Pathetic.
His void analyzed all the glimmering paint on the wall as he emerged toward the room of Concord—the room where all the gods chose to set aside their feuds to discuss matters that concerned them and their world, amongotherthings.
He entered, feeling the power of the gods as he floated. He ensured he was at a good distance, trying to avoid them smelling the peony fragrance that emanated from his nothingness. He chose a spot with a good view of everyone.
“The errors compiled this year are markedly unique. We are likely to witness something quite entertaining,” Athena pronounced, her tone enthusiastic.
With her long, braided hair delicately placed on her shoulders, she maintained her alluring posture. The dim light in the room shone above her light brown eyes as her lengthy lashes cast shadows on the skin of her cheeks.
“Entertaining?” Hera spoke as she waved her hand. “It is almost laughable that you find those pitiful creatures entertaining.”
Artemis’s voice cracked like a bowstring drawn taut. “Speaking of pitiful creatures, what is the status of your feast?Are you still seeking vulnerable individuals to worship you while remaining oblivious to the fact that no one genuinely likes you?”
Hera’s pursed mouth showed her growing irritation. Her olive cheeks flashed with a dark tint of red, and Artemis stretched her lips into a defying smirk.
The smiles they were giving each other were thin and brittle, more like weapons than the fake warmth they were trying to convey.
Artemis’s blue eyes flickered playfully as she leaned forward, her elbows on the edge of the table.
“Where are your words now, Hera? Has some lesser god stolen them?” She provoked the Goddess of Marriage, Women, and Fertility as Eros gently grabbed her by the hand and pulled her onto the back of the chair.
“I could effortlessly obliterate you if I desired, you insolent being,” Hera retorted, striving to remain seated and avoid physically assaulting the other goddess with her bare hands.
Artemis burst out in a mocking laughter. “We know that would be possible only if you would convince Zeus to do it since you lack powers. I’m baffled as to why we all accept you as a goddess since you’re clearly not.”
“HOW DARE YOU?—”
Zeus’s eyes darted around the room, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he spat the words, each syllable sharp as broken glass. “Cease your mouth, woman.”
Hera’s mouth snapped shut at her husband’s demand, while Artemis struggled to suppress her chuckle. The goddess had always found amusement in her father’s mockery of her stepmother. Perhaps her sole fondness for Zeus stemmed from his talent for quieting Hera.
Zeus’s eyes only showed the stark, blinding white that even his wife feared. With rising anger, his eyes lacked pupils as theywere filled instead with icy moonlight that showed no kindness or forgiveness to those around him.
Finally. Some well-deserved silence.
“Given that this performance is over, we shall now address more significant subjects,” Zeus declared, his fingers methodically drumming on the table. “This year’s gambit will adhere to the same regulations as the previous one. Although, these errors appear to be more engaging, but I shall not pronounce myself so rapidly.”
“Indeed,” Athena answered, eyeing Zeus like an owl who had found its next victim. “Five individuals seem highly motivated to achieve victory in this. Such contestants have not been observed in the past few decades.”
He scoffed, looking at the gleaming thunderbolt engraved on his bracelet. “Please refresh my memory of their names.”
“Dra—”
But Hera interjected, her tone sharp. “Why this particular curiosity about these errors, my love? I am certain that they will prove as dull as all errors are.”
“I am under the impression that I asked you to refrain from speaking. You are excused from this meeting. I presume you are occupied with numerous tasks for your feast?” He bit out the words, anger causing his veins to surface on his olive skin.
Testy man, indeed.
As Hera watched him closely, her nostrils widened in an effort to manage her own growing rage. Since the gods did not want to interfere in the spouses’ unexpected argument, they kept silent. They were all cognizant that Zeus and Hera could not avoid getting into a conflict with one another. That was their true nature.
With no additional comment, Hera stood from her chair, and within moments, she stepped toward the door to abandon the tense atmosphere that grew with their discussion.
Shadow observed her approaching his location, and at the precise moment she grasped the door handle, Hera reacted with a dismissive sniff—even as her eyebrows drew together in utter bewilderment.
She sensed me.
Although she could have said something, Hera refrained from doing so. Surely, her anger outweighed any curiosity about the sudden and strong smell of peonies. Ultimately, she exited the room.
