P c cast goddess summo.., p.1
P. C. Cast - Goddess Summoning 03, page 1
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GODDESS OF LIGHT
By
P. C. Cast
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Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
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PRAISE FOR
GODDESS OF SPRING
“Cast is without a doubt one of the freshest and most original voices in romantic fantasy fiction today.”
—Romantic Times
“Quite simply, an enchanting story… the characters, both mortal and immortal, are quirky and sympathetic and the romance is lovely. I can’t wait to see more from this talented author.”
—The Romance Reader’s Connection
“Poignant and provocative, Goddess of Spring will stay with you long after the seasons have passed.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“What a fantastic, magical tale this is! Here is a delightful story full of life and love that brings the incredible world of gods and goddesses out of the realm of mythology and into the real world for readers to enjoy.”
—Love Romances
GODDESS OF THE SEA
“Suspense, fantasy, time travel, all topped off with a very healthy dollop of romance… The good news is that this is just the beginning… in the Goddess Summoning series.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“Captivating—poignant, funny, erotic! Lovely characters, wonderful romance, constant action and a truly whimsical fantasy make Ms. Cast’s novel hard to put down… delightful. A great read.”
—The Best Reviews
“A fun combination of myth, girl power, and sweet romance [with] a bit of suspense. A must-read… a romance that celebrates the magic of being a woman.”
—Affaire de Coeur
“Without doubt, one of the most innovative fantasy romances I’ve read. From beginning to end, the surprises in P. C. Cast’s new page-turner never stopped. Its poignancy resonates with both whimsy and fantasy, leaving the reader with a childlike believability in the impossible. I loved it!”
—Sharon Sala, bestselling author of Out of the Dark
“Vivid and colorful… splendid blend of fantasy, history, intrigue and passion… outstanding. Watch out for this author, she’s sure to rise to the top of the romantic fantasy genre.”
—Rendezvous
continued…
GODDESS BY MISTAKE
“A witty retelling of The Beauty and the Beast myth with a dash of Celtic lore and a twist of ‘You go, girlfriend!’”
—Bibliora.com
“A mythic world of humor and verve.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A high-spirited fantasy romp, wickedly funny and filled with action. P. C. Cast turns traditional fantasy elements inside out for a story you won’t soon forget. Highly recommended!”
—K. D. Wentworth, author of Stars Over Stars and This Fair Land
“I hated for it to end.”
—Romance Under the Rainbow
“A funny, sexy heroine… the dialogue is well-written, rich with secondary characters and peppered with humorous dialogue. In the battle of good against evil, modern conveniences against ancient culture, and a bit of Beauty and the Beast tossed in, readers will enjoy being transported into this fantasy world.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“If you like your fantasy novels tongue-in-cheek, you will enjoy Goddess By Mistake, the debut novel by an Oklahoma high school teacher with a vivid imagination and a wicked sense of humor.”
—The Romance Reader
“Sassy… big points for originality, style, humor and sheer exuberance of storytelling… a wild ride and a rollicking good time all around.”
—All About Romance
“A fun read.”
—Christopher Moore, author of Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story
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THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA Penguin Group (Canada). 10 Alcorn Avenue, Toronto. Ontario M4V 3B2. Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Books Ltd.. 80 Strand, London WC2R ORL. England Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green. Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) Penguin Group (Australia). 250 Camberwell Road. Camberwetl, Victoria 3124. Australia (a division ot Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre. Panchsheel Park. New Delhi110 017. India Penguin Group (NZ). Cnr. Airborne and Rosedale Roads. Albany, Auckland 1310, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd.. 24 Sturdee Avenue. Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196.
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Penguin Books Ltd.. Registered Offices: 80 Strand. London WC2R ORL. England
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead. business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
GODDESS OF LIGHT
A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY
Berkley Sensation edition / April 2005
Copyright © 2005 by P. C. Cast.
Excerpt from Goddess of the Rose copyright © 2005 by P C. Cast.
Cover art by Matt Mahurin.
Cover design by Lesley Worrell.
Interior text design by Kristin del Rosario.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. For information address: The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street. New York. New York 10014.
ISBN: 0-425-20196-1
BERKLEY SENSATION
Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group.
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York. New York 10014.
BERKLEY SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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With love to the real Pamela,
owner of Ruby Slipper Designs,
who found her Apollo in Keith.
Lucky girl!
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Acknowledgments
I am profoundly grateful to my good-humored friend, Pamela Rooks, who let me borrow her name and her business and then let me fictionalize… fictionalize… fictionalize! I would also like to thank her clients who patiently allowed me to traipse through their lovely homes as I followed their interior designer and asked a zillion questions.
Thank you and a wink to my fabulous webgoddess, Shawn Wilson, who bears an amazing resemblance to Vernelle…
And, as always, I am grateful for my Goddess Editor, Christine Zika, and my friend and agent, Meredith Bernstein.
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Prologue
“I have made my decision, Bacchus. The portal will remain open.”
As Zeus spoke, he turned his back on the corpulent god and rested his hands against the smooth top of the marble railing that framed the balcony. He gazed down at the Great Banquet Hall of Olympus. The magnificent room was teeming with young gods and goddesses. Zeus’ smile became self-satisfied. The immortals were matchless in their beauty, and when they gathered as they did on this evening, their combined allure was more resplendent than all the stars in the heavens. Then his expression sobered. No matter how perfect their exterior, he had slowly been forced to admit to himself that there was something lacking in the group below him.
They lacked the sublimely mortal touch of humanity.
The Supreme Ruler of the Gods indulged himself briefly in a particularly enticing remembrance. Aegina… she had been the most lovely of maidens. Her skin had been seductive mortal cream. He could still feel the imprint of its unique softness as she had pressed herself willingly against his feathered back when he changed himself into a mighty eagle and carried her away to make love to her. No, her body had not had the sheen of perfection that gild ed a goddess’s complexion, but she had responded to his touch with a naive exuberance that no goddess could ever match.
“Exuberance!” Zeus thumped his palm against the balcony railing, causing thunder to grumble across the sky in response. “That is what our young immortals are missing.” He didn’t turn to look at Bacchus; instead, his gaze roamed restlessly across the sparkling crowd. Considering, he squinted his dark eyes. What was it that Hera had said… They take for granted the gifts of their immortal power. They need to spend time away from the Ancient World. Somewhere they are not idolized and worshiped. He had to admit that Hera tended to be right, even though he often had reason to wish his wife’s powers of observation were less accurate. He grimaced, wanting to forget the knowing look of her sharp gaze, which always seemed to see into his soul.
“They have languished too long in Olympus. It is past time that they mingle with modern mortals,” Zeus said suddenly.
Bacchus tried to keep the irritation from his voice. “But I am the only one of the immortals to ever show an interest in the modern world. Why must you insist that they clutter up my realm?”
Zeus looked over his shoulder at Bacchus. “Demeter and Persephone have recently visited the modern world of mortals, and, as the Goddess of the Harvest told me, Persephone became so attached to a kingdom known as Tulsa that she has made a bargain with a mortal woman so that she may return on a regular basis.”
Bacchus drew a deep breath and tried not to squirm under the Thunder God’s gaze. “Then why not open the portal in the Kingdom of Tulsa?”
Zeus shook his head, turning back to his contemplation of the crowded hall. His talk with Demeter had convinced him that Tulsa was not a place where young gods and goddesses could come and go without being noticed.
“No, Bacchus. I have given this great consideration. I have searched the modern mortal world. Las Vegas provides the perfect setting with its fanciful mortal recreation of Caesars Palace and The Forum.” Zeus chuckled, remembering the silliness he had glimpsed through the portal.
“But Las Vegas is my realm! You know how much time I have devoted to making Caesars Palace and The Forum mine. They will be meddling in a part of the world I have chosen as my own.”
Zeus’ head snapped around, and his eyes blazed. “You presume too much! Have you forgotten that I rule supreme amongst the gods?” Thunder rolled threateningly in the background.
Hastily, Bacchus bowed his head. “Forgive me, Lord.”
“Do not forget yourself again, Bacchus. What I have given, I can also take away.” He stared hard at the lesser deity before returning to his scrutiny of the crowd. “Look at them. The portal has only been opened to them for a short time, but already I feel a change. Even the nymphs have become excited.” He paused, scowling as he remembered how too many of the lovely semideities had chosen to be made stars and flowers and trees because they had become so bored with their lives. “Exuberance… that is what Olympus has lacked. And that is what Las Vegas has breathed into us once more.”
“But Lord.” Bacchus covered his growing anger and pitched his voice to a concerned, paternal tone. “You know what happens when gods and goddesses become too involved in the lives of mortals. Think of Troy. Remember Medea and Jason. Consider what became of Heracles and Achilles. Are you willing to doom the world of modern mortals to chaos and heartache?”
“I do not need to be lectured by such as you, Bacchus.” Zeus’ voice remained controlled, but his warning was clear. Then, changing moods as easily as a spring storm cleared from the mountains, he smiled. “But I have already considered such things. I have set into place certain … restrictions”—Zeus drew the word out carefully, his eyes gleaming—“which I intend to announce tonight. My children will simply be gracious visitors, enjoying a much-deserved sojourn in the Kingdom of Las Vegas.” He shifted his head so that Bacchus could see his stern, majestic profile. “This discussion is over. My will stands.”
Bacchus had no choice but to bow and retreat respectfully from the balcony, but his mind seethed. Once again his needs were to be ignored as Zeus played favorites. He had made Vegas his own. They worshiped Baccus there. At The Forum he commanded the attention of an audience of mortals every day. They cheered for him. They adored him. And now he was to share his realm with the young, beautiful darlings of Olympus?
“We shall see…” he whispered between clenched teeth as Zeus’ voice thundered from the balcony, calling the attention of the Banquet Hall to attentive silence.
“Beloved children!” Zeus beamed at the gathering. “It pleases me greatly that you enjoy my latest gift.” He stretched his arms, palms open, towards the two pillars that stood in the center of the hall, between which an opaque disk of light quivered and swirled. “This evening I announce more news—I have decided that the portal may be open to our lovely legions of nymphs, as well as the young Olympians!” Excited gasps from the minor female deities and semideities present sounded like sweet music to Zeus. “But remember, my beauties, you are entering a world unused to having gods such as us walk amongst them. You do not go to meddle with mortal affairs but rather to observe and to delight in a unique world. Lest you be tempted to forget that you are only there to visit, I have decided that the portal shall only be opened at limited times.”
The glowing faces below him all remained upturned and listening. Zeus searched the crowd until he found Demeter standing regally beside her daughter. He inclined his head to her in respectful acknowledgment before continuing.
“The Goddess of the Harvest has informed me that modern mortals enjoy most of their revelry during a small cluster of days which they call a weekend. So it is during mortal weekends that our portal will be open. You have from dusk on their Friday evening to dawn on their Monday to frolic with the modern mortals.”
With a small gesture of one hand, he silenced the enthusiastic whispers that his words evoked.
“And now, I give to you the Kingdom of Las Vegas!” The Thunder God clapped his hands together, and the crowd cheered as the sky roared in response.
Below in the Banquet Hall Artemis laughed and shook her head fondly at Zeus before turning her attention back to her brother.
“Father is certainly pleased with himself,” she said.
Apollo shrugged. “I don’t understand the excitement. It is simply the modern world of mortals, not a new Olympus.”
Artemis raised one perfect, golden eyebrow at him. “Thus said by the god who spent months spying on a modern mortal in the Kingdom of Tulsa.”
“I was simply performing a favor for Demeter,” he answered a little too nonchalantly.
Artemis said nothing, but she studied her twin as he flirted halfheartedly with a violet-tressed nymph who had stopped to talk in excited little bursts about visiting the Kingdom of Las Vegas. There was no doubt about it. Apollo had been behaving oddly ever since the Persephone debacle.
Artemis sipped her ruby-red wine, remembering how her brother’s surprise at Persephone’s sudden rejection and odd infatuation with Hades had turned to outright shock when it had been discovered that the soul that had temporarily inhabited the goddess’s body had been that of a mortal woman. Persephone herself had been masquerading as a mortal on modern earth. So it was a mortal woman who had rejected Apollo and fallen in love with the God of the Underworld. Artemis’ lovely lips curled into a sneer. Mortals. In her experience they either whined pathetically and needed constant care or were so ridiculously hubris-filled that they self-destructed. All in all, they were only good for mild amusement or dalliance. Not that she would ever want to dally with one, but her brother was of a different mind. Often he had laughed and shared tales with her about his latest seduction of a hopelessly naive young maiden. Artemis took another long drink from her goblet. It was good for a mortal to be gifted by the love of a god. Mortal women should be grateful to be noticed by such a god as her twin brother.
