Athena glared up at her father.
"You knew...all along…" Her heart faltered, and her sight was dampened with tears.
"Yes, my prize, I knew that Hades had claimed Persephone," his back was facing her, his voice was light as if he were walking on air. Athena clenched her fists tightly against her sides and glared at her father's back.
"And yet, Father," she spit the word, "I had no recollection of agreeing that of Kore's fate."
Zeus shrugged his shoulders, glancing over one to meet his child's gaze. Athena was a headache for Zeus, literally, but her battle and intellectual skills proved her value. Out of all of his bastards, he trusted Athena the most with his schemes and thoughts. Zeus specifically decided to refrain from mentioning anything about his deal with Hades, considering how much Athena was enamored with Demeter's bastard. For such a cold hearted warrior, Athena's cold facade could be melted away just by the presence of Persephone.
"Don't behave in this childish manner, pet, their union will prevent future wars." Zeus crossed his arms and straightened his stance, his clear gaze never steering from her stormy one. "Persephone will make this sacrifice for the benefit of all."
Athena grinded her teeth, biting her tongue, to remain silent. Angering father will not get me any further than I already am, the goddess reasoned with herself. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath. Assessing all movement in her body, she listened to the tempo of her inner drum. She needed more information; The more knowledge, the more powerful her strategy would pan out. I need to act fast with father if I am to garner any future knowledge, Athena decided, releasing a breath.
"Forgive me, father, I had let my emotions interfere with the greater good of all."
Zeus felt a cocoon of warmth entrapping his hand, and with a single glance, he spotted Athena kneeling before him with wide eyes. The goddess looked like a child; tears trailing down heated flesh, the furious red intensified her stormy doe eyes. Zeus stiffened momentarily at the sight of her pout. The warrior before him appeared domesticated by his word, her conscious concluding with who her loyalty lies with.
"My child, you have served me well for many eons, and I trust that you, my faithful ally, will not question my decisions for the greater good."
Zeus walked away without another glance. The echo of his footsteps, and the thick air made it impossible for any rational thought Athena shivered, presuming that it was simply the cold bite her flesh was receiving from the tiles. As her skin numbed to the feel, Athena pondered Kore's fate. How will this consummation end?