Hera's features were pinched in a sneer as she glided gracefully across the floor and claimed the seat her husband had just vacated. Unlike Zeus, who had slumped back in the armchair as if he were lounging in his private quarters, Hera remained regal, carefully arranging her flowing robes so they wouldn't be crushed or wrinkled.
"Hera, so good to see you again," Hades began, his smile strained.
The air in the room grew tense as a flicker of irritation crossed Hera's face. When she spoke, a slight tremor shook the earth beneath their feet, rattling items on Hades' desk. He reached out to catch his fountain pen before it rolled off the edge.
"Is it? I sent Zeus here so you could fix him, and yet my ravens tell me he's zipped back to the mortal realm and evaded their surveillance once again. I swear to the Fates, if I have to deal with one more half-breed stepchild—"
She cut herself off abruptly, drawing in a deep breath. The tremors and the surge of power vanished just as quickly, causing Hades' ears to pop as the pressure in the room returned to normal.
Hades arched an eyebrow, impressed by how quickly she pulled herself together. The only sign of her disquiet was the storm raging in her eyes; a stark contrast to the serene smile she'd fixed on her face.
He silently flipped open his notebook to a fresh page. Without a word to Hera, he wrote down her name and made a quick note: Deep seated anger and resentment.
She smoothed out the voluminous folds of her robes and loosely clasped her hands in her lap. "Forgive my show of temper, Hades. So, how did my lord husband's session go?"
"You know I can't tell you that, Hera. My sessions with Zeus will remain private unless he chooses to share what we discuss of his own free will, just as I would never discuss anything that happens in a session with anyone else."
Her laughter was unexpected.
"You mistake the reason for my visit. I'm not here for your counsel. I simply wish to hear your initial assessment after your session with Zeus. Can you fix his…"— Her expression twisted with disdain as she waved a hand in the air— "Infidelity issues?"
"Again, I cannot discuss Zeus' sessions with you. Nor do I claim to be a miracle worker," Hades added, a wry twist of his lips. "But I can attempt to help you with any issues you might be experiencing, such as your feelings regarding Zeus' open disloyalty."
Hera slammed a hand down on his desk.
"I don't need help to sort through my feelings! Have I not made them clear enough already? I am, among many other things, the patron goddess of marriage. One who can't even keep her own marriage in order. Is my anger not justifiable, when my husband makes a mockery of what I represent?" she yelled.
Hades nodded. "Of course it is. You are entitled to your feelings, Hera. But you also need to deal with them in a healthy manner."
"Which I do," she huffed.
"By violently lashing out at Zeus' mistresses?"
Hera crossed her arms. "Are you saying they don't deserve it? For laying with my husband and making a mockery of me, Queen of Olympus? I am not the only god who punishes disrespectful mortals for their hubris and disrespect. You have done it yourself once or twice; oh mighty Lord of the Underworld," she scoffed.
Her power surged once more, turning the air stale. Hades could feel it against his skin, an abrasive irritation that caused him mild discomfort. He dearly wished he could pour himself another glass of ambrosia, but knowing Hera, she'd likely find a reason to take offense.
"True. But don't you think your anger is directed at the wrong people? Zeus isn't always honest with his mistresses about his identity," he pointed out.
Hera rolled her eyes. "So? Do you expect me to live and let live because Zeus is a deceitful bastard? Besides, those wretches should be grateful I let them live at all. I say that's mercy enough."
Hades tapped his fingers on the notepad. "I doubt Semele would agree."
His statement was like pouring oil on an already raging fire. Power exploded through the room in a blinding flash of light.
Hades braced himself, half-expecting the ceiling to come crashing down or something even more violent to befall him. So far, he'd avoided naming any of Zeus' mistresses, well aware of Hera's volatile temper. His clinic was new, and Persephone had taken great pride in designing every detail. Hades would hate to see all her effort destroyed in a fit of divine wrath.
Surprisingly, when the hot burst of light faded, everything remained intact. Hera had a tighter grip on her temper than he'd anticipated which somehow made her even more terrifying. He shuddered to imagine what might happen the day she chose to unleash her fury fully on Zeus, and possibly the world.
Pushing up from her seat, Hera braced both hands on the desk and glared down at him.
"I am not responsible for Semele's decisions. I merely whispered in her ear and pointed out a few things she would have seen for herself, had she not been bewitched by Zeus' cock. Never did I force her to follow through with my suggestions. Zeus, too, was a fool for promising to grant her every wish when he knows how imprudent mortals can be."
Hades hummed thoughtfully, waiting until she sat back down before reaching for his pen. Mindful of Hera's temper, he kept his notes carefully out of sight.
Lack of accountability. Exhibits signs of gaslighting and manipulative behaviour toward others, and possibly herself.
"And what of Leto? Would you place the blame for her suffering solely at Zeus' feet? Or maybe on Ares, who made sure she couldn't find a safe place to give birth? Won't you take responsibility for that too?"
"You will not bring my son into this," Hera snapped, eyes flashing with unbridled power.
Surprisingly, the fight drained from her like fire doused with a splash of water. She slumped in her seat, her composure cracking, shoulders sagging in a rare display of defeat. She sighed.
"Why do you try to paint me the villainess, Hades? It's the same everywhere I go. No one bats an eye at Zeus' abhorrent behaviour, but I'm the bitch when I retaliate in kind? And it's not just the mistresses… Are you aware your brother treats his bastards with more care and compassion than he's ever shown Ares? He had the nerve to allow my precious Hebe to marry Heracles! My husband makes a mockery of me but I'm the one with…" Her voice cracked on a sob.
Hades reached for the box of tissues at the edge of his desk and slid it across to her. She accepted it with a mumbled thanks and dabbed at the golden tears tracking down her face.
"Apologies. I don't mean to get so emotional," Hera sniffed.
"No need to apologize, Hera. This is the whole point of therapy; to allow you to embrace and explore your emotions in a safe space. Like I said, no one but the two of us is privy to what happens in this room."
"Good," Hera sniffed. Then, with a mischievous smirk, she added, "Otherwise, I'd be forced to consider Demeter's petition to dissolve your marriage with Persephone."
Hades blinked, feeling his own power rise to the surface at the threat. "You wouldn't dare. As my wife and Queen of the Underworld, Persephone is not subject to Olympus' rule."
Hera raised her brows. "Wanna bet?"
A tense silence fell between them, evolving into a full-blown staring contest that lasted all of five minutes until Hera broke into laughter.
"Relax. I'm just pulling your leg."
"So Demeter hasn't petitioned to end my marriage?" Hades asked, studying her with open scepticism
"Oh, she has. She's had multiple audiences with Zeus and I, talking at us until our ears bleed. Fortunately for you, I happen to think my sister is a stuck-up control freak who needs to loosen the apron strings and let her daughter live her life," Hera chuckled.
Look who's talking, Hades thought.
He cleared his throat. "Back to what we were discussing do you believe others see you as a villain?"
"Depending on the point of view, you're either a hero or a villian in somoene else's story. Isn't that how it goes?" she shrugged despondently. "Except I'm being unfairly cast in that role, when the real villain here is Zeus. If he never cheated, those women wouldn't have suffered at my hands."
"Your anger and frustration are understandable. But instead of lashing out and hurting others, perhaps you could—"
"Oh, would you look at the time? I've been here far too long." Hera stood and straightened her robes. "I've already scheduled Zeus' next appointment. Don't worry I'll make sure his ass is back in this chair, and this time you better fix him. Toodles!"
"Hera, wait! We're not done here," Hades said, rising as she walked away. "You should schedule a follow-up for yourself as well!" He called out just before she slammed the door shut. Why he was insisting, he had no idea. Between her and Zeus, he had his work cut out for him. "Gaia help me," he groaned, pulling the notebook toward him and adding one last note:
Queen of passive aggression.