Muse Unexpected (22 page)

“Sure,” Sophie said. “It’s a deal.” Persephone extended her hand to Sophie and Sophie shook it.

Why do I feel like I just made a deal with the devil? Stop it, Sophie. She’s too focused on catalog shopping to be a danger to anyone.

“Okay, here is the catch. No one can know about this. People in our circles are such gossips.”

Sophie nodded her head in agreement.

“Is your boy really tall and…part Minotaur?”

Sophie saw Bennett standing by the fountain looking at his watch. “Hey, over here.” She called out to him and then turned to say something to Persephone, but she and her catalogs were gone.

Bennett jogged over to where Sophie was sitting. “No fair. You started without me.”

“I was just talking” Sophie stopped, remembering what Persephone had said, and decided to keep her end of the bargain. “with the waiter and he was rude and pushy. Let’s go somewhere else.”

“Good, because this wasn’t the place I was talking about. They have the crappiest pastries. Total tourist trap.”

They walked along the shops, stopping here and there along the way to glance at various storefronts that caught Sophie’s eye. It was the first time since she arrived in Greece that she was starting to feel like herself again. Sophie was enjoying each and every moment. She dreaded reaching the restaurant, knowing it would mean they were closer to the moment their time together would end, so she walked even slower and stopped at every storefront she came close to.

“How do you like Greece?” Bennett asked.

“It’s nice. I haven’t had the opportunity to explore the island, with everything that’s been going on.” Her mind drifted to the shrine and she pushed the image out of her head. “Were you born here?”

“Me? No, although I have lived on the island since I was twelve. My mother, Caronwyn, was a Scotswoman who one day decided she wanted to leave the wee village of Blair Athol and find adventure. But, fortunate for me, she found a bit too much adventure. Or, as I like to often say, adventure found her in the guise of my father. I’m embarrassed to admit I was the tragic result of a drunken evening and a short courtship. My mother lived on a neighboring island and was seduced by a Demigod who, once he found out my mother was preggers, promptly left her. When it became apparent I was different, my mother had met Georgia a few years prior, Georgia thought it was best I come and live here. Georgia was in the right place at the right time and she saved me.”

“What gave your mother the clue you were different?” Sophie asked.

“Well, for one, on certain nights, depending on the alignment of the stars, my pajamas would be torn to shreds. When most boys were terrified about the boogieman, I was terrified of waking up, butt naked in my mother’s garden with a dead possum clutched in my hands like a teddy bear.”

“Ewwww.”

“You know I’m a—”

“A Minotaur. Yeah.” She was about to say Miranda told her, but decided otherwise. “I have an app on my tablet that scans a person and says what they are. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize a person’s Demigod status was a sensitive topic.”

“Hey. It’s okay. It’s taken me a long time to come to terms with who I am. Some of us have the ability to inspire, throw the occasional energy ball, and blush whenever I’m around her.”

Sophie blushed.

“Then, there are some who turn into big, hairy, strong Minotaurs who can throw a bus.”

“You can throw a bus?”

“Well, maybe a small one. I need to workout some more. But understand I would never hurt you, no matter what form I was in.”

“I think you should be worried
I
would hurt
you
,” Sophie said, with a smirk.

“I think you both should be worried about Georgia hurting both of you,” Callie said, appearing in front of them. “I have been looking all over for you, Sophie. I’m all for whatever this is, but it needs to be put on hold until we get through the next few weeks. Okay?”

Bennett and Sophie nodded to show their agreement. Sophie didn’t know when they began holding hands, but was surprised when she looked down and saw her hand in his.

“Can you give me a minute?” Sophie asked.

“
Sophie
, you’ve got
fifteen seconds
. Make it count,” Callie replied.

Callie walked away and waited near the old men playing chess.

“She’s right,” Bennett said.

“I know,” Sophie said. “Now we just need to figure out how to make it through the next few weeks. I guess you being my date for the ball would be a start.”

Bennett leaned down to where his face was only a few inches from her.

Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God… He’s going to kiss me. Remember, go slow. Not too much tongue.

He angled his head, clearly moving in for a kiss on the cheek.

Oh, to hell with that.
Sophie twisted her head and their lips met.

His lips were soft, warm and she felt a hunger coming from him that overwhelmed her.

She tingled all over and the sparks jumping inside of her chest made her heart ache and beg for more.

He pulled away and gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go. The look on his face told Sophie he was feeling the same thing.

“See you around, Muse,” Bennett said, backing away, smiling.

“Catch you later, Beast,” Sophie said before turning to run towards her mother. She caught up with her and together they walked back to the Vasilikós.

Callie waved goodbye to Bennett and then roughly grabbed Sophie’s arm.

“You can’t wander around this island, by yourself. It isn’t safe.”

“I saw the shrine, mom.”

“Then you understand. No more wandering off.” Callie let go of her arm. “Okay, he’s cute and a really nice kid. You do realize Georgia will give you a hard time.”

“Well, I guess I’m my mother’s daughter after all,” Sophie said, putting her arm around her mother’s waist. “Mom, I was wondering. Do you think we could make one change to the party? I want it to be a masquerade ball.”

“Jeez, Sophie. Are you kidding? Don’t even attempt to suggest it to Georgia.”

“You and Georgia are always saying I need to stand-up for what I want. This is my party. This is my introduction into Demigod society and if I want it to be a masquerade, then it should be a masquerade. Considering what is being asked of me, it is the least Georgia can do.”

“I’m not saying you don’t have a point,” Callie said. “But let me approach Georgia about it. If she explodes again at least I’ll make sure Winnie is around to pick up the pieces.”

“Do you think she’ll agree to it?”

“I’ll do my best, but I think I have a few favors to bring up that will make it impossible for her to say no.”

A week had passed and all the Gorgon-sewn dresses were completed. Sophie watched from the staircase as Euryale stood with Angela in front of a large mirror in the Entry Hall.

“I’ve enjoyed our time together, Angela,” Euryale said, tucking a stray dreadlock behind Angela’s ear.

“Me too, mother.”

“Did you like the dresses I made for you? I thought you looked incredibly beautiful in them. Your Aunt will be so disappointed she couldn’t be here for the ball.”

“You took a million pictures and then there was the video.”

“Well, you can’t blame me for being so proud of you. Living here in the Vasilikós, being a close friend to Georgia’s granddaughter and becoming such a strong Gorgonian woman. Well, let me say we both are so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Angela said and hugged her mother.

“Okay, I’ve got to run. Your Aunt is capable of creating some more garden statuary and I can’t stomach another stone bunny.”

Euryale gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek and waved goodbye to Sophie.

“Goodbye, Euryale. Thank you so much for the beautiful dress. I love it.”

“Any time, Sophie. Please say goodbye to your mother and grandmother.” Euryale took a last look at her daughter and stepped through the mirror.

“Where have you been?” Sophie asked Angela.

“Sorry. Things have been kind of crazy. My mother wanted me to assist her with the dresses.”

“How did that go?”

“Let’s just say I take after my Aunt. So I ended up doing a lot of the running around and various menial tasks. She told me to remind you, no dessert until after the ball. She said the built-in corset can only do so much. How was your date, Soph?”

Sophie laughed.

“That good? Did he kiss you? Oh my God, you kissed him? Details woman, I must have details.”

Sophie slugged Angela’s arm. “It was a sweet kiss.”

“One kiss?” Angela asked.

“Well, it couldn’t be anything more, with my mother showing up. I could have died.”

“Yeah, I’m guessing it killed the moment. So where’s your BFF, Miranda?” Angela asked.

“I’m guessing running around, her heart all aflutter as she fans herself and says “fiddle-de-dee” while looking for a piece of shoofly pie.”

“You had me at “all aflutter.” I heard about your idea to change the ball. A masquerade? How did you get Georgia to agree to it?”

“My mother did. She and Georgia had a huge fight and my mother threatened that neither of us would attend the ball unless Georgia gave in. Georgia threw a fit and smashed the huge table in the morning room and threw two chandeliers against a wall. When she saw my mother wouldn’t budge, she relented.”

“Girls!” Winnie yelled from across the room. “It’s time to harvest the grapes and Georgia is waiting for you. Now, go get changed and get out to the vineyards before she skins both of you and has me doing catacomb duty.” A crash from behind Winnie caught her attention and she closed the door, screaming. “Neville, did you drop those platters? I swear on all that is holy. If you weren’t my cousin’s second cousin twice removed, I would have gotten rid of you. Well, don’t just stand there.”

Sophie and Angela arrived in the vineyard dressed in ritual, pure white cotton dresses. They wore loose sandals and wreaths of heather and sage on their heads.

“I feel ridiculous,” Sophie whispered as they moved forward and joined Georgia and Callie. A crowd gathered outside of the ornate iron gates that protected the vines.

“So glad you could find the time to join us,” Georgia said. “Now please stand behind me and Callie, so we can begin.”

In the center of the crowd there were two large grape stomping barrels for the harvest to be poured into. Several other Muses, who had done this ritual before, also wore the traditional costumes and waited for Georgia’s signal.

Georgia walked forward and stepped onto a raised platform and up to a carved wood podium. The crowd applauded and cheered. Georgia beamed and acknowledged the warm welcome.

“How kind. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.” The crowd grew silent and Georgia began. “What a glorious day. May God continue to shine down upon this Vasilikós and keep each and every one of you in his grace. Amen. For more years than I care to remember, or am willing to admit to”

The crowd chuckled.

“I have been the keeper of these vines. Together, as a Vasilikós united, we have ushered in year after year of plentiful harvests, thereby keeping the balance of this world and providing the Fates with their much-needed libation. While the rest of the world goes on with their daily business, we of the Demigod community continue our dutiful watch over those entrusted in our care. My role, as harvester, continues to be one I’m incredibly proud of and one I’ve sacrificed so—” Georgia paused, looking down at her speech. “— and I have sacrificed a lot…and…I…”

Callie went to her mother and stood next to her on the platform, clasping her mother’s hand.

“I never lost faith that my humble prayers would be answered, and my dearest friends, they have.”

Angela gestured for Sophie to go up and stand by her grandmother. Sophie walked up and stood next to Georgia, clasping her grandmother’s other hand. “For you see, for this harvest, things are different. My daughter Callista and my granddaughter Sophia have joined us for this harvest. They have returned to stay in this Vasilikós. My heart and soul have returned to me and I am a humbled woman for it. So, without going on and on about how happy I am, please give me the honor of shouting: Blessed be this wine, for it is the nectar of the gods. And blessed be each of you. Let the harvest begin.”

The crowd burst into shouts and yells as they clapped and cheered.

The gates behind Georgia opened and everyone rushed past carrying wicker baskets to collect the grapes. Georgia reached down and picked up three baskets, giving Callie and Sophie a basket each.

“Well, don’t just stand there,” Georgia said with a laugh. “It’s harvest time. Go harvest.”

The Muses of the Vasilikós were joined by Hobs, Nymphs and a whole host of Demigods that either lived in the Vasilikós or nearby. Bennett walked up to Sophie wearing pale khaki pants, sandals and a long sleeved white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He carried a large, deep basket balanced against his hip. He gestured for Sophie to pour her grapes into his basket and placed his basket on the ground. As she bent at the waist to transfer her grapes, he squatted and took her face into his hands and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Her mind was swimming as she lost herself for a moment, until Angela grabbed her arm through the vines.

“Watch it. Georgia is walking the rows,” Angela warned and returned back to her picking.

Sophie smiled and after rolling her eyes, pushed his face away from hers.

The combination of the right temperature mixed with the perfect breeze made what would have been hard work pleasant enough to be enjoyable. Everyone chattered with the person next to them and Georgia’s pleased expression told everyone it was an excellent harvest. The grapes were taken from the fields and poured into the vat.

Walking with Sophie, Bennett and Angela, Callie explained the next part of the harvest.

“The stomping of the grapes is an important part of the harvest and has its very own ceremony. For hygienic reasons, feet are washed thoroughly. The leader of the Vasilikós selects a person of honor, someone close to their heart, to be the first person to begin the stomping of the grapes. Georgia will not participate in the actual stomping. She’ll most probably choose you, my sweet daughter.”

A hush fell over the crowd, as they watched Georgia walk towards Sophie and Callie.

“I choose you, most beloved daughter.”

Callie burst into tears, reached over and hugged her mother. Tears rushed forth from both women. Georgia led Callie to several stools with small tables with neatly folded cloths and towels, and large bars of roughly cut homemade soap. Callie sat down on the stool and slid off her sandals, placing her feet into the water. Georgia began the process of washing her daughter’s feet by kneeling on the ground. She grabbed a bar of soap, a piece of cloth and threw a towel over her right shoulder. Dipping the cloth in the water, and then rubbing it on the large bar of soap, Georgia began cleaning Callie’s feet.

“I remember washing you as a baby in the old tub just outside this very orchard and how I promised to be a good mother and to always be there for you. I know I failed. I am so sorry, daughter. So sorry.” Georgia wept.

“Oh, Momma,” Callie said. “It’s okay. I know.”

The crowd fell silent and Sophie was lost in the emotion of the moment. Knowing Bennett stood behind her, Sophie reached back and took his hand.

After Georgia finished drying her daughter’s feet, she kissed each one on the instep. Callie stood up and then helped her mother to her feet. They gave each other a kiss on both cheeks and Callie climbed the ladder and stepped into the first vat of grapes. The crowd roared and Georgia walked over to her Sophie.

As her grandmother approached her, she saw Georgia’s eyes glance down to see Sophie holding Bennett’s hand.

Georgia sighed. She kissed Sophie on the cheek and whispered, “Go ahead. Wash the boy’s feet. I won’t put up a fuss.”

Sophie pulled her grandmother into a quick hug, kissing her on the cheek. Others chose their partners and began the washing process.

“Thanks, Yiayia. Thank you.”

Sophie pulled Bennett towards the benches and followed what Georgia had done. Sophie laughed at how Bennett’s feet barely fit the basin and he jumped several times as Sophie tickled his feet.

“I didn’t know Minotaurs were so ticklish.”

He flicked some water out of his basin and she squealed in protest. She dried his feet and kissed the tops of them. He repeated the process and washed, dried and kissed Sophie’s feet, but instead of allowing her to walk and climb into the vat, Bennett carried Sophie on his back and she playfully shrieked as he climbed the ladder. In a moment of panic, Sophie placed her hands over Bennett’s eyes and in his disorientation he missed the last wrung of the ladder, falling face first into the grapes, with a laughing Sophie still clinging to his back. Bennett rolled over and trapped Sophie against the smashed grapes and she laughed until tears ran down her face.

Callie and Angela, who were busy crushing grapes and laughing at the two, helped them both to their feet. Both of their clothes were stained with burgundy splotches and Bennett pulled out handkerchief dripping with grape juice and used it to wipe Sophie’s face.

Angela grabbed Sophie’s hand and the girls ran, enjoying the feeling of the pulp squishing through their toes. Callie and Bennett waltzed around them, nearly falling several times.

“Hobs,” Georgia called thirty minutes later. “It is time to begin turning on the taps to capture the juice and begin straining and cooking.”

Sophie glanced towards the Vasilikós and saw Miranda watching the festivities from the terrace. She panicked, attempting to grab Bennett’s attention, hoping he had not seen his ex-girlfriend. She turned back looking over his shoulder, relieved to see Miranda had disappeared.