Hera opened the door to her temple and the scent of lasagna hit her. She slammed the door behind her and stormed into the kitchen. Just as she thought. The little bawd was cooking. Hera gripped her forearm and wrenched her out of the kitchen.

"Who do you think are strolling around my house like you belong in it!" Hera screeched.

"Zeus was hungry. He sent me to make something!" she responded.

"I suppose it was after the two of you had your little fun. Get out! I don't want to see you here! Get out! Of my house!" Hera's voice became shrill, the sound of thunder echoed behind it. Adiya took a step back but then she set her jaw,"No. I live here now. Whether you like it or not. You'll just have to deal with me cooking for you and your husband from now on."

Hera scoffed,"Yeah, like I'm going to let some streetwalker cook my food for me. I already have servants who do everything you do except they respect me and they stay out of Zeus's pants. You on the other hand, you only need to stay on Zeus's good side. As long as he's happy you can't be thrown off Olympus. But let me tell you something. I am his wife. This is my house. You are intruding my home. And I will not tolerate some trollop waltzing around it like she's the lady in charge." Hera stepped closer to Adiya.

The two women shared a tense gaze, Hera was taller, no question. But Adiya wasn't about to be intimidated by her. But she also didn't want to provoke the goddess. Adiya closed her eyes and took a deep breath and leveled her eyes so she looked at Hera's neck.

"Well, are you going to leave or will I have to make you?"

Adiya softened a bit. She could see it. The bruise Zeus left on Hera's shoulder four days ago. It was fading but it was still there. By instinct Adiya covered the mark Zeus left on her own neck when they made love.

Hera hissed,"What are you covering it for? The whole mountain knows what you are and what you do."

Hera grabbed a fistful of Adiya's hair and yanked it so they shared the same gaze,"I don't ever want to see you anywhere in this house but the bedroom and the front door. If I catch you galloping around here like you own the place I will make your life even more miserable and pathetic than I'm already going to make it."

Gripping tightly onto her hair she dragged Adiya to the front door. She slammed it open and threw her out. Adiya landed at the bottom of the steps like a heap of trash. A few gods that had been taking a stroll stopped to stare.

Great, Hera just fueled their gossip even more. She'll never hear the end of it.

"I warned you, you little bitch! When I tell you to leave you do not act 'tough.' You do as I say and leave. And to think that I thought you were good at following orders, tramp."

Before Hera could close the door she heard something she hoped she had imagined for the well-being of others.

She looked back at the girl she had dropped off on the bottom step and snapped,"What?"

Adiya shook with rage. She looked up at Hera trying to keep hot tears from falling out. She wasn't like Hera who had a stone heart. Whether she was mad or frustrated, happy or sad Adiya cried. Right now, facing off against the queen of the gods, crying wasn't a luxury she could afford.

"I called you a cunt. Or do you prefer the word asshole? Or witch? How about shrew. Tell me which is your preference, bitch."

The other gods backed away a bit but they continued to gawk at the scene in front of them. Hera fumed her eyes becoming darker with every insult Adiya threw at her,"Lady Hera is fine. I hope you have a busy day of work, slut."

Adiya exploded,"That's it! That's enough! You have a problem with me sleeping with Zeus? Confront him about it! But don't be a little rat and humiliate me!"

Hera let out a laugh,"Me? Humiliate you? My dear, you do that without my help. And it isn't my fault Zeus finds women who'll spread their legs for him at his request. It's your choice whether you'll lay on your back or not," Hera turned her back to the world ready to step back inside.

"Well I'm not the one married to him and yet he still prefers me over you."

There was a tense. Hera hovered through the doorway. She let the words sink in. And she turned back to face her. Only Adiya saw it. The hurt in her eyes. Hera's face read anger, her fists read wrath, her shaking body read rage. But the glare Hera held wasn't because Adiya rendered her speechless. It was because she told her the truth. A truth Hera had been denying since Zeus slept with Leto. A truth that hurt Hera more than she let on.

She made her way to Adiya and grabbed her by the arm. It was then she realized Hera was like her. She held tears in her eyes but years of being in the same spot over and over again it was easier for her not to crumble. The grip Hera held on her was enough to bruise her arm and she pulled her to her roughly.

"You're very lucky that there are others around. Otherwise you would not be standing here right now," she growled. "I advise you to watch that tongue of yours whenever you speak with me. Because the next time I will not be as forgiving."

She pushed her away so Adiya landed on the road. She looked up at the queen who was finally heading inside and slammed the door. The storm above her was boiling and the wind blew at her dress.

The gods that had been watching helped her up and comforted her telling her not to worry. But she paid no mind to them. Her eyes were set upon the large temple. And as she was led away she felt the smallest dot of rain on her arm. She looked up. It was beginning to drizzle.

~o0o~

Adiya walked through Olympus hearing the gossip from the other gods from yesterday's events. She wished it was something she could forget. Was it bad if she felt guilty for what she said? Maybe it was because everyone cheered her on for putting Hera in her place. At one point Hermes fluttered up to her congratulating her for "a roast well done." She only nodded and gave them half hearted smiles and continued to walk. It didn't surprise her that Hera wasn't present today. Adiya was glad. She didn't even want to know what would happen if the goddess heard any of the gossip that went around Olympus.

She ended up at a small park. As she wandered around she kept replaying yesterday's events. She couldn't help but cringe at how insensitive she was toward Hera. She had never uttered a bad word to anyone in her lifetime. Not even to the bully from ninth grade that would sometimes touch her and even stalk her after school.

Adiya knew she crossed a line with Hera but something about her just made you snap. The woman had a talent. She could make Martin Luther King snap under the rage Hera would fuel and have him strangle someone. Hera would've been an acceptable candidate as goddess of war.

Adiya sighed. She walked over to a stone patio that hovered just outside of the mountain and looked over it. She could see the mortal world below.

If only there was a way to get on Hera's good side. She couldn't say no to Zeus when he summoned her. She was afraid of him becoming angry and forcing himself on her or blaming her rejection on Hera and doing something worst.

She looked behind her and saw Demeter. She was a tall woman with copper hair pulled behind her into a lose braid and darker skin. Her cedar eyes looked at the plants lovingly as she watered them. Her toga was messy, it was covered in dirt and grass stuck out from certain places. Maybe she should ask where Hera was. She wanted to apologize.

"Demi, would you happen to know where Hera is?"

Demeter gave her a forced smile. Adiya had gotten the feeling that Hera's siblings, save Zeus, didn't like her very much. She realized that the second month she had been on Olympus when she decided to have a small conversation with Hestia. The latter was polite for the most part. But her gaze was so intense she just couldn't talk with her anymore.

"Don't worry, sweetie. Zeus is the only one in their temple at the moment. You're safe."

"No no. I'm looking for Hera. I want to speak with her."

Demeter took on a fierceness in her voice and her eyes gave off a protective look,"Now listen here, Adiya. You are a very kind girl, but I suggest you leave Hera alone especially after the fight you and my sister held yesterday."

"I..I understand. But Lady Demeter, i want to apologize. I know what I said crossed the line. I feel guilty. I want to-"

Demeter showed her true colors, glaring at Adiya,"You should feel guilty. You're sleeping with her husband and on top of that you disrespect her."

"I try not to. But she disrespected me first. I just snapped-"

"You disrespected my sister the moment you let Zeus mount you. But if you do wish to apologize go back to her home tomorrow. She won't be on Olympus until then," she turned away and began walking away.

"But where did she go!?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Demeter taunted.

Adiya deflated. She went back to the patio and she stayed there for the entire day.

~o0o~

Adiya had fallen asleep on that same patio. She was sitting on the floor her head resting against the pillar supporting the arm rest. She woke up to the morning rays shining on her face. She still felt like crap.

She stood up stretching and looked over the side. As she stared at the passing traffic below she realized she was overlooking a different city than she was yesterday. While she kept her attention on the city Hermes came up from behind her.

"Hi," he called to her.

She jumped and turned back toward the blond. Hermes gave her an impish smile. He wasn't very tall and his blue eyes poked fun at her. His curly hair complimented the dwarfish ears he had and his andenoidal-like voice didn't help him. He was lean from all the running he did however. Today he wore his converse and a white shirt with jeans. He looked weird when he wasn't in Greek robes.

"Ah, hi Hermes. Need anything?"

He twiddled his staff between his fingers looking uncomfortable,"Well not me. My father..Zeus is calling you, again."

"Oh..er-tell him..I'll be there.."

Hermes nodded and fluttered away. She sighed and turned back to the city resting her head on her hand. She didn't want to to keep doing this. It was one thing to do it for money but now she was doing it out of fear of punishment. She couldn't live this way, even if the "reward" was living like a goddess.

She lifted herself onto the fence and stood on top looking down at the city below. The wind played with her blonde hair and danced with the ruffles of her dress. Finally she looked up. She could see the sun shining brightly against the blue sky. What a beautiful day.

She stepped off the ledge.