Silence descended with the passing moments, as her thoughts - like hummingbirds- flitted through her mind. The shock had gone and left her with a numbness that she shivered and soaked in. She could not stop the replay of images that flashed through her mind, showcasing only one thing: that mortal.

She stood, made to move to the window. But sat. Then stood again. Then sat.

She frowned in frustration. Puzzled, as well, to her mind and body's unusual unknowing of what it was supposed to do. Did she want to sit? Or did she want to stand? Her body ping-ponging between the two options did not settle well with her. She was a queen! Queens made decisions.

So decide, she communicated to herself.

In the end, she decided to sit. If she stood, she would eventually have to sit again. It was all symbolic in a way. In all her years with Zeus...hadn't she not been forced to sit down and take whatever abuse he unwillingly, or willingly, caused her? Well, not forced, per say, but what were her choices against the King of Gods? Stand up against him and voice her mind or sit down and let him carry on with his dalliances. She would stand up, many a time, to cause all manners of chaos to the women, but she would have to sit again while Zeus moved on to the next one.

This is my fate, she sighed, stretching out her back.

And like a flash, as soon as she had mentally pronounced 'fate', the image of the mortal appeared. And was gone, just as quick.

Hmm?

Again, she said fate, but no image was produced this time.

I'm just lonely, as always, she sighed. Zeus had been gone off to Jove knows where for the past 3 months, leaving her here like...like a forgotton toy, a used plaything that he could return to whenever his new toys did not please him anymore. She felt like a trophy- looked at with pride, but only praised when others were around. Just a thing to show off. It felt like he was saying:

"Look at my pretty wife! My loyal wife! My loyal, stupid, wife who I cheat on and who will never leave me."

And she would smile, and play the role of the loyal, subservient but still powerful hostess. And she could even see in their eyes that they pitied her, as Zeus openly ogled other women, or even groped some under the intoxicating spell of ambrosia. Hera was not ugly by any means, and she would quickly become aware of the looks that some of the other males gave her. But let Zeus catch them looking, and it was a thunderbolt through the heart!

Some of the men had interested her, slightly, but she had hidden her curiosity in order to spare their lives. The persistent ones died and the others, feeling rejected by her 'indifference' labelled her 'haughty' and made up all sorts of vicious rumors. They had even then sided with Zeus and claimed her 'snobbishness' was the reason why Zeus often ran around with other women. As if that was an excuse! And here she was trying to save their lives!

But, over the years, she had really grown numb to all the attention she recieved. Whenever she noticed someone's interest in her, it was nothing to her. Just a look. It would never be anything more. Zeus would not allow it, and neither would they for fear of Zeus finding out.

All these years, her heart had been encrusted by ice. But, now it seemed that the spark of the look from that... mortal had set her slightly aflame and the ice began to thaw.

She looked out a nearby window, and did not even notice when her finger began to twirl a lock of her hair around, like a shy schoolgirl in the presence of her crush.

A/N: I am astounded by all the people that have read my story and are reading my story still. The only thing is...besides rikary, Leyna4eva, and -last but not least- Anastasia The Goddess of Drama, no one else is leaving reviews. True, I haven't asked for them in the past b/c honestly I didn't care, but now I have so many other ideas and stories I want to write, and I'm only still writing this story for reviewers like the 3 above (mainly for one who has been really supportive and enthusiastic - you know who you are ;), and because of how many people I see are reading this. Your reviews will be the air beneath my wings - provide them and I will soar; or let me drop and I will drop this story as well.