Her face bloomed into a radiant smile. ‘Don’t stop on my account.’
Hermes didn’t move, his arms hanging stiffly at his side. Hera wandered into the glass room, bent down and retrieved the boy’s pipes, then proffered them to him. He accepted with a trembling hand. She turned from him and trod a path through the rainbows scattered across the floor. Beyond, the clouds swirled around them, every now and then a shaft of sunlight piercing the sanctum.
‘Please, don’t tell Father I’m here,’ he blurted.
Hera smiled. ‘I won’t breathe a word.’
Hermes swallowed, then made a move towards the staircase.
‘Wait.’ Hera wafted between him and the doorway. ‘It’s you I’ve come to see.’
Hermes paused, unable to hide his surprise. ‘What can I do for you, Divine Mother?’ His voice cracked on the final word.
‘I thought it would be nice for us to spend more time together. Hephaestus always speaks so highly of your company. Come,’ Hera sank to the floor, ‘sit with me.’
Her stepson dithered for a moment, then lowered himself down next to her. Hera shuffled closer to him, fanning the hem of her purple dress over her legs.
‘Are you happy, Hermes?’
‘Y-yes.’
‘Good.’ Hera leant back and sighed. ‘I hope Ares hasn’t been too cruel of late. I know he can be difficult when brewing a war, and the invasion of Troy has been his largest undertaking yet.’
Hermes’ brow darkened.
Hera’s eyes softened with practised sympathy. ‘I love my son, but he can be awful when the mood takes him. He’s always been that way, I’m afraid.’
The corners of Hermes’ mouth twitched below his golden helm.
‘He would be furious if he knew I’d told you this …’ She leant forward and lowered her voice. ‘When he was a child, he had a little toy horse called Horris. He used to sleep with it every night – refused to be parted from it. He’d even take it to bathe with him.’ She laughed. ‘When he was twelve, your father destroyed it. He told Ares that he was a man now and should no longer play with toys. Ares cried about it for months.’
‘Months?’ asked Hermes gleefully.
‘Months.I think that’s why he loves war so much. All those horses.’
The stiffness eased from Hermes’ limbs as he gazed at her, cow-eyed.Gently does it, she thought.
‘Darling, I know it isn’t easy for you with the others. But I want you to know that you can always come to me.’
Hermes’ expression faltered. As much as she could tell theboy craved her approval, he was in thrall to his father. She must be careful.
‘I know what Zeus has asked of you.’
Hermes’ eyes widened. ‘You do?’
Her pulse quickened as she leant closer. ‘I have faced the girl. I fought her atop the Caucasus Mountains. I can help you.’
Hermes recoiled from her. ‘I-I can’t discuss it. With anyone.’
‘Of course.’ Hera sat back and folded her hands primly across her lap. ‘I’m sure your father has given you all the information you need.’
He stared at her, his face contorted with indecision. Then he whispered, ‘Hades said Father is a …’
‘Go on,’ Hera breathed.
‘Liar,’ Hermes mouthed.
‘Did he now …’ Hera’s heart beat quick as a hummingbird’s wing. ‘What else did Hades say?’
