10. Where The Third Bullet Point Of The Plan Is Accomplished （And The Empress Finds It Decidedly Unsatisfactory…）
WHERE THE THIRD BULLET POINT OF THE PLAN IS ACCOMPLISHED (AND THE EMPRESS FINDS IT DECIDEDLY UNSATISFACTORY…)
Hera obtained the Queen of Diamonds in the most unexpected of ways. She’d even consider the ways unwanted, when all was said and done.
Since her weekend spent in bed with Nemesis, with all the surprising things that had fallen into her lap, literally and metaphorically, she was impressed with how fast her lover had lined up the plan stages.
There was no hesitation. Each step was executed to perfection.
And the next step seemed to be an art heist.
“You did say he cared about that collection of his.”
Nemesis was tying some sort of rope around her midriff and sliding tools into a belt that looked more crime than construction. Hera wondered aloud about it.
“It’s because it is crime. I’m not the Goddess of Building things. Hephaestus would be more suitable for that.”
Wringing her hands, Hera stood by Nemesis, feeling just a touch worried. No. Not worried. Preoccupied.
“I’m currently incommunicado with him,” she said, and sidestepped the curious glance from Nemesis. But the glance did not disappear. In fact, it lingered, daring her to speak. When she remained silent, it simply demanded the truth.
“I’ve been… Less than a good mother to him. Ares too. So… I’m giving them space. Breathing room. What? It’s not unheard of—”
“It is. It is when it’s you. Meddling is your middle name.”
“No, it’s not. It’s Teleia. Meaning The Perfect. Or the Flawless, the Fulfilled. And what is that supposed to mean?”
Hera heard the slight panic in her own tone. What was happening to her? Since when did anyone read her this well? This easily? Sure, good sex did bring people, gods, and all matters of other creatures closer, but this was too much. Too close—
“It’s the most perfect middle name for you, you know?” Nemesis kissed her on the forehead, and Hera felt her knees start to give in.
The door to the penthouse opened, and Clio walked in, her unhurried steps slowed even further by the high pile of ancient tomes she was carrying.
Nemesis gave Hera a long look before turning her attention to the Muse of History. Hera exhaled quietly. There was no need to let anyone know she was relieved by the space suddenly appearing between them. Because she wasn’t. Nope. She just didn’t want to talk about any of this.
“You’re late.” Nemesis’s voice did not carry any malice. The matter-of-fact statement made the muse grin.
“I have my own timeline. Historical privilege and all that.”
Hera almost laughed. She had forgotten that the Muse of History had a wicked sense of humor. Well, with everything going on around them, she’d have to, Hera mused.
Nemesis was pointing to the tomes and then to the desk in the corner of Hera’s office.
“What is my home housing then? Stolen artifacts?” She smiled, but Clio’s eyes went shrewd.
“No, those will be quietly returned to their rightful owners. If they’re dead with no heirs, returned to Greece or whatever country might have a claim of provenance.”
Hera stared. Nemesis lifted an eyebrow.
“Did you want them, or something? You only said he needed to lose them, so—”
“No, no, rightful owners it is.” Hera bit her lip. She was absurdly touched by the care clearly given to… well, everything.
“Good. The tomes are for identification purposes once we bring them back. At least the smaller items. I am currently between abodes, humble and otherwise. So I hope you don’t mind?”
Clio motioned to the desk. Hera sighed. Sure, whatever. Tomes, stolen artifacts, her missing dignity, unwanted questions. Everything could just live in her apartment.
“Were you not based in London?” She did not know why she was asking.
She’d never really interacted with Clio.
Too smart. Too all-seeing, in that way muses had.
Erato was the same, but she covered it up with her silly virile bravado.
Though Hera had to admit that both muses had writing talent. She’d give them that much.
“London is…” Clio trailed off, then glanced at Nemesis from under long lashes. Revenge rolled her eyes.
“She is staying out of London. She has run afoul of the British Museum.”
Hera couldn’t hide her surprise.
“You’re still after the Caryatid.”
Clio crossed her arms and pouted.
“I will never let it go. She’s all alone. In the fucking corner of that damn museum. Her sisters are waiting for her in Athens; they literally left space for her, waiting, hoping. And she’s just—”
Nemesis shook her head, and History went silent, her pout still firmly in place.
“Yes, we know, hence this arrangement.”
Nemesis waved her hand around the bags of equipment littering the floor.
“Arrangement?” Hera couldn’t help but repeat the word. She really should not be this invested.
“She helps me with Zeus’s collection. I assist her with the Caryatid.” Nemesis kept sliding tools and all sorts of gizmos into her pockets and under her belt.
Clio handed her another tool. “You wouldn’t have refused to help me with my girl even if you hadn’t gotten into this harebrained idea. You old softy.”
Nemesis flashed Clio a cold sideways glare, and the muse fell silent, her face pale. Hera felt the need to cross her legs. This was… Why was this hot? Why was Nemesis showing off her power sexy? Had the AC gone off? Hera fanned herself.
“Figures that you’d find her scaring unsuspecting muses hot.” Clio mused, her smirk firmly back in place.
“You are the least unsuspecting anything, History. Get going.”
Clio threw Hera a salute and swept out of the room, her pristine dark bob bouncing with her step.
“She is too astute for her own good,” Nemesis grumbled. Hera bit her lip to hide a smile of her own.
“It goes with her territory.”
“I think she’s been bored ever since she and Athena broke up.
She seemed to have a purpose back then. Can’t you get her paired up with someone?
” Nemesis hoisted a heavy bag on her shoulder and turned to face Hera fully.
Something about this woman, dressed all in black, hair pulled back into a luxurious ponytail, a few flyaways framing the sinful face, carrying around heavy machinery that weighed more than her, made Hera’s stomach flutter.
Or maybe it was the fact that Nemesis believed Hera could just wave a magic wand and make things happen.
When was the last time someone had faith in her like that?
Hera shook her head and decided not to delve too deeply into wherever these thoughts could lead her.
“Setting aside the fact that you are confusing me with Aphrodite and her Cupids, who would you have me pair her up with? Everyone thought Athena was the one for her, and look how that worked out.”
Nemesis scowled.
“I mean, Clio is… Well, but Aphrodite is also…” There was mischief in those ice-cold eyes that were suddenly a lot warmer. Hera smacked her lover on the shoulder, none too gently.
“Go, by Hestia, steal, rob, pillage!” Hera made a face. “Okay, maybe not pillage, but just go. There is nothing wrong with Clio. She’s a beautiful woman and Aphrodite isn’t all that. Now go!”
Nemesis’s answering grin could’ve powered the entire skyscraper, Hera thought.
“So you think Clio is attractive? And you did not just say that the Goddess of Love is not the most gorgeous being ever!”
“Oh titans, we already had a whole damn Trojan war about this! Just go already!”
Hera put her hands on Nemesis’s chest and pushed.
She might as well have tried moving a mountain; the strength behind the muscle and bone was absolutely implacable.
She took a careful, deep breath. Nemesis’s smile faded, and she caught one of Hera’s hands, caressing the palm before bringing it to her mouth and planting a kiss where her thumb had just been. Hera shivered but refused to show it.
“He is a wily bastard, and if Clio is right, this won’t be as easy as a game of poker. But your wish is my command, Empress.” She planted another kiss on Hera’s palm.
“Nemesis…”
Hera didn’t know why she even began speaking.
What was there to say? This was the third assignment, they were halfway through.
It was too late to back off now. Things were going according to plan.
So why did her heart scream at her to fuck the plan and drag Nemesis back to bed, if not to do said fucking but to keep safe—
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.”