“Then let me reply with a question of my own. Is the message you bring of such import that I shouldn’t have you killed for aggravating me?”

“Oh, please. The word of our father forbids any god to slay another…” His voice trailed off as he found something entirely uncomfortable in her chilly gray stare. “Athena, my dear sister, you know, I’m perfectly harmless, really.”

“That’s what I keep telling myself. So far.”

“I was only trying to have a little fun. Just the tiniest amount. A bit of banter with my favorite sister. Cheer you up, yes? Take your mind off… well, you know.”

“I do know. And you shouldn’t forget it either.” She glanced past Hermes to a dressing table, where lay a circlet of gold studded with precious gems. Yet another trinket made for a sacrificial offering to her by some ambitious craftsman in the city that bore her name. It was quite fine, for the work of a mortal. She supposed that she should probably answer his prayer-and she would have, if she had bothered to remember his name. Her preoccupation with Ares had taken her thoughts away from those mortals who so relied on her even as they died. That must change soon, to repair more than sundered buildings.

“And, I, uh, I do apologize for the spying. Of all the Olympian goddesses, you are truly the most beautiful. Your form was elegant-nay, perfect with the bow curved back and the string taut. It was a sight to behold. Any foe would quake, just as an ally would rally to your cause.” Hermes rose from the couch, stretching his muscles in a fashion calculated to emphasize his lithe, youthful physique. “But you must admit, of the gods, I myself am the most handsome.”

“If you were half as handsome as you think you are, you would indeed outshine the sun.”

“You see? None can compare with me-”

“I’d like to hear you say so in front of Apollo.”