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The moment her thoughts materialized in her mind, Hera blinked and then closed her eyes. Well, she was no seer, but she was the goddamn Empress of Olympus, and this was a premonition worth heeding.

“Be careful. And promise me…” Hera trailed off, and Nemesis reached out and lifted her chin, their eyes meeting. Hera knew hers were cautious. Nemesis’s were restless, fearless.

“Promise you?” Nemesis prompted.

“Come back. If it’s too hard, if it’s too much. Leave it. Promise me you’ll abandon the collection and come back. Unharmed.”

She whispered the last word and placed her hand, the palm that Nemesis had just kissed, on the rock-hard chest again, feeling for the beat of the tireless, fearless heart. It stuttered under her touch, making her breath catch.

Nemesis placed her own fingers on Hera’s and sighed.

“And if I refuse? You requested—or more like demanded—that I deliver you on all four points. I must deliver. That’s your revenge.”

“Then I don’t want it.” Hera felt more than heard the words tumble out of her mouth and watched as the implacable eyes widened.

“That’s not up to you anymore, Your Majesty. We have a deal. You have my favor. And I shall have what I want once it’s all over.”

Hera yanked her hand away, feeling the cold emanating now from Nemesis.

“I ordered you. You serve me.”

Nemesis’s laugh was harsh.

“I serve only to administer revenge thus balancing the scales of retribution. But,” Nemesis lifted a hand and stopped Hera’s impending tantrum. “I promise to be careful. How’s that?”

Hera tugged her fingers out of the tight grip and turned away. “Do as you wish, Vengeance. Go.”

There was rustling behind her, another heavy bag was lifted, and then a couple of deep breaths, as if Nemesis was trying to say something, but Hera did not turn around. After a few more moments of silence, she heard the sounds of footsteps, and then the door closed quietly.

The club was busy. It should’ve pleased her. Instead, all the people just took up the space that she wanted empty. Was being left alone to wait in peace so much to ask?

“What time is it?”

The smallest bear poured her a finger of whiskey and made a big production of rolling up his sleeve to look at his watch. As if she hadn’t asked him the same question just ten minutes ago. She waved him away, but not before he managed to slide a small bowl of pretzels her way. Had she eaten today? She lifted her eyes to him, and two more bears behind him shook their heads.

“They do take very good care of you, Your Majesty.”

Aphrodite sidled up to her, one hand firmly on her abdomen, slightly bigger than the last time they’d seen each other.

“Should you not be in Paris? Or in that godforsaken Vermont? Too much flannel even for you? Though I guess with that wife of yours, flannel is something you will just have to learn to live with.”

Aphrodite laughed good-naturedly and nodded to the bear who served her what looked suspiciously like a mojito.

“It’s virgin. And it soothes my stomach. Also, not Vermont.” The Goddess of Love explained and took a long sip. “Now that that’s settled, why would I not be here? I’m usually where the action is. I have now watched The First Wives Club twice. Once with Erato—you need to hear her commentary. Entertaining. Also, Maggie Smith steals every scene in that movie.”

“There’s no action here.” Hera knew she’d replied too fast, too soon. Aphrodite’s face bloomed into a wide smile. Hera felt the need to latch onto something, anything, to not be talking about any of this. “Maggie Smith steals every scene in every movie.”

Aphrodite’s eyes lit up. “Doesn’t she just?” Then she patted her stomach again. “As for action, even if there wasn’t any, surely you’d not want to spare me your company?”

“This is laying it on too thick even for you, Dite.”

Aphrodite took another long sip. The bear was already making another glass of crushed ice and mint.

“Others may not sense it, but you are up to something. Sabine telling me about you watching that movie is probably as good a clue as any. And I’d like to keep you company while whatever plan you’ve put into motion unfolds.” Hera felt her jaw slacken, but before she could answer, Aphrodite laid a hand on hers. “Call it a thank you. For the child.”

Hera shook her head. But before she could say anything, the Goddess of Love interrupted again.

“I know you schemed with Ares. That entire thing about getting me married off to your son, getting Zeus involved. Though I have to say, and obviously I don’t have that much to go on, but something tells me it was the other way around. Zeus got you in the middle, as always.” Aphrodite looked at her, and Hera swirled her drink, carefully avoiding her eyes. Without an answer, the Goddess of Love went on.