Icarus Rising: The Second Chances Series, #1

By N.W. Moors

A little romance, a quest, and the antics of the Greek Gods

After his fall to Earth, Icarus has been in Hell, punished for his hubris. When he wins a chance at parole, he's thrilled - except for the set of wings attached to his body.

Eve Gregory runs a small bookstore in northern Connecticut. When she hires the handsome stranger to work for her, she doesn't know the secrets he's hiding. Or that becoming involved with him will embroil her with the Greek gods and goddesses.

Icarus and Eve must perform a quest set down for them by Zeus. If they are successful, will that be end of their relationship? Or will love teach them a new way to soar?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sunday Morning Publishing
• Release date: Sep 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781537169392

N.W. Moors

N.W. Moors lives in Portland, Maine, the land of lobster and pine trees. She grew up in Connecticut and retired north(it's nice along the coast in winter). She's a voracious reader and avid traveler - she loves to visit Great Britain and Ireland. Researching trips meant that she tries to learn as much about the area as possible and listen to great Celtic music. She's also a knitter and hiker/walker with two cats(the cats don't walk). The Black Swans is a 2015 IndieB.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree, 2015 Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards Finalist, and 2015 Shortlist for Drunken Druid Book Awards. The Pellucid Effect is a 2018 IndieB.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree She truly appreciates you sharing this adventure with her. She will continue to write about magic, love, and the small town of Antrim, Maine. Please leave reviews and like her Facebook page or follow her blog or twitter feed for further updates.  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009322893083 Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntrimCycle Website: http://antrimcycle.com/ She also writes Regency Romance under the name Jerusha Moors.

Book preview

Chapter One

"Never regret thy fall,

O Icarus of the fearless flight

For the greatest tragedy of them all

Is never to feel the burning light."

―Oscar Wilde

THE IMP SKIPPED ALONG, humming to itself. Icarus shook his head, amused by a small creature who could find any joy in the bowels of Hell. He had long ago lost his facility for amusement after the first hundred years or so in Hell had passed. His right wing dragged along the sides of the tunnel they traversed. Icarus shifted uncomfortably, his back muscles sore from the constant pull of the heavy wings. A black feather drifted away, consumed by a gout of flame that flared from a side passage. The imp looked back and chittered at him, motioning for him to hurry. He sighed but increased his pace. His lordship, Hades, did not like to be kept waiting.

Icarus had only been summoned before the ruler of Hell a few times in his long sojourn there. One time when Icarus first arrived and only twice more when he had to act as a witness to punishments inflicted on some unfortunate souls who merited public sanctions. It was just as well.

When he first arrived, Icarus had been wild with rage at his punishment and full of grief for this father, Daedalus. Apollo had asked for a harsh censure for the pair, and Zeus had been inclined to humor his son. Zeus had judged that Daedalus was not the main instigator — yes, he had invented the wings for them both to fly, but Zeus did not conclude that his was a major crime. It was the hubris of Icarus that had offended Apollo; therefore, it was Icarus who received the brunt of the punishment. Since he was dead from his long fall anyway, Zeus turned him over to his brother Hades for judgment.

Icarus remembered being brought to Hades like it was yesterday instead of over two millennia ago.

He had walked into the great hall of Hades, his body still battered and sore. Death did not mitigate pain. He had prostrated before Hades, who watched him from his jagged stone throne. The floor had been uncomfortably hot, but he didn’t dare move until Hades gave the sign. Aeacus, the chief aide to the ruler of Hell, tapped his staff on the floor, and Icarus could finally rise.

Hades leaned back against the obsidian back of his throne while stolid Aeacus stood next to him, holding his elaborately carved staff cradled in his arms like a baby. Hades was a muscular man with ebony hair and pale skin. He furrowed his brow as he studied Icarus.

My nephew is wroth with you.

Icarus looked down at the floor, not wanting to respond until Hades permitted for him to speak.

Lord Apollo does not approve of mortals trying to encroach on his territory. Your father warned you, did he not?

Icarus looked up cautiously. Yes, my Lord Hades.

Yet you did not think to obey this warning?

Nodding his head, Icarus tried to explain. It was marvelous, my lord. To soar like the birds. Icarus sighed. It was unbelievable. I felt free, and I ascended too high. It was my fault.

It was hubris. You were too proud to listen to what your father told you. And so, you fell. Hades pursed his lips, showing his displeasure. This is my sentence. You will live in Hell, and you will have your wings back. But you cannot fly here in my caverns. And thus, you will live for all eternity.

To his horror, Icarus felt his back cleave open on each side, and two enormous black wings sprouted from the slits. He staggered from the weight. When he got his feet stabilized, he found that he had to hunch forward to carry the heavy load. Icarus looked up at Hades, but there was no mercy there. The Lord of the Underworld had decreed, and there was no gainsaying his mandate.

Icarus had dragged the unwieldy appendages out of the hall, knowing his punishment, while severe, was just.

As the centuries passed, he developed muscles to help him carry his burden. He suspected that Hades had made that small concession, but the ruler never spoke to him again after all this time. Until now.

The imp had come to him where he sat on a pile of stones, watching Sisyphus roll his rock uphill unceasingly. Icarus had found that once he was used to his wings, boredom was his biggest torment in Hell. There was nothing to do. He did not delight in the suffering of others, and there was no other entertainment.

The little imp had bowed, then said in a high squeaky voice, My lord Hades wishes you to attend him at once.

Icarus did not react. Better to not let the demon know how astounded he was by the summons. Instead, he stood up and followed the creature through the tunnels and caverns back to Hades' great hall.

It bewildered him when they bypassed the Great Hall’s entrance to pass instead through a tunnel where Hades and Persephone had their private apartments. The Queen of the Underworld was only there six months of the year, but Icarus had seen her from a distance. She was beautiful but sad-looking. Icarus wasn't sure if it were better or worse to be able to leave Hell for six months of the year. Still, it was something different he could spend hours pondering to waste more time.

The imp paused before a door and stepped aside to allow Icarus to enter. He did so with some trepidation and found a comfortable sitting area. There was a table that held the remains of a meal and brightly colored flowers adorned a vase. Persephone must be in residence.

He waited near the door, sweat running down his back between his feathered appendages. While this room was cooler than most parts of Hell in deference to its Queen, it was still warm. And he was nervous.

Icarus startled when Hades walked into the room from an entrance tucked in a corner. He hummed to himself; the pleasant sound eased some of Icarus' dread.

Hades straightened up and smirked when he saw Icarus. He poured wine into a goblet and sipped at the cup, licking a red droplet from the rim. He offered none to Icarus, who, though dead, still felt his mouth dry in memory of thirst. Hades found his chair and sat, took another drink, then put the cup down precisely in front of him. He leaned forward and placed his chin on his fist, studying Icarus for a few long minutes. Hades did not speak during the entire performance.

Finally, he crossed his hands over his stomach. Your father, Daedalus, has asked a boon of my brother, Zeus.

He paused again, obviously enjoying the suspense. Icarus refused to give him the pleasure he sought, so he kept his face impassive and waited, struggling not to give any sign of his shock and curiosity.

Hades rolled his eyes, then continued. Your father is a favorite of my brother. He has created many amusements for Zeus over the years with his various inventions. Hades shrugged, picked up his goblet, then put the cup back again. He slid a long finger around the rim of the cup round and round. His behavior made Icarus anxious; it wasn't like the Lord of the Underworld to be so hesitant.

Your father has requested your parole, and Zeus has decreed that the time for your punishment is over. You have spent over two millennia in Hell with great patience and forbearance. So, I plan to release you. Hades raised his hand palm out when Icarus gave an involuntary jerk at the words. There are conditions.

Yes, my Lord, Icarus croaked. The dryness had spread from his mouth down his throat. There was a roaring in his ears, and Icarus felt like he might heave up the contents of his stomach if there was anything left in his nonliving body.

You will return to Earth as a living being. Athena has agreed to give you knowledge of the modern world to help you assimilate. The way people live today has transformed since your previous time on Earth.

Thank you, my lord. He began to bow but stopped when Hades spoke once more.

That is not all. Your wings.

Icarus's eyes widened in amazement. If he were to live among men once more, he couldn’t keep his wings. Perhaps Hades thought he would miss them, but it was not so. He hated them, the symbol of his downfall, and couldn't wait to get rid of them. Icarus would gladly give them up. So, Hades’ next words shocked him.

You will keep the wings as a reminder of your transgression. Accommodation will happen so that the wings fold into your body, but you will have them as a constant memory of your sin against Apollo. It will set you apart from other men even if only in your mind. Do you agree to these conditions?

Icarus did not hesitate. Yes, my lord. He would reconcile himself to the hated wings for the chance to live as a man once more.

Hades nodded. Then your father's boon is granted. He flicked a finger, and pain assaulted him that he hadn’t felt since he acquired the wings. He fell to his hands and knees as his back split once more and the wings folded inside his torso. Icarus trembled with the shock, but the pain continued as his long-dormant heart started beating once more. The agony of his body coming back to life was unbelievable, but he bore it. Long minutes passed until the torment ceased. He lay on the floor, sweating, and his renewed body ached from its rejuvenation.

When Icarus finally pushed himself up on his knees, Hades spoke again. You now have what appears to be a long ridge of scar tissue on each side of your spine. Hades shrugged. Explain them however you please if another human questions them. But the wings will appear when you need them and contract back into their compartments when you have finished with them.

Icarus clenched his fists but got his legs underneath him and stood erect. His body felt odd without the weight of the wings dragging at his shoulders. Icarus grimly promised himself that they would never escape their compartment unless there was a dire need.

There was a movement at the doorway, and a woman with long brown hair and an aquiline nose stood there. Immediately, Icarus knew that she was the goddess Athena by her stern demeanor. He bowed his head, wanting to show her respect. Icarus knew she would only come to Hell at the request of Zeus, so she must be here to gift him with the knowledge he needed to go back to the world of men.

Icarus, she said.

Yes, my lady. I am he. He glanced over at Hades, but he was picking through a bowl of dates and ignoring them. Athena paid no mind to him either, so one of the periodic arguments that occurred so frequently among the gods and goddesses must have arisen.

Zeus has sent me to give you the gift of knowledge. Come here. Her voice was tranquil and pleasing but full of authority. Icarus walked over and stood in front of her. She raised a long white finger and pressed it against his forehead, between his eyes. There was pressure where she touched, odd but not unpleasant, with a buzz that reverberated throughout his mind. It was not as painful as what had occurred with Hades.

Icarus put both hands up to his head. I don’t feel any different, my lady.

Don't worry. Once you are back on Earth, the knowledge will come to you as you need it. She glanced at Hades. Is he released now? May I take him with me?

Hades negligently waved a hand and nodded, his mouth full of dates. Athena pursed her lips together in displeasure and turned on her heels. Icarus gave a bow to the silent Hades, then turned and followed her out of the room and out of Hell. He was finally free.

Chapter Two

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?

-Henry Ward Beecher

NOOKS WAS QUIET THIS afternoon. Mr. O'Hargan sat in an easy chair by the empty fireplace, as usual, reading one of his favorite philosophers with a cup of Earl Grey that was slowly going cold on the table next to him. The bell on the front door rang a few times as people came in for a latte-to-go or to browse among the stacks for a while. Eve processed the sales, then went back to her bookkeeping.

She hated bookkeeping.

Accounting still needed input each week even if she loathed every minute. It was all part and parcel of owning your own store. Eve sighed and looked around the cozy interior of Nooks. She had owned the bookstore/coffee shop for almost three years now. Well, she and the bank owned it, if one wanted to be technically accurate. Eve loved her store, the surrounding neighborhood, and all her regular customers—at least, most of them. They were like a family. She looked forward to the book clubs as much as a child looking for their first picture book.

Still, it was relaxing that it was so quiet today. Since Mary Ann had moved away to live with her boyfriend in New York, Eve found it hard to manage the place by herself. She had always put a lot of hours into the store, but Eve couldn't run the coffee shop and the bookstore if both were busy.

Eve had placed ads and had a sign in the front window of the shop, but no one had yet applied for the position. She had Leslie, a high school girl, who came in afternoons after her classes finished for the day, but Eve needed someone who could work full-time. As it was, Eve unpacked new stock early mornings and evenings, making for some very long days. She loved her job, but she hadn't had a day off in weeks.

The bell over the door rang, and a man walked into the store. He stopped a few feet into the room and looked around, getting his bearings. Eve had a game she played with herself when a new customer came in. She would guess whether he would head for the book side of the store or right to the coffee counter. It didn't matter which side he chose as long as the person didn't turn around and go back outside, but it was a way to pass the time. She decided that this one was going for coffee, probably a big cup. He looked a little rough around the edges like he needed some caffeine.

She was dumbfounded when he came straight to her at the counter without turning either right or left. Eve laughed to herself, thinking he was just there to ask for directions. She should stop playing this stupid game. It had been more fun when Mary Ann was still there to play it with, anyway.

Ah, Miss. The man stood right in front of her, and she shook off her thoughts to assist him.

Yes, may I help you?

I was looking for the owner, he replied, looking over to the right where the bookshelves were as if he expected someone to pop out from between Local History and Romance.

I'm the owner, Eve said. His head spun back around, and he inspected her closer. Eve just barely kept herself from rolling her eyes. He was not much older than her, now she had a better look, but he clearly thought she was too young to own her own business.

Eve decided his scruffiness was more from tiredness than hard living. He looked like he hadn't slept for a few days, and his clothes, while clean, were pretty wrinkled. He had limp black hair, dark green eyes, and his skin was brown from the sun. She thought he had a slight foreign accent. Can I help you? she repeated.

Mr. O'Hargan lifted his head from his book to scrutinize the proceedings. If this man was dangerous in any way, Eve knew old Mr. O'Hargan would be helpless unless he threw his tea at the man to blind him then bashed him over the head with his current philosophy tome. The odds of that overwhelming this man were insignificant in Eve's estimation, but she appreciated his protectiveness.

Uh, I saw the sign in the window, and I wanted to talk to you about possibly hiring me. The man looked nervous, but Eve could not help notice he was also attractive. She glanced over with a smile at Mr. O'Hargan, and he sat back in his chair, reassured by her relaxed attitude.

Eve reached out a hand. Well, let's start with names. I'm Eve Gregory, the owner of Nooks.

He grasped her hand and gave it a firm shake. My name is Russ, Russ Daedalus.

Would you like a cup of coffee? Tea? Eve felt a shiver go down her back as Russ smiled. He had a lovely smile.

Sure, coffee would be great. Black is fine. Eve led him over to one of the small tables to sit while she poured him a coffee and a mug of herbal tea for herself.

Eve sat down and stirred in a dollop of honey from the pot on the table, then folded her hands together in her lap. So, Mr. Daedalus, do you have a resume for me?

Please, just call me Russ. He grimaced and drummed his fingers on the table, then shook his head. And I'm sorry, I don't have a CV. I expected just to fill out a job application form.

Eve blinked and looked at the book counter where her laptop was still open. I don't have application forms. I've only had two people ever work for me, and I knew them both well before I hired them. She was at a loss, so she took time to blow on her tea and take a sip while her brain worked frantically to come up with an idea of what to do next. With dismay, she realized she didn't appear very professional, but as she said, it hadn't been necessary.

Russ cleared his throat. Maybe I could just tell you about myself, Russ said. Or you could ask me some questions.

Yes, of course, Eve agreed and bit her lip, a bad habit she had when

Reviews for Icarus Rising

[mahaerwin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting spin on the tale of Icarus. Romantic and sweet romance. A shame the dialogue sounded forced.

[sucoth · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun book. I liked the beginning especially. Imaginative story. It included some Gods and Goddesses that added interest. The romance was awkward and could have been changed some but on the whole, I enjoyed reading it.

[epweil · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A really cute romance and a great new addition to the legend of Icarus that continues his story after his famous fall. Icarus's actions of flying too close to the sun had angered the god Apollo who condemned Icarus to spend eternity in Hell overseen by Hades. After many centuries Zeus has offered Icarus a reprieve but Hades adds a stipulation, Icarus must always wear the wings that caused his fall. Icarus now called Russ despite being aided by the goddess Athena has had a hard time returning to earth, he can form no lasting friendships with anyone and he definitely cannot have a lover because of his wings. Russ is also still being persecuted by Apollo and Artemis who appear every time he tries to start a new life and ruin it for him until he is forced to move on once more. Now Russ is finally happy and working in a small bookstore owned by a women named Eve and while they both try to deny it they can feel a bond forming between them and it’s not long before they are sharing Eve’s apartment over the book store. But then Artemis shows up to make Russ’s life miserable again when she attacks Eve and forces Icarus to reveal his wings to save her. Instead of the rebuff that Russ expects from Eve she tells him her true feelings for him and the two make love. When they wake in the morning they are transported to Olympus where Artemis says that the two attacked her and that they must be punished. With her mother Hera on her side Zeus is forced to punish the couple by giving Eve wings to match Icarus’s but he also give them the option of finding the missing Golden Fleece in exchange for remove both their wings so they can live a normal life. While Russ and Eve go to look for the fleece Artemis and Athena are tasked by Zeus to run Eve’s bookshop where Artemis finds she really likes to bake and Athena is really good at running the store. With the aid of Apollo, Russ and Eve find the fleece, return it to Zeus who removes their wings and they all live happily ever after with the two sister goddesses helping out in the bookstore and living next door. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review and I must say I loved it and I look forward to reading more of the books in the second chances series and the Antrim cycles.

[madoka13 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I received this book from the author for an honest review. Overall, it was an enjoyable story. Some of the writing was repetitive and seemed to rush from event to event, and could have taken more time to develop the characters. The plot itself and some of the twists were inventive and fun to read.

[ogrezed · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this play with mythology quite a bit. The story was well written. The characters were well developed. And the story was a lot of fun. Although I did enjoy the first half of the book more, because of the introduction of the characters. I felt a connection to almost every character very quickly. Much more so that many other books I've read. I WANTED to read more about them. I'm looking forward to more of this series.