Page 8

“Whiskey. Neat. Whatever swill you call your best in this establishment.”

He complied almost instantly before retreating again to the furthest corner. When she was sure he was out of earshot, Nemesis finally looked Hera in the eyes.

“I have promised you a favor, and we’ve settled on the recompense.” Hera shivered slightly. They had not technically “settled” on anything. She had been fast and loose that night with her promises. And really, when all was said and done, she would have nothing left to keep anyway. Nemesis could take it all.

A long-fingered hand lay on top of hers, stopping her own from tapping the bar. She hadn’t been aware she was doing it. The touch was cold, like the eyes watching her. “I’m not going to ask why you’re doing this. Out of all the deities and mortals, you’d be the one with the biggest claim to Zeus’ ruin. I’m just going to ask you if you’re certain.”

Hera pushed the whiskey tumbler closer to Nemesis, her fingers pulling from under the cold ones and restlessly drawing circles in the condensation left behind.

“If I’m certain I want my cheating, lying, world-destroying scumbag of an ex-husband ruined? Sure. Got any other questions?”

Nemesis exhaled, but did not touch the whiskey. Her eyes took on a pensive quality.

“Can’t say I blame you. Can’t say I understand either.”

Hera all but tasted bile.

“Can’t say you understand? That I would want to see the man who has disrespected me, betrayed me, ground me into dirt for the world to see and laugh at for millennia, utterly annihilated, taken for everything and made to look a fool? What kind of Goddess of Vengeance are you?”

Nemesis did not flinch at the raised voice. The bears busied themselves in the corner, pretending to be invisible. They might not be able to hear the words, but Hera knew her face showed plenty of fury.

“The kind you need, it seems.” An exhalation. Then Nemesis picked up the tumbler in what Hera thought was a conciliatory gesture. “Why did you summon the Cupid?”

Well, nothing much escaped Vengeance’s gaze.

“She’s part of the plan. She’s responsible for one of the points.” Hera drawled, pleased that Nemesis was already proving herself to be much more… everything, Hera decided upon further inspection at the way the white shirt draped over toned delts, gaping a bit to reveal collarbones and… No, better not go there. Better not tempt the Fates again. The crones would only laugh at her.

“Ah, I see there are bullet points. And so, the plan is?”

Hera almost rubbed her hands together, then composed herself and began.

“Yes, of course, there are bullet points. What do you take me for? I’m a Capricorn.”

“Certainly not a Virgo. I’d know.” The full lips stretched into a sinful smile, and Hera felt heat rise up her neck. Yes, Nemesis had seen, tasted and fucked enough to know Hera was no…

“Titans help me with you and this sense you call humor.” Another deep breath, and she waved the innuendo away. “Here’s the gist of the plan. Zeus is a creature of sad habit. He loves himself. Not his children, not even his role as Ruler of Olympus. Not his thunder and lightning. He’s bored with all that, after these millennia. So he cares very little about very few things. But he does care.”

Nemesis made a face, between disgust and apathy. Hera was unsurprised by the first. A touch worried about the latter. Nemesis leaned closer and asked, “I assume you have a list?”

Hera pushed aside the tiny unease and snapped her fingers. A page appeared on the bar in front of them. It indeed held bullet points.

Nemesis’s eyes moved along the lines, then the same eyebrow she’d cocked earlier rose again.

“A man of simple needs. A yacht, his oil business, his art collection, and a woman.”

“He is that. Simple.” Hera smirked.

“I take it Sabine was here to take care of the woman?”

“Very good.” Hera did not show that she was impressed. Although it wasn’t all that hard to put two and two together, she didn’t think Nemesis actually understood the depth of her villainy.

“You want the Queen of the Perfect Match to make him fall in love, and then you want me to snatch away whoever he falls for. And you probably ordered the arrow slinger to make the match happen to ensure said snatching hurt him.”

Hera allowed herself a small pout. Even the Cupid hadn’t guessed her plan right away. No wonder she had allowed herself and Nemesis their… moment of weakness all those months ago. They had equally vindictive minds.

Still, being read this fast was unsatisfying. Nemesis, not smiling, nor praising her plan, was equally unsatisfying.

“Revenge, what is your problem with my plan exactly?”