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The Inflexible pursed her lips. Hera closed her eyes.

“Oh no, keep them open. You came to us, after all. You came to ask for help. You came to make a bargain. A deal. The Empress of Olympus came to us, sisters. She has finally acknowledged us.”

All three cackled almost viciously.

“I always acknowledged you. I just never…”

Hera watched the trio exchange a long look.

“You just never felt like you had no control over your life.”

It was not a question. The Inflexible did not ask questions. Hera flinched.

“Yes. I am the Goddess of Matrimony, and I have been cast aside. Are you telling me that my premonition was correct? That it’s my time?”

“We aren’t Delphi, Olympian. If you want silly rhyming answers, go ask that charlatan oracle.” The middle sister laughed, slapping her knee. The youngest one joined in. The Inflexible did not.

“You are the Goddess of Matrimony, Your Majesty. And that man… That man ended said marriage, Empress. Divorced you. Ended that supposed respect. Ended your reign. They may still give you the royal title. But he will remarry and then what?”

Hera felt the knife sink deeper into her back. Ages and ages of betrayal washed over her like cold, dirty water.

“Then nothing. I will be nothing. Hence, I’m here. Before he takes my life away, I wish to get something back.” She couldn’t recognize her own voice.

“And you came up with a plan to punish him.” Old scissors had suddenly appeared between the Inflexible’s fingers, glimmering in her hands.

Hera bit the inside of her cheek, tasting blood.

“I have. I need your help. To make it possible for me to avenge myself. And then… Then it will be over. All of it will be over.”

“And so it shall be.” The Inflexible set the tool aside before giving Hera another unseeing look. Hera trembled ever so slightly, her chest tight, her blood cold.

“Will you tell me… Once the bargain is struck, and the plan comes to fruition… Will it be then? Will I feel it? The end of it all?”

The youngest sister stopped laughing. The middle stopped moving. The Inflexible stood up.

Small and frail, the top of her head barely reached Hera’s chin.

“No, Your Majesty. Nobody knows how they will end. Not even you. Not even us. We only know when. Still, we accept your bargain. Your soul for Zeus receiving his comeuppance. We enjoy a good show, and we know you will entertain us.” The Inflexible’s eerie eyes looked up. “My sister, the Allotter, will give you long enough to wrap up your plan. And I will not cut the thread until it is done. Until his heart breaks. You are the Empress of Olympus, and I can promise you that much.”

Hera nodded, the ice in her chest spreading outwards. She wondered if coming here had been a mistake. Still, Zeus was going to marry one way or another. This woman or the next. And then, she’d be out of time and out of options much sooner. And Hera always worked better when she knew the exact parameters in which she operated. If she were to go, she would go on her own terms.

Before she turned to leave, the arthritic hands reached for her, their touch surprisingly careful.

“You took up with Vengeance.” The Inflexible’s tone was even. Too even.

“I… I need her. Without her, the plan will not succeed. I can do many things, but she serves the cold plate of revenge like no other. She granted me a favor.”

There was silence from the sisters. The youngest trembled visibly. Dread lurked in the blind depths of the middle one.

“Nemesis’s favors are the rarest commodity. And she always gets repayment. Always.” The Fate shivered. “Even we don’t trouble Vengeance. She’s the daughter of primordial deities. Darkness begot her, darkness consumes her. She predates the Olympians, Empress.” The Inflexible sighed. “Your bargain with us is nothing in comparison to the havoc Vengeance can wreak. Death cannot consume a soul like hers.”

The Fates recoiled almost in perfect sync, as the Inflexible went on.

“Her favors are impossible to obtain. Inconceivable to survive. Almost unbearable to repay. Even to us, she has never granted a favor. But then you were always reckless and thought little of consequences… I’ve watched you take on Zeus’s sins for too long to worry about you now. So be it. After all, you have nothing to lose, Your Majesty.”

The Fate snapped her fingers, and a long parchment unfolded in front of them. Clauses ran into clauses. Hera did not bother to read, reaching for the inked feather.

“You are mighty trusting, Your Majesty.”