Hera and Athena vanish.
Phaedra jumps up into my arms. “I think she likes you,” she says nonchalantly, although she doesn’t fool me for a second. She was worried about me meeting Hera, especially after what happened when Hera met Gatlin.
“We need to hurry,” I remind her, and she nods and slides down to her feet. “Let’s go.” As we walk, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a velvet box with a bow on it.
Gatlin’s tense face greets us the second we step out. “It went well.” He unties the bird and hands it to me, but I can see the reluctance in his eyes.
Phaedra stops him. “We don’t have to give her the bird.”
He jerks his head and waves a hand. “It’s fine.”
Instead of arguing, she runs the back of her knuckles down his cheek. “Trust me.”
The three of us walk the short distance to the Hera I temple. Again, Gatlin takes up his post outside its columns, his eyes peeled for any sign of danger. Phaedra pauses at the altar positioned in front of the entrance and drops to her knees.
“Hera, queen of the Olympians, whose powerful might and benevolence is of the highest, please accept my humble gift. I honor you and the treasures you hold dear with an offering that I can only hope finds favor,” Phaedra begins. Her praise and dedication continue for another thirty seconds or so before she stands and leads the way inside.
Hera and Athena appear. Her eyes sweep the temple, then move to the two of us. And the peacock. “What is this?”
“A choice,” Phaedra responds with a lift of her chin. She opens the velvet box and shows the two goddesses the stunning peacock pin on its satin interior. “Either an innocuous-looking pin that holds a paralyzing curse for unsuspecting enemies or an albino peacock to grace your bountiful gardens.”
“Or you could sacrifice the peacock and give me the pin,” Hera suggests, her eyes lighting up with dark amusement.
Phaedra shakes her head. “I won’t sacrifice this magnificent creature. Perhaps the pin would be better for you. And Athena can take the peacock. A gift for each of you.”
Athena’s lips curl in amusement as she steps forward to accept the bird.
“Stop,” Hera commands, raising her hand. “I want the bird.”
Phaedra pulls back her hand. “I’m afraid you’ll only destroy it.” She holds out the velvet box again. “This gold pin set with precious jewels is like you. Stunning and deadly. It will paralyze any enemy of yours who touches it. An unexpected weapon of beauty and surprise.”
Anger fills Hera’s face, and I suck in a breath as the need to protect Phaedra thrums through my veins. I widen my stance, preparing to pull earth magic to defend us. Athena also moves ahand toward the knife sheathed at her waist. The air turns heavy with a mixture of fear and anger.
Hera strolls over and lifts Phaedra’s chin with her finger. I gnash my teeth as a feeling of helplessness rolls over me. This is what Gatlin felt. He’s right. We need to find a way to protect her when all this goes down. Shaking off my thoughts, I tune back in.
“Feeling brave these days? Do you not remember who you’re talking to? One thought, and you’ll be suspended in limbo forever,” Hera says softly, her threat obviously a reference to the past.
Phaedra swallows but stands her ground. “Five gifts. Five prayers. Five temples. Those were your terms. I thought to offer you a choice, but I realize my error. My gift is the peacock pin.”
The ground trembles under our feet, but Phaedra’s hand continues to hold out the velvet box. Hera’s eyes drift from it to the albino peacock. “What if I want both?”
“Would you swear to not harm it?” Phaedra inserts in a quiet voice, as if she’s afraid of pushing Hera too far.
“Yes, yes,” Hera replies in an irritated voice.
“That would be two gifts instead of the one. Correct?”
Hera narrows her eyes, and her lips compress. It’s obvious she doesn’t like the idea, but after glancing at the bird, then Athena, she waves a hand. “Fine. Two.”
Phaedra drops to her knees and quickly murmurs another prayer before standing and handing Hera both the pin and peacock. Both gifts disappear.
Athena looks at me, then back at Phaedra. There’s a gleam of pride in her eyes, as if she’s happy with Phaedra’s cunning strategy.
Hera looks unsettled for a second before she lifts her chin. “Make sure the last gift is the best.” Her eyes dart outside to where Gatlin is standing, then to me. “Or you won’t be the only one who suffers.” She snaps her fingers and disappears.
Athena studies Phaedra. “Well played. But the pressure is on to deliver something truly remarkable. Don’t waste the gift you’ve been given.” Her laser-sharp gaze drills into her for a second longer, as if she’s trying to tell her something before she too disappears.
The moment they’re gone, Gatlin comes charging in to stand beside us. “Let’s get the fuck out of here and go home.”
