Sadly, I don't own the Wardstone chronicles. Or Percy Jackson & the Olympians. I'm neither Joseph Delaney or Rick Riordan, so I don't own them... Well, hope you enjoy this anyway!
Zeus looked at Lamia, his expression a mix of hurt, suprise, confusion and disbelief. Lamia didn't believe he was really hurt, he never had been before. Maybe it was more that his pride was hurt, since he couldn't bare the sole thought of refusial.
He was used to the fact that every woman found him irresistable. That every woman bend to his will, and other things. He was the kind of gods and expected everyone to obey him. Including his lovers.
Lamia had no doubts about his intentions. She knew he wanted her. Even now, she could see the look of lust in his eyes. Beneath all the other emotions, the overruling emotion was lust. It had always been. Maybe he had felt something besides lust, but the reason for betraying his wife, for being with Lamia, had always been lust. He had wanted her. Wanted her so much he didn't care about the people who would get hurt, Hera, Lamia , their children. And of course, all the people Lamia had killed when the death of her children drove her crazy. It hadn't changed anything. Zeus had still done it.
He had known there would be some very serious consequences and he had still courted, or actually seduced her. He had still cheated, he had still betrayed Hera. He had known Hera would find out and be enraged. It had happened before and Hera always found out. You could say a lot about the queen of the gods, for example she was a cruel, manipulative, selfish bitch, but she wasn't stupid. Hera always found out and it were always the women who got punished, never Zeus. Zeus always got away with it.
Oh sure, Hera was always angry and screamed at him. She insulted him, did everything to make him feel miserable. But it was nothing compared to the punishment the women got. And often, they were innocent. Some didn't know their lover was Zeus. Others didn't want to become Zeus' lover, but Zeus didn't take no for an answer. And some, like Lamia, fell in love with him before they found out the truth. And when they knew the truth, they loved him to much to sent him away. And even if they did find the courage or strength to sent him away, he would come back. He always wanted to be the one to end it, didn't take no for an answer.
Whatever she had tried, Lamia had lost in the end. She had lost her body in the beginning, which wanted him from the moment they met. She had lost her heart secondly, after the third time if she recalled correctly. And she had lost her mind when she had lost him and their children. She had lost, together with her mind, her lover, her friend and their children. And she wasn't the only woman who had experienced something like this.
Zeus had made more victims. Like Io, who had been changed into a cow by Hera and was attacked by flies, also sent by Hera. Like Semele, who had been burned when Hera trciked her into asking Zeus to show her his true form. Like Leto, who had been pregnant and searching for refuge so she could gave birth. But Hera had made sure she wouldn't find a place where she could quietly gave birth to her children. And Leto had been Zeus' lover before Hera's marriage. Hera had never had a solid reason to hate Leto. She had just been jealous.
And that was the reason Lamia hated Hera. Not just because Hera had killed her children. No, because she hurt people without having a reason for it. Because she just her power to crush creatures that didn't have as much power as her. Because she was unfair, mean, cruel, selfless and arrogant.
Lamia almost understood why Zeus cheated so much. Almost. Because in her eyes, cheating was taboo. Nothing could make it right. Not even when your wife was the worst wife ever and no one deserved the harsh punishment of spending the eternity with her. There was also something like too harsh.
Lamia would rather get burned, poisined, stabbed and strangled than having to spend the internity with Hera. Still, there were other solutions. And cheating wasn't one of them. Zeus could probably not divorce Hera, since she was the goddess of marriage. But he had been stupid to choose her as wife in the first place. If he couldn't divorce her, they might still be another solution. And that solution wasn't cheating.
This all went through Lamia's mind when she looked at Zeus. At his eyes, who had always held the ability to make her feel dizzy and hypnotized. To make her forget everything, except Zeus.
At his expression, which asked her for forgiveness. Which suggested he wasn't a bad guy after all and they could have a fresh start. Lamia almost believed it, but she knew better. He was the bad guy.
At his lips, who gave a whole new meaning to the word temptation, and the smile tugging at the corners of those same lips. He was smiling that special smile. That sweet, sensitive and yet misschievious smile that had always made Lamia willing to do anything. It had been the ultimate weapon. Even now, Lamia felt tempted to give in. To just forget the past and start a new future. But she wasn't stupid.
She might be lonely, sad and tempted, but not stupid. Now John was gone, she somehow longed for something to fill the hole his death had left in her heart, but it wouldn't be Zeus. No matter how tempting he looked and how great he could be if he tried.
Lamia knew what would happen if she gave in and she hadn't forgiven him. Or forgotten what had happened the last time she had given in. She wouldn't make the same mistakes. She wouldn't believe anything between them could be something else than lust. She wouldn't trust him again.
So when Zeus came closer and made an attempt to kiss her, she pushed him away. " I'm serious! Whatever you and I had, it's over Zeus. I have had enough of it. I should have never started anything and it was the worst mistake of my life. And that means a lot, considering I have made some grave mistakes. Mistakes that keep me up at night. But you are the worst one and I don't want to feel like that ever again. So leave me alone Zeus. Whatever the reason is I am here, it certainly isn't to get a relationship with you".
Zeus' face immediately darkened at her words. He stopped smiling, all emotion gone from his face except maybe anger. He narrowed his eyes. " And why would you refuse anything? I know I made mistakes, but you did too. We all did".
Lamia took a deep breath, trying to keep herself from attacking him. From kicking and hitting him. From hurting him wherever she could. Preferably in the exact spot it would hurt the most. That way, he would be in a lot of pain and it would take some time before he would be able to approach some innocent woman again.
Lamia actually smiled a little when she thought about that. She would love his reaction if she did anything like that. It would only serve him right.
Zeus smiled, suddenly a lot calmer. " See, you are smiling again. I knew you would see my point, you have always been smart. I-". " Zeus, I wasn't smiling because I contemplated you were right. I don't think you could be more wrong actually. I would rather eat poisened fish than do anything with you. I would rather be burned. I would rather-".
Zeus cut her off. He looked angry again. And confused. He apparently still couldn't believe she didn't want him. " I get it. Why were you smiling?" he said, obviously trying to calm himself. The thunder was actually starting again and his eyes became another color, a sign he was angry.
Lamia figured he held himself back, because he didn't want to change to his true form or anything and accidently burn her. Lamia wasn't sure if she would be burned too, she wasn't human but she wasn't a god either, but she didn't want to take the risk. She felt no need whatsoever to be burned.
Lamia smiled again when she thought about his question and especially about the answer. " I was thinking about what I want to do with you, now I see you again".
Zeus smiled again, the lust returning. He sent her a burning look, like he wanted to eat her. Like she was his favorite dish. He came a little closer, wearing his special smile again. That smile that was almost irresistable. " Really? And what exactly do you want to do?" he said. He obviously thought she wanted to do something entirely different than she had in mind. For some reason, Lamia didn't think he was thinking about her kicking him on a very painful place.
She saw Athena and Artemis studying them from the corners of her eyes and smiled. She suddenly felt very misschievious and felt tempted to try something. Who know? It could be fun.
She flung her hair, smiling at Zeus. It wasn't really like her, but she could try it. It certainly would have some effect on him. Something she really wanted to see.
She smiled seductively and took a step forward. She saw Athena and Artemis looked shocked and maybe a little angry. They probably felt betrayed, thought she really wanted their father and had lied to them. They really don't know me if they think that. I would rather drown than even think about a relationship with him.
Zeus was just as ignorant to Lamia's plan as Artemis and Athena. Well, Athena had her thinking face on, so she would probably soon figure out what was going on. She was too smart to not figure it out. There was a reason she was the wisdom goddess.
Zeus smiled, his eyes ranking over her body. He definitely liked what he saw, judging from the look in his eyes. " Tell me Lamia, what do you want to do with me?" he asked.
Lamia chuckled and took another step forward. She looked at him. At his dishelved hair, mesmerizing eyes, perfect nose, lucious lips, broad shoulders, small hips and strong, long legs. At the entire package, that had once given her so much please.
She put her lips close to his ear, almost touching it. Her warm, moist breath touched his ear and he shivered slightly. Lamia smiled. She loved the feeling of power this gave her. She licked her lips. " What I want..." she whispered, making him shiver slightly again.
He swallowed, and Lamia could feel his heart beating fast. Could smell his blood, ichor- the golden blood of the gods, flow through his veins. She knew why. Because she was so close. And he wanted her, wanted her more than ever. Too bad I don't want him. For him, that is. i'm only glad I don't want him anymore. It would be very bad if I did.
" What you want.." Zeus said. He started to sound a little breathless. His voice betrayed his hope and longing. Longing for her, for the pure bliss they had both felt when they had been together. As lovers. He wanted her, but he wouldn't get her.
Lamia smiled and bit very softly in his earlobe before she crushed his hopes. " What I want... is definetely not you" she said and pushed him away, smiling. Zeus stared at her, his face turning red. He was both embaressed and angry.
Lamia revelled in his misery and smiled at him. " Please Zeus, you aren't that stupid, are you? Did you really think I would still want you? After all you have done. It's over. If I feel anything for you, it's hate. So leave me alone".
That made Zeus really agry, angrier than Lamia had ever seen him. His eyes turned blue, so blue it was almost black. His body seemed to change, his features changing into something else. Something terrible. His lightning bolt appeared in his hand. Thunder started, lightning illuminating the air. He raised his hands, summoning thunder and... that was the moment Artemis burst out laughing.
Zeus immediately forgot what he had been doing and looked at her. He was more suprised than angry now and the thunder disappeared. He looked normal again, only a bit flustered. " Artemis! Why are you laughing? Don't you care your father is being insulted?".
Artemis, who managed to stop laughing, shook her head. Her face was red and she was shaking, still having trouble restraining her laughter. " No father, I do care. But b-be honest, you d-deserve it. After all you have done to her, you can't expect her to be g-glad to see you. And your expression was just priceless!".
Zeus wanted to say something, but Artemis burst out laughing again. Lamia didn't think it was that funny, but she did like to see this side of Artemis. The playful side. Normally, she was stern and controlled. Now, she looked more like a child. Relaxed, peacefull and happy.
Zeus, getting desperate, turned to Athena. Athena had already seen something like this coming and was standing straight with a knowing smile on her face. " Athena.. Please say you at least feel sorry for me. Can you believe she did that?".
Athena nodded, not smiling but her eyes betrayed her amusement. " Of course I am capable of believing what she did father. I'm the goddess of wisdom after all. I have to admit, even I was fooled for a minute, but it soon became clear. Like my sister already adverted, did you really think she would be interested in the history repeating itself?".
Zeus, finally admitting defeat, sighed. " What is the world coming to when your own children won't help and feel sorry for you?". " A much better place?" Lamia suggested, a small, wicked smile on her face.
Zeus shot her a burning look, both angry and aroused. The way he looked at her told her he wouldn't just let this go. He wouldn't rest until he had her where he wanted her. Which would probably be his bed, with her legs spread wide. Which would never happen, if she had anything to say about it.
Zeus took a step toward her. He looked at her one more time. " This isn't over Lamia. Don't think you will get away with this. I will get what I want, one way or another". And with that, he walked away.
Lamia rolled her eyes. " Drama queen". She turned towards Artemis and Athena.
Artemis was still laughing hysterically, while Athena was smiling. " Well done Lamia. Although I didn't think you would be the kind of person to use that sort of behaviour to punsih him".
Lamia shrugged. " I decided that would work best on him". Athena chuckled. " And it did". They looked at each other for some time before losing it and joining Artemis in a hysterical laughing fit.