Swift Wings: A Non-Shifter M/M MPREG Romance: New Olympians, #4

By C. J. Vincent

The winds of change are blowing, and even Hermes must choose a side…

The Messenger of the Gods has been a neutral party in the war between the immortal Olympian gods for centuries. Zeus and his brothers on one side; Hera and her sisters on the other… there will be no peace between them while jealousy festers and anger and resentment keep their hold on the hearts of the gods. Hermes has seen it all, and listened, while both parties have ranted and raved about their mistreatment at the hands of the other. But when will it be his turn?

The nursery at Olympus has been filling with noise and laughter, but while Hermes' uncles seek their own perfect match, he wallows in denial that the prophecy was even meant for him. How can he truly stay neutral in this war when his heart is pledged to the mortal who would bear his children? It's not fate he's avoiding, it's the knowledge that everything he is will be compromised. It would only take one moment of weakness, and every alliance that he has worked so hard to build will be shattered.

Noah isn't a one-night-stand kind of guy, but when it comes to Lukas, he's made a month's worth of exceptions. A triathlete in the depths of competition training, Noah doesn't have time for much more, but there's something about Lukas that makes him want more than what's currently on offer… and frankly, he's tired of waking up alone. All it takes is one moment of strength, one step towards what he wants, and everything will change forever, but Noah has no idea what kind of change is coming, or what it will mean for his future.

Swift Wings is book 4 in the New Olympians series. 37,000 words, with a HEA featuring a fiercely independent omega and a flighty alpha-god to claim him.

~ NEW OLYMPIANS ~
Book 1 ~ Lightning Strikes (ZEUS)
Book 2 ~ Rip Tide (POSEIDON)
Book 3 ~ By the Book (HADES)
Book 4 ~ Swift Wings (HERMES)
Book 5 ~ Marble Heart (ARES)
FREEBIE ~ Immortal's Wish (Holiday novella)
Book 6 ~ Eternal Fire (HEPHAESTUS)
Book 7 ~ Phoebus (APOLLO)
Book 8 ~ Spark of Romance (EROS)
Book 9 ~ Spark of Chaos (Dionysus)
Book 10 ~ Spark of Remembrance (BOREAS)

• Language: English
• Publisher: FireHive Media
• Release date: Oct 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393096535

Book preview

Prologue

Thousands of years ago, when mankind was young, they loved and feared the wrath of their creators.

The Gods of Olympus reigned over their creations from behind a curtain of aloof power atop Mount Olympus. They were beautiful and untouchable; but they were also petty, cruel, and quick to anger, both with the humans they governed and each other.

The ruler of Olympus was known for his wild ways, and it was no secret that Zeus took female and male lovers whenever he felt his godly urges rising.

Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, were three divine brothers who were used to getting their way, but it was Hera, Queen of the Heavens, and wife to Zeus who finally had enough of her husband’s philandering ways. When the appetites of their husbands were too much to bear, and the demigods grew too numerous to control, Hera, Amphitrite, and Persephone came together to protect mankind, and their divine bloodlines, by cursing the divine seed of their wandering mates.

Under the power of their curse, the Gods of Olympus could no longer impregnate humans, and their divine touch spelled death for their unwitting partners. When Zeus discovered what his wife had done, he was outraged. His anger split the heavens with divine lightning, but Hera’s curse could not be undone.

With the help of his brothers, Zeus banished the goddesses from Olympus.

Zeus’ immortal anger simmered for centuries, and as his half-divine children aged and died, he was left alone on Olympus with only his brothers for company…

Chapter 1 ~ Hermes

Iwas the only one who ever went to the furthest edge of Olympus. Past the marble tiles and high columns and out onto the flesh of the mountain, that was where I found my solace. I could listen to the winds out here. Truly listen. My uncles, my father, and brothers… their concerns were not the same as mine. When the goddesses had cursed us, I had thought myself immune. I was neutral in all of the petty squabbles between husbands, wives, and lovers. How could they have turned on me?

I should have known that Hera would not make exceptions. The misdeed of one was the misdeed of all; it was the way the gods had always been. Why should this be any different? It had taken me centuries to admit that it hurt, that this punishment had been so impersonal, and yet so viciously personal at the same time.

I could feel his presence before he spoke, the hair on the back of my neck lifting and a tang of electricity in the air.

Father, I said quietly.

Zeus, my father, father of so many members of the Pantheon and of so many more that I had escorted into the Underworld when their due time came. Demigods, great heroes—all of them had fallen under the golden shears of the Fates. Their semi-divine blood had extended the line of their lives, but could not save them from death and the cold embrace of Acheron.

You should be in the nursery with the others, Zeus said with a gruff smile. He draped an arm around my shoulders briefly but removed it before I had a chance to shake him off. I visited them this morning. Your little Alkira has quite the grip, I said.

"You know what I mean, Hermes. It’s one thing to see my brothers with their sparks and the promise of their children… but what I want is to hold my grandchild."

I shrugged. What about Ares?

Ares? Zeus scoffed. What would Ares care about rebuilding Olympus? He is as selfish now as he always has been. He has learned nothing from our struggle—our pain. He shook his head. No, all of my hopes are on you, Hermes. I know you will bring my first grandchild to Olympus. The first one in centuries.

He slapped me on the back in what I supposed was a gesture of fatherly camaraderie. Always trying too hard. My father had never really cared for his children, or the women (goddess or mortal) who carried his children. His care and love for Cameron; however, was obvious, and his obsession with his newborn daughter and his mission to bring the prophecy to fruition should have softened me towards him. But it was a difficult leap.

And Hephaestus?

Your brother has his own challenges, you know that. I expect that he will muddle along as he always does.

Hephaestus deserved more happiness than any of us, and to hear our father dismiss him so quickly made me bristle. It seems unfair that you should pin all of your hopes on me, Father. You know that I have a duty, not just to Olympus—

I know your duties well enough.

The tone of Zeus’ voice was something I had been ignoring for centuries. Every time I returned to Olympus, no matter the reason for my absence, my father’s attitude had always been the same. Suspicious, angry, petulant—as though he resented the fact that I had never chosen a side in this battle he waged with Hera. Hera wasn’t my mother, but she had been kind to me in her own way.

What do you think would happen if I were to pursue this prophecy? I asked sharply. I still hadn’t looked at him; it was easier to speak to my father when I wasn’t looking at him. Zeus was silent for longer than I’d expected him to be.

You would find your spark, bring them back to Olympus and all would be as it should be, he said simply.

If only it were that easy.

You have no idea, do you? I doubt that you even care. Unless something affects you personally, you’re content to just let it happen. You’ve always been like this. Did you even know what kind of responsibility you handed me when you made me Messenger of the Gods? You didn’t even ask me.

It’s a little late to complain about this now… what else should you have been given? I can’t help how you were born. This is who you’ve always been. I couldn’t very well give you Ares’ sword and spear, or Hephaestus’ hammer… Zeus’ hand fell heavily on my shoulder and I knew he could feel my flinch, though he didn’t remove his hand this time. The pressure was overwhelming but I stood as solid as the marble columns behind us. You should have told me you were unhappy.

It doesn’t matter now, does it? You are content with Cameron, and little Alkira. My uncles have both fallen into step with you—even Hades. I shook my head and laughed derisively. I never expected Hades to fall to this prophecy. That seemed even more unlikely than Ares.

You cannot doubt the power of it now, surely, Zeus said quietly.

No, Father. Of course I can’t. You’ve proven it. My uncles have proven it… I would be a fool to deny what is right in front of my face.

"That would be foolish," he agreed.

That was rhetorical, I snapped. Zeus finally lifted his hand from my shoulder, and I resisted the urge to rub at the spot his hand had just occupied.

I’m not trying to pressure you, he said after a long pause. But if you know that your spark is out there, why would you not want to fulfill the destiny that the Fates have chosen for you?

The Fates? How can you know they had anything to do with this? How can they have any say in the lives of immortals? I know you want me to choose a side, Father. Everything about you tells me that is what you want. The way you glare at me when I return from the sacred grove, the way you speak to me before I leave Olympus… you’ve never respected my position. Even before Hera’s betrayal you have always questioned me and pushed me against her. And now? Now that I’ve chosen to remain neutral? I know that angers you even more.

I could feel my father’s ire crackling in the air around me, but his annoyance wasn’t my concern. My neutrality was the only thing that ensured I would be able to function in my role. My role hinged on service to the gods of Olympus, even if they were not on Olympus, my duty to the goddesses who had been exiled was not ended. My father could demand it all he wanted, but it was not possible.

I know you speak to the goddesses, he said through gritted teeth.

Of course I do, I said, finally turning to meet his stormy gray eyes. They’re still Olympians, even if they’re not here with us.

I don’t need you to remind me.

You’ve gotten what you wanted, Father, maybe it’s time to forgive… I said the words without thinking. My mouth often worked far faster than my common sense. My mother was a nymph, one of Artemis’ falling stars, and my father the god of lightning—how could I ever be expected to be patient with anything?

Forgiveness? What do you know of forgiveness? Zeus’ voice was dangerous when he replied and I lifted my chin so he wouldn’t know how much I regretted my words. Hera has put my children at risk. She convinced the daughters of Nereus to attack Brooke. They almost killed him. And your sister succeeded in her task. My father’s gaze was dark and I swallowed thickly.

I was there, I said. What Eris did was unforgivable. She’s fled the company of the other goddesses… I’d said too much already and Zeus’ eyes narrowed angrily.

Let me guess, the Nereids only meant to scare Brooke? Is that what I should tell your uncle? That it was an honest mistake? A game gone wrong? Perhaps you don’t understand how serious this is, Hermes. You have always flitted around Olympus with very little direction. Your responsibility has always been your duty, and you do it well. But this is differ‐ ent. These are our children—

We are your children too, I interrupted him. No one ever interrupted him. Perhaps you should remember that. The clouds underneath my feet rumbled with thunder that vibrated up my legs. Zeus had never been fond of the truth.

Without waiting for his response, I turned away and ran over the clouds. As my foot touched the last wisp of stratus, I willed myself to Earth and away from my father’s rippling anger.

Walking the streets of Austin, Texas, at twilight was a simple pleasure that I would never tire of. Maybe it

was the bats, maybe it was the flat desert sunset, maybe it was the fact that I never got a second look when I walked around town. I looked just like everyone else here. Young, fresh, and full of ideas. They all were. You didn’t have to wear a suit to impress anyone in Austin, and I liked that about it. New York was different. Los Angeles was different. London was different. When it came to cities, I always gravitated to the fast-paced bustle; the crush of humanity intrigued me more than anything in the wide world.

Hades walked among the mortals to taste the exquisite futility of their impermanence, but I wasn’t that morbid. I relished their frantic pace and their desire to be on the move. I was always on the move, and that constant movement