at Roth. He helped the food enclave muse dish out mugs of hot chocolate to the disheveled muses, who were all very upset that their sculptures were ruined. She couldn’t see that he was doing anything wrong, but she didn’t trust him.

  “I know it was him, Sawyer,” she said. “We should go to Phoebe.”

  Sawyer rolled his eyes. “Because she’s done such a good job at solving problems before?”

  He had a point. Nora sighed. She turned back to watching Roth. “There!”

  “What?”

  “He just put something in the hot chocolate,” said Nora. She’d only seen it for a flash of a moment, but Roth had some kind of flask. He’d poured some of the contents into a mug. “Didn’t you see it?”

  “No,” said Sawyer. “I didn’t.”

  “I did,” said Nora. “I’m going to find Phoebe.”

  But as soon as she turned to go, she saw that Phoebe was descending from the other side of the meadow. She was looking out over the destroyed snow sculptures, her brow furrowed.

  Nora started for her.

  “Wait, Nora,” said Sawyer. “You don’t know for sure.”

  She ignored him, wading through the snow to intercept Phoebe.

  Except that Roth got there first. He was smiling and holding out a mug. “Hot chocolate?”

  “Phoebe!” called Nora.

  “Why, thank you,” said Phoebe. She took the mug and lifted it to her lips.

  “Don’t!” said Nora.

  Roth and Phoebe both turned to Nora.

  “Nora, is something wrong?” Phoebe took a drink of her hot chocolate. “Well, your sculpture, of course.”

  “It’s awful, isn’t it?” said Roth in a sugary sweet voice.

  “It’s an inspiration thread,” said Phoebe, taking another drink.

  “I don’t think you should drink that,” said Nora.

  “Why not?” said Phoebe.

  “He put something in it.” Nora pointed at Roth.

  Sawyer caught up with Nora. “You can’t be sure of that.”

/>   Phoebe looked at Roth. “Did you?”

  Roth only smiled.

  Phoebe looked at him warily. She handed the cup back to him. “Who are you? I know that smile.”

  “I’m Roth, a teenage fairy-muse hybrid, Phoebe. You’ve known me since I was a child. I’m Mack’s son.”

  “Maybe you’re his, maybe not,” said Phoebe. “You don’t look a thing like him, you know.” She covered her mouth in horror. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  Roth giggled.

  Sawyer took a step back. “Phoebe?”

  Nora glared at him. “What’s in the hot chocolate?”

  “He’s really not a very attractive boy, anyway,” said Phoebe. “I don’t know why Thistleberry lets him out of fairy land looking like that. His hair’s positively disgusting.”

  Roth doubled over in laughter. “Tell us how you really feel, Phoebe.”

  Nora looked around. All over the place, she could see muses with their hands over their mouths, as if horrified by what they’d just said. “What did you do? What did you put in it?”

  “Who says I put anything in it?” said Roth.

  Phoebe drew herself up. “If there’s nothing in it, then you won’t mind drinking some yourself.” She gestured at the mug she’d handed him.

  Roth looked down at it. He laughed. “Why not?” He upended the mug into his mouth.

  Nora leaned back into Sawyer, who grabbed her hand in comfort. What was going to happen to Roth now?

  “Oh, really,” said Phoebe. “You two are utter idiots.”

  “Us?” said Sawyer.

  “Anyone can see that you’re gay,” said Phoebe to Sawyer. “You’re going to break this girl’s heart.”

  Nora glared at Phoebe. “How is that any of your business?”

  Roth lowered his cup. “If you’d like to know what I think—”

  “I doubt it,” said Nora.

  “Too bad,” said Roth, laughing. “Because you’ll have to. I really can’t contain myself anymore. I think you’re really an adorable couple. I don’t know why people have so many problems with boys wanting to bend genders a bit. I was a female horse, once, you know.”

  A female horse?

  “Loki,” said Phoebe.

  Roth chuckled. “I got banged by another horse while I was a female, too. Completely crazy experience. And giving birth... well, everyone should try it.”

  “You bastard,” said Phoebe.

  “Common misconception,” said Roth. “But I’m not an illegitimate child. Likewise, I’m not Thor’s brother. You muses are in control of inspiration threads, aren’t you? Why can’t you get things like that right when you send things to the mundane world? Do you have any idea what kind of actor they have playing me in the movies?”

  “You’re not Roth,” said Sawyer.

  “You catch on quick, don’t you?” said Roth. He bowed low. “Loki son of Farbauti, at your service.” When he raised his face, he no longer looked the same. His hair had faded from coal black to a light blond color, like corn silk. His skin was white, his eyes light gray, almost colorless. He had long, slender arms and fingers, which he extended in front of himself in a sort of “Ta-da” pose.

  “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you one hundred times,” said Phoebe. “You are not welcome in Helicon.”

  “Oh, yes, I know,” said Loki. “Because in Helicon, everyone’s so serious all the time. No one ever wants to have any fun.”

  “Your idea of fun is knocking over snow sculptures and pulling down Sawyer’s skirt,” said Nora. “It’s mean.”

  “It’s only mean because you’re too serious.” Loki leaned forward. “Let go. Embrace chaos. Everything’s more fun here.”

  “What have you done with that miserable-looking boy Roth anyway?” said Phoebe.

  Loki made a face. “Oh, dear. I wish I hadn’t drunk that truth cordial. If I hadn’t, I could keep it from you, and I’d have to stay because you couldn’t find him. But I have him tied up in the woods.”

  Phoebe folded her arms over her chest. “Show us.”

  Loki sulked. “I don’t want to. I want to stay in Helicon. Asgard is boring. There’s no one else there. I’m lonely.”

  “Listen, Loki,” said Phoebe. “No one likes you. And it’s your own fault. You’re perfectly horrid to be around. Not only that, but you’re practically an albino, and albinos have always creeped me out.” She swore. “I can’t handle this stupid truth cordial. I don’t want to say anything else embarrassing. How long until it wears off?”

  “Hours,” said Loki, smiling.

  Phoebe threw her hands up in the air. “Nora, make him show you where Roth is. If I go, I’ll probably insult the boy to his face, and that won’t be very comforting after he’s been tied up for days.” She turned on her heel and stalked away.

  Loki smiled at Nora and Sawyer. “We could have a bit of fun first.”

  “I will deal with you later, Loki,” Phoebe called over her shoulder. “And you aren’t going to like it.”

  “No fun,” said Sawyer. “Just take us to the real Roth.”

  Loki gave them a withering look. “Serious. Always serious.” He turned. “Well, come on, then, let’s go into the woods.”

  * * *

  Loki stopped, standing next to a snow-covered pine tree. “Listen—”

  “No,” said Nora. “Stop stalling and take us to Roth.” This was the sixth time he’d stopped them. He was odd. He was a god, but he didn’t seem very powerful. The only other god Nora had met was Dionysius, and his effect on her had been very intense. In contrast, Loki was easily cowed into obeying. Didn’t he have crazy god-like powers, or was he just sort of an annoying younger brother or something?

  Loki took the flask he’d used to spike the hot chocolate out of his pocket and handed it to Nora. “You keep this, okay? Maybe you won’t always be so serious.”

  Nora shook her head. “No. I don’t play nasty tricks on people.”

  Sawyer snatched it out of Loki’s hands. “Thanks.”

  Nora glared at him.

  “What?” he said. “It might come in useful at some point.”

  Loki smiled. “Wonderful. Now, you’ll find Roth on the other side of this tree.” He waved. “See ya.” And then he disappeared.

  One second he was there. The next? Gone.

  She turned to Sawyer, blinking and confused.

  He raised his eyebrows. “Weird.”

  A faint voice came from behind the tree. “Hello?”

  They scrambled through the snow to find Roth wrapped in several blankets and tied to another tree. “Sawyer?” he said.

  Sawyer went to him, his fingers busy at the knots. “Hey, Roth.”

  Nora joined Sawyer. “I’m Nora. Sawyer’s girlfriend. Sorry Loki pretended to be you and tied you up in the woods.”

  “You have a girlfriend?” said Roth. “Aren’t you gay?”

  Sawyer rolled his eyes.

  Nora sighed.

  * * *

  Phoebe was at the door to Mack’s tent. “Can I come in?”

  After untying Roth, they’d taken him to his father’s tent and explained what had happened to Mack. Both Mack and Roth were happy to see each other. Roth was even more happy to see the chimeras. He’d run out to check out the winged horses and the snake-roosters.

  Mack got up and pulled aside the tent flaps. “Phoebe. If I’d known you were coming, I would have cleaned up a bit more.”

  Phoebe waved her hand carelessly. “Don’t be silly, Mack. I only wanted to check on Roth. Is he okay?”

  “Fit as a fiddle,” said Mack. “I’m grateful that he’s all right, and that Loki wasn’t actually my boy. He was positively horrible. The things he said to me...” Mack shook his head.

  “Loki’s not known for being polite.” Phoebe grimaced. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

  “Speaking of Loki,” said Sawyer, “he disappeared in the woods.”

  “Yeah,” said Nora. “Is he gone?”

&nb
sp; “He’s not with you anymore?” said Phoebe.

  “Can’t you sense him or something?” asked Nora. Phoebe was the head of the council. She could tell whether or not Owen set foot in Helicon. She knew if Dionysius was pulling muse power. Nora assumed Phoebe would know if Loki was here.

  “I’m afraid not,” said Phoebe. She sighed. “But I’m sure he’s run off. He doesn’t have a particularly long attention span, if you know what I mean.”

  “I don’t think I do,” said Mack.

  “He’s done his mischief,” said Phoebe. “He’s gone somewhere else to wreak havoc.”

  Mack nodded. “Ah, yes. He is really just the most slimy, disgusting waste of space ever spawned, isn’t he? I despise Loki.”

  “We all do,” said Phoebe.

  Roth poked his head inside, holding a poodle with a turtle shell on its back. “He’s definitely gone then?”

  “Definitely,” said Phoebe.

  “Good,” said Roth.

  “I’m glad to have you back, son,” said Mack, smiling across the tent.

  “Glad to be here,” said Roth. “All the fairies are way too serious. No one has any fun.”

  Everyone turned to look at him.

  “What?” said Roth.

  Phoebe stalked over to him. “If you’re still in there, Loki, I swear to the gods, I will wring your pathetic little neck.”

  Roth backed away from her. “I’m me. I swear.” He looked at Mack. “Dad? Did Loki like turtle-dogs?” He turned to Sawyer. “I bet he didn’t even know who you were, did he?”

  Phoebe folded her arms over her chest. “But he knows now, doesn’t he?”

  “I’m not Loki,” said Roth. “For magic’s sake, I’m me.” He glowered at Phoebe, looking wounded.

  “Prove it,” she said.

  “Prove it?”

  “Tell us something only Roth would know,” she said.

  Roth shrugged. “Like what?”

  “When you were a small child, you got into one of the pies in the food enclave—”

  “Oh, come on,” he said. “Isn’t anybody ever going to let that go?”

  “What were you wearing when you did it? Besides the pie that is?” said Phoebe.

  Roth’s face reddened. He looked at the floor. “Nothing.”

  Phoebe turned. “Well, it’s really him.”

  Roth flounced out of the tent, muttering under his breath.