Read Online Quicksilver by Stephanie Spinner - Free Book Online Page A

didn’t undress too, he’d never even look at them.
    Hera made up her mind first.
    “What a clever idea,” she purred, throwing a very polished, very insincere smile in Aphrodite’s direction. “I should have thought of it myself. Though you really must take off your girdle, Aphrodite. It’s giving you an unfair advantage.”
    “I agree,” said Athena, who had gone as far as removing her gauntlets.
    “Ooh, we can’t have that.” Aphrodite’s husky sarcasm was not lost on her rivals, who waited pointedly for her to pull off the girdle. This she did slowly, almost teasingly. The girdle slithered to the ground, and Athena glared at it.
    Now Hera moved closer to Paris, undoing the brooches and pins that fastened her robes. As she approached him, they drifted onto the grass like great silken petals, until she was entirely bare. I’d never seen her like this, and I was impressed: she was stately and voluptuous, her incandescent skin a testament to milk baths, royal jelly, and massage.
    Even so, Paris seemed more inclined to look at Aphrodite. In her girdle or out of it, she was bewitching. I myself never failed to pulse with longing when she smiled at me, even though she’d been doing it for centuries. She was having the same effect on Paris.
    Undaunted, Hera took his arm.
    “Come. Let’s chat,” she said, leading him to a spot very near me. On the way she managed to retrieve her shawl, and now she draped the purple silk around herself in such a way—slowly, carefully—that Paris’ eyes were drawn to her bosom. She gave him a few moments to appreciate its gentle rise and fall, its bounteous contours, its perfume. When he was fully attentive, she said, “I’m impressed with you, Paris, really I am. I know a born leader when I see one.”
    “You do?”
    “Oh, yes. Believe me, you’re not what you think you are. You’re destined for great things. Fate has much more in store for you than this. . . .” She gestured dismissively toward the flock.
    “Really?” Something in his voice told me he might have entertained such thoughts himself. Shepherds often daydream—about riches, about glory, about life without biting insects. According to Apollo, they all think they’re destined to lead men, not sheep. He calls it an occupational delusion, whatever that is.
    “. . . provided you make the right decisions,” Hera continued, “if you catch my drift.”
    Paris swallowed. “Uh . . . what are you . . . I mean, are you saying that . . .?” Behind that perfect forehead, the mind was struggling.
    “I’m saying that I can give you power and riches if you give me the apple,” Hera replied smoothly. “Think about it.” She gave him the full benefit of her turquoise gaze. “You’ll be a prince of Troy and live in a palace of at least two stories, perhaps even three. You’ll have hot food. Warm baths. Fine clothing. Personal groomers. People will obey you. They’ll satisfy your every whim.” She leaned toward him, leading with her breasts. “There’s absolutely nothing like it,” she whispered. “Nothing!”
    “It sounds wonderful,” Paris said enthusiastically. “Warm baths? Fine clothes? I would give almost anything . . .” He caught himself. “But . . . I swore to Hermes and Lord Zeus that I’d judge fairly. So I really can’t accept . . .” He faltered, swiping at the droplets of sweat on his brow. Not quite daring to look Hera in the eye, he asked, “Did . . . did you say personal groomers?”
    “As many as you like,” she assured him.
    His handsome face puckered with indecision. “Well—”
    “Excuse me for interrupting.” Athena, bareheaded and wearing only her white linen undergarments, appeared between them suddenly.
    “Oh! You frightened me!” cried Hera.
    “Really.” The Goddess of Wisdom, self-possessed even in her underwear, did not apologize. “Your husband has arrived,” she said crisply. “He’s come as an eagle, and he’s waiting for you.” She pointed. A