Seraglio of the Gods

Put aside everything you know about time being linear, with the past, present and future always unchanged and in a straight line. Think instead of existence on both Earth and Luzon more like a Möbius strip. Imagine time twisting, turning, and then bending back upon itself.

If you love mythology, you might find yourself confused when the story jumps around between Greek and Roman names. What's that old saying? A rose by any other name is still a rose. Vulcan is the hero's name, and you have to admit that is much easier to spell than Hephaestus.

This novella is told from the point of view of Melody, a woman from Earth. The first chapter is in diary format during which a stranger teaches her complete submission over the space of a week. She eventually learns the stranger is a mythological satyr who came to Earth disguised as a human male. At the end of that chapter, the satyr gives Melody a golden chain and tells her to wait for He who will come.

What happens after that is a new mythological tale involving many familiar gods of antiquity. He who will come brings Melody to Luzon, the off-world planet of the male gods. She awakes from a drugged sleep to find herself in their seraglio or harem. Surrounding her are other Earth women that various satyrs brought to Luzon in the past to service their respective masters.

There are conflicts between females and males, in this case Earth women and ancient gods of many eras and nations. He who will come gives Melody to Vulcan, the god of the forge. Their progress from concubine and master to lovers is the main story line and involves, among other items, a brass Pegasus and dark chocolate.

The history of the golden chain of submission is a subplot leading to the story's final chapter. This returns to a diary format once again written by Melody decades later as she is dying back on Earth.

Dettagli