Castle in the Mountains by Gray Artus

Welcome to Olympus, where the Muses of Greek Mythology are charged with the responsibility of discovering, inspiring, and guiding the young incarnations of legends past until they once again take the form of greatness.

Embark on an enchanting journey through Architects of Illusion (Echoes of Olympus, #1), a YA fantasy novel series inspired by my backyard neighbors, Biltmore Estate, in honor of George Vanderbilt‘s extraordinary legacy. 

Join me, and a cast of brilliant film composers, as we awaken your imagination to the magic of the mountains during this year’s international A to Z Challenge (representing #TeamDamyanti).

▶ For a detailed PHOTO TOUR of Biltmore Estate, including the stone cherubs, click HERE!  Want to read more? Visit my A to Z “Sneak Peeks” page!

Youth of Legends Lost

A MARBLE cherub flitted into the room, his ashen features carved with fear.

“What happened?” Tari demanded.

“This is your spy?” Seok snickered, raising a skeptical eyebrow. “You can’t trust these imps.”

Tari glared at Seok, hissing between her teeth. “Funny, I was thinking the same about you.”

The winged boy buzzed between them.”The cup-bearer,” he whispered urgently, stone lips trembling. “She brings a warning.”

Tari’s sea-glass eyes widened with dread.

“Cup-bearer?” I asked, inwardly cursing my abysmal mythology learning curve for the hundredth time.

“Hebe, the Goddess of Youth. She’s privy to all the council’s schemes,” Tari replied, narrowing her eyes at the skittish toddler. “Putto, who did Hebe meet with?”

“Couldn’t see who,” Putto replied, shaking his head. “Only hear.”

“What did she say?” Tari urged, her patience wearing thinner than the scrap of cloth draped over the cherub’s chubby cheeks.

“A plot to end all plots,” Putto’s plump fingers worried the dust from his ivory curls. “A clever weapon. Forged by the blacksmith God.” he added, milky eyes darting nervously between us.

“Hephaestus,” Seok seethed, anger tightening his jaw.

Conrí threw his hands up. “Well, that’s just grrrreat! Already outmatched and the battle’s not even begun.”

“The battle began long before you were born,” chided a voice shrouded in shadows, “and waged long after the youth of legends were lost.”

© 2014 Samantha Redstreake Geary

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