Muse

Chapter 3

My heart was heavy as I walked away from the burial site. Clio walked with me with her chin held high and her hand curled around mine. I ignored the stares from people as we made our way back to the palace. Father was in front of us, leading the way so no one dared stop us.

“You girls will be staying here. Calliope can show you to your wing.” He said quietly.

“Our wing?” I asked, confused. He gave me a tired smile.

“You are my daughters. You’ve always had a home here. We did your room as soon as I knew of you.” He said. “Your mother lived here with all of you girls.”

“I didn’t know that,” I said as I looked at Calliope.

“We have not shared much of our lives before you,” She said. “Forgive us.”

“It’s okay,” I mumbled as Clio squeezed my hand.

“Final meal will be ready at sunset,” Father called as we walked down one of the marble halls. I took the time to admire paintings of different members of the family that lined the halls. Statues made of father and Hera along with their sons were easy to see as we went.

“This is ours,” Calliope said softly to me. The other girls had lived here before.

Calliope swung open the red double doors to reveal a carpeted hall. The carpet was crimson with gold detailing. Ten doors lined the hall, five on each side with one door at the end.

“Yours is the one on the end. Father had it built on.” Thalia said as she went to the beautiful blue door on the right.

I slowly made my way towards the door at the end. The color was a pale wood that I had never seen before. My symbol was carved onto the surface along with an array of flowers. Slowly, I swung the door open, revealing a large room. The walls were stone but had been painted a rich cream. The ceiling had been painted like the constellations. The floor was marble but had intricate rugs near the vanity and bed.

It was beautiful. I neared the bed, touching the surface. It had a thick blanket that appeared to be made of soft wool, making it warm. Clio was in the doorway, smiling at me sadly.

“We had hoped that when we returned all of us would be here to see your face.” She said.

“I’m saddened to know you all wished to see this moment.” I breathed. “I miss Ura and Poly.”

“As we all do, sister. They were part of us. Maybe, your time here in Olympus will finally allow your gift to surface.” She said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Maybe,” I agreed. I was twenty and had yet to know what I was a muse of. My sisters all knew by the age of ten. We had all chalked it up to be caused by my distance from Olympus at an early age.

“Rest, little sister. Someone will wake you for the final meal.” Clio said as she closed the door behind her.

I kicked off my sandals and slid onto the soft bed, enjoying how my body sunk into the material. I pulled the thick blanket over my body and allowed myself to drift off to sleep.

“Wake up, Alessa!” Ares sang, making me grimace as I squinted at him.

“Why are you waking me up?” I mumbled as I snuggled deeper into my blanket.

“Because I’m your favorite.” He said before he ripped the blanket from my hands. I sat up to glare at him. “Perfect, you’re up.”

“I hate you, brother.” I snapped. He laughed as he threw my sandals at me.

“You adore me. I’m the best big brother you could ask for.”

“I think Hephaestus is better than you,” I bit making him gasp.

“You did not just say Hep is better than me!”

“Atlas is also quite lovely.”

“That’s only because you didn’t know him before his punishment.” Ares snorted. “The man held the sky from Earth for a few centuries. He should be well behaved.”

“Ares!” I laughed. “Father’s punishments are absurd.”

“Tell him that,” Ares said. “I’d love to see his reaction.”

“Tell Father what?” A voice asked making me turn. I grinned seeing who it was.

“Speaking of Hades himself, Atlas! We were discussing who Alessa’s favorite brother is. Apparently, it’s between you, me, and old boy Hep.”

“Clearly it’s me,” Atlas said as he bent to kiss my cheek. Atlas was as intimidating as Ares. His hair was nearly white and his skin was tanned. His eyes were nearly the color of blood making him look completely monstrous despite his perfectly handsome features.

“You are much nicer to me,” I mused as I took the elbow he offered.

“Alessa!” Eres cried in outrage as Atlas led me down the halls.

“I’ve missed you,” I told the old god making him smile down at me.

“I have missed you as well, little star.” He said warmly.

We were the only two that shared the nearly white hair. It made us stand out from the rest of the gods. Atlas received it from his punishment, but I had been born with mine. That only added to their fear, saying I was punished even before birth. Atlas and Ares had always referred to me as a star that had simply fallen from the sky.

“Where have you been?” I asked as he led the way to the banquet hall.

“Around,” He teased making me roll my eyes.

“Were you back on holding the sky?” Ares asked from behind us. “Father decide to add another century?”

“Brother, if you wish to keep your pretty head, I suggest you shut your mouth,” Atlas said as he turned to glare at Ares.

“Ignore the fool, he knows not of which he speaks. He only knows he does speak.” I said making Ares tug on my hair. I stuck my tongue out at him before quickening our pace.

“I have been visiting the Roman Parthenon,” Atlas said after a quiet moment.

“Why?” I asked as I looked up at him.

“They have been confused as to why the muses haven’t been answering their pleas. Zeus never informed Jupiter of the hunter’s hobbies. They had no idea any of you were dead.”

“Father does not need to report anything to them,” Ares said haughtily.

“He does when the muses are shared between the two of us. They may be Zeus’s daughters, but they are important to both Parthenons.” Atlas said as he opened the large doors, revealing the banquet hall.

“I didn’t know that,” I said as I eyed the people in the room. Many were half-siblings I barely knew. Hera met my stare with a glare of her own, making me want to grin at her.

“Did not know what, daughter?” Father called.

“That we were shared between our Parthenon and the Roman Parthenon,” I said making him tense.

“Atlas, have you been spinning tales to your sister?”

“We both know they are not tales, Zeus. The girls have the right to know. The Romans have the right to know that the girls are being hunted. Their people need them as much as ours.” Atlas answered coolly.

“What are you three talking about?” Clio demanded from her spot at the table.

“We are shared between the Romans and the Greeks. Father never told Jupiter that we are being hunted. They did not even know of our sisters’ deaths.” I said.

I jumped when Father slammed his hand down on the table. Atlas tensed as if he thought father may hurt me.

“Is that true?” Calliope asked softly.

“Yes,” Father sighed after a moment. “I do not like to share.” He said childishly. “I especially do not like to share my daughters with those savages.”

“They are not savage.” Atlas snorted. “They are very much, just like us.”

“I think we should invite Jupiter to meet us,” Calliope said. “We are as much their muses as we are ours.”

“But—”

“Father,” Calliope sighed harshly. “Set up a meeting. They can help us.”

“Fine,” Father snapped. “Now everyone sit down and enjoy our meal.”