Artemas stared up at the house he was born in; house being a relative term. Like all gods, Thoth preferred a mansion, his dwelling covered in carvings and hieroglyphics indicative of the homes of pharaohs long ago. As soon as they arrived, Artemas knew Thoth was responsible for the upset at the hotel. The magical signature that hovered around the air was unmistakable. “Do we know if he’s still married?” Artemas asked as they made their way up the too-big steps. His stomach was full of butterflies.
“The mighty Thoth has managed to piss off all three of his wives,” Silvanus said, keeping pace beside him. “It would seem, after Ra elevated him to overseeing the dead in his name, Thoth gave his wives all the record keeping work Ra ordered done, preferring to keep his head in a book. Combine that with the fact that out of three wives, he only managed two children, despite the wives being prolific with others, and one would suggest he spent far too much time with the esoteric side of life, ignoring the basic instincts and passions that make a marriage work.”
“I’m just glad they won’t be here.” Artemas hesitated by the giant door, wondering whether to knock or not. He could still feel the effects of the primal passions he and Silvanus had enjoyed the night before and fueled by that reminder, that he wasn’t a kid anymore, he opened the door without knocking and strode in as if it was his right.
Nothing had changed. It was exactly as Artemas remembered, only grubbier. Long corridors lined with overcrowded floor to ceiling bookshelves, flowed at all angles off the central room. Artemas used to think the house layout was a depiction of the sun and its rays – another way Thoth tried to match himself with his father Ra.
In the center of the ‘sun’ was a giant orb measuring several feet high. It was said, although Artemas didn’t know how truthful it was, that the orb contained the hub of Thoth’s magic. Rumor had it, Thoth was so magically powerful, his powers couldn’t be contained in a human form, which was why the orb was necessary.
As a small child, Artemas remembered being hit regularly, anytime he got within a few feet of the huge thing; apparently it was fragile and not something a child should be near. But the orb of his childhood crackled with energy, bolts of light used to spark along the surface of it as if it was a living thing. Now the glass was dark, murky, and Artemas couldn’t feel any energy from it at all.
“Gloomy place.” Silvanus was looking around, no expression on his handsome face. “If I couldn’t read Thoth’s energies here, I’d have said this place had been deserted for centuries.”
“Thoth wasn’t one for housework.” Artemas ran his hand over the dusty orb, surprised when a flicker of light followed the movement of his hand. “This place is dying. The magic’s fading.”
“Magic can’t die.” Silvanus’s tone was firm. “It’s a living force; it’s something that needs nourishment, yes, but it can’t die. Was this the seat of Thoth’s power?” He pointed to the orb. Artemas’s hand was still resting on it, a gentle glow surrounding his fingers.
“I was told it was.” Artemas stroked the dirty glass gently. “This used to be….”
“Who dares enter the domain of Thoth, Master of the Balance, Lord of the Divine Body?” A loud voice thundered overhead.
Artemas yelled at the ceiling. “It’s your son, Artemas the Librarian, mate of Silvanus, heir to Poseidon. Show yourself, you old fart and stop hiding behind your theatrics. I demand an audience!”
“Who are you to demand anything of me?” A tall skinny figure drifted along one of the corridors, dressed in a white flowing tunic that had seen better days. As Thoth got closer, Artemas could see he’d taken on the visage of an old man, his beard straggly, his gray hair a tangled mess. This was not the father he remembered, although the eyes and nose were unmistakably his.
“You were nothing but a colossal mistake made in a moment of weakness,” Thoth sneered as he wafted into the main room. “How dare you breach my walls and sully my home.”
Silvanus started towards the old man, but Artemas put out his hand, stopping him. This was his fight. “I dare because you endangered humans trying to get to me. Do you honestly think I wouldn’t recognize the magical signature you left all over our hotel room in London? You certainly wanted to attract my attention then. So here I am, standing before you. What the hell do you want with me?”
“You owe me.” Thoth pointed at him as he moved closer, his finger almost skeletal in appearance. “My wife left me because of you. You stole that precious book from me at the auction, and then you had the audacity to mate with a god older than time. Everywhere I go, everyone tells me how great Artemas is, how intelligent, how clever, how strong. Ra opened his library to you, something unseen for eons, even by me. How dare that privilege go to the wasted fruit of my loins.”
“Your spunk might have splashed on the floor, but Poseidon’s wasn’t wasted.” Artemas could feel his power and anger rising in equal parts. “He was the one who raised me, not you. You were too timid, hiding behind your wife’s skirts, to ever face your responsibilities like a real man. I can see now, why Poseidon wouldn’t touch you except on a bet.”
The shock on Thoth’s face was very real. “It was no bet. He… he… Poseidon wanted me. He pursued me. He claimed over and over he was smitten by my beauty and had to have me.”
“Zeus bet him three diamonds the size of my fist that Poseidon couldn’t get into your pants in a week. He won the bet in two hours. You were panting for it, begging for something your wife couldn’t give you and you couldn’t drop your pants fast enough. Zeus and Poseidon laughed about that for weeks afterwards, so I was told. The skinny scholar no one wanted, pussy-whipped by his wife. Your coupling with Poseidon was a joke, and guess what, I’m the punchline.”
“No!” Thoth’s face scrunched up, going an alarming shade of red. “I won’t have you take my memories of Poseidon from me too, you worthless vermin. I was adored by millions, courted by everyone far and wide. Every god paid dearly for an hour of my time. Even the mighty Ra faded in the background when I was around.”
“What kind of delusional world are you living in?” Artemas couldn’t believe how unhinged his father sounded. “Ra retired, he didn’t fade into the background. He did what any other normal, well-adjusted god would do when worshipper numbers fell, and found himself something else to do. He didn’t wallow, like in this crypt to past glories, or let himself go, like you clearly have. For fuck’s sake, haven’t you ever heard of a cleaning cloth?” He swiped at the glass orb, holding up his fingers to show the dust.
But Thoth wasn’t looking at the dust on his fingers – his eyes were riveted by the flickers of the light on the orb. “You’ve got my magic,” he snarled, his face twisted in rage. “Not only are you kissing up to Ra, but you’ve stolen my magic.”
“I’ve never stolen a thing in my life, and certainly not from you.” Artemas’s snarl was deeper and a lot more effective, because Thoth took a step back. “You’re the one with loose morals. You’re the one who couldn’t stay faithful to anyone and then chucked me away, your flesh and blood, as if I was worth nothing. A son. Your magic.” He held up his palms as if weighing each and then dropped them again. “Why do I think you’ve thrown that away too?”
“I came into being as the most powerful magic user in all existence,” Thoth roared, his body growing bigger, until his head touched the ceiling. But the mass wasn’t solid. It was flickering in and out as if the picture was faulty on a television screen. “I am the god to end all gods. You will kneel before me.”
“Why should I?” Artemas folded his arms across his chest and stared up at the man who birthed him, conscious of Silvanus’s silent presence behind him. “You interfered with human lives, something the Fates forbid. You haven’t even bothered to acknowledge my mate and show him the respect he deserves because you’re too full of your own delusions. I won’t kneel to you, I have never kneeled in front of another person before, unless I was having some fun while I was down there.”
Artemas risked a look over his shoulder and winked at his mate, before turning back to Thoth. “You are nothing more than Ra’s lackey and not a very good one at that. You’re nothing to me, do you understand? I thought your approval was worth striving for, but I look at you, and all I see is a pitiful excuse for what a god should be. You’re pathetic.”
“You dare defy me?” Thoth raised his hands, and Artemas felt the air around them crackle, and a sharp wind flew down the corridors towards him and Silvanus. As it hit, Artemas brushed it away as if it was nothing, holding up his own hands as a shield for him and his mate.
“My turn,” he grinned as he sent out his senses, calling on the water, as much a part of him as Thoth’s magic. While the house was dusty, there was a lot of water in Thoth’s domain – streams running hidden under the parched grass, pipes bringing water into the house. Artemas called it all – every drop – the tree on his back lending him energy, pushing the water towards his target. “Deny this,” he yelled as windows burst and doors flew open, water surging into Thoth’s home in a torrent.
Thoth’s image flickered and wavered as he tried to summon the energy for another spell. But the water was relentless, powerful and strong, and for the first time in his life, Artemas felt the true meaning of what it was to be Poseidon’s son. This was Poseidon’s power at its epic best and Artemas controlled it effortlessly. His feet fell out from under him, his legs changing, his tail holding him buoyant as the waters rose. Grabbing hold of Silvanus’s hand, Artemas created a bubble so his mate wouldn’t get wet. He laughed as his hair turned green and fell in waves down his back. His shirt split, falling off his arms, and still he grew until he was bigger, wider and far stronger than the mighty Thoth would ever be.
Thoth gasped as the water hit his face, his size shrinking as the power necessary to hold his spell receded with the waters. In just a few minutes, the water was gone, soggy papers and soft puddles all that was left. And Thoth was back to his normal size, lying like an old man, on his side, struggling to breathe.
“Who is kneeling now, old man?” Artemas let his shift flow over him slowly, until he and Silvanus were standing on the floor once more.
“How? How?” Thoth’s eyes widened as he took in the trails of branches that were now covering Artemas’s shoulders. “Oh, my gods, you stole the tree of life – that’s how you defeated me.”
“My mate is powerful in his own right,” Silvanus rumbled, “and you’d do well to remember who you’re addressing. The tree is a gift from the Mother of all things, bestowed to Artemas on our mating. To slander Artemas is to insult me and the Mother.”
“And me,” another voice sounded behind them. Standing in the doorway was Poseidon, but he wasn’t alone. “I told you, Ra-baby, that god of yours has run amuck and you need to do something about him fast. I knew as soon as I felt my son summon the waters, the other half of his genetics was up to no good.”
“He be-spelled humans and took away their free will,” Artemas said harshly, refusing to let his heart care for the god cowering on the floor. “He spied on me and Silvanus, and claimed I stole his magic and the tree of life. His soul is wracked with jealousy and bitterness, his mind is failing, and his powers are weak which can only mean he’s dabbling in the dark side.”
“Oh, Thoth, you really need to get yourself a hobby or something,” Ra said sadly, picking his way over the debris on the floor. Ra’s human form was of a slender young man, with gilded skin and a large golden dome floating above his head. In contrast to his elaborate headwear, he was wearing blue jeans and a polo shirt.
Thoth looked up, worship in his eyes. “Ra, Poseidon, you came. I knew my lover and my father wouldn’t desert me in my time of need.”
“We’re not here for you.” Ra’s tone sharpened. “You dared to interfere in the life of my grandson, and the son of one of my oldest friends. You’re ignoring the god Silvanus as though he was nothing, when without him our world wouldn’t exist. What were you thinking?”
“Nothing?” Thoth finally seemed to remember where he was and who he was talking to. Pushing himself off the floor, he tried to straighten his soggy robes and brushed his hair off his face with his hands. “My lord Ra, my lover Poseidon, it is a great honor. I… er… I wasn’t expecting you. I’ll er… just let me clean out the trash, and we can take tea.”
“Trash? You consider me and my mate trash?” Stalking over to where Thoth stood, Artemas poked him hard in the chest. “Look at me. No, damn it,” he added when Thoth turned his head away, “look at me and acknowledge me as your son. The man who bested you this day.”
“This person’s delusional,” Thoth said with a shaky laugh, peering around Artemas’s shoulder. “I’ve never seen him before in my life, and as for his accusations, well, surely Ra, you can see how ludicrous they are.”
“You never saw me?” Artemas refused to let his voice break. “You’ve done nothing but watch me for years. Sticking your nose in, interfering, letting your jealousy build and your hatred grow until you broke the fundamental law all gods hold dear.”
“You should never have been born!” Thoth screamed, spittle coating his beard. “The book to summon the gods was meant to be mine, the book of Silvanus should be in my library, not yours, visiting Ra’s library should have been my privilege, not given to an illegitimate brat like you. I petitioned the Fates for Silvanus, he should have been my mate, not yours. I am the only being worthy of carrying the tree of life, not you!”
There was stunned silence. Ignoring his lunatic father, Artemas turned to Silvanus. “Thoth was meant for you?”
“Never.” Silvanus shook his head. “My petition to the Fates was very clear. I would not take on a god who’d been married before, let alone three times. If he petitioned them, then he did that after we claimed each other and the Fates in their wisdom ignored Thoth, just as they have always done. Thoth and I have barely had anything to do with each other over eons of existence, something I’m thankful for after today’s display.”
“You would have loved me best,” Thoth said silkily, and Artemas swung around to see Thoth doing his best to hold onto his younger visage. There was a freshness and innocence in the younger face, but much like his godly form, Thoth couldn’t hold it for long.
“Oh dear.” Ra shook his head, seeing the struggle Thoth was going through. “You have been messing with shit you had no right to touch, haven’t you? Is this my fault? Is the fact I was a stern father the reason you ignore your son?”
“I didn’t want him.” Thoth wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes, not even his father’s. “Poseidon fucked me one time and then never came near me again. Even when I called him to take the wretched boy, he sent Zeus to collect him. Poseidon couldn’t even look at me after that one time.”
“Probably because I never wanted you in the first place,” Poseidon said, his tone almost bored. “I only went near your ass to get those diamonds. But I got something far more precious than diamonds out of the deal. I got my son, Artemas the Librarian.”
Poseidon appeared right in front of Artemas, blocking his view of Thoth. “The person who birthed you is a weak and inconsequential nobody, who can’t look at you because when he does, he can’t help but see what a good, honest, and decent god you are. But I see you,” he said, reaching out and touching Artemas’s temple. “I might not have always been around when you were young, but I see you, I feel you, and I am damn proud of you. I always have been.”
“But, but…” Artemas didn’t know what to do or say. So, he said the first thing that came out of his mouth. “My mating, you were so disappointed in me.”
“Not disappointed, shocked.” Poseidon chuckled as he rested his forehead on Artemas’s chest. “All I ever wanted your entire life was for you to be happy, and then, when it happened…. Ugh, Claude tore strips off my ass for not even bothering to congratulate you. So, you carry the tree. Big deal. You can still summon the waters, and do it damn well. What I should have said, was congratulations, and welcomed Silvanus into our family. I don’t get everything right, but don’t ever doubt I care about you, because you are the son of my heart, you are my first and that will never change.”
“I’m your first that you know of.” Artemas patted Poseidon’s shoulder awkwardly.
“Let’s not get into semantics. That always seems to get us into trouble.” Straightening up, Poseidon’s smile lit up his face. “The tree’s growing, it’s bigger than it was before and that is all down to you and the love you share with your mate. It hasn’t done that in a very long time. I see good things in the future of our world, and that of the mortals.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t grow much further.” Artemas peered at the new leaves sprouting on his shoulder. “One day I might try and get out of bed and find my feet rooted to the floor.”
“That will never happen,” Silvanus said, his voice gruff as he wrapped his arms around Artemas’s naked waist. “And if it does, we’ll just stay rooted together.”
“Rooted together.” Poseidon slapped his thigh and rolled over laughing. “I can’t believe it Silva, you made a joke. Mating must be good for you.”
“It’s the best thing that could ever happen to me.” Silvanus was totally serious, even more so when he turned his attention to Ra. “You know the laws, ruler of the gods. You know Thoth must be sanctioned for what he did to those humans.”
“He will be sanctioned for a lot more than that.” Ra’s voice was surprisingly deep for someone who looked so young. “He will be punished. Seeing as he wanted to see it so badly, I’m thinking of confining him to my library for the next thousand years or so.”
“Didn’t that place rebury itself the morning after we were there?” Artemas asked.
“Yes, and it will remain that way,” Ra said simply. He bowed his head low to Silvanus. “Blessings on your mating, Silvanus god of living things. May your journeys seem lighter with my grandson by your side. And don’t forget, we do a Sunday roast every week. You’re both invited anytime.” Touching his hand to Thoth’s shoulder, and not even looking at the bedraggled god, Ra and his captive disappeared.
“Well, that was interesting.” Poseidon stretched his arms and yawned. “If you two are all right, I think I might head home and see what my beloved is doing. It must be bedtime somewhere around the world.”
“Sei, Dad.” Stepping out of Silvanus’s arms, Artemas struggled to find his words.
“I see you, son of my heart.” Poseidon sketched a quick salute. “I always have, I always will.” He disappeared, just like Ra and Thoth had done.
“Do you feel any better now?” Silvanus asked softly, holding him by the shoulders and pulling him back into his warm embrace.
“I feel….” Artemas took in a huge breath. “I’m not sure what I feel about Thoth any more, but my heart is settled where Poseidon is concerned, and I met Ra, so the day wasn’t a total bust.”
“You know I see you too, right?”
Looking up, Artemas lost himself in Silvanus’s loving eyes. “And I see you too, my love. Take us home, or at least back to the hotel. I suppose we’d better check up on Crane and his friends before we decide what to do next.”
“We can do that tomorrow.” Silvanus’s voice was full of promises Artemas knew he could keep. “I found myself strangely aroused by your merman form. Do you think that tub at the hotel would hold us both if you’re in that form?”
“I doubt it,” Artemas chuckled. “But I know a wonderful place that will. Hold on tight.” Which was a silly thing to say, because Artemas knew in his heart, his mate would never let him go.