"Artemis, I do-"

"Don't you dare try to worm yourself out of this. I have every reason to tell him. How long?"

"She and I haven't-"

"How long."

Hera felt the weight in her chest become heavier, her right leg began to bounce and she placed a hand on it to keep it still. Her throat stang and she could feel her eyes start to brim with tears, "Artemis. There's nothing between us. It was a moment of weakness-"

"Don't give me that bullshit. You tormented my mother, you tormented Apollo, you tormented me. Don't you dare give me an excuse he would use. Tell me the truth."

"I am. She and I, we aren't doing anything. We aren't anything. Have your brother here, I'll tell you what I am telling you right now. He will vouch for me."

"Having my brother here to prove your innocence will make your guilt even more obvious, but fine. If you insist. I want you to answer me one thing. Do you hold any form of ill will against her?" Artemis' gaze wouldn't let Hera's go. Hera gave a deep sigh and steadied her posture, "Artemis. I only want what's best for her."

"Why did you bring her to Kanathos?"

"You said only one question."

"Well now I have more. I am willing to drop the subject only if you answer my questions. Now answer."

"Artemis, watch that tone," Hera was beginning to lose control, her hand that rested on her quivering leg gripped her dress. She was beginning to tremble and she could feel her body begin to heat up. The world began to darken around her. Looking at Artemis right now, hearing her speak to her the way she was made her feel suffocated. She needed to regain control, by whatever means necessary.

Artemis hissed at her, "No! Hera you're in the wrong right now! I could tell Zeus and ruin your life! So watch your tone with me! I like Adiya. She's a nice girl and she deserves more than whatever you can give her. I will not let you hurt her, Hera. I won't-"

"I am enough!" Hera's voice cracked and her eyes brimmed with overflowing tears. She turned red and her body began to shake. Overhead the sky became cloudy. Thunder rumbled and Artemis flinched in response but quickly regained her composure. Her cold eyes analyzed Hera. Hera's brown eyes had a faint golden glow to them but her sclera was turning red due to the tears trapped within them and her hair swept up and flew around her as the wind began to pick up. Artemis gave Hera a puzzled look. She tilted her head at her and scowled. Then she realized what Hera meant and why. She scoffed at her and the latter finally registered what she had said. Hera looked away and her composure finally gave in. She hunched over and she rested her elbows on her knees and hugged herself.

Artemis continued to stare at her stepmother. She walked in front of her and crouched so they were eye level. Her voice became softer, but her eyes remained cold as she repeated, "Why did you bring her to Kanathos?"

Hera's eyes scanned Artemis' face. The wind gave a cold draft of air and died away. Well, this was what she wanted, no? It was now or never. Might as well use this as a platform for her plan, "We were at the river to regain her virginity so we could request her transition into my handmaiden."

"Why would you want her?"

"She's starting to feel used by Zeus. She's a good friend of mine. I care about her. I only want what's best-"

"What you think is best, and what she really needs are two completely different motivations."

"Artemis, you came here to hear my thoughts and reasoning behind my actions. I respectfully ask you to remain quiet," Hera's shoulders straightened and her voice was commanding once again but not in the voice Artemis had become accustomed to. She felt unnerved. Seeing Hera in anything less than a regal façade. Being able to equate her voice with a gentle command from her own mother. Artemis almost wanted to pity her, but she knew better. This woman tormented her and Apollo for years due to a factor that was out of their control. Hearing Hera speak with what Artemis could only take as a mock made her angry. She wanted to scream at Hera. Yell at her. She wanted to pull her hair and humiliate her the way Hera would do to her when she was young, but she wouldn't. She hated being the bigger person but sometimes that's all you needed to take revenge on someone so horrible. So she kept quiet and she nodded at the woman before her to continue.

Hera took a deep breath to calm down and slowly began to regain her composure, "She and I. We've become quite close over the years. I would never wish her any ill will. This act of celibacy I'm asking her to perform, it's truly what I believe is best for her." Artemis opened her mouth to retaliate but Hera held up a gentle hand and silenced her, "It may not be in your eyes, but you don't know what that poor girl has gone through. I- Artemis, I know I haven't treated you with the respect you deserve. I only want to give her the best, and I could really use an ally in order to reach that goal. Please, for her."

Hera and Artemis shared a lengthy gaze. Artemis saw a strange shimmer of light in Hera's eyes. They unnerved her, but her words seemed genuine. She knew Adiya had a talent in showing the hidden side of a person's identity, but she never thought this would be the effect for Hera. All the contrary, she always thought she'd see a more despicable and perhaps even terrifying side of her stepmother. She never thought she'd be kneeling before her in her garden actually considering to help her with her plan.

"I'll give you a chance, but the moment I see foul play I'll make sure the council tears you apart. I'm warning you," Artemis began to stand. Hera's eyes followed her. She felt lightheaded, she wanted to throw up. Artemis supported her. Why didn't she feel better?

She continued to steady her breathing as she watched Artemis leave the garden.

~o0o~

Aphrodite strolled through The Square. She was a tall, slender woman with long, golden hair and blue eyes. She had a small mole underneath her right eye and her skin had begun to turn dark as of late, and she was delighted. By her side walked her son, Eros. He had his mother's sparkling blue eyes, but instead he possessed his father's black hair. His skin was getting lighter but he had started to grow a bit of stubble on his face. His shimmering, white wings were folded across his back.

The other gods stared and many swooned as they passed by. She heard a small child snicker and whisper the words, "Dumb blonde." Eros' ruffled his wings, and began to approach them but Aphrodite placed a gentle arm on his chest.

They continued on their way and made it to the dance hall where Apollo was practicing with the muses for their upcoming event. Hera's birthday was around the corner once again. They only ever sang random songs that gods would request for, but lately, Hera had begun to request performances from the muses. Aphrodite knew it was due to the fact that Adiya liked to watch them dance. Since it was Adiya who loved them, Hera had to have them dance for her events.

Aphrodite gave a gentle smile as she sat at the window seat watching the nine goddesses dance in unison. Hera would do anything just to see the mortal smile. Apollo made his way over to the gods of love and sat next to Aphrodite. He wore a white muscle shirt today with tights. He chugged a bottle of nectar and she watched while the sweat on his skin fled down his body. He let out a satisfied sigh as he looked over at Aphrodite.

He looked her up and down and chuckled, "I see the mortals are beginning to value the 'Valley Girl' look."

"Really? I didn't notice," she gave a mischievous smile and leaned on him. "Where's Hermes?"

"Running some errands for Zeus. Speaking of, he was looking for Adiya earlier. Have you seen her? I haven't seen her since...two days ago actually."

"I'm sure she's with Hera. Why?"

Apollo shrugged and Aphrodite shifted to look at him. Apollo began to dry himself with a small towel. He looked up momentarily at the muses and tilted his head, "Polymnia, it's left-left-right and then spin. Zeus probably called for her?"

Aphrodite tensed. Zeus hadn't called for Adiya in 3 or 4 months. If Adiya responded to a summon now her relationship with Hera would never reach its full potential. Last night she could feel the lust the goddess and mortal held for each other and she was impressed with the amount of self-restraint they had. Well, sexual self-restraint.

"Are you sure? Maybe she was just getting mail?" She rose a hopeful eyebrow and Apollo shrugged. "I don't know, Dite. Hermes isn't exactly comfortable having to be the one fetching Zeus' mistress and he didn't seem too happy looking for her now. Polymnia! Left-left-right-spin! Come on!"

Aphrodite looked around the hall and made her way out of the room. Eros followed but she held up a hand, "No. Don't follow. You're free for the rest of the day."

"But mother-!"

"Dite where you off to?" Apollo stood and watched as Aphrodite left the building.

Aphrodite head uphill. She had started reaching the residential area of Olympus when a wave of discomfort washed over her. She felt pain and nausea. Aphrodite crumpled to her knees and held her lower stomach. Her hand immediately went to cover her mouth so as to stifle the noises that escaped from her and her eyes began to stream with unwarranted tears. He wouldn't. He couldn't have.

She swallowed the bile in her throat and said to herself the only thing that came to mind, "You poor thing."