Muse Inspired: Nine Heirs and a Spare, #6

By Donna McDonald

Muse inspired is a paranormal fantasy women's fiction and fantasy novel and an action and adventure tale from USA Today Bestselling Author Donna McDonald.

 

My body flipping between ages 40 and 60 is not inspiring.

 

The Fates have gone missing and their mother blames me. Why would she do that? They tell me what to do. It doesn't work the other way around. In their absence, time has gone crazy. I've got to fix that problem before I can worry about searching for the missing Moirai.

 

And who knows? Maybe the Fates got tired and wanted a vacation. Gaia knows, I could certainly use one. But going to Tibet to throw myself off a mountain in order to find Shangri-la is not my idea of rest and relaxation. One man's paradise is another's prison, but I have to go there. I'm searching for the original Titan timekeeper—Father Time—to fix time in the Mortal Realm so I can work on the prophecy before I get too decrepit to care.

 

I have to move quickly. It looks like I may have to stop another full-out Dragon war now that Ares is loose again. The Dragons are out for his blood and Ares is out for mine. My wicked half-brother knows that he's never going to sit on the Olympian throne while there's breath left in my body. I intend to put my annoying sister there instead because Athena deserves to spend eternity babysitting our pantheon.

 

Of course, if I don't get time fixed, Ambrosia-eating Ares won't get much fight from a Goddess who keeps getting older and older every day. Ironically, the older I get, the more I need inspiration to keep going. You can't inspire those around you if you don't have faith that you can win in the end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donna McDonald
• Release date: Dec 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781950619436

Donna McDonald

USA Today Bestselling Author Donna McDonald published her first novel in March of 2011. Many multi-genre novels later, she admits to living her own happily ever after as a full-time author. Addicted to making readers laugh, she includes a good dose of comedy in every book. You can visit her at donnamcdonaldauthor.com.

Book preview

Chapter

One

Maybe I needed to go live in a cave. Dank and dark as a cave might be, I knew I could find one with room for a bigger bed and no needy family down the hall.

Night could join me or not. I’d leave that up to the sentient owl. He and Mother’s parrot were still a thing, so I could see Night choosing to stay here, just as I was doing currently.

Well, I stayed because I had nowhere else to go yet.

Mother’s bedroom door cracked open as I walked by and a naked Zeus popped out to smile at me. Good morning, Atlanta. Your mother and I will be up shortly. Are you making coffee?

I nodded while doing my best to avert my eyes. If I’d been raised as Zeus’s daughter, I would have been scarred by his nudity, but that hadn’t happened, so I only found it annoying. Sometimes I found it funny too, but that was not the case this morning.

I’ll be making breakfast for Cale and me. You’re welcome to join us.

Great. Mnemosyne and I will both have the usual, Zeus said, closing the door before I could sarcastically ask what in seven hells their ‘usual’ was.

I hardly ever cooked for Mother Mnemosyne because she only had coffee most mornings. Mother had no usual.

I rolled my eyes at my birth father’s nerve and continued on. Maybe I’d put eggshells in his eggs to get even.

Was this really my life now?

Was it my destiny to be a servant in the house I’d earned the money and bought for the woman who raised me?

Gaia knew, I wasn’t much like my father, but I was his daughter in one undeniably way. I wanted to be respected… or at least not taken for granted.

Where were all the pats on the back for working so hard to save everyone?

Why did no one ever offer to cook me breakfast?

In the God Realm, Zeus used to give homes and servants to those who pleased him. When you made Zeus unhappy, he evicted you and gave your home and servants to someone else. Since my birth father and I lived as sworn enemies in that realm, a house of my own had been far beyond my reach. I’d unhappily continued to live with Mother Mnemosyne and the Muses to put a roof over my head.

Having birthed nine of Zeus’s favorite daughters, Goddess Mnemosyne always lived in a God Realm mansion. But I can tell you that even the most luxurious accommodations do not make up for a lack of privacy when eleven people and random guests are sharing the same space. That’s why the Muses have their own mansion here in the Mortal Realm and why I bought Mother her own house.

I’d lived with Mother and the Muses both before and after I returned from my time in Rome. While away helping the Romans conquer most of the known human world, I lived in one of my temples.

The Roman soldiers lived in tents or barracks, so a temple was an enormous step up for their beloved Goddess Minerva, which was my beloved secret identity.

Well, it used to be. Now I’d told nearly everyone, including my father. Fortunately, I’d made them swear to Gaia never to reveal it to others, so I was safe from the revenge of my father’s innumerable offspring—both the known and the unknown.

Like the tiny bedroom Cale and I share in Mother’s house, temples weren’t the most comfortable of spaces to spend one’s personal time. Temples were spiritual centers rather than domestic spaces.

But at least in my temple, I got to have something of my own and the priestesses made sure I never lacked for food. Cale occasionally ordered in breakfast and the Muses occasionally brought donuts to share, but that was the only time family ever took care of my needs.

I developed gastronomical survival skills of my own when I moved out of the Muse mansion and in with Duff. My Leprechaun roommate gladly provided me the private space I craved for a decent price, but starvation loomed once more. Duff claimed to be a chef, but in reality, the future queen of Otherworld burned water.

I swear she was worse than me at caring for herself. So I learned to cook to keep us both from starving.

After Duff and I parted ways, I moved in with Mother thinking it was temporary. Months later and deep into the Doomsday Prophecy work, I was still a roommate again, but this time to Mother and Zeus, because my life loved being ironic.

Worse still, I’d bought yet another house in the Mortal Realm—one Cale and I actually had purchased together with our hard-earned mortal money.

Maybe I’d been naïve about what I expected, but I honestly thought when Cale and I purchased the ex-Elvis house that we’d found a place to call our own. Sadly, that proved not to be the case because the ex-Elvis house was currently infested with all the confused female Dragons I’d helped rescue.

Yes, I realize it was my own fault they were there, but resentment festered daily. Solving the previous task had doomed me to remain in Mother Mnemosyne’s guest bedroom for a while longer. But it was mother’s house and Zeus was her guest slash beloved. I’d tried several times to run him off. When that hadn’t worked, I chose to ignore him. But I found ignoring him to be impossible when I all-too-frequently ran into a naked Zeus exiting Mother Mnemosyne’s bedroom.

Worse than that, living with Mother Mnemosyne also meant I ended up making coffee and feeding a bunch of mooching Gods and Goddesses on a regular basis. Gaia only knew who would appear at Mother’s back door expecting coffee and eggs every day. I thought about laying a trap for them once, but since most were relatives, I’d just get in trouble. Mother Mnemosyne was big on not being rude to guests.

Frustrated by how much my life sucked, I shoved the shiny stainless-steel café back into the new and much larger deluxe coffeemaker Cale bought for us.

Despite my Champion slash Dragon passing his human businesses along to one or two of his brothers to manage, Cale continued to have an endless supply of money whenever we needed it.

I, on the other hand, was afraid to touch a penny of the money the Muses were bringing into our business while I was away. Why? Because they overspent on cosmetics and face creams when I wasn’t around to stop them.

Good Gaia, I was so done being everyone’s heroine. I needed to save myself. I needed a place I could relax at the end of a hard day.

The only bright spot in my current gloom was that Athena and Indar had moved out of Mother Mnemosyne’s house and into the Drakon’s guest house. Athena still came every day that Zeus stayed here, but she didn’t hang around and torment me with endless questions about why I wasn’t hustling to complete the prophecy.

How sad was it I counted my twin’s absence as the biggest blessing of my life at the moment?

Cale was still in the shower. While I waited for him to finish, I wandered outside with my morning caffeine and aimlessly headed toward the fire pit. Flames erupted without warning and sent my eyebrows soaring. There was no sign of the Fates, and I felt no tingles, but the summoning fire now blazed on its own. It was too early yet to freak out over the unknown, so I sipped my coffee as I wondered what in the Underworld was going on.

I looked around without taking a seat. Who could have conjured the summoning fire?

A woman dressed all in black slowly solidified in front of me. No, not a woman. Make that a witch. Her head was covered with a dark shroud that hid her face. The rest of her clothing looked like a bedsheet fashioned into a cloak pinned at each shoulder. Definitely a witch, and a Titan one if I was guessing right.

I sipped my coffee and waited silently for the Titan Witch to tell me what she was doing here so early. She pushed back the cowl and let it fall. Instantly recognizing her, I saluted her with my cup. Good morning, Auntie. What brings you to see me at this ungodly hour?

Titaness Nyx glared at me. It thrilled me to see her so unhappy. I owed her some suffering for all she’d put me and Cale through with her stupid prophecy.

Hear me, Daughter of the Immoral Zeus.

I sipped my coffee and stared at her over my cup. "Don’t you mean immortal? When Nyx glared harder, I couldn’t suppress my grin any longer. No, you’re right. Zeus is definitely immoral. My bad."

Silence, Nyx said as she swiped a wrinkled hand through the air. The Moirai are missing. There is an unbalance in all realms. I think someone trapped them in the veil.

I lowered my cup and stared at her. Who is powerful enough to trap the Fates?

You, Nyx said, glaring at me again.

I snorted and then laughed. The Fates grant me power and snatch it away whenever they wish. If I was strong enough to do something like that to them, I’d have zapped them there ages ago.

You’ve trapped them with your lack of action. I suspect they’ve gone to The Place Between so they wouldn’t be tempted to interfere with the next task of the prophecy.

Are you referring to the prophecy you wrote to get even with Zeus for making a pass at you? I asked.

Mostly I said that to see what she’d admit to. A woman scorned was one thing, but Nyx had taken it to a whole other level of getting revenge. Zeus was cursed to live at the mercy of his libido. It hadn’t been as fun for him as it sounded. Plus, he ended up procreating monsters and demi-gods who wreaked havoc in every realm.

Luckily, his other hundred or so children, outside of Ares, all adored him.

I wrote that as a desperate act to save the only child of Zeus worth saving. I would not have done so if I’d known how you would turn out. You act like him far too much.

No, I’m nothing like Zeus, I told her, smirking at my angry aunt. My birth mother’s sister was a hard woman to like. I’m not like anyone in Metis’s family… or Zeus’s. I’m what I made of myself because no one bothered to raise me.

Nyx threw up her hand. You do foolish things and take unnecessary risks. You brought the ghost of my sister—your dead mother—back here and led her around the Mortal Realm like a pet. Do you think just any Goddess could do that? Only a Titan child with a good deal of Titan blood could do that.

I shrugged. I have no idea about what others like me can do. I’m stumbling my way through my life trying to save a bunch of powerful people who are selfish, cruel, and think they’re better than humans. If it hadn’t been for your daughters, Rome would have conquered everyone and I’d be the only goddess worshipped in the Mortal Realm. What other goddess in our pantheon would have let themselves be talked into giving up such fame and glory? The answer is none, Auntie—none but me. So stop chewing on my ass for doing what you forced me to do.

Nyx rolled her dark eyes and made me laugh. Maybe I was more like my mother’s family than I ever realized. When I visited Metis in the Underworld, she was going to enjoy hearing about my visit with Nyx.

Olympians and their progeny are not that bad. You sound like Mother Gaia.

Wow. Thank you. That’s a real compliment, I said with a genuine smile. I enjoy being compared to my Great Grandmother.

Mother Gaia destroyed chaos and separated the heavens from the earth. She put the Dragons in the skies and help your father banish the Titans she professed to love to its fiery center. The Great Mother is not the benevolent being you seem to think she is. And she changes her mind all the time.

I shrugged. The Titans were destroying the Mortal Realm. She had no choice but to help the Olympians banish them. And last time I spoke to her, she told me she preferred being called the Great We. In case you were interested.

When Nyx silently glared at me over my comment, I scratched my head and sighed. This critique of my similarity to Gaia is fascinating, but what does it have to do with the missing Fates?

Nyx straightened until she levitated off the ground. Until my Titan daughters are back in control, time itself will be your enemy. I advise you to not delay solving the next task of the prophecy—if it can still be done.

Nodding, I lifted the hand with my now empty coffee cup in it. Fine. I’ll start working on the next task today. It’s not like I needed a break and some time to rest from fighting a Hydra and freeing all those female Dragons from their stone prisons. I’ll get right on that last task, Auntie.

You’ve been warned, Daughter of Zeus. Saving my daughters is up to you.

I sighed as Nyx faded away until she totally disappeared. She didn’t bother to pop in and out like her daughters did. Like a ghost intent on haunting me, Nyx went for the creepiest effect every time. Since her drama irked me so much, I guess her plan to get my full attention worked.

Trudging back to the house and mumbling swear words under my breath, I wondered what Nyx meant by time being my enemy. Wasn’t time everyone’s enemy? No one wanted to age and die. Everyone wanted to live forever and be happy. Wasn’t that why I was working on the prophecy?

I shook my head and pondered how much I hated puzzles, riddles, and the stupid Doomsday poem. After facing a naked Zeus and a lecturing Nyx already today, I wished I’d never gotten out of bed.

That feeling doubled when I slid open the patio door to go back inside and nearly stumbled over the two barking Hellhound puppies dancing at my feet. Either Demon and Moose had found the fountain of youth in the Muses’s backyard, or Nyx’s prediction was already coming true.

What do you mean Dragons aren’t affected by time? You have silver in your hair, Cale. You’re affected. I held up Moose who was tiny enough to fit into my hand. "He was bigger than me when I went outside to drink my coffee. Now look at him."

Cale gave me a Kyril kind of smile. It was Kyril’s ‘silly goddess’ smirk, and I hated it on both their faces. The smirking creature sharing my bed was now a blend of the man I loved and another I detested. The blended creature they’d become sighed before trying to explain something he’d already decided my female mind was incapable of comprehending.

Such blatant condescension would not have me back writhing under him anytime soon. If I didn’t need answers to this time thing, I would have told him so.

While Cale stalled, I found my mind drifting away and wondering if Athena got this kind of condescending crap from Indar, who was far more arrogant than even Kyril had been. I was starting to get why my twin had avoided her Dragon for all those centuries. Indar had to be outstanding in bed. Otherwise, I felt sure my bloodthirsty sister would have already cut off his head with her sharp golden sword.

Cale interrupted my nosy thoughts about my twin and her lover with his lecture.

Dragons and full Titans were created before linear time, while Titan progeny, Dragon progeny, and humans are participants in it. This means my human side will be slightly affected, but my Dragon side will not. I have no explanation for why the Hellhounds have regressed in age. Following what else is happening, they should have morphed into elder animals. Night looks like he’s a hundred years old.

Well, they have regressed and I need to know why, I said, setting a squirming puppy version of Moose back down to wrestle with a whining Demon one. We need to get started on the next task right away. Apparently, the Fates have disappeared and messed up the timelines of all the realms. Nyx said it was all my fault.

I’m sorry I missed that conversation. How many creative ways did you tell her to go to hell? Cale asked with a grin.

Sadly, none, I admitted with a grin, glad to see Cale’s own personality peeking through. I’m sure Uncle Hades has enough problems of his own to deal with if this is happening in his realm as well. I got in a few verbal smacks. This situation is her fault as much as anyone else’s.

Cale chuckled as he checked out his reflection in the mirror. I like my silver streaks. I look like Grandpa Theo.

And like your father Galen, but I’d rather you looked like the young man I met. I don’t want your rapid aging on my conscience. I have enough things to be responsible for.

We should focus on the bigger picture, Cale said, turning to smile at me.

Blowing out a breath, I nodded. You’re right. Let’s go get some food. I’ll make us some toast and eggs before we head to the office. I already texted the Muses to let them know we needed to work on the poem this morning. I want this whole thing over as much as Nyx does.

We headed down the hall with our two tiny Hellhounds on our heels. A naked Zeus stepped out into the hallway again. I stopped and stared at him, shocked by how he’d changed.

Atlanta, is that really you? I almost didn’t recognize you with all that white in your hair.

I swung to stare at Cale. Why didn’t you tell me my hair had turned gray too?

Cale shrugged. You’re still beautiful to me. What does it matter?

I rolled my eyes before turning back to Zeus. Why do you look like a kid? Why are you growing younger while the rest of us are getting older?

Zeus lifted his arms and studied his muscles. He ran a hand down over his abs and grinned. Well, that explains why I woke up feeling so frisky. Mnemosyne is still sleeping off multiple orgasms. I enjoy being young again. This is cool.

Gaia save me, I muttered, slamming the naked idiot into the wall as I pushed my way through the hall. Even Athena wouldn’t have blamed me for abusing Zeus this morning. I wanted to maim him simply for bragging about Mother. Put some freaking clothes on before I chop off your man parts and feed them to my Hellhounds.

The Hellhound puppies stopped wrestling each other, looked up at me in terror, and then booked as fast as possible back down the hallway to our bedroom.

Cale snickered. You’re just all kinds of terrifying today.

Shut up, I ordered, tromping on.

The entrance to the kitchen was only steps away. Then behind me, I heard Zeus chuckle.

So I’m guessing you’re not as talented in the sack as I am, Cale. Atlanta’s grouchy every morning.

I felt Cale freeze in place. Grinning, I turned back to smirk at him. Fry him, Cale. Go on. I dare you to rid me of my worst problem.

Cale stared at me for a second, then burst out laughing. Killing the King of the Olympians is not an option at this time. Like all of us, he has an important role to play in this drama.

Rolling my eyes over Cale’s strange pronouncement, I shook my head and headed into the kitchen. If I had to deal with more snarky family members before I had some food, someone was going to die.

Chapter

Two

My sisters all looked like they hadn’t hit puberty yet. Their normally snug clothes hung loosely on their underdeveloped bodies.

Luckily for me, their minds hadn’t regressed as far backward in time as their boobs had.

You need to get your hair dyed. Those grays don’t flatter you at all, Mellie said, staring at me in shock.

I glared at her for pointing out what I was trying my best to forget. Yeah? Well, your flat chest doesn’t flatter you either, Mellie, but do you hear me harping on that?

Mellie looked down and sighed. She unbuttoned her loose blouse, tied the front in a knot, and suddenly looked like a twelve-year-old again.

I rubbed my forehead over the shame I felt for fussing at her. None of us were being spared from whatever had taken hold of the world. I had to stop being mad at everyone and everything. I’m sorry, Mellie. I shouldn’t have said that.

It’s okay. As old as you look, you’re probably going through menopause, Mellie said with a smile and a shrug.

Wicked Tally burst out laughing at Mellie’s inference that I wasn’t hormonally on top of things. Soon, all nine Muses were giggling.

I sighed and lifted both hands in defeat. Maybe I am going through the big change because you all are annoying the crap out of me—more than usual, I mean.

Cale sat in the corner with his arms crossed and grinned over everything going on. If I’d had my dagger, I would have thrown it at him, right between the eyes. He was annoying the crap out of me today, even with the sexy silver strands running through his hair. I wondered if Indar was turning gray as well.

Can we please get down to business? I pleaded, hating the sheer amount of entreaty in my voice. I looked to my Muse sister who had the next stanza. What do I have to do to finish this, Urania?

I don’t know, Urania declared, and then promptly burst into tears.

Time stopped for real as the Muses closest to her patted her back