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CHAPTER 5- THE LURE OF BLUE EYES

The Throne Room
Zeus’ Palace
Mount Olympus

-Hera-

The roar of the thunder was so loud that it almost made me flinch.

Almost.

But I’m used to it. So I threw one last scathing look towards Zeus before I returned to my throne.

I sat and shot a sideway glance towards Aerith. She winked.

“This went better than we expected,” she told me telepathically.

I only answered with a smile.

For thousands of years, everyone bowed down to Zeus’ will. For thousands of years, I did that too. I counselled him wisely in all his decisions and berated him for his affairs. But for other matters? I let him have his way.

Not anymore.

“So... Shall we start?” Hermes asked.

Everyone looked at Zeus, including me, and the only answer we received was another flash of lightning followed by thunder so loud it made me want to cover my ears. Instead, I just rolled my eyes at another one of his temper tantrums.

“Let’s start.” This time it was Hades’ voice that echoed across the throne room.

Everyone nodded.

“For my report, the Underworld is calm for now. Every day, my queen and I check the prisons in Tartarus to check if anyone else is awakening. Nothing so far.” Hades told the council.

“That’s good news, brother. For my part, nothing to report regarding the oceans so far. I’ve asked everyone under my power to comb the oceans for any sign of Erebus but there’s none.”

“We’ll find him soon. We have to. Before he starts another uprising like Cronus did,” Athena said.

For what seemed like hours, the gods discussed what to do in regard to finding Erebus. He was Cronus’ ally in the last war and we’d have to find him before he starts an even bigger war. I tried to pay attention but during the last wars, Zeus never let me interfere or fight.

He let me fight in the island of the Order because I begged him to. He let me fight in the war with Cronus because my powers were needed to imprison him in Tartarus again. But other than that? Nothing.

Whenever I wanted to interfere, I had to go behind his back.

So for centuries, I learned to ignore battle strategies because I was never going to be a part of it.

For now, I just listened and counted down the time until it was over and I can finally go back to rebuilding my life. Later today, I will go shopping with my friends. Yes, we can conjure anything like clothing and shoes but where’s the thrill in that?

I want to experience shopping. It’s one of the many things I never got to do. And then afterwards, my friends and I will be going to a salon to get pampered.

“Alright, so now that we’ve discussed what to do with Erebus, we’ll move on to another matter: the Olympics,” Hermes said.

At this, everyone sat a little bit straighter and listened at full attention. Including me.

A few months ago, it was the gods’ turn and now it was ours. When the gods were the ones who played, the goddesses were the ones who decided on the games. I flinched as I remembered the game in which Zeus didn’t rescue me.

Now, it was our turn to play and it will be them who’ll decide. I shook my head and cleared it of bitter thoughts. There’s no use thinking about that again. What I can do now is to just look forward to the Goddess Games and wish they were different this time.

Because when it’s the gods who plan it, it always ends up something slutty or perverse or something they will truly enjoy.

The year wherein Eros and Dionysus hosted the games was the absolute worse.

Imagine the god of Love and the god of Drunks planning things? Well, let me tell you that it was absolutely bizarre and totally horrendous.

We ended up drinking lots of wine and then dancing. The gods were the judge, of course. We also asked to pole-dance and were again judged. There was also this strange contest wherein a banana was coated with peanut butter and we had to lick everything off. Whoever did it the fastest won.

Naturally, Aphrodite won that year.

I rolled my eyes and wished that this year it would be something different.

“Announcing this year’s host for the Goddess Games...” Hermes trailed off in a dramatic voice.

He waved his hand and a mighty drum roll echoed around the room.

“Hades! Yes, my dear gods and goddesses. This year the Goddess Games will be held in the Underworld!”

I clapped hard like everyone else and smiled at Aerith.

Thank heavens it was Hades as the host this time. He was not as perverse as the other gods so maybe this year’s games will really have more meaning. Maybe the games will not be about who can wash cars the sexiest or who can stay lip-locked the longest.

I rolled my eyes at that once more and leaned closer to Aerith.

“Are you going to play or are you going to help Hades with the preparations?” I asked her.

She shook her head.

“Aidon and Hades are preparing everything. Me and my daughter are definitely going to be part of the games,” she whispered. Her eyes shone with excitement.

“Please tell Hades—“

Aerith cut me off by raising her hand. “I already told him to plan more meaningful games. I told him he won’t get any sex for one century if the games are anything like the year hosted by Dionysus and Eros. I still couldn’t get the image of Aphrodite licking that peanut butter-coated banana like her life depended on it off my mind until now! Honestly, eww!” she said with a roll of her eyes.

I was just thinking the same thing about Aphrodite. I couldn’t help it and laughter escaped my lips. My stomach cramped and I couldn’t breathe from laughing too much. I didn’t know when I last laughed like this. But it felt so free and refreshing to do so.

I didn’t even realize that the entire room was now silent and all eyes were on me.

That included a pair of ice-blue eyes I once loved with all my heart.

I glanced at him and his expression was of such longing and confusion that the walls I erected around my heart nearly crumbled to dust.

Nearly.

I turned my head away and continued chatting with Aerith to get my mind off Zeus. I chose this path and I must stick to it. This is the longest I’ve come so far and I won’t waste it all on that just one look.

For all I know he could be faking it.

Athena coughed and the silence around the room was broken.

“So when are the games going to start?” she asked.

“Next week,” Hades replied.

“So exciting!” Aphrodite shrieked over the excited whispers from the gods and goddesses.

Aerith, Amphitrite and I snorted at the same time. Naturally, she always won the games. She excelled at everything the gods planned. I really hope Hades had another thing in mind for I really want to win and rub the floor with Aphrodite’s perfect face.

“Is there anything else we should discuss?” Poseidon asked.

There was only silence.

“If that’s all, you may go,” Zeus hissed. He said it in a tone so icy that it sent chills down my spine.

Throughout the Summit, this was the first time I ever heard him speak. But I ignored him and stood up.

The other gods and goddesses started disappearing and I also started to gather my power and teleport back to the Underworld.

“Hera, wait.”

I turned around and collided with Zeus’ chest. He wrapped his hands around my arms to steady me or else I would’ve fallen on the cold, marble floor.

He stepped closer. I wanted to step back but his grip was like steel.

“Let go of me,” I hissed.

The other gods and goddesses were gone now and it was only Poseidon, Amphitrite, Hades, and Aerith remaining.

“Go!” Zeus shouted at them.

Aerith looked at me. I knew she and Amphitrite will defend me from Zeus. I nodded to her and Amphitrite, asking them to leave. I didn’t want to involve them in my war with Zeus. Besides, I can handle him by myself.

They disappeared and Zeus turned those blue eyes to me once more.

“What?” I asked in a bored tone.

“Hera, stop this madness!” he hissed.

I laughed. “We’ve been over this same dialogue before Zeus. I already said what I have to say about that.”

“What do you want from me, Hera?” he asked after he ran his fingers through his hair.

“Nothing,” I spat.

My answer had him flustered. He opened and closed his mouth several times before he lifted a hand and pulled at his hair again.

Then, he just looked at me for a long time. His grip slackened and I tried to step back once more. But before I could, his arms wrapped around me and he pulled me to his chest.

His masculine scent enveloped me and the feel of his skin made my head swim.

How long have I wished to be held like this? How many nights have I spent alone in this beautiful palace wishing that he’d come home and stay with me?

Zeus sighed and his hot breath fanned my cheek. He had his head bowed and I felt him inhale sharply and nuzzle my hair.

“You’re so beautiful today. I remember seeing you for the first time. It was as if I was struck with my own thunderbolt.”

I closed my eyes and bowed my head as tears filled my eyes.

“And then I heard you laugh. Let me tell you, it was more beautiful than the voice of the muses. I feel like I haven’t heard you laugh for a really long time.”

I took a deep breath and sighed. It was true. I haven’t laughed in a long time because I turned into this bitter, paranoid, attention-starved goddess. And it was all because of him.

I lifted my hand and wiped my tears away.

“Hera... I’ve missed you,” he whispered. I heard the rasp in his voice and I knew I could not doubt this statement. He could lie about all the others. But not this particular statement. This is really the truth.

But even if it’s true, it’s not right.

“No, Zeus. You don’t,” I spat.

With all the energy I could muster, I pushed him and he let go of me. Instantly, I craved back the feeling of his arms around me and his masculine scent. But the pain I felt overrode those thoughts.

“You don’t miss me.” I spat. “Remember when you were gone for months or even years from Olympus because of your affairs or because you just wanted to go away for a while? You didn’t miss me then. Now, I’ve just been gone for over a week and now you miss me? Funny, Zeus. But those sweet words don’t get to me anymore,” I lied.

Truth was, his words really got to me. It was just that I was much stronger now.

When my eyes were closed before, now they were wide open. I know I deserved better and Zeus clearly did not deserve me.

I’m making a new life for myself and hopefully, the Fates are even kinder enough to send love my way again after centuries of an empty life with Zeus.

Zeus stepped closer and his power blanketed me.

Many would cower before him but not me.

No. Never again.

“Hera. I learned my lesson! I will do everything you want! If you want me to swear by the River Styx to never be unfaithful again, I will!”

I sighed and shook my head. “Zeus, swearing on the River Styx won’t change a thing. It’s not you who changed. It’s just that you will be held by your vow. If you do that and see another beautiful woman you want, you’d still go after her. It’s just that you will be stopped by your vow this time. It’s like a shackle you’d unwillingly put on yourself. It would torment you for the rest of eternity and you will hate me for it.”

“How can you say that? I won’t! I’ll change!” he shouted.

“If I had a dollar for every time you said that, I’d be the richer than Hades!” I retorted.

Lightning flashed and thunder boomed outside. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“Why are you doing this, Hera?  How can you discard everything like this?”

“You’ve got some nerve throwing that at my face, Zeus. It’s not me who threw away our marriage! It’s you! You went off with all your women and you expected me to always be there and forgive you! I loved you but you broke my heart! And I’m stronger now because of all the pain I endured!”

Zeus shook his head.

“Hera, please. Do you want me to get down on my knees and beg? I will!”

“No, Zeus. I don’t want anything from you.”

“Hera.”

I lifted my hand. “Wait. Maybe I want one thing.”

His blue eyes lit up and excitement washed over his face. He grabbed my hands and placed them on his broad chest.

“Anything! Ask for anything and it’s yours!” he shouted.

I looked deep into his beautiful eyes that were the exact color of the sky. Poseidon had blue eyes as well but his were the color of the ocean. Zeus’ was lighter and when one looked at them, it was like looking at the heavens.

Every time I looked at them, I couldn’t resist their lure. They said the eyes were the windows to the soul so could it be that the reason they were so beautiful to me was because I’m seeing the half of my soul in them?

Was my soul reacting to its mate in him?

The temptation to embrace him once more was great. It tore at my heart and made me feel weak. If this happened before, I would’ve ran to his arms again and forgiven him about everything.

But that was before and times have changed.

I sighed.

“Freedom. My freedom, Zeus.”

His face fell and my heart broke for him.

“No. Anything but that.”

I shook my head. “I don’t even have to ask it from you, Zeus. The Fates already gave it to me. And I intend to make the most of it. I want to live my life and do things I’ve never done before. I know it’s petty and I’m not saying this to hurt you... But I want to find love as well. I want to feel what you felt with all your other women. Something you never seemed to feel with me. I want the soul-shattering kind of love that Hades and Aerith share. I want the kind written in romance novels,” I said.

“No!” Zeus’ roar was as loud as the thunder that raged outside.

He gripped my arms once more.

“You’re wrong Hera. I only loved you. What we have is different. I know I am wrong with all my other affairs and what I’ve done. But know that I didn’t love anyone else like I loved you.”

I tilted my head to the side. “But if you truly loved me, Zeus, you wouldn’t have loved another woman even if that love is only a small percentage of what you felt for me.”

I removed his hands from my arms and stepped back.

“That’s not what love is,” I said as I shook my head.

“I’ll change! I’ll do what you want! I’ll even ask Eros what love is and listen through his whole gods-damned lecture!”

“Too late, Zeus. Centuries too late...”

“No...”  This time his denial was just a whisper.

“I do hope we both become happy. After everything, I wish for your happiness as well. I hope you find someone you’ll truly love and maybe she’ll make Olympus even more glorious.”

“I found her already,” Zeus replied in a sad tone and looked deep into my eyes.

My knees started to buckle at his intense stare. I felt his arms around me tighten. I shook my head and fought against these feelings he evoked in me.

“But you lost her as well,”

I turned around and gathered my powers. I had to leave now before I threw everything away and run back in his arms just so I could feel them around me once more.

“Goodbye, Zeus,” I whispered.

This goodbye was said in a tone more final than the ones I spoke before. A tear slipped down my cheek but I didn’t allow him to see it.

“I’ll win you back, Hera. I’ll do everything. I vow it.”

Zeus said this right as I was disappearing. His words stunned me into silence and echoed in my ears after I teleported to the Underworld. They even echoed in my brain for the entire day and for several days after this...

************************************

"Now here it comes,the hardest part of all
Unchain my heart that's holding on.
How do I start to live my life alone?
Guess I'm just learning...
Learning the art of letting go..."

-The Art of Letting go by Mikaila

*******************************

Hope you liked this chapter! Please don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT if you liked it!

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Next chapter: The start of the Goddess Olympics.

To those who are reading "The Billion-Dollar Marriage Contract" here on Wattpad, I just posted a new book "The Billion-Dollar Knight" (Alex and Isobel's story)

Hope you could also check it out!

BLURB:

Ten years ago, Isobel Clayton, daughter of a US Senator, loved Alex Smith with all her heart. But she knew her father wouldn’t approve of Alex for he was a nobody. Against her father’s wishes, Isobel decided to give up everything and run away with Alex. But on the night they were supposed to elope, he never showed up and seemed to disappear off the face of the earth.

Ten years later, their paths crossed. Isobel was now the First Daughter of the US and a well-known media journalist working on uncovering an International Drug Cartel.

Alex was working on the same case. He received intel that there’s a large amount of money offered as bounty for whoever can kill Isobel Clayton to silence her forever. Now that her life is in danger, he refuses to stay in the shadows and protect her from afar so he accepts the offer to be her bodyguard. Also, Alex feels he’s now worthy of her, unlike ten years ago, and is finally ready to divulge everything about their past and why he disappeared.

Will Isobel give him another chance? Will Alex be able to prove his love, show her he could be more than her bodyguard and be her billion-dollar knight?

 ************************************

Oh and I hope you buy the published version of "The Billion-Dollar Marriage Contract as well!

Links are on my Wattpad profile. :)

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