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Zeus scowled. Like you re much good, the way you ve been moping around since your return.
Hera shimmered into existence next to Zeus. So give the boy the mortal wench his heart desires.
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Surprise lit Zeus dark eyes. Here? He spread his arms wide. In our heavens? But she s not even a
nymph.
Leo s heart leapt at the thought. Yes, Father. You have a wife. Am I not permitted the pleasure?
Zeus arched his eyebrow. But you re not the marrying kind. In a barely audible aside, Zeus muttered
for Leo s ears alone, Whatpleasure?
Hera tugged on Zeus beard. Give the lad a break. Can t you see he s in love?
Zeus yanked back with a yowl and treated his wife to a dirty glare. Have mercy, woman. The lad s
merely in lust.
Glaring back, Hera folded her arms across her heaving bosom. Her brows lifted and her nostrils flared.
She tapped her sandaled foot. So, men can onlylust after women? They can t love their wives? Is that
why you constantly cheat on me, dear husband?
Leo inched out of the line of fire and checked his peripheral vision for any passing stars on which he
could hitch a ride.
Zeus Adam s apple protruded and he looked about to swallow his tongue. Of course not, my dear.
He glanced at Leo as if asking for help.
Like he had any pull with his dear step-mom. Leo just shrugged and shook his head.
I thought you didn t like my illegitimate offspring. Why are you being so nice to him? What do you want
this time, wife?
Hera stepped back as if slapped. Nothing more than to help our beloved Leo. I m hurt that you would
suspect anything devious or untoward of me, dear husband.
111 Ashley Ladd
Shocked, Leo blinked.Hera wanted to help him? He was just as skeptical as his dear old dad. Maybe
more. It was a well-known fact that Hera despised her stepchildren, him included. He wondered where
the poison apple lay.
Desperately missing his Clestie, Leo decided he d worry about Hera s motives later. Now, he d take
any help he could get. I am the marrying kind if I have the right woman and Clestie s the right
woman. He glanced slyly at the beautiful older, well-preserved woman. Just like dear Hera isyour soul
mate.
Zeus started to cough and then tears rolled down his cheeks. He held his mouth over his hand and finally
said, It s getting deep out here.
Hera threw a lightning bolt at Zeus that singed his beard. She laughed as Zeus hopped up and down,
trying to extinguish the fire. Watch your step, dear husband, or next time, I ll put something more
important than your beard on fire. Pointedly, she let her gaze travel south.
Zeus and Leo gulped. If this is what it would be like to be married to a goddess, he d take a mortal any
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day. He blessed the decidedly unshrewish Clestie. Bowing low and deferentially to his sire, he pleaded,
Please grant me my heart s desire and I will pledge my eternal allegiance.
Zeus gazed shrewdly. I already have your eternal allegiance. What other bargaining chips do you
have?
Leo got down on bended knee. Only the truth. Clestie has proven herself worthy of being exalted. She
showed godly courage and love. She sacrificed her happiness for the good of mankind. She s earned her
place amongst us in the heavens by my side. What more could you ask for in a daughter-in-law? What
better woman to bear you strong, fine grandsons?
Zeus patted his beard and tweaked out a smoldering ember. Then he leveled a very sober gaze on Leo.
Will you settle down and stop being such a party animal?
Leo put his palm to his heart. Nodding sagely, he promised, I swear. If you bestow me this, my most
fervent desire, I will make you proud.
Leo squared his shoulders and faced off against Zeus. He tossed his mane behind him and narrowed his
eyes. I have reached a decision. I would rather be mortal and finish my days on Earth with Clestie,
however short a time it may be, than remain here for eternity, if that is the only choice I m given.
Zeus scowled. Oh, all right.
Hera cried with joy and hugged her husband. I knew there was a reason I loved you so much.
Zeus studied him for several moments. Then a huge grin crossed his lips and he heartily slapped Leo on
his back. About time you grew a backbone.
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