Note: Sorry it has taken so long to get this chapter up. I'm back at school and busier then I thought I'd be. Chapters may take longer to get up then I thought. But this story is not done and I am not done writing. Just be patient with me for the next two months. I'll try to get them written when I can.
Ares was pissed. He'd been looking for Aphrodite every where. He'd even gone to a couple of her temples. After he'd knocked around one of the priestesses to scare her into telling him where she was. The priestess hadn't known anything.
He sneered and threw himself on his throne. Tossing his legs over one of the arms on the chair a cup of wine appeared in his hand. Taking a sip he closed his eyes and sighed. He had tried to get into her Temple on Olympus but he couldn't get in. That wasn't a surprise.
The temples on Olympus were all guarded. No god could enter another's temple without being invited or entering with them. Not even Zeus could barge in. Of course he wasn't happy about it but it made for some peace amongst them.
Running a hand over his beared he wondered if he'd upset Aphrodite earlier. It wouldn't have been the first. He thought with a weary grin twisting his lips. "She's so emotional." He complained. "Nothing I do is good enough." He felt the anger that was always present in him boil to the surface.
Leaping from his seat and hurled the cup of wine at the far wall and watched with satisfaction when it shattered. Sending pieces of pottery and a spray of wine all over the floor. He was about to storm out of the room when someone called his name from outside.
Glancing at the door he raised his brow. What was she doing there? He asked himself while he sat back down in his seat. What ever was going on, it would be much more entertaining then hunting Aphrodite down. "Enter mother." He called out with a sly smile on his lips.
Entering the dark temple Hera frowned in disgust. Ares's taste in decoration was barbaric. Hanging on the black marble walls were the skins of those he'd killed in battle. Between the skins were scenes of him fighting, blood and death surrounding him. His throne was made of mortal bones. Put together in a crude way and the seat was of human skin.
Shaking her head she walked up to Ares with a frown on her lips and her hands on her hips. "I'm surprised you don't have a fountain with blood in it." She jabbed as she rolled her eyes. How she hated her offspring. They were failures in her eyes.
Ares snorted shortly and shrugged his shoulders. He couldn't stand his mother. She got on his nerves faster then anyone else. "Did you come here just to criticize me mother? You could do that any time." He snapped as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.
"Show me some respect." Hera snarled, her eyes shining with anger. "I am your mother, you ungrateful brat." Her hands on her hips she raised a brow as if daring him to talk back. When he kept his mouth shut. "I come baring news that is might be of importance to you." She said cryptically.
Annoyed, Ares rolled his eyes and shook his head. His mother never just gave him advice. It always came at some cost. "And what would that be?" he asked sharply waiting for her to tell him the price of the news.
With a smug smile on her lips Hera folded her arms over her chest and shook her head as she clicked her tongue in a motherly fashion. "You think you are so great." She said harshly, her eyes flashing anger while they narrowed. "I will laugh when Athena accomplishes her task. Given to her by Zeus." She taunted knowing Ares would raise to the bait.
At the mention of Athena and a task Ares sat up with interest. Scowling he raised a brow. "What task?" he asked cautiously as he leaned forward. If Athena was involved then Ares knew he was in trouble.
Hera paused a moment, as if trying to remember what she was saying. She wrinkled her brow and placed a finger on her lips. "You know, I've forgotten." She said amusingly. She was enjoying Ares's anger and frustration.
With a growl he leaped from his seat and pointed a finger at Hera. "You harpy! You damn well remember. Stop playing this damn game and tell me." He demanded, his voice near a shout. Sick of his mother's teasing he was on the verge of impaling her on his sword. But he knew he'd have to then face Zeus's wrath.
Hera wasn't scared of Ares. His temper tantrums actually amused her. He thought that he could get her to do what he wanted by flexing his muscles. Raising her brow she tapped her foot impatiently on the ground. "Are you done?" She asked coldly.
Breathing deeply Ares growled then threw himself in his seat. Bitting his lip he gave a fake smile and nodded his head. He was being played and he didn't like it. "Yes, I'm done." he muttered as he clenched his fists.
"Good. Now apologize for shouting at me." Hera said with a smirk on her lips. She watched with delight when Ares's face turned bright red as he tried to hold in his anger.
"I'm sorry." He growled between clenched teeth. His hands were itching to pick up his sword but he refused to listen to them. "Now will you please tell me what you know."
Hera smiled a haughty smile and chuckled softly. "Pathetic." she sneered then turned to go but stopped as if she had a second thought. In all reality she was playing with Ares. It wasn't often she had the chance to manipulate another god.
Ares watched with his anger about to explode when Hera turned to leave. He stood and was about to strike her with a fire ball when his mother turned. Their eyes meet and for a moment he felt fear run down his spine at the look in her eyes.
Sitting back down he kept his mouth shut while Hera took a few steps closer to him. "Zeus has sent Athena to tell that whore Aphrodite that she is to stop seeing you." Hera said with a shrug of her shoulder.
Ares's face fell and he leaned back in his seat as if he'd been punched. It was a strange feeling. Almost like fear and regret. The thought of Athena succeeding made his heart beat harder. Frowning he pushed the feelings away and shrugged his own shoulders.
"Oh well." He said carelessly. "Though I'm sure she won't listen to that hag, if she does so what. I have countless lovers." Hera watched him closely, she knew he was pretending like he didn't care. "If you'll excuse me mother, I have some things to attend to." He said as he stood then quickly vanished.
Hera felt the smile growing on her lips. Her laughter started out softly then grew in volume. Leaning over very un-lady like she put her hands on her knees to support herself while her laughter shook her body.
"Stupid brat." She whispered as she straighten and wiped a tear out of her eye. "Now to go and watch the fun begin." Rubbing her hands together with glee she reappeared in her bedchambers on Olympus. She wanted to be ready for when the excitement happened. Ares had played into her trap.
He was no doubt rushing off to confront both goddesses. A fight was inevitable between him and Athena. The reason of the fight was what intrigued Hera. Athena had acted so strangely when Zeus had told her to talk to Aphrodite.
If Athena fought Ares cause he pushed her to the fight then Hera's theory would be wrong. But if Athena fought Ares for Aphrodite, then Hera was right. Athena was in love with Aphrodite.
Grinning evilly Hera sat in a seat and leaned back with a smug smile on her face. No mater what happened Ares was going to get his ass kicked. And that was always an enjoyable sight.
I hope you liked this chapter. It looks like there are a lot of people reading the story. Thanks! Please review though. It only takes a minute and it makes me feel so great! I really want to know what you think of the story. For my loyal readers and reviewers, Jellicos, ErisRocks, you two are the best. Love you both! Thanks. I swear the next chapter will be up either in a day or by the end of the week.