The Queen's Curse

five | Hera's heart

The younger sibling looked away. "You weren't the only person who was afraid." It was merely a whisper. "For I was afraid of what the world would see me as and you would one day, eventually, see me otherwise."

He let out a deep breath. "I know. We all were. But I never hated you, sister. I just wished we were on good terms but time changed us."

Hera faced him and shook her head in agreement. "Time let you find your Queen, Persephone."

The corners of his lips curved upwards. With a loving look evident in his eyes, there was no doubt that he loved her truly. "Indeed, and you have our brother, our King."

She scowled at that. Her hands were on top of each other, unconsciously playing with her golden ring. "Yes, " She uttered with gritted teeth.

Zeus...

Loving him was similar to a starry night. It was endless. Whilst his love for me was temporary, a sun that would soon set into the horizon. She thought to herself.

Hades noticed the sudden change in her features as her mood instantly sagged. Everyone was aware of Zeus' ways and it angered the Lord of the Underworld when it greatly affected his youngest sister. He often wondered when the King would change and if he even was a tad bit concerned about his wife. After all, Zeus approached Hades first regarding his sister, noting their obvious closeness in the past, unaware of the feelings they both had for each other. "I apologize."

"That's a first, brother."

"I shouldn't have mentioned him."

"No, you shouldn't have."

She reassured him. "Do not worry about me."

After spending some time with her oldest brother, she returned to the palace with a peaceful mind.

She may have reconciled and made peace with him but when she entered her chambers with the presence of her husband, all the negative thoughts rushed into their respective places, taunting her every move. When will it end? She pondered her thoughts. Coming to terms that she wasn't going to rest for the night, she retired to her study and worked on her paperwork, hoping that it would, somehow, let her mental health energize.

***

When the door of her study creaked, alerting that someone was entering, the Queen never spared the intruder a glance before she spoke in a commanding voice, "I haven't summoned you. Feel free to let yourself rest for the time being."

A deep voice replied to her that sent shivers down her spine. "Is that how you should speak to your King?"

Hera would have slightly jumped at the sound of his voice when the moment her words left her mouth, she immediately sensed his presence. She glanced at him and saw the golden tray he was carrying in between his hands. "My King." She addressed him and raised her eyebrow in question.

He strode towards her table and set her tea down. "You keep on dismissing your handmaiden when Apollo's already taking over Artemis' place. I offered to bring your daily dose of tea." Truth to be told, Zeus offered to bring the tea in order to check on his wife. Apparently, he sensed that she wasn't occupying their bedroom the entire night. Even if Zeus was portrayed as a self-centered King who only cares about himself, there was a side of him that people would rarely see. A soft side of him worrying about his wife.

Though, he would never admit that in front of anybody.

Hera's appearance left him appalled. It was rare, witnessing the bold image of his Queen, especially when he would either sleep with numerous women or settle on the settee every night. Not given the chance to see Hera when she was retiring in their bedroom. He savored her appearance as he eyed her curves and dress contrasting with her ginger red hair.

"I did not notice the time." She muttered under her breath and watched as Zeus poured her a cup.

"If you don't mind..."

"Be my guest." Her tone was laced with sarcasm as he was already pouring the contents on her teacup. The King ignored her snarky tone and watched her drink her tea.

It bothered her, to say the least. When she placed the cup on the table, she turned to him with her eyebrows furrowed. "You're still here. Are you offering to bathe me as well?"

Despite it being rhetorical, there was an obvious glint in Zeus' eyes when those words left her mouth. Though she was irritated by him, he couldn't help but tease by using her words against her. "If that's what you wish, I'd be happy to oblige."

Her eyes widened and soon she was glaring daggers at the King. Rising from her chair, she departed from her study and went inside her chambers where she summoned Iris.

The look he gave disturbed her, especially when she was well aware of the attraction she still has for him. But, it has been centuries when they shared a bed. It has been centuries when he woke all the feelings she had and still has for him, nearly causing destruction. A combination of her love and hatred towards him. The emotions she flooded when their bodies combined and immortal souls locked into an embrace.

Remembering what she told Hades, she was afraid. Trusting in him would be allowing the King to shatter her into a million pieces. Allowing the last bit of her sanity in his grasp will ruin her completely. After all, if there were things that Zeus will forever own, it would be the remaining contents of her being.

And Hera's heart.

•••

To the person who actually reads my stories, thank you. You read it to support me. You also read it because you actually like it. You never fail to amaze me. My written works improve because of you. Thank you for truly loving my stories.You always believe in me, no matter what.

RJweirdness, love you 🖤

~AC