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

fierce-looking bird surveyed the countryside from the top of the tallest cypress. Zeus often took the form of an eagle. He liked the improved eyesight—it helped him to find pretty girls. But sometimes he just felt like soaring. Perhaps today was one of those days.
    “Then I must go.” Unless Zeus had been philandering—at which times she let loose like an undammed river—Hera was a model wife. She retreated hastily but not before mouthing the words “Personal groomers!” to Paris behind Athena’s back.

TWENTY-TWO
    The Goddess of Wisdom waited until Hera was out of earshot. Then she said to Paris, “I’ve come under false pretenses. I lied. That bird’s not really Zeus. But I know as surely as I sprang full-grown from Zeus’ head that Hera’s been trying to bribe you.” She waited for Paris to deny this. When he didn’t, she said, “As I suspected. I was right to stop her. If she’s inventing new rules for this contest, we all get to play by them. Including me.”
    Right you are,
I thought. Athena has her faults, but she is nobody’s fool.
    “Now,” she said, straightening and raising her chin commandingly, “judge my beauty.”
    “Y⸍yes, Goddess.” Paris stepped back, and so did she. After standing for a moment with her knees locked and her hands at her sides, she turned stiffly in place. When she was once again facing Paris, she halted. Staring straight ahead like a soldier on review, she allowed him to inspect her. “Here I am,” she seemed to be saying, “so pay attention.”
    Athena’s erect bearing and no-nonsense delivery were about as seductive as an ice bath, and her voice was field commander–brusque. But her brow was noble, and her hair, which was always tucked into her helmet, proved to be thick and heavy, a pure silvery white that was startling against her smooth, sun-browned skin. Her wide-set gray eyes—Zeus called them “all-seeing”—shone like silver. Free of armor, her long, straight limbs were lithe and strong, lovely to see. It had never occurred to me that Athena was beautiful. Now I saw that she was.
All this and a mind like a bronze trap,
I thought.
Well, well.
    “Have you finished?” she asked Paris crisply.
    “Yes, Goddess.”
    “Then I’ll be brief. You look like a sensible fellow. You must want advancement in the world; it’s only natural.”
    He nodded, simply to agree with her, I think. Her manner said it was foolish not to.
    “Good. I can promise you a generalship, forty horses, and an unbroken string of military victories. Entire territories will fall to you. Shrines will be raised in your honor. I’ll have my very own armorer make you a sword. He’s a genius. You’ll be free to plunder and maraud at will. And you can storm out of meetings whenever you like—all in exchange for the apple. What do you say?”
    Once again Paris’ brow was beaded with sweat. He wiped it away and collected himself before replying. “I— I thank you for your offer,” he said slowly. “It’s most generous. But”—and here he took a very deep breath—“I’m not a military man, Goddess. The truth is, I don’t really like to fight. I’ve never even wanted a sword.”
    Athena stared at him as if he’d just coughed up a lizard. But before she could say anything, Hera descended.
    “You lied to me, Athena!” she hissed. “That wasn’t Zeus, it was a field hawk, and you knew it!” She turned on Paris. “What’s she been saying to you?” she demanded.
    Athena gave a nearly imperceptible shake of her head, warning Paris to keep silent. If Hera learned that he’d rejected her offer, she’d gloat, and Athena couldn’t tolerate that. Seeing Athena’s warning look, Paris had the good sense to hold his tongue, but Hera pressed him. “Well?” she asked sharply.
    At this moment a melodious “Eu-hoo!” came from Aphrodite, who was once again clothed, sandaled, girdled, and waiting under the cypresses. “What are you doing over there?” she called. “Is the