EoM Bk 2: Favored and Forgotten
Copyright© 2026 by Carlos Santiago
Chapter 9: The Gaze That Lingers
Mythology Sex Story: Chapter 9: The Gaze That Lingers - With humanity rising and Prometheus bound in endless torment, Zeus entrusts Apollo, Hermes, and Athena to guide mortals while he indulges himself. Over centuries, the gods grow more fascinated with humanity. Ixion is welcomed on Olympus while Demeter fears for Persephone. Meanwhile, Zeus and Hera’s quiet personal struggles threatens to reshape Olympus, the Underworld, and the fate of gods and mortals alike.
Caution: This Mythology Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Coercion Consensual NonConsensual Reluctant Heterosexual Fiction High Fantasy Science Fiction Paranormal Cheating BTB Cream Pie First Pregnancy Big Breasts Small Breasts Geeks Politics Royalty Transformation Violence
“ ... with mad heart [Ixion] lusted after Hera.”
— Pindar (c. 518–438 BCE), Pythian Ode II (Πυθιόνικος Βʹ), ll. 41–43 (traditional numbering; varies by edition), from the Ixion passage. Composed for Hieron I of Syracuse after a Pythian victory, c. 475–474 BCE. Translation in archaizing English style by Richard Claverhouse Jebb, later reprinted in public-domain editions of The Odes of Pindar. Public domain.
Hera did not wait to be announced.
The doors to Zeus’ private chamber opened at her will. She stepped inside without haste because others would wait. Her long dark hair fell with a measured yet wavy manner down her back as her violet eyes flashed with intensity upon the figure at the far end of the hall.
Zeus stood beside a great table of polished stone, On this piece of furniture was a map of Greece
He did not look up when she entered.
“You have invited that Ixion back into our halls,” Hera declared. “Tell me, Zeus, why do you continue to indulge in this proximity to the hairless apes.”
Her voice was calm, which of course made her more dangerous.
“He fascinates me while entertaining the masses.”
“You and I know there is a distinction between fascination and prudence. I should think you would be wise enough to recognize the difference.”
Zeus let out an exhaling breath of irritation.
“You and the others once found Tantalus charming as well,” Hera pointed out. “Then came the slaughter of his son, the carving of the body, the offering of human flesh upon Olympus itself...”
She allowed this blow to land and let the pain linger before going on.
“I seem to recall Demeter and the others recoiling from mortals after that little display.”
Zeus’ fingers rested on the edge of the table, tapping once lightly.
“We have learned since then,” he said.
“I do not believe you have. You do so enjoy fraternizing with mortals,” Hera replied.
He did not rise to her bait. Hera did not know why, but she saw the muscles in his left arm flex. She had hurt him with that barb.
“Humans are popular, so I allow one or two of them to see the court and spread word of our greatness.”
Hera folded her arms, the motion slow and deliberate.
“You would expose the court of Olympus to satisfy mortal fascination?” Hera asked indignantly. “If Olympus requires mortal tongues to proclaim its majesty, then perhaps its majesty is weaker than you believe.”
“Small interactions like that remind them of their place,” Zeus corrected. Though he tried to sound even, he was holding back his famous temper. “No matter how high they climb, they will never stand where we stand.”
He stepped closer to her. She saw the aggression in his eyes, but she knew he would not strike. She knew him best, after all.
“So long as mortals remain fascinated by us,” he continued, “they remain beneath us. I know you do not see my brilliance, but this helps them remember their place.”
“Much like you showed me and Poseidon my place,” she said, defiant.
He said nothing, so she scoffed.
“Very well. You invite far greater danger into Olympus than any fleeting benefit could possibly justify.”
Zeus’ expression did not change, but somehow, he had a smug look in his eyes that made Hera think that he believed he had won this interaction.
Hera turned to leave. If he would not hear her, there was no point to this interaction.
Unfortunately for her, when she left his palace, he smirked.
“Danger is a lot like trouble,” he whispered. “It is only a problem when one does not see it coming.”
The road to Olympus found itself being walked upon by two beings of royal women.
Demeter’s strides made the earth and stones beneath her feet sigh with each step taken. By her side walked Persephone. The daughter’s auburn hair still had the small flecks of golden strawberry blonde of her youth.
They did not speak right away, much to Demeter’s irritation.
Persephone’s eyes moved everywhere except at or around her mother. Demeter worried that her daughter might have done something foolish.
With that in mind Demeter spoke respectfully.
“I will not linger long, I think,” she said at last. “The tree-nymphs need tending. With you being absent and some mortals coming near, the groves grow restless.”
Persephone did not turn from the sight before her.
“I am sorry for that,” she said. “But you came to see me nonetheless?”
Demeter’s expression softened for the smallest of moments.
“I did not wish to deny you this,” she admitted. “You are not a child, no matter how I might wish it otherwise, but I do know you are not a child.”
They could see someone was waiting for them at the threshold of Olympus proper.
“I know, Mother,” Persephone said back in a whisper. “Thank you for letting me come here.”
Hera stood waiting.
“Demeter,” Hera said in acknowledgement of her respectable sister. “You honor us with your presence.”
Demeter returned the gesture as honorably as it was given.
“I will not stay long,” she said plainly. “I only came to walk with my daughter for a moment before returning to the responsibilities of my domain.”
Hera’s gaze flicked briefly to Persephone.
“No,” she said. “I suppose so.”
Demeter stepped closer to her daughter. Her maternity overrode decency in those moments.
“Do not wander and stay within the boundaries Hera makes for you,” she said.
Persephone frowned slightly.
“Mother—”
“Come now, Persephone. Your mother is showing her worry, which I do believe is a sign of love.””
“You do not need to defend me, Sister,” Demeter remarked. She turned her attention to her daughter. “All I ask is that be careful, my dear.”
Persephone held her gaze for a moment before nodding and looking at the ground.
Demeter exhaled, for her daughter did not put her at ease. She turned to Hera.
“Watch her, please,” she said. “She is most dear to me.”
“I know; I will,” Hera said.
Demeter did not thank her.
She turned, and in a breath, vanished.
In her absence, Persephone spoke.
“She speaks as though I will shatter,” she said.
Hera did not answer immediately.
Instead, she began to walk, knowing that the strip of a girl would follow.
“You have been noticed,” she said. “Your mother simply is being careful.”
Persephone blinked in confusion. “Noticed?”
Hera’s tone did not change.
“Did I not mention this earlier? No matter. Helios watches you,” she said. “Apollo has asked after you, though tried to be pretty in his poetry. And Ares ... did not talk but the interest is there. Of that, I know.”
Persephone stopped walking.
“Why are you telling me this?” Persephone asked.
Hera made one more step before pausing herself. She understood that Persephone was far less experienced at what was occurring around her.
“This,” she said, “is why your mother guards you as she does. Have I not made that clear?”
Persephone grimaced in irritation.
“They are gods,” she said. “Not animals.”
“No. I do not believe they are. I find animals more dignified at times.”
“Aunt Hera!” Persephone found herself exclaiming.
“All I am saying is that sometimes,” she said, “the difference between animals and some of these boys is smaller than you would like.”
The words settled heavily between them.
“There are some that look for an opportunity to be unguarded,” Hera said. “Your mother does not wish for you to end up as prey.”
“I would rather risk the hunt,” she said, “than live in a cage. I do not need to be watched and oppressed.”
“I suppose not. You’re young and do not understand that sometimes the choices of the old are made to prevent the mistakes of the past. You think, at first,” Hera said slowly, “that danger can be fun and for your own good when the former might be true but the latter is not.”
Persephone said nothing right away.
“Maybe you’re right, but for one such as me, in a prison, we fear that the door was never mine to open.”
Hera drew in a deep, slow breath. The look on her face accepted the possibility that Persephone was correct
“Walk with me,” she said.
Persephone followed.
“One of the reasons I agreed to take you here on Olympus is that I do not want you to be imprisoned, but compromise notices that both sides have merit, Persephone.”
The daughter of Demeter bristled at the manner in which Hera said her name.
“How many compromises must one make?” Persephone wondered, controlling her temper. “How many can one make before we lose ourselves?”
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